Andy Andersen – Page 13 – UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball

September 20, 2015September 20, 2015

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2015-THE WOLVERINES PUNCH UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS 28 TO 7 FOR SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON.

The Rebels of Nevada Las Vegas made their way into Michigan Stadium last Saturday noon, to confront a Wolverine’s team that had made strides between its opening game loss at Utah and its subsequent defeat of Oregon State’s Football Beavers. They did continue their improvement against the Rebels in many respects, although the team’s performance was not all satisfactory.

The offensive line played well. Ty Isaac proved that he could lug the football with the best of them as he used power, speed, and agility to provide a 76- yard TD late in the second half, impressively scoring his first Wolverines TD. Jehu Chesson was lightning fast in an impressive 36-yard TD of his own. The defense was outstanding for three quarters but slipped a little in the fourth quarter, giving up a big play to facilitate the Rebels only score.

For their season opener at Utah, the Wolverines were a turn over machine, and sported an anemic run game. The Saturday before last, against Oregon State, the run game was better, and it was decent this Saturday ( M rushed 39 times for 254 net yards, indicating sustained OL improvement).

The interception demon reared its ugly head again, as Jake Rudock threw another. Only one this time, but still this is a nagging concern. He used his legs 3 times for 15-yards, and his arm 22 times for 14 completions, 123-yards, and a TD. He reversed field on one run, and made a certain loss a gain. They used a no huddle at least once. Still he did not put nagging QB doubts to bed entirely.

He has yet to hit WRs down downfield, and threw behind some closer receivers. Post UNLV Coach Harbaugh said that Jake Rudock’s job was winning games. And he did that this Saturday. Still it seems some improvement is necessary at the QB position. Coach Harbaugh reminded after the game, that on Saturday day the winds that were swirling on the field should be considered.

Part of the reason the UNLV defense was able to load the box was because of the lack of any ability to stretch the field vertically. But they paid a price for that when TY Isaac whipped them for that 76-yard run to a TD to close the first half.

The featured running back for Utah, and again in the second game against Oregon State, was De’Veon Smith. There was an impressive change in his performance between his first and second games. He read the lanes and found the openings better against OS. He ran hard and avoided some tackles, broke other tackles, and sometimes dragged the pile. Then he even caught a critical 4^th and 5 pass, to prolong a critical drive. He caught another pass Saturday for a 5-yard TD. But on this day the star RB was Ty Isaac. Isaac rumbled for 114-net yards, and a 76-yard TD. The next longest run was by the speedy WR Jehu Chesson on a 36-yard jet sweep for six.

Nevada appeared over matched at almost all, if not all, position groups. Their QB is coming off an injury. Thirty four points is the largest favorable edge predicted for the Wolverines since Akron troubled the Wolverines a few years ago. Each game counts the same, and a good team will win the ones they are supposed to win. This was one of those games.

Even though Coach Harbaugh praised UNLV and its Coach after the game, and UNLV played hard, they came into Michigan Stadium with a long string of away game losses, as the 34-point spread reflected.

You knew Coach Harbaugh would not let his charges put out hammocks and bask in the glory of last week’s win, and they would not want to do that either. Some are still fighting to retain positions, and they all are fighting to restore or enhance Michigan football respectability. Coach Harbaugh had them hitting on all cylinders for much of the game against an obviously over matched, but game opponent, that fought to the end.

Post-game Coach Harbaugh said they wanted a quicker start than they had in their two prior outings. That opportunity was supplied by CB Channing Stripling. At about the thirteen minute mark of the 1^st Quarter, his brilliant interception at the M 38 was carried to UNLV 32. Smith ran 3 times for 12-yards and Darboh snagged an 11-yarder. Finally Rudock hit Smith for the 5-yard TD. M-7, UNLV-0.

As the 1st Quarter turned into the 2^nd, after a 7-yard Kerridge catch, and a short Darboh run, Jehu Chesson set sail for the end zone on a 36-yard, jet sweep TD jaunt. Chesson is fast, and the team needs fast. M-14, UNLV-0. The early lead was solidified, and was soon improved.

Nose tackle Ryan Glasgow had a terrific game. The Michigan defense did its thing again and the Rebels were forced to punt again.

The defense, except for their lapse in the 4^th quarter, played well. They held the Rebels to 129-yards rushing and 133 passing, with much of the passing yardage supplied by a single long play.

James Ross III led the team with 4 solo tackles and 1 assist. Joe Bolden had 3 solo tackles, and 3 assists. Gideon, Ojemudia, D. Hill, and Morgan were right up there, too. Half a dozen TFLs, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions completed a good day’s defensive work.

Late in the second quarter, Kerridge rushed for six yards. Ty Isaac rushed twice for 8-yards to the M-24, and then put his name in the Wolverine record book by a combination of agility, strength, and speed as he streaked 76-yards for six. Great call, great run, great drive! Its four plays covered 90-yards.

Earlier criticism of Ty was that he went down too easy. That should be rethought. Michigan needs play makers and he certainly is one. Understandably, Coach Harbaugh wouldn’t hear of a running back controversy in the post game presser. Quarterback controversies yes, he said, but not running back controversies.

There is a place for both Smith and Isaac, and the whole stable of running backs, as it looks like they are central Harbaugh’s offense. And now you can add Drake Johnson to the mix of active backs as he had several carries.

The half was history at 21 to zip. The Wolverines dominated offensively and defensively.

The offense had the ball to start the second half but could do nothing with it. Blake O’Neill had a 59-yard punt to the Rebels 11. While he had a short punt out of bounds for something close to 13-yards, on the day, he hit 5 for 193-yards, with 4 inside the 20. Good on you, Blake!

Jeremy Clark had an athletic interception in the third quarter but neither team put points on the board in the barren 3^rd quarter. Passes fell incomplete as the offense sputtered, but they did manage one more 1st down (4) than UNLV in the period. Defensively M picked up a PI penalty.

At the start of the 4^thJake Butt caught one for 9-yards. Isaac ran for 10-yards on two carries. Rudock hit Chesson for 12-yards, and Harris for 8. Isaac lost a yard, but Sione Houma caught a 5-yard pass that looked like a TD. It was called a TD on the field. Upon review the TD was overturned, and the ball placed on the one yard line. Houma quickly dove across the goal line for his first Michigan TD. M-28, UNLV-0.

Just as many in the crowd were thinking shutout, a 53-yard UNLV pass by QB Blake Decker was completed to Dontae Boyd. A subsequent 6-yard pass killed the shutout and completed the scoring. The final was M-28, UNLV-7.

Wide Receivers Darboh, Kerridge, Butt, Ways, Chesson, Houma, all caught passes, but only Running Back Smith caught a pass for a score. The only TD by a WR was Chesson’s 36-yard run for 6. Darboh also ran an end around for 4-yards. The receivers saw scoring only by running, and had only 118-yards through the air. Part of that dearth, was the game plan highlighting the running game.

Special teams were somewhat special. Jabril Peppers had a magnificently athletic 24-yard punt return, and a 31-yard kick-off return. Kenny Allen kicked three kick offs for touch backs. Blake O’Neill had a 59-yart punt as previously mentioned.

Was Harbaugh satisfied with anything? Definitely not, as he stated after the game, the word satisfied has no place in the lexicon of a coach. Satisfied, no! Happy, yes!

There was much for a coach or a fan to be happy about, even if there were a couple of areas of concern. The inability of the Wolverines to complete the deep pass, and continuing interceptions are still areas that require more work as the competition stiffens.

Bring on Brigham Young University.

Go Blue!

September 13, 2015September 13, 2015

M FOOTBALL-2015- THE WOLVERINES ARE LEARNING TO WIN AS THEY DOWNED THE BEAVERS OF OREGON STATE IN WHAT FINALLY BECAME AN IMPRESSIVE VICTORY. M-35, OSU-7.

As expected, the home portion of the Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverine Football coaching stint began Saturday in Michigan Stadium on a successful note after a noon kickoff.

Those pesky rodents from Minnesota bested QB Harbaugh and his Wolverines in this stadium in 1986 as Ricky Foggie ran wild, in Harbaugh’s last appearance there as a player. He does not dwell on past Wolverine accomplishments, nor does he strive to be the media “star” he has become, and he would not describe past sensations upon entering the stadium through the tunnel. He did show some Bo in discussing a call with an official.

While it was predicted the Wolverines would prevail last Saturday by only 14 points, they exceeded expectations. And then some.

Jake Rudock, replaced as last year’s Hawkeye starter, left there, and has been galvanized into a Wolverine. He earned the starting spot for last Saturday’s game and for this Oregon State game. Shane Morris did not play in the OS game, and when asked about this in the press conference, Coach Harbaugh reminded that Shane was number two. If Shane does not play he might extend his eligibility a year by red shirting. Wilton Speight, the number three, did make a cameo appearance.

2015-UMOregSt-019

Jake had a solid game despite two errors, a fumble and an interception. The fumble, caused by a 17-yard sack by a hard charging OS defender coming free, could have been a problem with the Beavers already up by 7 early. LB Joe Bolden snatched the ball out of the air, at the M 19, and advanced it 18-yards the M 37. The fumble was courtesy of a Taco Chalton hit. This was a turning point in the game. The interception was a quick little lob to Jake Butt that was critiqued post game by Coach Harbaugh as a lack of a widened view on Jake’s part. Nevertheless, he steered the Wolverines to 35 points as he was 18 of 26, and threw for 180-yards, but no TDs.

Before the game, two areas that are interdependent continued to worry. They were the offensive line and the running game. Until last Saturday’s game, the Wolverines best running back (Smith) had averaged only 2.8 yards a carry and they managed only 76-yards total against Utah. The Wolverines produced 244 rushing yards against the Beavers. This is a significant improvement. Better, but not yet at a championship level. As Jim Harbaugh indicates, there is still lots of work to do. Big OG Ben Braden had his best outing as a Wolverine, and the OL as a unit played better.

No other M back has run as hard as Smith or otherwise impressed this season. Smith had the best game of his career against the Beavers.

Coach Harbaugh said, “The offensive line, they commented over on the sideline, you could over-hear them: ‘Hey, hey, De’Veon’s running hard!’ He was running through contact, and it inspired them. A great play by the running back inspires the offensive line to sustain and strain longer on blocks.”

De’Veon had 126 net yards on 23-carries, and three rushing TDs, and in my book was the offensive player of the game.

It was rumored that RB Drake Johnson might play, and he did for one play.

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED AGAINST THE BEAVERS SATURDAY:
The football steamroller that M became in this game got off to a slow and disturbing start. The Beavers received the opening kick-off and executed a 7-play, 79-yard drive for six. M’s defense looked clueless. Rushing and passing chewed up chunks of yardage. The score came on an OS QB Seth Collins’ 21-yard TD pass in only his second game. Minutes into the game OS led 7 zip.

There were probably a number of reasons for this defensive lapse. In interviews after the game, a couple of players mentioned home opening jitters. One said that the rush of all that adrenalin might have been a contributing factor for the Blue defense. Said it can make a player forget what he has been taught. Further the ingenuity of Gary Andersen probably contributed. He is a good coach. Once our defensive coaches saw what they were offering, the defense dug in and did not allow the Beavers further scoring.

The first four offensive series of the Wolverines yielded only a forty yard Kenny Allen field goal, and it was M-3, OS 7, but from there on M scored TDs.

The first quarter was scary for both Michigan’s offense and defense. They managed no first downs, while OSU had 3, and 87-yards rushing to M’s 10. Passing was a little closer, but still unsatisfactory as OS managed 49-yards to M’s 38, but the Wolverines went to work on both sides of the ball.

There came a notable Jim Harbaugh meltdown, as Michigan was called for roughing the kicker. The OS punter got a high snap, bobbled it, corralled it, and headed outside the no tackle box, booting it on the run as Jeremy Clark collided to collar him. It was a regrettable 15-yard loss, causing Coach Harbaugh to backhand his notes, graphically demonstrate the kickers position, and he showed a reasonably accurate Bo Schembechler in making the ref aware of his steaming concerns. To me it shows how much Harbaugh cares. It was tough to understand where that penalty came from.

2015-UMOregSt-023

The Wolverine drive continued, with the most notable play a 4^th and 5 pass to Smith that provided 20-yards to the OS 8 and a critical 1^st down.

Having earlier had the benefit of an OS face mask penalty to Peppers, the Wolverines second quarter production showed results with a 12-play 69-yard scoring drive.

More D. Smith running and two catches by Jake Butt helped, as had an OS penalty earlier, which nullified the effect of an offensive pass interference call on Jehu Chesson. An OS illegal participation penalty moved the ball to the OS 1. Smith bulled it in. M-10, OS-7.

The second quarter closed on a stunning note. With 1:29 left a penalty had nullified a beautiful OS kick which went out at the three yard line, but after the penalty the ball was now at the Michigan 44.

A snap sailed over the Oregon punter, and rolled to their 3-yard line where a Duck covered it. Michigan’s ball, as the Wolverines tasted the good fortune of a gift, and possibly a more certain road to victory. Coach Harbaugh said after the game that this was not caused by the Wolverines in any way, but was just luck.

The fact that Smith pounded in for six, from one-yard out, was not luck, but skill and effort. Both he and Kerridge tried to score, and were stopped short. Then Smith bulled it in, converting the lucky break, and their own hard work, into six. M-17, OS-7.

The Wolverines received to begin the second half. Jake Butt caught a 10-yarder. Smith continued to pound, ripping a 20-yard slash. Rudock hit AJ Williams for 22. Then an incomplete pass and a false start, and Kenny Allen was called upon to hit a 29-yard FG. M-20, OS-7.

The defense and Chris Wormley tuned up the Beavers, and the third quarter ended with the Blue in possession and knocking at the goal. The Beaver defense was wearing down and Smith was running with great determination, with admirable determination, with the best effort of his career, He churned short gains into longer ones, often dragging the pile. He had also snagged a critical fourth down aerial earlier. TE Ian Bunting in this drive, caught one for 21-yards. Smith grabbed the three yard TD. Derrick Green had also contributed a 6-yard run in this 5-play, 39-yard scoring drive.

2015-UMOregSt-032

Derrick Green, Ty Isaac, and Sione Houma were featured in the Wolverine’s last scoring drive of the day, which Green ran in from two out, for a final of 35 to 7.

After what started out as an ugly duckling game turned into a swan, the Wolverines got to sing a raucous Victors as victors.

Long searching for an identity, the Wolverines seem to be forming an aura of toughness, mental and physical, on both sides of the ball.

Go Blue!

September 8, 2015September 8, 2015

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2015: IT APPEARS THAT IN HARBAUGH COACHING PHILOSOPHY 101, THE NEXT GAME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE SEASON. HERE IT COMES IN THE FORM OF THE OREGON STATE BEAVERS.

On Saturday next the Beavers will gnaw on the Wolverines, and try to hand them a second straight defeat to start the season, and Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan coaching tenure.

A noon kick off Saturday will happen in the friendly confines of Michigan Stadium. For a successful season the Wolverines must prove they own their own stadium. While the more experienced Wolverines are favored by 14 points over the younger Beavers, the Wolverines are still a team learning to win, while the busy Beavers won last week over Weber State 26 to 7.

The Oregon State Coach, Gary Andersen, is familiar with the Big Ten through a stint as Wisconsin’s head man. He has proved his coaching mettle. He has had past coaching connections to the Utah program, and you can bet on the fact that he has been in contact with them verifying flaws in the M play. The Wolverines will see some more hurry up offense. Oregon State is in transition under Andersen from a pro set offense to a hurry up spread offense.

The OSU OC said in the spring that they want 50% efficiency in getting four-yards or more on first down, and they want the 12% rule in eliminating errors such as turnovers, believing that games will be won if the errors make up less than 12% of total plays. They want 44 percent third down efficiency, and they want to score 70% of available points in the red zone, which means TDs. And they want to win the fourth quarter. The need to do all this to win. Plus offensively they have to be physical and let their opposition know they been in a football game, let them know that when they walk off the field the opponent knows the Beavers have beat the crap out of them. We shall see.

Back to the Wolverines. Offensively, some of the flaws last Saturday against the Utes were obvious. Three interceptions, for example, and the overthrows were obvious. While Harbaugh said that QB Jake Rudock should not have tossed some of them, he pointed out an inexperienced receiver’s lack of precision in route running, and a receiver slowing his rout when he thought he was open were important errors. Probably the receiver was slowing down after the ball had been tossed. Through it all Jake Rudock endured, and earned the starting position this coming Saturday against the Beavers.

The word or has now been dropped from the depth chart QB list. Jake showed his toughness as he took a tremendous hit after one of the long throws, was not sacked, and limited TFL losses. Together with tossing for 279-yards on 23 attempts and two TDs, and by maintaining good field presence, he earned the start this Saturday. A repeat performance of the errors would undoubtedly shake that position. As I said in another article, I though Coach Harbaugh did a great job in handling the QB situation.

Defensively, the interviewees that I heard at the Monday after game press conference indicated that they did not handle the up tempo sequences of the Utah offense effectively at times. A very correctable issue.

Also, some defensive players indicated that it was their job to help the team by creating opponent’s turnovers.

Coach Harbaugh said Monday that both the offensive and defensive lines were hesitant at times, and needed to play faster. Half time adjustments by the coaching staff eliminated some of this. This too is a very correctable issue.

It appears that RB Drake Johnson is approaching a level of healthiness that will allow a return to playing soon, and Fred Canteen says he will be good to go.

Against Utah the offensive starters were TE Poggi (two tight end set), LT Cole, LG Braden, Center G. Glasgow, RG Kalis, RT Magnuson, TE Butt, WR Chesson, QB Rudock, FB Kerridge, and TB D. Smith. The defensive starters were: DE Henry, NT R. Glasgow, DT Godin, Buck Ojemudia, ILB Morgan, ILB Hill (started five DBs), LCB Lewis, FS Wilson, SS Peppers, RCB Stribling.

While nothing but wins are acceptable in the portfolio of Coach Harbaugh, his assistants and the team, know now exactly what they have to work with after their opening game loss. Future improvements are possible all season long, but let us hope they start with a vengeance for this very important next game.

Go Blue!

September 4, 2015September 4, 2015

M FOOTBALL 2015-WOLVERINE ERRORS DEFLATE CHANCES OF AN UNDEFEATED SEASON IN OPENER AGAINST UTAH, 17 TO 24

The University of Michigan Football Wolverines, the 137^th incarnation, toiled long and hard during fall camp under 1^st year Michigan Football Coach, Jim Harbaugh. They toiled long and hard to train for a watershed season and to effectively prepare for this relative rarity, a Thursday night season opening away game. Utah was hyped, the crowd noisy, as the Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd was bulging its over 45,000 seat venue.

Some of their players had claimed to be incensed by the excessive hype the Wolverines and their new coach have received since Harbaugh’s hire. The Utes went so far as to hang a Popular Mechanics prognostication up in their locker room while pretending to be underdogs. The real underdogs, the Michigan Wolverines, endured a nasty 17 to 24 loss. While they came back late, and were not overwhelmed statistically, and pass protected superbly at times, their 2015 debut ended in a disappointing defeat to a very good Utah team.

BEFORE THE GAME: Most pundits opined this game to be Utah’s by at least 5.5 points. The Wolverines were underdogs in everybody’s book, but Utah’s. It was a Thursday night game, on a field located in an elevated region of the country with rarified air, which was considered a conditioning problem for those trained on the lower flatlands. Like Ann Arbor.

This was a significant factor to overcome in the minds of some, but not in the mind of a long time Salt Lake City resident and now Michigan Fullback, Sione Houma. He indicated in an interview that when he conditions at home (Salt Lake City), he suffers no disadvantage.

The biggest question pregame was at the QB position. It was Iowa graduate transfer Jake Rudock versus Shane Morris. Morris, with only two college games under his belt made a serious stab at securing the starting slot, but the more experienced and hopefully mistake proof Rudock seemed the early winner. Even after telling his QBs, the true starter was not divulged. The surprise is not that Harbaugh kept this advantage, but that his players did not leak it.

Would both prospective M QBs get significant reps? Contribute to victory? Play aggressive, but err free? Hopefully the last year’s Wolverine industrial quality offensive turn over machine has been put out of business for good, or at least has stripped a few gears for this year.

The Utes’ Coach, Kyle Wittingham selected Senior Travis Wilson as his QB, and reported it on last Monday. Wilson threw a TD for the winning Utes against the Wolverines in their losing match up last season. The Utes favored the spread then and still do.

The Utes offense still featured RB Devontae Booker, who, while not spectacularly effective against the Wolverines in last year’s game, amassed 1,571 yards last season. That was, of course, more than any Wolverine running back posted. With some great wide receivers, the Utes again had a very decent offense, and a nasty knack for being sack happy (55 for 325-yards last year) on defense.

Never in my memory, has a season started with so many ifs at so many position groups. QB, RB, WR, LBs, DB’s, Punting and Kicking.

Even so it was thought/hoped that the M QBs would benefit from the security of a non-porous OL, and that the running game was going to erupt under a trio of well-conditioned backs.

Special teams will be resurrected under Special Teams Coordinator John Baxter. Australian punter Blake O’Neill, and Kenny Allen are both accurate. At kicker, winner of the competition still was undecided between Kenny Allen, RS Freshman Kyle Seychel, and Freshman Andrew David. According to Baxter, those guys are still duking it out. Baxter indicated that none have game experience, so why pick one before pregame. Chesson, Thomas, Lewis, Peppers will be returners.

Mentioning Peppers brings us to defense. Would he play offense as well as defense? Also return punts.

That Harbaugh is an intense and focused football coach, was clearly demonstrated again by his surprise announcement August 7 that the program participants were going to submerge and not to surface again until they had done the necessary pre-season preparation. At that press conference he waxed eloquent on the smells, sights, sounds, and generally wonderful experience of intensely practicing college football for the players, and he established that he loved the experience. I thought at the time that he somewhat overstated that case with a virtual “boot camp” looming, but that hasn’t been the case.

As camp closed, and the media was again allowed access when the program surfaced, the general consensus among the players I heard was that it was a memorable event, one that they will remember long after, that it did focus and bring the players together. Desmond Morgan said that in the past fall camps were scripted, but this one was not. Outdoor practices might be held at the hottest time of day or at any other time. Jerry Hanlon said he did not attend as many practices during this period as he simply didn’t know when the practices would be held. The full times that were allowed by the NCAA for this period were utilized. That might be 10 PM closing after an early start. Coach Harbaugh’s level of participation in drills like catching punts, and being everywhere was positively commented on as unique and memorable by some of the players.

The 8 months of preseason of Coach Harbaugh’s tenure have been a spectacular success on many levels. A great assistant coaching staff had been assembled, both student and fan enthusiasm interest re-blossomed, the athletic director and head football coach successfully meshed, favorable national reputation emerged, recruiting prospered, and Adidas yielded to Nike, among other things.

In the past few years the Wolverines have not consistently prospered away from M Stadium, have lacked playmakers at the skilled positions, and have been error prone. Reference last year’s Utah game when M special teams put ten men on the field and the ran the punt back for six.

The Michigan program is not yet back to the point where it is reasonable to expect wins in every game, but Coach Harbaugh has been given all the tools that he asked for when coming to Michigan. Whether or not he has taught all the needed tools that Team 137 needs to win this year will prove out during the season. The first real marker is the result of this opening game with the Utes, but more significant games follow.

THE GAME AND COMMENTARY:
M kicked off and Kenny Allen hit it for a touchback as he did all evening. Utah hit a 30-yard FG for the first score. M-0, U-3.

On M’s first possession they moved the ball in small chunks, RB Ty Isaac getting a carry and TE Jake Butt a reception, but Michigan’s troubles at QB showed up as starter Jake Rudock tossed the first of his three interceptions. Freshman WR Grant Perry turned one way, opposite the spot that Jake was aiming at, and the die was cast on the first series of the first half as Utah intercepted the ball at Utah 14.

The Wolverines had no 1^st downs in the 1^st quarter. QB Jake Rudock hit WR Chesson, and then Darboh for 28-yards to start the 2^nd quarter, and Allen hit a FG from 39 to knot the score at three. The defense did not hold Utah as they produced an 11-play drive for six, moving the chains by nipping off small chunks of yardage for six. Utah QB, Travis Wilson was playing well, running and passing. M-3, Utah-10. It was thought that this was a game in which the Wolverines did not want to get behind, and that turned out to be good thinking. Echoes of last year were perceptible as M had 13-yards rushing in the second quarter. Again two quarters of offensive struggles and no TDs. But the defense stiffened, and Utah missed a long FG. They missed two on the day. The Wolverines were only down by a TD at the half.

The Wolverines received to start the second half. Rudock began to move the pocket and looked somewhat revitalized, but two incompletions stalled the drive and Allen missed a FG attempt from 44. A booth review had correctly overturned a Darboh completion called good on the field.

Ute QB Travis Wilson capped a 10-play, 74-yard Utah drive with a 14-yard scamper for six, and it was M-3, U-17. M finally answered with its first TD on the day as they drove 75-yards for 6. M’s best offensive player, TE Jake Butt, grabbed a precise 24-yard Jake Rudock pass with two defenders draped over him. The Jake to Jake connection worked all afternoon as Butt gathered in 8 for 93-yards including his 24-yard TD reception.

A Utah hit at the sideline on Rudock as he rushed for a yard, and got out of bounds, had prolonged the drive. The Wolverines were fighting back, still hitting, and back in the game at the end of the 3^rd quarter. This is one of the good takeaways of this game. The Wolverines rushed for 37-yards and passed for 72 in the 3^rd. Not spectacular, but better.

Hopes climbed a little at the start of the 4^th, as the Utes’ excellent FG kicker goal kicker missed a 46-yarder wide left.

Then the game breaking error occurred. Rudock threw an out that was well anticipated by the Ute DB, and he scampered 55-yards to score. This was a sort of a desperation pass, but afterwards Jake thought he should have thrown it away.

Coach Harbaugh was quoted afterwards, “Jake was seeing the field extremely well, making really good throws. The second interception was probably the only throw that was not a good accurate throw. Say this about Jake, he throws an interception for a touchdown. Then comes back and leads a touchdown drive. I thought that was outstanding, He shook off that play and came fighting back, as did all of our team, which you like to see”.

The Wolverines completed their scoring drive of 10-plays for 90-yards with 3 completions to Grant Perry, and 2 to Amara Darboh (who snagged 8 for 100-yards and a TD), and one each to Chesson and Butt. Amara caught the 10-yard throw for the score. Final M-17, U-24. An onside kick attempt by the Wolverines failed. The Wolverines had 113-yards passing in the last quarter.

The Wolverines were not blown out. They matched Utah’s 20 first downs, but rushed for only 76-yards, which is unacceptable. QB Jake Rudock passed for a very respectable 279-yards, but he missed a streaking and wide open Jehu Chesson twice on deep patterns.

The defense held a very good running back, Devontae Booker to 69-yards, and 1 TD, but too often could not contain QB Travis Wilson, who ran for 53-yards and passed for 208 and a TD.

While Coach Harbaugh carefully noted post game that there are many things to build on, it is disconcerting that the running game is so far from being productive. The primary running back, D. Smith ran very tough and hard, but sometimes didn’t find the lanes.

It was very encouraging that half time offensive tweaks produced a more effective running game, along with 2 TDs. Tackling was improved. No sacks were allowed. In time the defense will be very good. So will special teams. Jabrill Peppers took a KO back for 36-yards, and played some outstanding defense with 7 tackles and 1 assist. He is as advertised. LB Desmond Morgan had 8 solos and 2 assists. LB Joe Bolden had 6 solos and 7 assists.

I liked Harbaugh’s demeanor after the game. I like the way he supported his quarterback. He was not mad, and not full of doom and gloom, nor did he act beaten. He has said all along that the Wolverines had a lot of work to do. Now everyone will believe it. With the “submergence” of August, there was very little first-hand media knowledge of Wolverine realities. Know we know more.

Many questions about the Wolverines were answered, but some not definitely. Will everything continue to be Jake at quarterback? I believe a competition continues, but now there is certainty about who is number one.

Bring on Oregon State.

Thanks for reading and Go Blue!

August 7, 2015August 9, 2015

M FOOTBALL 2015: SPECTACULAR DEBUT OF JIM HARBAUGH COACHING ERA CONTINUES. AUGUST 6TH WAS MEDIA AND YOUTH DAY. FALL FOOTBALL CAMP BEGINS ON AUGUST 7TH.

To say Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Head Coaching debut has raised spectacular expectations this preseason among the Wolverine Nation is a significant understatement. Ticket sales are again soaring, and fan enthusiasm is also reaching unprecedented heights.

This is unbelievable and significant rebound from the depths of despair achieved by our two immediately previous and failed football coaching regimes. Even more unbelievable in light of the fact Jim Harbaugh has not yet had the opportunity to coach a single football game at the University of Michigan. No other hire could have brought all of Jim Harbaugh’s assets to the Michigan job. He is uniquely qualified for that job. M school ties, college coaching, professional coaching, and recruiting experience all uniquely meld together in Jim Harbaugh. If he is not successful here where could Michigan turn to get a more qualified coach?

Harbaugh has quickly restored positive national recognition of Wolverine Football to unexpected levels. His words and activities are positively tweeted, written about, and broadcast. His trade mark ought to be the Energizer Bunny. He seems he shows up almost everywhere.

While he is a nose to the grindstone, eye on the goal football coach, he has roamed. Since his hire, he has had meetings with several members of the Supreme Court, with Michelle Obama, recruited all over the country, visited some Supreme Court members, and vacationed in Paris. Before coaching a single football game at Michigan, he has become a newsworthy celebrity personality. He will soon grace the cover of ESPN magazine, but will he ever make the cover of the Rolling Stone? Don’t bet against it. Publicity wise, anything seems possible.

Harbaugh’s genuine enthusiasm for game he loves, and his relentless intensity, are in part illustrated by the innovative football camps he has held around the country. They were within NCAA rules. Rules the SEC would like to torpedo.

Much to the delight of M fans, and the chagrin of SEC coaches (poor babies), he had pushed some camps into SEC country. Some SEC coaches have howled regarding what they perceive to be recruiting fairness issues. How ironic it is to hear the wails regarding fairness issues from that venue! And how satisfying!

Fans early recruiting fears of filling Coach Harbaugh’s first full class with lower ranked players, and a slow early start, have been resolved positively, as the class has blossomed in numbers, as have the numbers of stars granted by the recruiting pundits. Fences have been mended with high school coaches in many key venues, as well as with M students, as thousands more students will be at the games. Ticket sales are generally restored.

M is still in the running for one of the highest ranked players in the class of sixteen. Even if they do not get DT Rashan Gary, it appears they will still finish with a strong class.

There were but a couple of glitches. A botched ESPN interview with Colin Cowherd garnered a bit of negative publicity. Cowherd ended the interview early, and spent the rest of his show lambasting Coach. Harbaugh artfully shouldered the blame, and the “Herd” was dismissed from the ESPN position he was leaving anyway for Fox, but earlier than anticipated. Cowherd was dismissed for comments not related to the failed interview.

A widely publicized glitch was the Minick OWI, and suspension. Now reinstated to his position, Associate Athletic Director Minick continues on.

There have been a number of expected player transfers. Blake Countess, Dennis Norfleet, and Ondre Pipkins seem to me to be among the most notable early departures. OL Chris Fox has obtained a medical scholarship and will not play, but will become a student assistant.

Pipkins seemed to sow a few sour grapes saying that he was healthy and wanted to continue to compete as a Wolverine. Harbaugh countered with a convincing resume of Ondre’s injuries, including concussions. I understand his four year Michigan scholarship was not withdrawn, but will probably be abandoned as Ondre seeks to play at Texas Tech.

There are rumors that Dennis Norfleet, who has allegedly been in the academic doghouse, will likely transfer to Tuskegee. While he has earned prolific yardage (over 2,200 yards, and 90 returns) over his Wolverine career as a special teams returner, he never returned a punt or kick off for six. One such return last season was spoiled by a team mate’s gaff which got the TD called back. M subsequently lost that game to Rutgers while making Rutger’s pedestrian QB Nova look like an All American. He had thrown five interceptions the week before.

Michael Ferns and Center Jack Miller, left prior to the Harbaugh regime. Many have left since. Justice Hayes, Russell Bellomy, Keith Heitzman, Kyle Bosch, and the three mentioned above. Coach recently indicated that is all for now. I assume there will be more transfers later.

There are three graduate transfers now in place, as the coaches shored up depth and talent. It looks like all three have a good chance of becoming starters. At QB, there is Iowa transfer, Jake Rudock. Experienced, talented, and careful with the ball, he will give Shane Morris a run for his money at QB. Wayne Lyons, a graduate transfer from Stanford seems likely to collar a starting corner position. Transfer punter Blake O’Neill should be a great punter. He is from Melbourne, Australia.

Nike will soon replace Adidas as the signature provider of clothing and equipment for all sports, making Michigan the highest paid college sports program in the country. They have tossed around numbers like $169,000 from Nike. The perception among many fans is that Nike produces the “in” apparel, including Jordan basketball shoes, and will help future recruitment. Maybe, but it is a current fact that this Nike contract benefits now by correcting a deficit in the AD budget.

It appears that this 2015 precamp season will end with unprecedented rising expectations. This is a sea change from the dismal end of the 2014 season, and its sinking expectations.

Although much of the off season success is the result of Coach Harbaugh’s efforts, this spectacular off season success can’t all be claimed by Jim alone. Interim Athletic Director Hackett and Coach Harbaugh seem to constitute a well-oiled machine working smoothly in unison to achieve common goals.

The Big Ten Media Days in Chicago have come and gone. Coach Harbaugh fended off the tireless repetition of question after question in his somewhat quirky, but still effective style, not answering anything about individual player football performances or position groups, yet still managing to be the main attraction at the Big Ten event. I don’t believe he is striving to be a celebrity, but he needed to restore football expectations and excitement, and he has, and then some.

Perhaps more importantly, he has installed an experienced set of assistant coaches to direct all three phases of the game. They have great football credentials for their position groups, and proven relationships to teaching and winning the right way.

Fortunately fans are not dwelling on last year’s five losses, and the unsettled status of several offensive position groups such as QB, OL, WR and RB. Last year, while the offense hemorrhaged turnovers to their team’s detriment and on a scale worse than the other teams in the country, the otherwise effective defense couldn’t cause turnovers in sufficient numbers to help raise last year’s number of wins over five.

Offensively, different schemes, a more experienced OL, and better coaching will change production. Defensively, an ability to play some press coverage, and the return of a healthy Jabril Peppers, and some additional talent, should allow improvement to last year’s decent defense.

Many fans, including me, believe that a serviceable and productive offense will emerge. I think that this team, at the end of the season, will be much improved over the product that faces off with Utah on September 3.

YOUTH FAN/MEDIA DAY:
Players and coaches were made available for interview. I interviewed D.J. Durkin, Jay Harbaugh, Greg Mattison, and Tyrone Wheatley. While interesting in each case they talked philosophies and team goals not individual players, probably because they had not had a fall camp practice. All of the coaches interviewed seemed very competent, and excited about the season.

I was interested in Jay Harbaugh in particular because he was an unknown to me. He is pleasant, articulate, and knows his stuff. Greg Mattison is a respected known commodity in Ann Arbor and DC D.J. Durkin, late of the Florida Gators, obviously knows his stuff. He will adjust the schemes to the talent. Refreshing, huh?

Coach Tyrone Wheatley seemed more comfortable today than in the spring. He stated all the backs are talented, but he still needs three to step up, to separate from the pack. He talked at length regarding the nurturing of his son as a football player, saying that when the young player needed football tutoring he hired a football tutor or trainer and never did it himself. But they did spend quality time together. He was relieved when his boy had that growth spurt. He is happy Jay Harbaugh is coaching him as a tight end.

Several players were also interviewed, or more correctly I had a conversation with them. They are an articulate and dedicated group, and all in.

Coach Harbaugh conducted an interview session on Media Day. Several poised and cute third graders asked questions for his answer as it was Youth Fan Day. One third grader asked “How do you get the players to study?”, and the rest were along similar lines. Harbaugh answered them adroitly, and he brought back early recollections of his Ann Arbor days. He named his own children, some of whom, are about the age of the kids interviewed.

He said he could not guarantee a spot to a 5^th year players, just an opportunity.

Now he will be finding out what the team is and what they will be as practices progress.

He stressed healthy, honest, and fair competition in the QB race, and the other position competitions.

He fondly recalled the sights and smells of a football practice environment, like sunrise, the smell of fresh grass, and the sound of cleats on concrete before a day crowded with football. I had the feeling his team would need some time away from the event to recall the sights and sounds of football practice as fondly as he does. Coach Harbaugh is sincere is his love for the experience.

He discussed tight ends in answer to a question, citing Butt, Williams, and K. Hill. Said Hill is ready to go now. Said Winovich did very well in the spring, and said Strobel has been playing both offense and defense and will continue to do so for a time. He mentioned Tyrone Wheatley, Jr.

Roles are important. Starter, back up, or contributor. The determinations of team roles are all pending.

He said he is now going submarine with the press, into a bunker mentality, and will resurface when it is time.

Said RB Drake Johnson is a fast healer, in better shape than the Media Day audience as he is a superb athlete. They have had to slow him up as a safeguard by allowing no cutting or running. He is almost 100%.

He then held a fan autograph session in Michigan Stadium to complete Fan/Media Day.

CONCLUSION:
Harbaugh has to be relieved that this part of the tedious preseason PR element of the process is over, as he can now focus his considerable energies on what he does best, which is the teaching and playing of winning football. Asked in today’s press conference why he receives so much attention he said, “I don’t know”, a comment that was challenged.

Harbaugh’s off-season aura has had a therapeutic effect on all phases of the Wolverine football program, including fan expectations so far, but can the magic continue into the heart of Harbaugh’s 2015 head coaching challenge?

Why not? Let the games begin!

Go Blue!