OSU/MICHIGAN Harding grad key to UM's success

Mario Manningham has already made the biggest play of Michigan's season.
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COLUMBUS -- So far this season, the ones who got away have failed to drive a stake in the heart of Ohio State, but Mario Manningham wields the hammer that could deliver the killing blow.
The freshman receiver from Warren Harding already has turned Michigan's season around with a 10-yard touchdown catch with no time remaining to defeat previously unbeaten Penn State, 27-25, on Oct. 15. Manningham recorded just three receptions for 49 yards that day, but two went for touchdowns.
Second in receptions
That victory was the first of four in a row for the No. 17 Wolverines (7-3, 5-2), who host No. 9 Ohio State (8-2, 6-1) on Saturday. Michigan boasts bigger-name targets for quarterback Chad Henne in Steve Breaston and Jason Avant, but Manningham stands second on the team in catches (20), receiving yards (341) and is tied for second in overall touchdowns (five).
"His touchdown may be the biggest play of our season," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said of the last-play heroics against the Nittany Lions. "Mario is an outstanding football player. He displayed that in high school. He came from a great program. But I guess I am a little surprised at how much he's done as a true freshman."
Ohio State and Michigan have hopes of sharing the Big Ten title with Penn State and earning a BCS bowl berth, which would go to the Wolverines in the event of a three-way tie.
Needs a big game
For Michigan to prevail, Manningham probably will need to produce more against OSU than tailbacks Javon Ringer of Michigan State or Tyrell Sutton of Northwestern. Ringer (Dayton Chaminade-Julienne) gained 76 yards on 16 carries on Oct. 15. Sutton (Hoban) rushed for 93 yards on 14 attempts and caught one pass for a 5-yard touchdown last weekend.
"I won't be shocked if he impacts the outcome," Warren Harding coach Thom McDaniels said of Manningham.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 185 pounds, Manningham was named a Parade All-American at Warren Harding and was rated the sixth-best receiver prospect in the nation by two recruiting news outlets. McDaniels said Manningham's college choice came down to Ohio State or Michigan, which had Buckeyes fans howling.
"A lot of guys are fast, but they're linear runners," McDaniels said. "Mario is faster when he's not running in a straight line. I've never coached anybody like him.
Quick and elusive
"But that isn't his best asset. It's his quickness and elusiveness. When he has the ball, he knows where the other 21 players are on the field. It's like a sense or a radar."
McDaniels said Manningham is the perfect complement for Henne (2,033 yards, 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions), Avant (70 catches, 900 yards, seven touchdowns), Breaston (18-230-2) and sophomore tailback Mike Hart (573 yards, four touchdowns). Hart has missed the past 11 quarters with hamstring and ankle injuries but is expected to play Saturday.
"Mario is the X factor," McDaniels said. "When you talk about Michigan you talk about their other receivers, their tailback and quarterback. All the other guys give him an opportunity to make a difference. If you ranked their players, he might be the last guy. But that's wrong. You can't ignore him."
Buckeyes aware
OSU senior free safety Nate Salley said the Buckeyes won't make that mistake.
"To come in as a freshman and do the great things he's done, he's huge in their offense," Salley said. "Even with Avant and Breaston, he's been the one you see making the very key plays. When he caught the ball in the back of the end zone, that definitely turned their season around and got their swagger back."
McDaniels remembered a state semifinal game against Massillon in the Rubber Bowl in 2002 as an example of the impact Manningham can make.
When the teams met in the regular season, Manningham scored on a punt return, kickoff return and two receptions. In the playoffs, Massillon refused to kick to Manningham until once late in the fourth quarter.
"He returned the punt past the 50, that let us tie and we won in overtime," McDaniels said. "He's had a history and a penchant for making big plays. I'm not at all shocked by what he's done. I know him better than Lloyd does."
Rates among best
Since Carr became coach in 1995, Michigan has produced receivers such as Amani Toomer, Tai Streets, Marquise Walker, David Terrell and Braylon Edwards. Carr thinks that Manningham has what it takes to join that elite list.
"He's got speed, great hands, toughness," Carr said. "He's very, very competitive. He has a great work ethic, a great attitude, is very coachable. All those things give him a chance to be a great one."