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Hart, Henne back for Michigan-Michigan State game

Nov 3, 2007 - 10:43 AM No. 15 Michigan (7-2) at Michigan State (5-4) 3:30 pm EDT

EAST LANSING, Michigan (Ticker) -- Michigan coach Lloyd Carr could afford to rest Mike Hart and Chad Henne against Minnesota. He cannot do likewise this week.

Senior stars Hart and Henne are expected to return from injuries this week at the 15th-ranked Wolverines visit dangerous rival Michigan State for a Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday.

The Wolverines played without running back Hart (high right ankle sprain) and quarterback Henne (apparent separated right shoulder) last week but nevertheless pulled away from Minnesota at home, 34-10.

Freshman Ryan Mallett filled in for Henne and threw for a season-high 233 yards and a touchdown - a 40-yard pass to Mario Manningham, who set a career high with 162 yards on five catches.

With Hart out for a second straight week, sophomores Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor combined for 289 yards and three TDs.

Although Michigan (7-2, 5-0 Big Ten) won comfortably after falling behind 10-0, the Wolverines will need Hart's and Henne's leadership to win on the road against the Spartans and remain unbeaten in conference play.

The Spartans (5-4, 1-4) have lost four of five and are in 10th place in the 11-team conference, but they always get fired up to play the Wolverines and could make a statement for first-year coach Mark Dantonio with a victory here.

Michigan has won five straight meetings but needed at least one overtime period to beat Michigan State in both 2004 and 2005.

Two years ago, the Wolverines escaped East Lansing with a 34-31 overtime triumph.

The Spartans were involved in another overtime contest last week, coming up short at Iowa, 34-27.

Jehuu Caulcrick rushed for three TDs and Brian Hoyer passed for 308 yards for Michigan State, which held a 17-3 halftime lead.