It’s a new season with new responsibilities for Matt Lentz.
Lentz, a 2001 graduate of Brandon High School, is in his fourth year at the University of Michigan, and third year of eligibility for the Wolverines? football team.
Last year marked Lentz’s first as a starter with the Wolverines. Playing right guard, Lentz was part of an experienced offensive line that helped the Wolverines capture the Big Ten championship and make it to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on New Year’s Day against the University of Southern California.
Unfortunately for Lentz and his teammates, USC defeated the Wolverines 28-14 on their way to winning a share of the college football national championship.
The Wolverines finished last season with a 10-3 overall record, placing sixth in the Associated Press college football poll, and seventh in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
After the season, Michigan lost two members of that line to graduation, as tackle Tony Pape was drafted in the seventh round of the National Football League draft by the Miami Dolphins, and center Dave Pearson signed as a rookie free agent with the Detroit Lions.
With that in mind, Lentz will be asked to take on a leadership role along with fifth-year senior David Baas and senior Adam Stenavich.
‘The other guys will definitely be looking to us,? he said.
The team reported for their first day of practice Tuesday, Aug. 3. In addition to replacing Pape and Pearson, the Wolverines must replace last year’s starting quarterback, John Navarre (drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals) and last year’s Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, tailback Chris Perry (drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals).
However, Lentz is confident their replacements, whomever they may be, will do a good job and fit in well with the rest of the Wolverines.
‘During the summer, you get the bond going with your teammates,? he said. ‘Whoever starts at quarterback will be of good character. It will be the same at running back.?
Despite the Wolverines? loss to USC in the Rose Bowl, Lentz said he enjoyed his experience at the big game. ‘It was definitely one of the best bowls I’ve been to ? it’s the granddaddy of them all,? he said. ‘It was overwhelming for us.?
Lentz said he is optimistic about the Wolverines? chances of making a return trip to the Rose Bowl, but knows it won’t be easy.
‘I think our chances are pretty good, but Ohio State will be up there, as well as Iowa,? he said.
As far as goals for this season, Lentz said they are ‘to be a leader on the team, keep improving every game, and winning the Big 10 and national championships.?
The Wolverines are ranked seventh in the ESPN/USA Today college football preseason poll, the highest of any Big Ten Conference team. They open the 2004 season Sept. 4 when they host Miami of Ohio.