Author: Andy Andersen

Andy Andersen, Senior Football Writer andyandersen@wowway.com Andy is a Michigan graduate and long time Michigan Football fan, having attended games during the tenures of Fritz Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Bump Elliot, Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke. He attempts to present articles consistent with the concerns and interests of Michigan Fans.
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M FOOTBALL 2015- SOME SEASON ENDING COMMENTARY AND THE 2015 ANNUAL FOOTBALL BUST.

The 95th edition of the Wolverine’s football bust was again sponsored by the University of Michigan Club of Detroit, and was held on the evening of December 7, 2015 at Livonia’s Laurel Manor.

I was not able to attend the Bust this year, but it remains an opportunity that Michigan Fans should take annually for a number of reasons. It enables fans to put a face on the football machines you see on the field on Saturdays, and some that you don’t often get to observe that are in the background of the program, but contribute much to the success.

Obviously, we all still remember that the Wolverine’s 2015 football regular season ended in disappointment with a pounding by the Buckeyes. Nevertheless, this season overall was a resounding success, despite the ten second reprieve that saved Michigan State’s bacon in this year’s tilt against the Wolverines, and the last disappointment against Ohio State.

Like many others in the preseason, I held the opinion that the season could not be a success without victories against the Spartans and the Buckeyes, but it was a success in spite of that. The Wolverines were competitive in all their games, home and away, except for OSU. They endured, fought, and often overcame, fighting to success nine times.

The coaching team was, for the most part, also outstanding, and remains intact, with the exception of departing Defensive Coordinator D. J. Durkin. Durkin is the Head Coach at Maryland now and will be replaced by Greg Mattison as DC for the bowl game. Interim Athletic Director Hackett will be replaced at his own wish. A search committee to replace him has been formed, and is operating.

The entire record of this season is not written, as Florida will once again cross paths with the Wolverines in a New Year’s Day Citrus Bowl competition, in what should be an evenly matched game.

While it is obvious improvements are necessary, a 9 and 3 win loss record, and appearance in the Citrus Bowl are drastic improvements over last year’s dismal 5 wins, 7 losses, with no bowl appearance.

At the end of this season the Wolverines were seconds away from a real run at the East Division Championship game. They won away from home. They fielded a remarkable defense, and an improving offense. They were exciting and innovative.

For example, Jabril Peppers, was learning, and improving defensively (in several categories), offensively (in several categories including running back), and on special teams as he became an integral part of the Wolverine’s success. He will only improve his own, and his team’s fortunes.

The staff recruited Jake Ruddock, a graduate 5th year QB from Iowa, taught him a new system, nurtured and supported him through the rough patches, and he had quite a year. They made him into more than just the caretaker all expected. He became a playmaker.

There was a learning curve, as there were timing problems on early long throws, and much fan wringing of hands. It seemed for a while he would never hit WR’s like the streaking Jehu Chesson with the deep ball, but he did as they switched from a running to an effective passing offensive.

Ruddock and his teammate, Chesson, became only the second pair of teammates in conference history to share the Big Ten Player of the Week Award, after they connected for four TDs in the Wolverine’s double overtime at Indiana.

The speedy Chesson also prospered on special teams, recovered a fumble, blocked a punt, and was honored as the MVP of this year’s team by his teammates.

The nomenclature of the MVP Award has changed to the Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player Award, and was earned for this year by Chesson.

The Dr. Arthur Robinson Scholarship Award was awarded to Tight End Michael Jocz.

The Hugh J. Rader Award for the Best Lineman was bestowed on Offensive Center Graham Glasgow. A fifth year Senior, he started 36 games in a 41 game career.

The Robert P. Ufer Award for enthusiasm and love for Michigan was bestowed on Line Backer Joe Bolden.

The Roger Zatkoff Award for most outstanding linebacker was given to Desmond Morgan. He was second on the team this year with 67 total tackles.

There is just one game left this season, but the fifteen practices preceding it will continue to benefit the Wolverines into next season, no matter the outcome..

 

Bring on the Gators, and Go Blue!

Note: As stated above, I did not attend this year’s Football Bust. The commentary is mine, but the facts pertaining to the Bust were gleaned from the official M football web site.

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M FOOTBALL 2015-112TH INCARNATION OF “THE GAME” PROVIDES DOWNER FOR THE WOLVERINES AS BUCKEYES OVERWHELM 13-42.

Cunningly disguised as THE Ohio State Football team, the Buckzillas blathered into the civilized confines of Ann Arbor and Michigan Stadium, along with their usual horde of protagonists, as they have in all the uneven years since 1918.

Vocal as always, many of the garishly bedecked crowd in Scarlet and Drab (oops, Grey), seemed to waft in on an aroma of spiritus fermenti. As always, all were in high spirits. While I wanted to add “At least before the game”, the Buckeyes had every right to remain that way after the game as well.

They won the day, as the Wolverines needed to run play action passing, but were minus a running game. Michigan also needed to protect Jake Ruddock, but failed miserably at times. Another ouch was the inability of the defense to stop the run or protect the red zone. Coupled with a no run offense, they could command no run defense. OSU piled up 369 net yards rushing for a 6.8 average per carry, and 5 TDs, as opposed to 57 net yards rushing by the Wolverines, and a lone TD. OSU’s RB Elliot had 30-carries for 214-yards, 2 TDs, and a 7.1 average per carry. Giving a D minus grade for Saturday’s rush defense would be grading this effort too high. All in all, it was the Wolverine’s worst outing, and resulted in their worst beating of the season.

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A SHORT COMMENTARY REGARDING THE HISTORY OF “THE GAME”: M and OSU first played in 1897, and the game has been an annual competition since 1918. Memorable moments have originated in each subsequent era.

The game caught the attention of the sporting world for a number of reasons. Hard hitting games usually displayed well played and coached football, often with possible Big Ten championships at stake, and sometimes high national ranking against high national ranking. Also, sometimes with undefeated records at stake as in 1993, 1995 and 1996, when the Wolverines ruined OSU perfection.

These games decided the Big Ten title 27 times, and so often on the biggest of stages. They feature huge stadiums, and consistent hard edged fan enthusiasm, and these games featured splendid Saturday afternoon spectacle, some elating wins, and some deflating losses. They also featured coaching antics and on field heroics.

Colorful characters like the uniquely talented and quirky OSU Coach Woody Hayes, and the equally volatile and dedicated Wolverine Coach Bo Schembechler added luster to scenes still remembered.

They engineered the so-called Ten Years War. In Bo’s era, nothing irked Bo more than the selection of Ohio State as the Rose Bowl Representative in 1973 after a 10-10 tie, in which Quarterback Dennis Franklin’s injury during the game was cited as the explanatory reason for naming Ohio State. It was not unnoticed by Michigan fans that MSU’s AD Smith had voted for Ohio State.

To really understate it, Coach Hayes had a tendency to over enthusiasm which he could not entirely control. For example, bopping a competitor player during a bowl game cost him his career, and should have. Another less heinous instance, with no consequences but energizing and entertaining Michigan Stadium fans, happened in 1972, in Michigan Stadium.

Woody did not appreciate the officials validating a Michigan interception in a close game. To illustrate his rage, he grabbed the chained yard markers and systematically destroyed them. By so doing he set the Michigan crowd’s enthusiasm afire, and the team sent Billie Taylor into the end zone, for a Wolverine TD and win.

While Woody was not always beloved by Wolverine fans (for example, he went for two in 1968 while leading M by almost 50 points, because he said, he couldn’t go for three). His coaching ability, if not always his demeanor, was always respected. It was tough to accomplish at times, but it never was any more fun to watch a coach lose than it was to watch the volatile Woody Wilson Hayes lose.

The eras since Bo’s remarkable and improbable 1969 win have spawned Heisman trophy winners on both sides. As you undoubtedly remember, the two notables that are most fondly remembered by the Michigan side now are Desmond Howard, who famously struck a striking Heisman pose in the end zone after a stunning long kick return that sealed the Buckeyes fate. Not to be out done another former Ohioan, Charles Woodson, sealed Ohio’s fate in much the same manner, by returning a punt.

These were the two most memorable Michigan moments in my memory, but other performances like Tim Biakabatuka’s over three hundred yard rushing tour de force against the S & G in 1995 shouldn’t be forgotten.

Also, there were other performances before my time, which still shimmer in an aura of greatness. Among them were Tom Harmon’s extraordinary performance in “the Game” in Columbus in the early forties.

Old 98 excelled at nearly all phases of the game, winning over a hostile crowd in Columbus to an audible demonstration of appreciation of his performance. Unexpectedly, he was presented with a great ovation, by some of the toughest critics in the world if you are Maize and Blue, the Buckeye home crowd.

A SHORT 2015 GAME COMMENTERY: Unfortunately last Saturday’s lack of ability to defend its home turf proved that the Wolverines are not yet a finished product in this, Coach Harbaugh’s first year at the helm. He always says there is more work to do and Saturday proved him right.

Last Saturday’s game won’t earn inclusion in any synopsis of M’s great games against OSU, because it truly wasn’t. Still, it must be said it was a hard fought battle on both sides.

The Wolverines punished themselves with foolish and costly penalties. In fact a first quarter roughing the kicker penalty provided OSU a fresh first down after the defense had held them deep, and had forced a Buckeye punt.

It was a bad coaching call, as the kick block failed. The M rusher did not fail to illegally bump the OSU punter, and the stalled Buckeyes were on their way.

Peppers fielding the punt and possibly running it back seems a better option as it could have put the Wolverines deep in OSU territory. Obviously that early gamble did not pay off.

Instead, this penalty was actually the turning point of the game as it advanced the Buckeyes to their 24, ruining the great field position provided by M’s punter Blake O’Neill. Via that gaff, the Bucks turned adversity into advantage as good teams will. The Bucks subsequently drove for their first TD after a 7 play, 94-yard drive in the first quarter.

A 66-yard gallop on that series by OSU’s RB E. Elliot took it to the M 10, also helping turn M’s fortunes the wrong way. Jerrod Wilson put him down at the ten, but red zone greatness was not a facet of this game for the Wolverines. OSU QB J.T Barrett ran it in for six, and the die was cast. The first quarter ended M-0. OSU-7. OSU only had 4 first downs to M’s six in the quarter, but momentum had shifted for good to the Bucks.

In the second quarter, M finally hit a field goal after a 14 play, 72-yard long drive. A false start hurt, and back to back incompletions to Amara Darboh helped cause the stall. There were two or three instances in this game where the usually sure handed Amara was hit in the hands, and dropped the pass.

OSU answered the Michigan FG with another TD.  J.T. Barrett rushed for 25-yards, and Braxton Miller rushed for 6 and 3-yards. J T. Barrett rushed for 16 and 7 to the 5, and Elliott broke the plane for 6 on two attempts to complete a 9-play 75-yard drive. M-3. OSU-14.

The hurry up offense bothered the Wolverine’s defensive play, they couldn’t defend the edge and sometimes the middle against the run. This drive was fairly indicative of the Wolverines problematic defense against the run all afternoon.

The Wolverines answered with their lone TD of the afternoon. This was the result of an 11-play 92-yard drive. A 4-yard Smith run and catch of 5-yards got it started. A pass to Peppers got 13. An OSU pass interference call enhanced it, as did a 24-yard reception by Smith.

Chesson, who has shown remarkable development and diversity this season, finished off the drive with a nifty 5-yard catch on a flag route into the front corner of the South end zone on a perfectly thrown Jake Rudock pass. The second quarter and half ended at M-10, OSU-14, and hope began to soar just a little, but fell flat as the second half was an absolute disaster for the Wolverines.

The Buckeyes received, and scored four second half TDs around a single FG by the Wolverines. OSU produced TD drives of 82-yards, 84-yards, 75-yards, and 47-yards as they overwhelmed the Wolverines. M could only answer with that single field goal. The final was M-13, OSU-42.

M could not protect the corners, tackle effectively, consistently pass protect QB Jake Rudock, or stay penalty free. The hurry up tired M’s thin defensive line.

Offensively, in the second half Jake Rudock took more viscous hits, one of which in the third quarter resulted in a Rudock fumble recovered by the Wolverine’s Mason Cole.

Later, in the fourth quarter, Jake Rudock injured a shoulder when sacked again by OSU’s Joey Bosa. His understudy, QB Wilton Speight replaced him, and was ineffective as by now the Bucks had their ears laid back.

I have heard some say the Wolverines quit. I don’t think that is true at all. Both sides were hitting. The Wolverines were simply overwhelmed by superior talent in this game. Talent which was trying to recover from their own worst performance of the season in losing their shot at the championship game against MSU.

THE FUTURE STILL BODES WELL: The fifteen bowl practices will assist the Wolverines. Last year they sat and watched the bowl games on TV like fans. They may not make a New Year’s Day Bowl, but it will be a decent bowl. Iowa, MSU, and OSU have earned spots above them, and might use up all of the New Year’s Day slots, but maybe not.

I do not believe that the 2016 recruiting class will be hampered by this game, and still believe that M will still gather a top ten or better class. This game just shows prospective running backs, linebackers, offensive and defensive lineman, that superior athletes will have a chance of playing early at Michigan.

Harbaugh and his staff will use freshman early, and will coach them up. The team needs speed at many positions including running back, and linebacker, and else where, and they need play makers every where.

Saturday’s loss was a nasty one, the worst of the season, a big fan disappointment. It proved that the talent gap with the best teams in the league is still a problem. Even so, the improvement over last season is obvious even if there is more work to be done. The coaching has been good overall.

Special teams are an enigma. They have often helped win this season, and have been superior in many respects, but in the two games that have counted most, special teams errors have helped roadblock wins.  Go figure.

Player development is illustrated by the progress of 5th year graduate QB Jake Rudock. His acquisition showed remarkable foresight on Harbaugh’s part, and his development over the course of the season has been remarkable.

When, in about the middle of the season, M switched to more passing than rushing because of necessity, Jake was totally up to the task to the surprise of many fans after a rough time connecting downfield at first.

Another QB has been added to Harbaugh’s list of successes. Hopefully Jake will get a chance in the bowl game, if his shoulder permits.

This coaching team has been mostly remarkable. Nine and three for the regular season shows a vast improvement.

M Football will only get better.

Go Blue!

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M FOOTBALL 2015-HARBAUGH FUMES, TEAM SPUMES CONFIDENCE AS DEFENSE OWNS RED ZONE, AND OFFENSE ANSWERS FGs WITH TDS FOR THEIR NINTH WIN OF SEASON 28 TO 16.

Last Saturday the Wolverines traveled to the not always happy Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, determined to do nothing that would enhance the happiness therein, while paying another short visit to the huge, noisy, and sold out Beaver Football Stadium. Happy Valley was not happy when the Wolverines left clutching a 9 and 2 record, and their second Big Ten away victory in a row.

While Beaver Stadium is a little reminiscent of an old fashioned child’s toy, slightly resembling an “Erector” set in places, there is nothing childish or toy like about the level of football played there. The Beavers are 6 and 1 there this season, and they played tough Saturday.

But so did the Wolverines. The defense battered talented PSU QB Christian Hackenberg, and held PSU to 207-yards, with 70 on the ground. Hackenberg was 13 of 31 for 137-yards. PSU RB Barkley had 13 carries for 65 net yards. PSU was a measly 3 of 14 on third down, but they did convert 2 of 4 fourth down attempts.

Jake Rudock had a great day at QB for Michigan, completing 25 for 256-yards, even though he fumbled twice and threw an interception. He lost one fumble, but he recovered one and advanced the ball for a few yards. M outgained PSU 393 net to 207.

The Wolverines have had spectacular success in Beaver Stadium in 1997, and on other occasions as in 2006, when Alan Branch laid out PSU quarterbacks.

The defense has often carried its share of the load well in this game, and they did again. Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton had 14 tackles combines, and Jabril Peppers broke up three passes.  They have a real aptitude for red zone stops.

No game was a more spectacular success by the Wolverines in Beaver Stadium, than 1997’s so-called “Judgment Day”. But in football what counts is what you have done have you done lately. The lately in this instance was a very needed and satisfying team win.

That this game was changed from 8:00 P.M. to noon was probably a benefit to the Wolverines. Penn State fans are as fervent as any, and they rock that stadium even more for night games. I suppose it would be apropos to say that the crowd’s enthusiasm ferments for night games, but they were already rabid for Saturday’s noon “white out”. Additionally, it was Senior day for 19 Seniors. Second year PSU Coach James Franklin now owns a 15-10 record.

As you know, Saturday’s game presented a very serious challenge to the quality of the Wolverine’s season. Those that have characterized the Wolverine’s current situation as a play-off game for each game remaining were spot on. PSU was the last regular season away game.

This week Wolverine fans were in the odd and distasteful position of having to root for Buckzilla. Unfortunately, it was to no avail, as the Spartans beat the formerly third ranked Bucks by a field goal in Columbus with a back-up QB. Go figure.

The Wolverine’s control of its own fortunes had slipped away with that now infamous, funky, last seconds, and failed M punt attempt resulting in their loss to MSU.

In last Saturday’s game, it was anticipated PSU would give the Wolverines a tussle, and they did.

The defensive line was considered the gem of PSU’s defense, and they were strong. The defensive backfield, while not a highly regarded as the D line, had usually been effective in spite of the earlier loss of Safety Jordan Lucas for the balance of the season.

RB Saquon Barkley had rolled up rush yardage of 836-yards to date. M’s rushing defense was reeling in recent games. M has no rusher with that kind of yardage. The M rushing game Saturday was anemic. Thirty attempts for 87-yards, and a long of 29-yards for a 2.9 average is the stuff of which losses are made.

But not Saturday, as tossing wide to the WRs replaced it. RB Smith contributed mightily in stiffening the pass pro, and also grabbed a couple of short passes at a critical time. Darboh grabbed 7 passes for 68-yards and a TD, and Jake Butt nabbed 5 for 66- yards, and a TD. Chesson, Smith, Grant, Williams, Way, Houma, and Jones all made catches, most of the short variety. This group, which we underrated so much at the onset of this season, is still rising, and has become the strength of the offense.

PSU’s standout RB Barkley, made his presence felt on the opening series of the game with a 56-yard run, and prospects were instantly looking bleak as to defensive effectiveness, but M safety Jarod Wilson stopped the run short of the goal line, and the defense held to force a FG. Don’t mess with Michigan in the red zone as they defend well when concentrated..

The Wolverines defense demonstrated their red zone dominance twice more with terrific stands. They stopped Barkley cold for the rest of the game after his 56-yard jaunt. Remarkably, he ran for only 14 more yards during the rest of the game, and managed only 70 net yards total.

Jehu Chesson has become indispensable to M’s fortunes, running and receiving, and Saturday he also recovered a fumble. A couple of completions to Jehu set up a 26-yard TD throw to TE Jake Butt. With M up 7 to 3, the 1st Quarter ended.

Both the good and the bad of the day showed up in that first quarter. Jake Rudock threw an interception to turn over possession at the PSU 35, and the penalty bug appeared. Overcoming this bad was the defense again proving they were for real by forcing a PSU punt after the interception.

PSU had the ball to start the 2nd Quarter. A 10-yard penalty hurt the Wolverines but Taco Charlton got it back with a ten yard sack to force a PSU punt.

No scoring happened in the rest of the 2nd quarter, until M managed to get a punt blocked. PSU got possession at the M 43. A 25-yard pass put the ball in the Michigan end zone and it was M-7, PSU-10.

This sparked Jake Rudock and the Michigan offense to answering with another perfect two minute drill. It was not for overtime in this game, but still important. Seven plays covered 70-yards, including a couple of key pass completions to D. Smith, and an11-yard pass to Amara Darboh in the end zone to make it M-14, PSU-10 at the half.

M received to start the 2nd half. A 12-yard Jordan Lewis return raised some expectations of M taking over the game, as did a pair of short completion to Darboh, and one each to Ways, Chesson, and Perry, but three incompletions spelled stall, and M punted.

This turned out to be a big deal for the Wolverines as the receiver called a fair catch and muffed the catch. Chesson was Jehu on the spot, recovering the football at the PSU 9. Peppers, Smith, and Houma all lugged for short yardage, with Sione finally breaking the plane for six on a one yard run, and it was M-21, PSU-10.

M’s defense diddled some on their next possession drawing consecutive major penalties, but then they held. The Wolverines were ticketed for 13 penalties for 117-yards. One of them were most perplexing. There was another targeting issue as it appeared Jake Rudock was hit nose on, and it wasn’t called. There was also a personal foul called on what seemed a legitimate hit on TV, but called low by the officials.

Coach Harbaugh did his best Bo Schembechler impression as he shed his coat, hat, and headset, and fumed on the sidelines. There is legitimate discussion whether this ultimately helps his cause or harms it, but one thing is certain. It lets his team absolutely know he has their six. I did not like the two calls either.

Additionally, I do not understand what was drawing the defensive line off sides so much. Just a hard count? The coaches will work that out.

M’s defense had held, but Jake Ruddock couldn’t hold on on the Wolverines next offensive possession. Onto the ball that is, as he was sacked. PSU started at M’s 42 after recovery of the fumble.

The 4th quarter started with the Beavers still in possession. They made the most of their gifted opportunity until they got to the M 6, where the Wolverines stopped them cold. The subsequent PSU FG made it M-21, PSU-13.

In about the middle of the 4th quarter, PSU moved to another FG. This time it covered 18-yards as the defense held again. Another escape had been earned by the Wolverine’s defense, as the two late stands forestalled 8 possible points. M-21, PSU-16.

Now came the extraordinary, and very timely 56-yard KO return of Jordan Lewis. Jehu Chesson rushed for 20 to the PSU 20. Jabril Peppers had a short run. Jake Butt caught a five yard pass. Finally D. Smith leaped high into the goal line pile, reaching to extend the ball though the plane, to score from the one.

The Final score of 28-16 was established, and it was all over but the final sacking, and one more M possession, where D. Smith clawed for 21-yards before the clock stopped ticking.

Nine wins for this team is a great accomplishment, but ten wins would be even better. It will be interesting to see how the Buckeyes handle their loss Saturday to the Spartans in Columbus.

While they will not be Number One in the country this season, and couldn’t lick the Spartans for all the marbles, the highly talented and well coached Buckeyes will be highly energized by just the sight of the M helmets.

The Bucks will be a tough out for the Wolverines as usual, but this year it should be extra intense on the part of the Wolverines. There is still so much for which to fight.

Go Blue!


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M FOOTBALL-2015: THE WOLVERINES BATTLE TO 2ND OVERTIME VICTORY OVER THE COMPETITIVE HOOSIERS FOR A FINAL OF 48-41.

Michigan’s Wolverines breezed into the Indiana Hoosier’s Memorial Stadium (52,929) with a history of solid accomplishment against the Hoosiers at their back, having bested them 64-9 over the years. They also had an abundance of solid accomplishment this season, sporting a 7 and 2 record with only one Big Ten loss this season while Indiana had not yet won a Big Ten game.

While the former was less result important than the latter, and both are impressive to an extent, the Wolverines had every reason to be wary of the Hoosiers for a number of reasons. History means nothing as each game is unique, and the Hoosiers have been playing their best against better competition. They have been losing this Big Ten Season, but coming close against Iowa, Michigan State, and Ohio State, and now the Wolverines.

Late in the fourth quarter Michigan bollixed a fine series in an attempt to score a go ahead TD on third and goal. Inexplicably they chose to run Drake Johnson outside, and he was easily stopped short of the goal. A field goal got the Wolverines on top again by a single point. It was 27-26.

Considering the course of this game it seemed very unlikely that that score would stand up, and it didn’t.

The hope at the time was that Michigan’s beleaguered run defense could finally get a stop, but they didn’t as the Hoosiers drove to what used to be called pay dirt, establishing a 27-34 point lead with a little over two minutes left in the fourth.

Jake Rudock was up to the ensuing two minute drill. Emulating Tom Brady a little, he hit Jehu Chesson with a games saving TD for the tie, and much to the absolute surprise and delight of M fans, they were still alive with but a couple of ticks remaining on the clock.

Rudock played the best game of his Michigan career. He has elevated his status from “care-taker” to a rising star at QB. He heaved 33 passes for 432-yards, and he set a Michigan school record by tossing 6 TDs. His only error was an interception he lofted late in the game. It fell short.

Jehu Chesson has become a force at wide receiver, setting a school record with four TD catches. The long anticipated downfield passing connection of Ruddock to a streaking Chesson is now a matter of fact. He made some difficult, and timely receptions. His talented fellow wide out, Amara Darboh presented his best Jason Avant impersonation of a possession receiver, by collaring 8 for 109-yards and moving the sticks on critical third downs. He made a great TD catch.

The wide receivers, long considered as more or less a liability, have proven to be one of the strengths of the offense. TE Jake Butt continues as a consistent offensive strength. He caught 7 for 82-yards. Chesson, Butt and Darboh carried their great play to overtime.

Saturday’s accolades belong to the offense as the defense struggled to stop the Hoosier running game. No longer will M’s defense be considered at the top of the national heap, but in spite of their poor tackling, they preserved the victory with a brilliant 4th down goal line in the 2nd overtime. The Hoosiers became so confident in their running game that they ran 8 straight times with good result.

Hoosier RB Howard, had a very good day against the Blue. He rushed 35 times for 238-yards and had 2 TDs on the ground and one in by air, both at critical times. This collapse of the Wolverines highly ranked defense against the Hoosier running game was a total surprise, but it will recover.

As everybody knows, a happenstance which elevated the importance of this game was the renewed life Michigan State’s loss at Nebraska a week ago provided the Wolverines.

It injected new hope into a possibility of the Wolverines making it to the Big Ten Championship Game in this, Harbaugh’s first season. It make this Indiana game as important as Penn State or Ohio State, regardless of the win/loss records of M, or their opponent. Aspiring championship teams have to win in November.

Practically moribund earlier this season, M’s championship hopes could only be realized if the Wolverines could win out. Their last three games of the season, Indiana, Penn State, and Ohio State each had to fall to realize the dream. With this win one third of the job is done. Thus the importance of beating the Hoosiers had assumed a level not imagined earlier. Injury concerns at RB and at nose tackle are grating. Both D. Smith and Drake Johnson were a little dinged, Isaac and Green were nowhere in sight, and the running game suffered, producing only 141 net yards.

Nose Tackle Ryan Glasgow did not play, and his absence was very noticeable. He is a player that makes those around him better. Obviously, this hurt the run defense more than I had hoped it would.

Michigan had not exactly blown away the opposition in away games, and that trend continued Saturday. For a while, the outcome was questionable, and it was questionable if the Wolverines could ever stop the Hoosiers from scoring, but they did when it counted most, with Delano Hill tapping the ball away at the goal line late in the second overtime on a fourth and goal to save the lead and the win.

While Indiana was credited with one of the better Big Ten offenses, their defense was not considered to be at the same hyper solid level, and they proved that Saturday. As they say, defense wins ball games, as does a lack of defense, but for the other side. Suffice it to say that Hoosier offensive prowess exceeded their defensive performance Saturday, as did that of the Wolverines. Aspects of both offenses were outstanding Saturday. Michigan totaled 581 net yards and the Hoosiers 527.

The Wolverines special teams surprised all by giving up more punt returns. A 51-yard TD return was the result of poor tackling on the edge as the runner slipped a tackle and got outside. Though improved over the Saturday before last in some respects, the unit again showed some rough edges on return coverages and a couple of low center snaps, one of which accounted for a missed field goal. This nearly caused a critical extra point miss which could have cost the game, but the kick hooked through.

The Wolverines have displayed some problems in pass defense at times, but Saturday they excelled, holding the best passing unit in the Big Ten to 220-yards.

Indiana had not presented an over whelming ground game this season, but as recorded above, it was more than adequate Saturday. At times, it simply seemed unstoppable. The Hoosiers have an outstanding hurry up offense and caught the Wolverines off guard a couple of times. The Wolverines wanted to avoid a shoot-out, but couldn’t. Michigan incurred more than their usual number of penalties this game.

The Wolverines scored first after stopping the receiving Hoosiers. Jehu Chesson caught two during the drive, one for 12-yards, and one for a 34 yard TD. IU then hit two FGs of 39 and 36-yards to make it M-7, IU-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The Hoosiers dominated time of possession 11.49 minutes to 3.11 for the Wolverines, but the Hoosiers were hindered by multiple false start penalties, and a 12-yard Wolverine sack.

M started the second quarter with a bang, driving for a second TD. Jake Butt caught one for 24-yards, and Jabrill Peppers showed again why he is one of the better players in the Big Ten with an 18–yard scamper. Jake Rudock ran for 19, and threw to Jehu Chesson for a 25-yard TD. M-14, IU-6.  It looked like the Wolverines were in control with great offensive execution.

IU answered with another FG, this time from 51-yards to get within 3.

M answered with a D. Smith run for 16-yards, and a spectacular end zone reception by Jehu Chesson for 64-yards made it M-21, IU-9.

Hoosier QB Nate Sudfeld passed his team into the end zone via a 7-yarder to RB Jordan Howard, aided by an M penalty during the drive for Indiana’s first TD, and it was 21-16, and half time.

M received to start the second half. And it wasn’t pretty as Jabrill Peppers was thrown for an 8-yard loss on a jet sweep, and Channing Stripling couldn’t collar the IU punt returner who slipped his contain tackle, got outside and sped for a 51-yard TD to make it M-21, IU-16.

To make matters worse. Kenny Allen missed a FG because of a low snap, and IU got its next TD, to make it 24-26 Indiana, and Rudock threw a floater that came up short and was intercepted.

The miserable third quarter finally ended. Aided by a pass interference penalty, and a Jake Rudock scamper, M answered with a 78-yard drive which produced an Allen FG of 20-yards. The Blue led by one with about 6:30 left in the game.

RB Jordan Howard then took over for Indiana with consecutive carries, and scored with a rush from the IU twenty-five to put IU up by seven, 27-34.

At 2:52 of the 4th, M answered with a Jake Butt 16-yard catch to the 50-yard line, D. Smith, Houma and Chesson contributed to one of the most important comeback drives of the year so far, with Chesson contributing a 41-yard snag and grabbing a five-yard TD. M-33, IU-34. The clock recorded two seconds left in the game. When Kenny Allen nailed the extra point, it was time for overtime at 34 all. This drive was as good as it gets, with everything on the line, and no mistakes allowed. Kudos to holder Blake O’Neill for righting a low snap to provide the extra point for the win.

M deferred at the start of OT. IU set up at the M 25. Several runs and Jordan Howard bulled in for the IU TD from the one M-34, IU-41. A 21- yard Jake Butt catch, and a Kenny Allen extra point quickly ties it again at 41 up.

Michigan set up at the 25 and Amara Darboh quickly broke the suspense with a TD catch for the go ahead points. M-48, IU-41, and it was IU’s turn. M defense rose to the occasion and foiled the 4th down pass on a play described above for a final of 48 to 41.

While the Wolverines inability to stop the run was not expected, they played hard enough to overcome circumstances, and win. This time the offense gets the kudos, but like losses wins are team accomplishments.

All that is left before M’s Bowl game, are the States, Penn and Ohio. Both are red letter must wins.

Go Blue!


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M FOOTBALL 2015: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES DISPATCH RUTGER’S SCARLET KNIGHTS 49 TO 16 IN JAKE RUDOCK’S FINEST PERFORMANCE AS A WOLVERINE

The Scarlet Knights blew into M Stadium Saturday riding the ill wind of a 48-10 loss to the Badgers of Wisconsin, an earlier one TD loss to the Spartans, a blow-out loss to the Scarlet and Gray, and Penn State got 28 on them for another loss, and so on this season.

So far it had been a rough Big Ten season for the Knights. Their armor was dented and pierced prior to Saturday’s trip to Michigan Stadium and they suffered more dents Saturday. Even so, their return game was certainly not rusty.

Saturday the Wolverines won the joust as Jake Rudock had his best day as a Wolverine. He was 18 of 25 for 377-yards and 2 TDs.  He seemed in tune with his receivers, and was poised.  He consistently fed the ball in there with precision.

Even though the Knights had trounced a Hoosier scoring machine (sans defense) by a couple of points in Hoosier land 55-52, Rutgers Head Football Coach, Kyle Flood, who had been suspended for cheating previously, had to be desperate to shore up the dam against the flood waters that are trying to deep six his regime. A Michigan tsunami flooded Rutgers.

The Knights had a sometimes explosive offense, three good running backs, and some great receivers.

Unfortunately for them, they also had the second worst defense in the Big Ten, and their best offensive player, WR Leonte Carroo did not play due to injury. He has missed about half of this season’s games this season because of injuries and discipline. The explosiveness of Rutgers did come within 7 of beating then unbeaten MSU.

It seemed that the Wolverine’s defensive backfield had learned from the sometimes poor effort that they displayed against the Gophers.

That that effort was poor was indicated by Secondary Coach Zordich in a prior interview, who said that the back end of the defense (the DB’s) did not play aggressively, or well in the Minnesota game. Against the Knights, that was remedied.

Those DB feet, hands, and eyes got coached up this week. Aggressive, they held Rutgers to 95-net yards passing on 11 completions in 27 attempts. Even well into the second quarter, Rutgers had not a single pass completion yard.

The same could not be said regarding the Wolverines problematic kick return coverage. Knight return man Janarion Grant ran 4 kick returns for 155-yards, including a stunning 98-yard TD. He also had a 67-yard punt return.

Several things energized the Wolverines, not the least of which was Harbaugh, who was incensed by half time tunnel talk in which the Knights said that they were game finishers, blah, blah, etc.  Jabrill Peppers mentioned trash talk in a post-game interview. Some Rutgers players were ignited by their late first half field goal.

Harbaugh apparently lit a fire under his team for the second half as they came out roaring. It was interesting JH went for a two point conversion after the first M TD of the half to drive the score from 35-16 to 42-16. Post-game, he cited “percentages”, and the venerable two point authorization chart as justification. Hmm. Could be.

Whatever the reason, more than one player cited Harbaugh’s fury at the half over two calls and the trash talking. One call was an overturned targeting call. This is the third such (targeting) call that has not gone the Wolverines way.

The other was an unsportsmanlike penalty, or “intention to deceive call”. Jake Butt with no intention of going off the field or to deceive, inadvertently trailed the players going off the field, but lined up. Noting the open receiver, Jake Rudock did what he was taught to do, toss to the open receiver. Harbaugh said he was “offended” by this call.

More incentive was that Rutgers came into the friendly confines of Michigan Stadium owning a winning record against the Wolverines. The Wolverines had never beaten them, and the Wolverines loss to them last year constituted another very low point for the last year’s team. I had not forgotten that Janarion Grant provided the FG block that provided the misery of defeat for last year’s Wolverines.  He burned them again Saturday.

Last year’s team did not have this year’s Jabrill Peppers advantage. Earlier, Coach Zordich recently had indicated that the coaches had to do a better job of getting him (Jabrill) into position, and he had to make the plays, noting his near interception against the Gophers.

While not an interception he had an outstanding TD run. It was rumored that Jabrill was somewhat dinged, and Jourdan Lewis supplied two kick returns for 59-yards with a long of 35. He likes to have the ball in his hands and ran well. Jabrill gave no indication of being dinged in the TD run, and had, overall, a very good outing.

Lewis also set a M record for pass break ups, eclipsing the former record of 18 by one in bettering Marlon Jackson and Leon Hall.

Peppers has reinforced his stature as Michigan’s best player this season. He is becoming a legend at Michigan. Ninety-two plays against the Gophers on offense, defense and special teams was a remarkable performance. And while he shared the load some with Jordan Lewis on kick returns Saturday, he had that outstanding 18-yard TD run after a lateral on what looked like it was going to become a wheel route, but was cut up field. This was as nifty a run as you will ever hope to see as he made tacklers miss. The usually more restrained Harbaugh was justifiably effusive in his post-game praise for both Jordan Lewis and Jabril Peppers.

The Wolverines received to start the game and botched the first play. What was called a fumble on the field, was the result of an awkward Rudock attempt to push the ball to Drake Johnson. The call was fortunately reversed and considered an incompletion. Then a ten play drive resulted in nothing as Kenny Allen missed a 37-yard field goal wide left.

FB Sione Houma got it started for the Wolverines with a 32-yard catch and run to the Rutgers 14, and Chesson caught a 13-yard TD for the Wolverines first points of the game. M-7, R-0.

Rutgers answered with a FG, but the Wolverines pushed in another score on with Jake Butt contributing to the drive by catching one for 20-yards. Butt was the Wolverines leading receiver with four catches for 102-yards.

The just recovered from injury Jake Ruddock ran it into the corner of the end zone, catching the pylon, on a play characterized afterwards by Harbaugh as Rudock exhibiting toughness. Harbaugh’s comment “As tough as a two dollar steak” fit Jake on this play and.  M-14, R-3.

The Wolverines got another first half TD to start the second quarter. Jake Butt had catches for 17 and nine yards and Jabril Peppers took it from there on a remarkable 18-yard scamper for 6. Seemingly trapped, he escaped and speedily made a beeline to score. Harbaugh lauded his remarkable ability after the game saying he did not know there was another rung to that (Peppers talent) ladder. M-21, R-3.

Rutger’s talented returner, Janarion Grant then took the ensuing KO 98-yards for Rutgers first score. He had two long TDs in previous games this season. It was M-21, R-10.

Drake Johnson made a nice run to score from the one, after a beautiful catch of twenty by Armara Darboh. M-28, R-10.

Rutgers then hit a 29-yard FG after a holding call on Jabrill, and it became M-28, R-13. The Knights kept hanging in there.

Dymonte Thomas provided the spark for the next Wolverine TD with a 28-yard return to the Rutgers forty. The Wolverines piled their score to 35 after an 8-yard Darboh end zone catch. Jake Rudock was on.

A pass interference penalty on Stribling preceded a Jarod Wilson interception at the M 15. This over the shoulder catch in traffic was an outstanding play by Wilson. Then happened the “unsportsmanlike” penalty. Coach Harbaugh and the Michigan crowd were understandably upset.

A 67-yard Janarion Grant punt return preceded another Rutger’s FG of 27-yards.

The Scarlet Knights brayed about that FG in the tunnel. The half ended at M-35, R-16.

The Wolverines kicked to start the second half, and came out energized. A personal foul on Rutgers was applied to better M’s good field position at the 50. A Chris Wormley 12-yard sack aggravated Rutgers problems and they punted to the put the ball at the M 40.

A 56-yard Jake to Jake pass took it the Rutgers 4. De’Veon Smith hammered it home. M-43, R-16.

M converted two FGs by Kenny Allen, and it was finally 49-16.

The Wolverines kept their foot on the gas in the second half offensively and defensively.

While individual football games have an ebb and flow of their own, this one seemed long.

Most fans are pretty consistent in what they want.

Some simply want their team to catch the opposing whippersnappers and belt them into an appreciation of the moral beauty of being Michigan, preferably while winning. Not always is this desired result an easy accomplishment.

What the coaches want is improvement in all aspects of the game weekly, preferably while winning. Nor is this always an easy accomplishment.

This was a hard hitting game for some of three quarters, with the Knights doing just enough to hang in there for a half or more. When you hit FGs instead of TDs, or don’t score during a half, it is hard to win.

Michigan’s defense held the Knights to 128 net yards rushing, and 97 passing. Chris Wormley had two sacks, and the two middle LBs, Bolden and Morgan, had 15 tackles (solos and assists) between them.

The Wolverines are still a work in progress, but you can see improvement each week, and they now are getting ready to face the aerial fireworks of the Indiana Hoosiers.

Go Blue!