Andy Andersen – Page 16 – UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball

September 28, 2014October 17, 2020

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2014 – GOPHER COACH JERRY KILL EXECUTES HOPE OF A GOOD BIG TEN START FOR THE WOLVERINES AS HE OUTCOACHES MICHIGAN AND HIS PLAYERS OUT EXECUTE AND OUT PLAY BRADY HOKE’S CHARGES 14 TO 30

Established in 1909, the Little Brown Jug has an enduring and proud appeal to Michigan Fans. The Wolverines lead the series 73-24-3. Possessing the jug is an obsession with the Wolverines. It is the oldest Bowl Subdivision Trophy. But Saturday there was more at stake than just a coveted trophy. In this important game, it was hoped Team 135 would finally establish the offensive identity it needed. It did not.

The University of Michigan’s Wolverine Football team began the Big Ten season against the tough and physical Minnesota Gophers Saturday with unpleasant results. The Wolverines were outplayed and out coached in all three phases of the game. Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.

Offensively, Shane Morris started the game at QB, and led Michigan to its first TD in its last four quarters in the second quarter. Good field position was established, courtesy of a good Will Hagerup punt. That enabled a short drive from the Gopher 47-yard line to pay dirt.

Shane earned an A for effort and determination but a D for contribution and execution. By the fourth quarter he was the victim of many hits and a cheap shot. He was battered and wobbly but Coach Hoke did not see this, and he played some after. He also had a limp,. Shane was 7/19 for 49-yards passing on the day, threw an interception (a tipped ball), and fumbled twice with one recovered. He netted eight negative yards rushing.

Finally, during mop up time. in the middle of the fourth quarter, Devin Gardner replaced him , and brought a spark as he engineered a drive and scored, running for Michigan’s second and last TD. Devin was three for six for 39-net yards with a long of 18-yards. He rushed 5 times for 23 net yards and a TD, with a long of 18, and no interceptions.

M Running Back De’Veon Smith toted four in a row, running impressively tough. On one run he kept it going with tacklers on his back, moving the pile. That was around the 11 minute mark of the first half. After that, it was a Gopher day as they loaded the scoreboard with 10 points before the half. Smith ended the game as M’s best running back. His nine attempts for sixty-yards and a TD were impressive. He broke tackles and dragged piles of would be tackles. Smith reminded of the tough running style of Michigan’s late Carvie Craw who played in the sixties. Craw once took detour to run through MSU’s entire bench. He was tough, very tough. So is Smith. He keeps those feet churning. In an after interview, LB Joe Bolden remarked about Smith keeping those feet digging.

At 2:17 of the half, Will Hagerup hit another nice punt. It was a 53-yarder that was collared by the Wolverines at the Minnesota one. The Gophers promptly executed a nice drive passing and running. The drive stalled at the M 24, where they hit a field goal.

Letting the Gophers turn this disadvantage into an advantage was bad omen. It was Wolverines 7 to the Gophers 10 at the half, but the momentum was all Minnesota’s. The handwriting on the wall was apparent then, as the Gophers led in about every statistical category except punting average. Michigan had 65 net rushing yards. They were two of six in third down conversions. The defense allowed the Gophers 229-yards to M’s measly 106.

Michigan received to start the second half, but went three and out. I saw little if any innovative play calling. When I can sit there and call the first down plays there is a problem. There is so little innovation and it is ever so conservative.

A first down rush for no gain, an incomplete pass, and a completion short of the first down marker, left the Wolverines out of possession and playing from the Minnesota 38. The M defense held, and the offense squandered another opportunity. Shane lost five yards on first down and M was again behind the sticks. Morris fumbled, recovered by M at the M two yard line. Smith and Hayes ran for 5-yards and it was Hagerup again. The Gophers hit a 48-yard field goal to make it 7-13 and I had the notion that the Wolverines were finished.

That impression seemed verified when Shane threw an interception at about the 6:00 minute mark of the third quarter. That was run back from the M 30 for six. Now it was 7-20 and it was all but over.

Shane’s and the Wolverine’s woes continued. Shane lost five yards and the football. Minnesota recovered at the M 30 and passed for a one year score. M 7-Gophers 27.

Devin Gardner got a consolation TD in the fourth quarter after the gimpy and groggy Morris was replaced at quarterback. At that moment he seemed to rejuvenate the Wolverines offense as he engineered the Wolverines last score.

Again Michigan errors, including a tipped intercepted pass, squelched the Wolverine’s ability to score. Constantly they were “behind the sticks”, had third and longs, and disadvantageous field position. Michigan’s stodgy offense could not maintain field position enough to help the cause or the defense.

The Gophers had previously shunned the benefits of a robust passing game prior to Saturday, largely because their passing QB, Mitch Leidner had been gimpy. It was rumored that he had difficulty with his right leg and foot as in strained ligaments and turf toe. He got well against the Wolverines.

The Gophers other QB, Chris Streveler, was thought the better runner, but a pedestrian passer. Leidner did not play last week but was more than ready for the Wolverines, as he was10 of 15 for 115-yards with a long of 33. He was sacked just once.

As every M fan already knows, the Wolverines came into the game with a struggling offense against the two better defenses they had faced so far this season. Now make that two three.

Also present was heavy, general fan dissatisfaction with a perceived lack of progress in this Hoke’s fourth year at the helm in general and, now added dissatisfaction with this game in particular. There were boos, and while there was much media speculation that Coach Hoke was on a hot seat before Saturday, there will be an added intensity now. The body of evidence keeps growing.

The Wolverines offensive malaise continues. Instances of what is perceived to be poor game management continue to happen. Why was Shane Morse’s wobbling not noticed by Coach Hoke?

There was lively public discussion between Coaches Mattison and Hoke in the Utah game, with each blaming the passion of the game, and singing the praises of the other afterward. This gave evidence of some football seams unraveling for the Wolverines. I did not object to that. It indicated involvement, some fire. Where was the fire Saturday?

The Wolverines offense has been as barren as the Artic Circle’s tundra in winter in three of their five games this season. Before the game the Wolverines were a nasty 125^th in offensive TOs nationally, and can’t be much better today, if not sinking.

The Wolverines defense still can’t tackle, has a leaky pass defense, and sometimes doesn’t turn play in, letting the opposition turn the corner outside and go. While it is obvious that the defense is light years ahead of the struggling offense, the defense affords many big pass plays and runs. They sometimes will make a stop of the first down play, stuff the second down play and get burned by a run or pass on third and long. Today there were 5 or 6 such instances.

Some speculate that Devin could not utilize his true skills in the present play action offensive scheme, and that Shane Morris more closely mirrored the offensive image that the coaches have been wanting. Saturday did not prove that Shane could do better.

Is this Michigan team raveling at the seams? Or has it already? What this most important Gopher game in decades has told us is that Michigan Football is on the ropes. It screams that the Coaches do not know how to fix the problems to make the Wolverines competitive in the Big Ten.

Saturday they were not competitive! Are the Wolverines headed to the bottom of the Big Ten barrel? What’s your level of confidence?

Every week Coach Hoke states that the team has had a good week of practice, and that it is a great cohesive team, but the results don’t translate to winning on the field. They have to find the path to address the whys and why nots soon, or Rutgers, a newcomer to the Big Ten, is going to embarrass them, in prime time, on a national stage.

Team 135 has yet to prove that it is a good football team, and the Coaches have yet to prove they can make it a good team. Expectations are dropping faster than the stock market in 1929.

All this speculation surrounding Hoke’s coaching ability and tenure is obviously not a good thing for Hoke or his Wolverines, unless it is thought that any publicity, including derogatory publicity is worthwhile. Not likely.

Hoke had a message for Michigan fans: “I would tell them that, number one, we know their frustration, because we share their frustration. I would also tell them that as a team, we all take accountability for it, and we also all are going to work together to rectify it.” The sooner the better, Coach!

Some are clamoring that Head Coach Brady Hoke should be fired instantly. I don’t buy that. A mid-season firing further destroys football programs, and are an emotional response which do not harm the coaches as they take a wagon load of money away with them, but do hammer the student athletes pledged to the program.

In any case, let’s take the bad Michigan times with the good and hang in there. The Wolverines have always come roaring back. The only question is when.

Go Blue!

September 21, 2014September 21, 2014

M FOOTBALL 2014: OFFENSIVE INERTIA AND A SPECIAL TEAMS LULLABY DOOM WOLVERINE HOPES, AND HELPS TO MAKE THE UTAH UTES WINNERS IN MICHIGAN STADIUM, 10 TO 26.

The rapid fire Utah Utes traveled to Michigan Stadium to encourage extinction of Team 135’s hopes of taking another step up this season’s ladder of football respectability. The Utes had demolished Idaho State 56-14, and Fresno State 59-27 already this season, and they had a bye week to chart their course. They were replete in their new white helmets Saturday. Saturday they taught a lesson to the struggling Wolverines and dug deeper the hole that now summons the Wolverine’s aspirations for this season. They were the better team and the better coached team.

M’s offense was held to a field goal. One! No offensive TDs! Inconceivable! The only Michigan TD was a fabulous interception by big Defensive Tackle Willie Henry, who scored from seven-yards out.

Special teams contributed to the loss, via a coverage failure which enabled a 66-yard jaunt for a Ute TD. Pretty run. Jordan Lewis finally intercepted the returner after having crossed the field from the other side of the field. Coach Hoke indicated before the game that special teams might tip the scales this time. Unfortunately he read the tea leaves right on that one.

While a significant rain delay at 7:51 on the fourth quarter gave the Wolverines some added time to lick their wounds and scheme, the game was already over. An unbelievable scene of water surrounded the playing surface. That they restored the surface to playability through pumping is an achievement

This defeat will linger awhile. It was a milestone failure, the second loss against another of the better of its preseason opponents. It doesn’t appear this team is prepared for Big Ten success for the season.

This was supposed to be the game in which we could finally prognosticate future success. Its outcome was supposed to provide data so we would know what the future might hold for these Wolverines.

Would it be 10-2 or 3, or something like 7-5, or 6-6? It seems to me the data is pretty clear now. This is a team on the mat. Down but not out? It sure seems unlikely.

The hurry up Utes had the firepower to seriously challenge Michigan’s aerial defenses, and more than a few thought that they would successfully better them. Some wondered why the Wolverines were favored. After seeing this game I am still among them.

A champion skier turned field goal kicker was an un-erring marksman and contributed 4 field goals. The Utes abandoned their careless play for the most part.

A killer Ute TD was from a crossing pattern thrown over the middle. The receiver was totally open. I thought Michigan’s safety play was not up to par. Someone was caught day dreaming on that critical play.

That both Coach Hoke and Coach Nussmeier were familiar with Utah’s Coach Kyle Wittingham did not seem to help much offensively.

Coach Mattison said last Monday that they had assembled two defensive units to hurry into the practice scrimmages, to help them maintain communication and organization in face of the hurry up threat. The defense coped well most of the time. Not always, just most of the time. They yielded one passing TD, and 4 field goals to a prolific scoring team, and scored a TD. The Utes only rushed for 81 net yards.

Thus, the defense had some success although they could not tackle well in the open field.

Wittingham had again manufactured an effective aerial assault. The Utes also have a solid defense, and their special teams were again special.

Utah Receiver Dre Anderson was pushing 2,000-yards for his career before the game. Receivers Scott and Tonga were added threats. They showed bubble screens, wide receiver screens and some dink and dunk. They totaled 205-yards passing, and 1 TD. The Utes lost one fumble.

Michigan won many of the statistical categories, but were not the best team in this game.

As if an on target passing attack was not enough, the Utes brought along two great runners, D. Booker and Bubba Poole to provide a balanced attack. They made timely contributions to sustain drives, even though the M defense mostly held them in check.

In case anybody wondered if Utah would also bring their WWI cannon along, their MUSS (Mighty Utah Student Section) and their “Crazy Lady”. Of course they didn’t bring the cannon (fired with a ten gauge shot gun shell), or the MUSS. Turned out they did not need them.

At home, at Rice Eccles Stadium, the MUSS chants for the Crazy Lady to do her dance. She dances while the band plays Otis Redding’s I Can’t Turn You Loose. They weren’t in Ann Arbor Saturday, but will be when M makes its contracted trip to Idaho next year. It will be a crazy challenge. Oh, yes, more on Saturday’s game….

PREGAME AND POSTGAME THOUGHTS, AND RESULTS:
The same pregame concerns that have existed all season still existed and are now even more painfully obvious. The Wolverines had to prove that they could effectively run the football against a decent front, with the OL providing holes and backs making the correct cuts and finding them.

While Derrick Green made some great runs, and made some nice cuts, the Wolverines often were held to a couple of yards on first down runs, and they have a perplexing knack of gathering dumb penalties at the worst of times. Almost seems they have copyrighted false start. They could not complete a TD drive.

Green had a decent day with 14 carries for 65-yards. But the Wolverines own offensive penalties, and offensive inconsistency killed drives. They did not see the red zone. Often they gained little of nothing on the same 1^st down runs. As Hoke says, they sometimes were “behind the sticks again.” Too often.

The OL had to prevent the pass rush from getting home, provide Gardner with time. On too many occasions they did not.

Coach Hoke on the second half turn overs and the need to be able to finish:… “Yeah, and there is no question that that’s one thing. We start a drive, we have some success with it, we get a sack, so you’re behind the sticks again. You don’t like to play offense that way. We had a penalty that put us back. So we’ve just got to finish those drives. First drive of the game really, the execution and what was going on was good, but we settled for three points. It was a great kick by Matt (Wile). It was good to see it from him, obviously, but we want seven points, not three points.” Offensive inertia.

Devin Gardner had to play error free football, make his reads, know when to scramble and when to get rid of the ball in a lost cause, protect the ball, and prevent negative yardage plays. He did manage some of that, and he converted two QB sneaks on 4^th and one, and had a few good runs, but the good was overbalanced by the two interceptions that he threw.

The first caromed off of Devin Funchess’ hand and into the arm of a defender. Funchess often gets a ball that exposes him to serious punishment, and perhaps he had this in mind when he failed to extend enough to make the catch. I wondered if the pass was thrown too hard also. Funchess had 4 receptions for 82-yards.

The second interception in the third quarter, helped seal the Wolverines fate.

Hoke on the plan for moving forward… “I think number one it’s way too early for me to assess that until Doug (Nussmeier) and myself look at the tape. One thing I can tell you is sometimes it’s good for the guy to come out and just watch and see what he can see from the sidelines. So there are not going to be any answers to that tonight. We’ll compete and challenge like we have every day, and then we’ll have a starting quarterback against Minnesota.”

Coach Hoke on any particular (problem) area that stands out … “I think the ball security issues are probably our biggest issue when you look at it overall. The defense had to get to the QB with an effective pass rush. They had to protect the edges, turn plays in, as well as stop an effective running game. I think in the secondary, Jourdan Lewis played his tail off today. He may have played his best game. If you don’t write about the play he made to keep them out of the end zone, then you don’t know anything about the game, because that effort that he made from all the way across the field, I can remember Woody Hankins did that down in Ohio in 1996. Kept them to a field goal, and that was a 13-9 game. We show that clip every year of a backside corner doing that, and that’s what he did.”

Michigan stalled on the opening drive, as Green got two yards on the 1^st and 10 play. They were behind the sticks. A third down pass to Chesson was incomplete and it was a field goal, for an early three point lead. On their next drive they had a holding call they could not overcome. A Ute FG tied it up and it was 3 up at the end of the 1^st quarter.

The Utes broke the tie in the second quarter with their nifty 66-yard punt return for six at the 14.39 mark. A back breaker. It was 3-10 Utes. Michigan “offensive player of the day”, Defensive Tackle Willy Henry captured the ball and ran the interception back 7 yards for six. It was knotted at 10-10. Michigan did not score again.

The Utes hit another FG, and it was 10-13 at the half.

The Utes had had enough of a close game as they marched downfield with the second half KO. Running and passing effectively, a 28-yard TD pass to Dres Anderson sealed the Wolverines’ fate. A 20 to 10 lead was more than the Wolverines could overcome as they frittered away opportunities.

In the 4^th quarter all semblance of a Michigan threat evaporated as Devin Gardner threw a pass to a group of Ute defenders. This ended the day for Devin. With this performance it appears his job may be up for grabs. The errors are a gift that does not quit giving.

His understudy, Shane Morris did not do much better. In a heavy rain he overthrew a receiver which was intercepted. The Utes added two more FGs.

At 7:51 of the 4^thquarter, the game was extensively delayed. Although the downpour was spectacular under the lights, it is lightening that is a game killer.When resumed, there was no scoring. Final: 10-26.

More than the spectators were drenched in the game. The Wolverines are not showing improvement. It does not look like the coaching staff knows how to cure the problems.

The stuff like all our goals are still ahead of us rings hollower now. The goals seem a lot further ahead of us now. The statement that they had a great week of practice after every loss is in the same category. Really? When will they play like they practice?

Enough of the bad stuff. At least the multi-plane fly over was exciting.

A fifteen aircraft air show before the game was in honor of the University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering. It is the oldest Aeronautical Engineering Education Program in the United States. Included were a WWII P-51D Mustang, a thirties Stearman PT 17A (WWII trainer), a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber (Jimmy Doolittle and his Mitchel’s departed from a US aircraft to make the first US raid of WWII on the Japanese home islands), a Boeing B-17 (The US Eighth Air Force heavy bomber workhorse that decimated Germany in daylight during WW II, an F-86 F Sabre jet ( The Sabre had heavy usage in the Korean War as a fighter in air to air combat. A friend of mine that flew them there said that, “ It (the airframe) did not want to go as fast as it could go”. An interceptor, the 100F Super Sabre (the one flying Saturday is the last in existence. This air frame wanted to go as fast as it could go, and when the pilot hit the after burners the boom was impressive), a Lockheed Electra similar to the one flown by Amelia Earhart, five Beechcraft T-34s in formation, plus two helicopters and EC-155 Survival Flight chopper, and an Enstrom 4088.

While this massive fly over was enjoyed by most, it might get some negative comment from those that are not aviation buffs, but I found it to be AOK.

Are we ready for the battle for the Jug, and those pesky Gophers? Ready or not, we will know next Saturday if we can possess the jug for another year.

Go Blue!

September 14, 2014September 14, 2014

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL-2014: THE WOLVERINES SLAM MIAMI’S REDHAWKS 34 TO 10 DESPITE THREE SECOND QUARTER TURNOVERS.

Miami of Ohio’s RedHawks swooped into Michigan Stadium Saturday afternoon in hopes of zooming away with a stunning upset of the one and one Wolverines, even though victories for the Miami football have been few and far between recently. They have not managed a winning effort in their last nineteen games.

Known far and wide as the “Cradle of Coaches”, Miami has developed some dandies. A short list includes, Earl Blaik, Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Weeb Eubank, Sid Gillman, Jon Harbaugh, and William Narduzzi.

Also, and most notable for Wolverine fans, our fabled Bo honed his coaching skills there, and was the Head Football Coach at Miami, when then Michigan AD Don Canham made the hire of a lifetime.

Noted as one of the best academic institutions in the State of Ohio, its proud academic tradition lingers and is something the largest Ohio University should admire and emulate, but Miami’s football heritage has recently been in stress, in decline, but not forgotten.

To turn around faltering Miami, they retained Chuck Martin as Head Football Coach. Starting this season, he brings more than adequate offensive coaching credentials. Martin spent the past two seasons at Notre Dame. His was the offense that deployed against Alabama in a National Championship game. In the first year of a rebuilding, things can get rough as all M fans know, and this season has started that way for Martin and his charges. Martin was at GVSU previously to ND.

Unfortunately for Miami’s immediate future he could not bring the components of the ND offense with him, but he was able to bring an outstanding QB with him in the person of Andrew Hendrix. Hendrix was NDs QB, but has matriculated at Miami for his 5^th year of eligibility. He hit 12 of 26 for 165-yards, threw for a TD, had one interception, and was sacked once.

Michigan was in the nickel, most if not all, of the game, as Hendrix threw from the spread. He was 11^th in the nation in passing prior to the game. Although he has wheels, an aerial assault is what the RedHawks do best. Hendrix had a tough afternoon, but he tied it up 10-10 in the second quarter.

The RedHawks have not profited in the win/loss column this season in spite of increased ability to score, but that still may come. Marshall bested them 42-27, and Eastern Kentucky bettered them by a TD, 17-10. The Red Hawks had 6 TOs in the loss. Three of them were interceptions. The Wolverines Jourdan Lewis, the owner of two pass interference calls last week, made a beautiful interception against the Hawks.

PREGAME CONCERNS, AND RESULTS:
Pass defense: Notre Dame had their way with the passing game last Saturday. Our new found “press” coverage” provided no interceptions and often provided a scene in which our better cover corners had their back to the ball chasing an open receiver. As stated above the Wolverines limited the RedHawk’s passing game to 165-yards. Jourdan Lewis got a nifty interception.

Jabrill Peppers did not play last week due to injury, and Raymon Taylor was injured in the first quarter against ND and did not play this week. Safety Jarrod Wilson did not play. Peppers was back this week and was in the rotation at corner. I spent a lot of time focusing on his play and it seemed to me that he surprisingly polished as a freshman in his pass defense. When necessary, he laid some wood.

Hoke’s comments regarding the cornerback rotation: “I think the guys we played, we rotated through Blake (Countess) and Jabrill (Peppers) and also Jourdan (Lewis). I think they played tighter coverage. We did a few things different with some of the blitz things as far as we played some zero coverage, which we don’t play a lot of, but thought we could play it — lining up at the sticks, those kinds of things. We’ll watch the tape, but I think they all did a nice job in there.”

Defensive line: From last week-Where is the pass rush and why are TOs not being created? Everyone with a pulse understood the problems Michigan might have getting its offensive line together, but it was thought here (not by Nussmeier) that the defensive line would carry the burden until the OL line was seasoned. Based on last Saturday’s game that seemed a forlorn and distant hope. This Saturday, even with a consideration of the step down in competition, they showed improvement by holding Miami to eight first downs and thirty-three yards rushing. Coach Hoke on the D and DL: “Defensively holding them to 2-of-12 from third down perspectives, getting your defense off the field, more opportunities for our offense. The rush for the second week, in looking at our defense, we played that very well, the front seven did, or if we were in nickel situations, the nickel, …. those were the positives of it. We only got the one pick as far as a turnover. We’ve got to do a better job there. I think we harassed the quarterback. I think Brennen Beyer on the one sack really made just a great play, in my opinion, because he finished the play, and how he finished it. We played pretty good rush defense so far. Now, I think the schedule continues to get tougher. We’ll see what kind of defense we are as we go through it. Thirty-three yards, yeah, you’re happy with that. How many attempts did they have? Twenty-four. They weren’t going to try and run it much. But I do think Chuck tried to run it enough to keep us a little more off balance.”

Brennen’s run down of the RedHawk QB was remarkable. He chased the QB down from behind, grabbed a shoulder pad/jersey with one hand from behind the runner’s back, and immediately secured the tackle with both big arms. Jake Ryan and Joe Bolden also had notable games per Coach Hoke. Frank Clark ran down a RedHawk ball carrier from behind, too.

Running Backs: Both smashers, Derrick Green and DeVeon are improved, and they showed it Saturday. Derrick Green was the work horse, having his best day as a Wolverine. Green carried the Wolverines offense. He scored twice, on nice runs and produced 137 yards. Both he and Smith ran hard. Dennis Norfleet looked good against ND, and again this Saturday. Dennis is looking better all the time. He has speed and determination. He ran a nice end around early when the game was still in question. Justice Hayes did well and there was a nice grab by Freddy Canteen.

Receivers: Devin Funchess was still out. Amara Darboh, and Jake Butt carried the load. Amara collared 6 for 88-yards and a TD. His long was 26-yards. Jake Butt is back. In the after interview he said that he believes he is very near or at 100%. It is amazing he has returned so quickly from a serious injury. He has great strength of will. Jake caught 3 for 59-yards and a TD with a long of 29-yards. He got great separation from the defense on his TD reception.

Offensive line: Already discussed ad nauseam, but some improvement noted. Pass protection is still often iffy. While improving compared to last year in the run game, and earlier this year, they are still inconsistent. More improvement is needed each week, and they showed some this week. There were some holes and a more effective running game.

QB and the Offense: Devin Gardner had a decent but not spectacular day throwing two TDs, and hitting 13 of 20 for 184 yards and 2TD. But a second quarter interception was concerning and led to a field goal to make it 10-3. Then a KO return attempt was muffed by Wyatt Shallman. Hoke on what happened:…Justice (Hayes) was communicating mine, mine, mine, and Wyatt didn’t hear him. The one thing I think we can do a better job at is making sure he understands, we do it every Thursday, that he can fair catch that ball. But I think the way we had lined up, we knew how we were lining up, we had Justice up enough, we were hoping he would be able to field him without a fair catch. He (Shallman)just didn’t hear him.”

Gardner had already hit Darboh for a 17-yard TD pass, and later he hit Jake Butt on the game clincher, making it 31-10, and out of reach. He still does not look to be in full command of the pocket and one reporter asked Hoke if he was nervous. Coach Hoke’s reply: ” Maybe you thought he was nervous. I didn’t. I didn’t think he was. .. it will be interesting (to see it) again, you only see it once, to me it was a little high, but it was on target. I don’t know if Jehu (Chesson) got a chance to try to go get it either.

At the end of the 1^st half, the coaches got the crowd into it by not going for a 4^th and 1 from the Miami 47 with 1:00 on the clock. After a Miami time out, M was flagged for delay of game. Then it happened again. The delay of game after the second time out was probably intentional. The punt still went into the end zone. The crowd sent Brady a message of disapproval by booing. They thought M could get the yard and another score.

At halftime, Michigan hosted military appreciation day. It was an impressive half time performance. The band played the Star Spangled Banner, which officially became the United States National Anthem in 1931. Two large US flags were displayed on field. Service persons of all the Armed Forces were honored. Veterans Ken Weinert and Robert Fletcher were honored. An eagle named “Challenger” soared into the stadium, and found its handler. This was a unique sight, and the appreciation day was nicely done. There was a flyover of four civilian L-39 jets.

The game itself game had a bit of a strange feel to it. The score indicated a blow out, but it never felt that way. You kept waiting for the other mistake shoe to drop, but it didn’t.

Anyway, another win is in the books, and now it’s the prolific scoring Utes. This will be a test in Michigan Stadium that will measure the Wolverines.

See you there. We need to keep filling those seats.

Go Blue!

September 7, 2014September 9, 2014

M FOOTBALL-2014-WOLVERINES SKUNKED IN SOUTH BEND AS IRISH DOMINATE 31 TO ZIP.

Two of college football’s most storied programs clashed again in beautiful Notre Dame Stadium Saturday evening under the lights, and one left South Bend crushed, looking as bad as last year in many respects and suffering their worst ND loss ever. Coach Hoke said afterwards that he did not see it coming. Nobody did.

This is a game in which every fan is a partisan for or against one side or the other, and scientific method and rational thought seldom has anything to do with for or against. It’s a matter of feelings. Of lifelong allegiances which are cemented in stone on both sides.

Each side wants to brag about being the best. Notre Dame fans point out they are again in possession of the greatest overall winning percentage in college football.

Michigan fans laud their beautiful, but tiny stadium. Michigan likes to think that they taught Notre Dame to play football back in the early-early days of the game. UM fans point out that they have won more collegiate football contests than any other institution of higher learning.

Neither Michigan nor Notre Dame is among the group that has little proven relation to academic excellance. They both have an established track record and great pride regarding academic excellence.

While a number of players were held out from this game by Notre Dame due to some alleged academic shenanigans, the fact that they were not on the field Saturday illustrates NDs dedication to their academic principles. But Michian had no ability to take advantage of this.

Some Michigan fans felt the Irish had shunned the Big Ten. Further, ND had deep sixed football competition with the Wolverines for the foreseeable future, establishing another hiatus..

This game had annually extended its magnetism across the nation. It is one of the highlights of any college football season as both team elicit strong interest and are huge television draws. This hiatus may detract from future college football seasons. But all that does not matter. What matters is the both M’s offense and defense appeared to revert to last year’s form which bad news.

Also, before we lament the hiatus excessively, remember the statement above that mentioned “huge television draws”. In my opinion, rarity of the contests will only enhance the intensity of the draw. TV constantly strives to enhance its revenues, and fill its airways with the most attractive competitions. M, ND is a perfect vehicle to satisfy those requirements. Therefore, I think we may see the Irish in a bowl or playoff game sooner than later.

The game is not gone for good, but I still lament the fact the regular season series is at an end, and that the Wolverines were simply not competitive in this last of the series battle. This is in contrast to the earlier games in the series where the Wolverines have more than held their own against the Irish, and some of the games have been spectacular.

An example of the long term quality of the series is the 1991 game which featured “the catch” by Desmond Howard. Setting: Michigan Stadium, late game, fourth and one. TD would win it. Howard stretched out in the end zone “like a slinky” someone said. It was a long reach as it eventually stretched out to a Heisman. No one but Coach Gary Moeller and QB Elvis Grbac expected it. A fine moment in M football history.

After yesterday’s thumping, you have to refer to the body of recent work to get an appreciation of the more current series.

RECAP OF RECENT GAMES:
2007: Both the Wolverines and the Irish were struggling to disperse wisps of faded football glory, of declining national prominence. Some cynics called this the bottom of the barrel bowl.

Irish Coach Charlie Weise ventured into M Stadium to confront Lloyd Carr in his last year and got skunked by the Wolverines 38-0. Mike Hart was hearty and Mallet hammered.

2008: Charlie struck back and ND prevailed 17 to 35, with the Blue sometimes emulating the Three Stooges too closely, by displaying 6 TOs, five of which belonged to Denard. Michigan’s Rich Rodriguez, and troops, went home from ND Stadium unhappy.

2009: fortunes reversed again, and RR’s Wolverines put a win on the board at M Stadium, 38-34. Late game Tate Forcier heroics, including a winning TD pass to Greg Matthews with 12 seconds left, secured the win.

2010: M traveled to ND Stadium, where Denard Robinson exploded for 502-yards rushing and passing. Roy Roundtree ran in a 31-yard TD as the Wolverines prevailed 28 to 24. The passing of the Great Ron Kramer was the only downer of the day.

2011: Brady Hoke edged the Irish in his Michigan Head Coaching Debut 35-31. Roy Roundtree secured the victory, with 30 seconds remaining, making a spectacular end zone catch which he wrestled from a ND defender as he was falling out of bounds. The M Stadium crowd was mesmerized. The Irish had dominated until the final quarter. M had 3 first downs in the first half. Then Denard again became a football weapon of mass production as he engineered another spectacular defeat of the Irish.

2012: The Irish bested the Wolverines at home, 6 to 13. Wolverine errors led to the production of no TDs, and while the defense played well, stopped the run. Golson threw a couple of interceptions and was replaced by Tommy Rees, who ran for the Irish TD. One Irish TD and a couple of FGs made the Irish victors. The offense made mistakes. A late interception ruined a golden opportunity at a critical time as Vincent Smith tossed one performing a trick play. No one was fooled. Four earlier interceptions did damage as did foolish penalties. This game ended Denard’s spectacular success against the Irish. Early, the Wolverines failed twice in the red zone.

2013: Devin Gardner’s heroics in tossing 4 TDs resulted in a 41 to 30 win. But an almost perfect Gardner game was nearly ruined by Devin’s failed attempt to avoid a sack by tossing the ball up for grabs in the end zone. Even a safety would have been better. He tossed up an end zone interception for an Irish TD. Surprisingly, they couldn’t protect a 14 point lead. It was an unbelievably spectacular gaff late in the game.

Gardner regained his poise, Gallon had 184-yards receiving, Countess had two interceptions, and OC Al Borgess had called a great offensive game. M got the win. Brady’s memorable after quote was that ND was “chickening out” of the series. Surprising from an absolute master of coach speak, but it was refreshing at the time. This great win did not foretell a great Michigan season, as the Wolverine’s performance sagged from time to time all season, and especially in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

2014: I wonder now if the usually close mouthed Brady Hoke regrets his “chickened out” comment. In a nutshell, the Wolverine offense, defense and special teams were all lacking. Pass defense was not good, and where was the pass rush? ND QB Everett Golson threw for 226-yards and 3 TDs going 23 of 34. He had a magnificent game. While M’s rushing defense was fairly decent, and the Wolverine out gained Notre Dame by 9-yards while managing 289-yards to 280, the Wolverines were not capable of reaching the red zone, let alone the end zone, in the entire game.

Offensively, the addition of Coach Nussmeier and his offensive scheme did not remedy the consistent failure of the offensive line to open enough holes, to effectively pass protect, or to establish drives long enough to score. Graham Glasgow at Offensive Right Guard seemed to make little difference. Tight End Jake Butt returned from injury for this game.

Obviously, the Wolverines met a better team on this night, and maybe we should leave it at that, but the progress of the OL that was perceived last week evaporated this week. Glimpses of last year’s night mares returned.

Devin Gardner did not play well, especially in the second half. Last year’s careless turnover problems returned as he threw three interceptions, and had a pair of fumbles in the second half, one of which was recovered. Gardner finished the game 19 of 32 for 178-yards and 3 interceptions. M rushed for 100-yards on 35 carries. Green, D. Smith, Norfleet and Hayes all contributed.

It boggles the mind more than a little that the Wolverines could not compete offensively with a team that lost three of their defensive players to questions of academic fraud. ND had 8 tackles for loss.

There were good offensive and defensive plays, but not consistenly. Devin Funchess was the offensive bright spot. Funchess made 9 catches for 107-yards. He left the game gimpy.

Corner Ramon Taylor was injured in the first quarter, and in the first half his replacement, Jourdan Lewis, hurt the cause with a couple of interference penalties. This helped enable the first Irish TD. This is not to lay blame for the loss entirely on Lewis for losing is always a team failure, but these two mistakes helped the Irish to their first TD. The secondary as a whole had a tough night. Channing Stribling and Blake Countess both got beat badly as the score grew. Jabrill Peppers did not play due to an injury suffered last week.

Special teams did not let out a long run in kick or punt coverage. But Matt Wile had a tough night, missing a couple of long but makeable, FGs. He slipped as he tried to hit the last one which was a low liner.

Right now, there is not much take away from this game that bodes well for the future. It aggravated Coach Hoke’s away from home loss woes. While his win loss record at home is sterling, he has logged 5 away from Michigan Stadium losses against ND, MSU, and OSU. If this continues it will become an albatross for him.

It was not very surprising to me that M had some offensive woes away from home, and I fully expected that early in the season the defense would have to carry the offense to some degree. What I did not expect was that the defense would fail to the degree it did, especially in pass defense. The climb to success this year is steeper than anyone thought, and the improvement over last year seems less than previously thought. Our pass defense could not match the rise in competition ND provided.

The usual platitudes after a thumping such as Saturday’s have and will surface, such as this is not a conference loss, games remain in which we can recoup our fortunes, it is just one game, we can get better, etc. Platitudes or not, they contain some truth. Whether or not the Wolverines can shake this one off is yet to be seen. It will be a true test of their character. They must come out fighting next week.

Bring on Miami.

Go Blue!

August 31, 2014August 31, 2014

M FOOTBALL 2014-A LONG OFF SEASON AFTER A SO-SO CAMPAIGN LEFT SOME FANS WITH EXCESSIVE NEGATIVITY REGARDING TEAM 135’S COMPOSITION, COACHING AND PROSPECTS. SATURDAY SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS WERE RELIEVED AS THE WOLVERINES BEAT DOWN APPALACHIAN STATE, 52 TO 14.

Michigan fans are very gratified that the football season has finally arrived, but some Michigan fans were not ecstatic over a return match with ASU as the season opener. It recalled one of the most humiliating blips in the Wolverine’s past. There were concerns about the offensive line etc. This win substitutes a taste of actual game observations for speculation. Many important questions will be answered next Saturday against the venerable Fighting Irish.

There were concerns the stadium wouldn’t fill, but it did fill with 106,811 fans. It was not a sell-out, but maintained the consecutive 100,000 fan record.

Seven years ago, Michigan delusions of grandeur were lynched 32-34 on the strength of a Lynch FG, which initiated a deluge of disrespect for M that snapped around the world as fast as a satellite could carry the news. That put a black mark on Michigan’s permanent football ledger.

Some of those concerns are now assuaged since the Wolverines dominated the pesky Mountaineers, but the mark can never be erased. Even so, this year’s so-called “no win opener” is over, and won in fine style.

The Mountaineers are now attempting to mine a bigger lode, but were not explosive enough in Ann Arbor Saturday to blast out a victory. Unfortunately for them, their 2007 team was a better team.

Harbored in a good looking, newly renovated Kidd Brewer stadium , which has been upgraded to contain 23,150 frenzied fans, and with a new 120,000 square foot Appalachian Athletic Center. ASU considers themselves upwardly mobile, their program soaring to new heights on the ready wings of TV money. They are now in the Sun Belt Conference, and can earn a bowl game next year.

It seems a big stadium is no longer an absolutely necessity to prosper financially for every institution, even if it does help to become top drawer. But a payday from a televised football Saturday in Michigan Stadium will help the Mountaineers to shinny upwards.

While it will never be forgotten entirely, the echo from our ASU past is now muted (at least outside of Boone, N.C.). There are still areas of concern to be addressed by this year’s Wolverines, and questions to be answered.

One of the biggest is whether the Wolverines can learn to win on the road against good football teams. Sometimes they have not played up to the same standard of play they present in Michigan Stadium. Will there be echoes of last year’s Connecticut and Akron games? OSU, MSU, ND and Nebraska are on the road. But the first step to a successful season was last Saturday, and it featured:

DEVIN TO DEVIN
Both Funchess and Gardner were outstanding Saturday. Funchess was considered a tight end in prior seasons, notwithstanding he was utilized as sort of a hybrid, additionally playing some wide receiver. As a Tight End he wore Ron Kramer’s old number which was 87. Funchess was honored to wear Number 87 number while a tight end. But his role has changed. He now fulfills all the duties expected of a wide receiver. So he has been assigned the coveted Number 1, the number worn by Anthony Carter and other great receivers.

His style somewhat resembles Braylon Edwards. He is a tremendous leaper. Like Braylon Edwards, who also wore Number one. He occasionally muffs the easy catch and makes the spectacular catch. Like Braylon Edwards. But he is bigger than Braylon. He is making us miss Jeremy Gallon’s past production a little less. He snagged seven for 95 yards with a long of 34.

Saturday he set records, snagging three touchdown passes before the game was 4 minutes into the second quarter. First, a 9-yard TD catch, then a 34-yard TD reception, and then an 8-yard TD reception.

Hoke on the bestowal of the Number One Jersey … “The young man asked me about it, and I said that’s fine. I said call a member of the Kramer family, ask them, and that’s what he did. Ron Kramer may have been the best player ever to play here, best athlete ever to play here. So he talked to Kurt, his son, and Devin being more of a wide receiver, obviously, he thought that’s what he wanted to do. And believe me I asked him who has worn No. 1, and he started with Anthony Carter and went down the list, so I think that he earned it.”

Devin Gardner played an outstanding game. His ball was on target (except one time) where protection failed. He stepped up in the pocket well, got rid of the ball quickly, and took a few man sized licks, one a nasty face mask on the sidelines. When the Devin’s got their pass and catch game going it activated the running game. Much of the running was from the spread. Devin deserved some well earned praise for checking down on Green’s 62-yard run.

Hoke on whether the success of the offense early on came because of the shotgun, spread formation or was it a product of the opponent… “Anytime you can run some of those spread things you’ve got a pretty mobile quarterback, one of those dual-threat guys they talk about, and I think having the ability to run some of that, whether you’re going to make it, your backbone of what you’re doing, I think defenses have to prepare for it. I think it’s always good to have that in there.”

Devin was 13 of 14 for 173-yards and 3 TDs, with no interceptions. He ran five times for 17-yards. The 17-yards reduced to 9 via an 8-yard sack.

It was gratifying to see Coach Nussmeier on the sidelines actively mentoring his QB. His plan recognized ASU’s weaknesses and attacked them.

OL
The OL enabled 560-yards of offense, with 364-yards rushing. Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith were both over 100-yards. Can you remember the last time the Wolverines had two rushers over 100-yards, when one of runners was not named Denard or Devin? And they helped enable 52 points.

Are there rough spots? Of course! They are still a work in progress. But there is palpable progress. Coach Hoke cited Center Jack Miller as improving, and Graham Glasgow, considered by some to be among the best offensive linemen, will find employment on the line against ND.

A freshman left tackle started for the first time. Mason Cole played decently, even if burned on a few occasions.

Butt Out
Last Saturday, Jake Butt was still on the injured list. He is the best pass catching tight end, and soon should return. Graham Glasgow was ready to play but prevented from playing as punishment. Hoke on how the offense will change with Graham Glasgow available to play next week… “How it changes, I’m not sure yet. I think that’s an option that we’re glad we have, but I can’t tell you if it’s going to be a change right yet.”

RBs
Derrick Green rushed for 170-yards on 15 carries, and a TD. His long run was 62-yards. Beautiful run even if he did get caught from behind. Green also had an impressive 59-yard scamper.

De’Veon Smith also scurried for 115-yards on 8 carries and logged a 61-yard jaunt. Another beautiful run even if he too got caught from behind. He had two TDs.

Both are tough runners and De’Veon said in the presser after that he wants to hit LBs so hard that they shy off the second time. He had two TDs.

Sometimes vision on the cuts needs work as Coach Hoke has mentioned earlier,

Johnson, Hayes, Gardner all contributed some yards, but Green and Smith were the heavy lifters.

SALT AND PEPPERS
While Jabrill Peppers only played in the first half, being removed from the game at halftime because of a tweaked ankle, he showed all the athleticism with which he has been credited, both as a nickel corner and punt returner. It appeared to me the tweaked ankle resulted from a low cut block that ought to always be illegal. He played on it for much of the 1^st half.

ASU kicked away from both Peppers and Norfleet. Peppers is just learning. He ran hard and dove for a punt which is a high risk. But he skillfully made the diving catch, skidding to a stop with the ball, or it would have been a harder lesson.

The defense continues to be the deepest part of this team. Pipkins, Wormley, Bolden, Ryan, Countess, Frank and Jeremy Clark , Gedeon, T. Charlton, and Henry, among others, poured salt into the ASU wounds. They produced 4 TFLs, and 2 sacks. Press coverage on the 4 wide outs that ASU usually deployed was in deep contrast to the bend but not break defense of last year. Greg Mattison was sending them, too.

They played strong active defense. ASU could not move the ball consistently before late in the third quarter.

ASU did have some success running the ball, was it personnel fits? Coach Hoke’s comment…”I think it’s more about fits; I think it’s about guys didn’t get off blocks. You go another series and all of the sudden the same guy who didn’t get off a block, he was getting off a block, and it’s a plus one or a minus one. So it’s the consistency of doing that every time.” On what he liked about the defense … “I thought they were pretty tight on coverage. I think that part of it, and we have worked real hard on being tighter in the coverage aspect (is good). I think the flow of the linebackers, all three of them, because they rotate, and depending on what defensive package we’re in, James Ross, and James plays some of the normal defense also as an inside guy, but you felt those guys. You felt them as much as anything, breaking on balls and cleaning the hits up.”

SPECIAL TEAMS
Much of their play has already been described. Will Hargerup punted once for 44 yards. Matt Wile made some KOs into the end zone. When he didn’t, some were returned to the thirty. Some work is needed there. Matt also hit an upright with a forty-eight yard field goal attempt. Jehu Chesson made a special teams play that is the dream of all players trying to nail a punt returner. Right after the catch he dropped the receiver in his tracks, without slowing up. Perfect timing. Chesson is probably singing Hail To The Violent tonight. Beautiful timing, hit. A play that every player who ever played that position (gunner) wants to make, but but seldom can.

Mike McCray blocked a Mountaineer punt. Ben Gedeon caught the football, and chugged it 32-yards into the end zone for his first collegiate TD.

NOTRE DAME
Next Saturday night, in Notre Dame Stadium will be the last round with Notre Dame in the most recent series. The last hiatus was 25 years. A win or loss to the Irish early in the season sets the tone for that season based on Notre Dame’s reputation, and Michigan’s. Somewhat mirror football images over the years, these two powerful mid-west teams strive for football supremacy without quarter.

Michigan has won the most college football games, ND has been second most years. Michigan owned the college winning percentage, but recently ND claims that honor again. Notre has distained the B1G, and Michigan. Michigan’s has famously distained Notre Dame through the comments of the revered Bo Schembechler.

But when toe meets leather in South Bend, none of that will matter. What will matter is winning a contest against great competition and great tradition. Both schools, both football teams, need this one badly. The motivation is there on both sides. Who will execute?

I believe that Michigan has the talent, coaching, scheme, and will to surmount this huge obstacle to a successful season, but there is not a pint lifted in any Irish Pub nationwide where the lifter does not believe the exact opposite.

We shall see, and thank you for reading these pages.

Go Blue!