Author: Andy Andersen

Andy Andersen, Senior Football Writer andyandersen@wowway.com Andy is a Michigan graduate and long time Michigan Football fan, having attended games during the tenures of Fritz Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Bump Elliot, Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke. He attempts to present articles consistent with the concerns and interests of Michigan Fans.
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2012 Wolverine Football Bust: JORDAN KOVACS WINS BO SCHEMBECHLER MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD AND MORE.

The University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit held its annual football bust for the 92nd time at Livonia’s Laurel Manor Monday evening, and the stunning choice for MVP was Co-Captain Jordan Kovacs, who won the BO SCHEMBECHLER AWARD.  It was not a stunner because Jordan didn’t deserve or earn the distinction. He did deserve it and he did earn it.

A former walk on, he has consistently led the defense to improvement and success from his strong safety position through some of the most trying football times in Michigan history. Additionally Kovacs captured the ROBERT P.  UFER BEQUEST. That award goes to the senior who has demonstrated the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan.

The only real suprise associated with the award was that it was not again captured by Denard Robinson. The persistant injury that knocked him out of the Nebraska game hurt more than his arm. As you know Denard’s remarkable career has set many records and has been astounding, but this year has been an undeserved struggle. When a QB doesn’t throw a single pass in his team’s game of the season, you know there are major injury effects, although this was understandably passed off as just an “owie” earlier. I am sure, at the beginning of the season, no one, but no one, zeroed in on Jordan as the team’s MVP.  Good job Jordan! It looks like he has grown into that honorary Wistert Number 11.

This year Kovacs started 12 games, had 65 tackles, with 41 being solos, had 5 TFLs, two sacks, two pass breakups and one interception to cap an outstanding regular season.

Jordan and Denard received the Captain’s Award. Denard is the all-time accumulator of yards at Michigan with 10,669, and has 91-TDs, among other distinctions.

Patrick Omameh was awarded THE DOCTOR ARTHUR E. ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD. A four year letterman, the right guard has started 41-games, and been named a three time Academic All Big Ten Conference acheiver.

THE HUGH H. RADER JUNIOR MEMORIAL AWARD was captured by Taylor Lewan who was recognized as the top offensive lineman.

Jake Ryan has carved out a niche as the team’s top linebacker, being recognized by receiving the ROGER ZATKOFF AWARD.  With second team media Big Ten honors Jake is building a reputation for playing tough and effective football. For example, starting 12 games,  his four forced fumbles this year ties a single season UM record.

Craig Roh, Senior Defensive End was granted the RICHARD KATCHER AWARD. This recognizes Craig as the top defensive lineman. This is another player that has suffered coaching changes and position changes and has persevered to the benefit of his team. He is now tied with Jon Jansen for the most career starts with 50, and should break this tie with the New Year’s Day Bowl game.

If you are a fan that has never been to this event it is worth the cost, time and effort to attend. The evening is produced on a grand scale. Its production is first class and for those of you that do not see the players up close all the time, it is a great opportunity to put a face with a name and number, and hear the dedication of the players to their program and school.

 

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THE GAME-THE WOLVERINES TRAVELED TO COLUMBUS TO WREST AN UNBEATEN REGULAR SEASON FROM THE BUCKEYES, AND POSSIBLY A SPOT IN THE BIG TEN TITLE GAME, BUT DID NOT PREVAIL: MICHIGAN 21, OHIO 26.

The annual excessive jubilation that surrounds winning or the excessive angst that surrounds the losing of the annual Wolverines v Buckeyes football game is still very much in evidence.   While Ohio State is to be congratulated for an undefeated season, they should not be considered as good as the top teams in the country.  I think Alabama for example is far better.  Nor will they get the chance to prove their worth in a bowl this year, nor should they. 

While the sweater vest received a standing ovation from a crowd that only remembered his nine win dominance of the Blue, his very presence as a spectator, and not coach, was a reminder that he achieved much of that record by cheating.  Their new coach wants that forgotten, and this group of Buckeyes rewarded in spite of sanctions.

Past Buckeyes have time and again demonstrated their irrational fidelity to the self-proclaimed greatness of their Scarlet and Gray.  Wolverines are not always rational on the subject either, but seem more factually driven than Brutus and his fanatic followers.  This year many Wolverines fans, while hoping for the best, were perhaps expecting an outcome the equivalent of a dose Scarlet and Gray castor oil.  The hard facts were that Denard Robinson was prevented by injury from playing his position of choice, quarterback, without using his arm as a weapon. While still gimpy, he was asked to carry the rushing load at other positions as well as QB. The prime M running back, Fitz Toussaint, was recovering from recent surgery, and would be forced to just watch.  Denard produced a 67-yard TD run in the first half and was most of Michigan’s running game. He had 124-yards on 10 carries and a TD.  The team had 160-yards rushing, and 67 of them were the result of Denard’s first half jaunt.  He did not pass, and therein lies a tale.  In the second half the Bucks bunched its defense up knowing he could not throw.  The staff said he could throw, but he didn’t. No passes were called for Denard.  What?  UPDATE:  Coach Hoke said at his Monday after game press conference that while Denard could throw he could not do so with comfortable accuracy because of his injury.

Still you have to give the Buckeyes their due for winning all their games this season.  Their first year Coach, the well-known Urban Meyer, a.k.a. Urban Crier, is a media darling and star himself, but in spite of that he is a coach of proven quality.

Overall, the record does not sustain massive proclamations of superiority by the Bucks.  The Maize and Blue owns a substantive edge since the onset of the competition in 1897.  Before this game, the combatants had met 108 times with the record being 58-45-6.  They have met every year since 1918, and most games have been close.

This year the Bucks proved on the field they are a very good team under their new management, but they are not yet world-beaters.

A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE SERIES
For me, interest in the Ohio State/Michigan became something especially special in 1968, even though there were memorable contests before that, like the 1950 Sno-Bowl.  My original distaste for Ohio was courtesy of Woodrow Wilson Hayes.  Hayes purposefully expanded a winning 48-14 margin by two when he called for a two point conversion late in the game, just because, as he said, he could.  From that moment, notwithstanding the fact that he was a legendary coach, I detested him as a poor sport, a sobriquet he had often proved during his otherwise fabulous coaching career.  I was saddened when he punched an opposing player and ended his career on a sour note. He improved the game, and it was sweeter to beat him and his Bucks than anyone else.

It was 1971, and at the home of fair play, when M’s great DB Thom Darden intercepted a pass and Hayes went ballistic, targeting the yard markers.  His tantrum did not get the stripes to change the call.  His cussing the ref got the Bucks a 15-yard penalty.  He then charged onto the field to destroy the markers, throw the flag into the crowd, and pitch the first down marker.  Thrown out of the game, the Bucks got an additional 15-yard penalty, Woody got a one game suspension, and a $1,000 fine for providing such fine entertainment to the jeering Wolverine crowd.  He incensed the partisan Wolverine crowd.  I don’t remember a game that I was ever higher for (altitude reference only).   When Billy Taylor scored, it was heavenly in that Stadium, and even if you weren’t there, Bob Ufer’s coverage provided his classic, and unmatched, overstatement. The poem that Ufer recited after Bo’s unexpected 1969 win over the Bucks will rightfully never fall from favor among Michigan fans, too.

“THE GAME” HAS PROVIDED MANY OTHER UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS:
The performance of two Ohioans in the game against Ohio in their successful runs run to Heisman Trophies provided historic moments.  The famous Desmond Howard Heisman pose after his long KO return, and the Charles Woodson performance in his final Ohio game, were stunning, Tim Biakabutuka’s running game which destroyed the Bucks in 1995 with 313-yards, was totally unexpected and pushed some Ohio fans deeper into the bottle, and out of the stadium at half time. At least the four that sat in front of me.  This game has provided heroics for decades, heroics which included an early forties performance by Tom Harmon that warranted a standing ovation from the Buckeye crowd.  Additionally, there was Bo’s magnificent and justifiable rage regarding the Bucks getting chosen for a Bowl over the Wolverines after the infamous 10-10 tie.

The good thing is that there will be many more memorable moments in this game with the Wolverines still getting their fair share of memories which will become traditions.

KEYS
Offensively, the foremost issue facing the Wolverines was the ability of the Wolverines to conjure up a ground game, in the absence of the injured Fitzgerald Toussaint.  His injury left the ground game entirely dependent on Denard’s highly capable legs and his toughness in the face of a nasty physical defense and a sore throwing arm.  Could he endure, maybe actually throw a pass?  Actuality: …At times the Wolverines moved the ball on the ground effectively, but this was restricted to the first half. 

Denard had an outstanding TD gallop of 67-yards.  Seemingly trapped between defenders hitting from both sides he burst through them, and ran from them and on for 6 points.  But other than Denard, and later for Denard, the ground game was demolished by the stalwart Buck defenders. Ohio made effective adjustments at half time. Michigan, particularly the offense, did not.  Denard could not move the ball in the second half.  Denard, Rawls and Smith were stymied as runners.  Michigan wasted its opportunities on 4 or 3rd downs and short.  These second half short yardage running efforts were well anticipated by the Buckeye defense, and stopped. They cheated up, thinking DRob could not pass.  Again, a pass from DRob was never called. Hoke called a time out on the first possession of the second half, and Denard tried to gain two up the middle on 4th down, but was thrown for a 2-yard loss instead. From there the offense went downhill.  I have to give the running game no more than a D+, and that includes the offensive coaching.   They simply failed in the second half.  Miserably.  They had no ground game, no points, and no win.

Would the offensive line give Devin Gardner time to throw, play its best game of the year?  Could they avoid the penalty and turn over bugs? Actuality: … the offensive line contributed greatly to this loss appearing helpless to protect and open holes in the second half.  The Ohio rush often hit home, and M simply could not run the ball in the second half.   

Two late QB fumbles resulted from the pressure. While losses are a team effort, the OL has not really gotten significantly better over the season, and seems to have contributed more than its share to no touchdown quarters of football.  Teams that don’t run the football consistently lose consistently, ly against better talent. Defensively, there was just one major question.  Could they stop the Ohio spread offense and it chief perpetrator, the very talented Braxton Miller?  Actuality: …The D did a reasonable job on Braxton. 

GAME PHOTOS

Braxton survived some real hits, got up and went on. He ran 20 times for 108-yards, and hit 14 of 18 passes for 189-yards, and that hurt. The two second half Ohio State FGs were an example of the defense stopping drives and managing sudden change, but they also were enough to win.  One attempted FG by Ohio was fortunately missed.  Since the offensive bugaboo was lack of pass protection putting M’s QBs in jeopardy,  the defense had to deal with sudden change and short field disadvantage, and mostly dealt with it well.  They earned a B- in my book.   Jake Ryan had 9 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two TFLs.  Desmond Morgan had 11 tackles.  Frank Clark played a whale of a game.

Finally, could the team play an outstanding game away from Michigan Stadium in all three phases of the game? Actuality: … No, not well enough to win for the entire game, but well enough for one half.

“THE GAME”-2012 EDITION
Ohio took the ball, and marched 75-yards as a play action pass of 56-yards enabled a short jaunt into the end zone.  Michigan’s defense seemed clueless on the drive, but they proved not to be.  M-0, O-7.

Denard Robinson proved his worth again, with a 30-ard burst around end, but the drive fizzled in Ohio territory due to his fumble.  He was now second all-time in NCAA rushing yards for a quarter back.  Ohio produced a three and out, and Devin Gardner produced a 75-yard TD pass to Roy Roundtree.  A great ice breaker, and the Wolverines had life. M-7, O-7.

Ohio produced a long drive and held the ball for an extended period, but failed to produce anything but anxiety in M fans and a FG of 41-yards. M-7, O-10. Ohio penalties helped the cause, and it was apparent the defense was all business, despite that first easy drive.

Early in the second quarter the Buckeyes mishandled a punt and an alert Myron Robinson fell on it on the O 25.  It was Robinson for 9-yards, and Gardner ran it in.  M-14, O-10.

Frank Clark demonstrated on the next series he can hit as he sacked Braxton Miller for a 7-yard loss with a tremendous hit, the Buckeyes stalled, but soon, mounted a drive and scored. M-14, O-17.

Denard again showed his metal as on the second play of the series he broke thought the Buckeyes secondary and jetted 67-yard to a TD.  It was another stunning run for a D, but unfortunately his last in this game.  The Wolverines needed another to win, but 91-TDs is the most in M history.  M 21, O-17.  The Wolverines did not score again in the game, but the Buckeyes put a field goal to make it 21-20 at the half.

On the first possession of the second half near midfield, M’s drive came down to a 4th and 2.  Coach Hoke called a time out, and made a fateful decision to go for it.  As you know, this did not work out well, as a Denard attempt up the middle was stuffed for a two-yard loss.  Ohio knew he wouldn’t pass, and everything but the kitchen sink was in the box.  This was probably the turning point of the game.  There was little innovation in this situation, and there were options.  Like a rollout and pass.  A Devin Gardner sneak.  A Gardner run around end, with a pass option.  They could not have loaded the box against him, but I can see why they chose Denard, and the play they did.  He had done that successfully so many times before.

Ohio quickly turned this stop into the winning points by hitting a 28-yard field goal for all the pints needed to win. M-21, O-23.

Jeremy Gallon collected a 30-yard  pass from Gardner,  but Denard fumbled on the next play on a nice defensive hit on the ball by the Buckeyes.  The Buckeyes did not profit as they missed a very makeable field goal.  But the Wolverines troubles intensified, when Devin Gardner fumbled deep in his own territory. The Buckeyes could only collar an FG with a first and goal but their lead was extended to 5 with a  25-yard FG. M-21, O-26.

Devin Garner threw a late 4th quarter interception and Michigan’s hopes were terminated. The final stood at M-21, O-26.

BIG TEN EXPANSION
This game was somewhat overshadowed by the announcement of the Big Ten that first Maryland and then Rutgers will be full-fledged members of the Big Ten in 2014.  This expansionist rush by the Big Ten was no doubt designed to pre-empt others from penetrating those giant TV markets (New Jersey-New York and DC, Baltimore, Maryland and maybe a slice of Virginia) along the right coast for Big Ten TV. It is about expansion of the TV footprint into those areas and not about those two new members equaling or improving the quality of the football merchandised in the Big Ten immediately, if ever.

The last two immediately prior additions, Penn State and Nebraska, met quality of football expectations by any measuring stick you wish to employ.  Rutgers, from the Big East, and Maryland from the Atlantic Coast Conference, simply do not.  If Rutgers plays its home games at home and not in a pro stadium, the recently renovated accommodates about 50,000.  More seating is in future plans.  The current incarnation of Maryland’s Byrd Stadium holds 54,000.

Both schools meet the academic requirements of Big Ten membership, but what do they bring football wise?  The Terrapins have a lousy ACC record this year and are rumored to be on the financial ledge.  Rutgers comes from one of the least respected major football conferences in the country, and their dollar situation is also rumored to be grim.  Both stand to gain a fortune by joining.  When the Big Ten renegotiates its contract with ESPN, after the 2017 season, each Big Ten school could get $43,000,000.  That is considerably more than the Big East or ACC can provide. Obviously, that is not chump change, and it appears the commitment of these latest additions is for financial rewards, not out of any love and respect for the Big Ten, and what it represents on the athletic field.

As worthwhile as it is, Title Nine has aggravated the need for money for these non-profit institutions called college and university athletic departments. Scholarships and updated facilities are costly. TV dispenses football pelf generously, and in the long run money will rule as it always does.  There is risk in this head long expansion frenzy. Its success is not a slam dunk.  When regional rivalries disappear, rivalries built over many seasons (in some cases nearly 100 years) may be diluted, and stadiums may fail to draw fans. I would rather pay to see Central Michigan in M stadium than Rutgers, even if it is the third oldest football program in the country. Maybe the benefits to the student athletes and game will be immense, and worth the risk, and maybe not.

Time will tell.  How will you feel about a $75 ticket to a Rutgers game?  Got the air fare to travel to a Rutgers game from this neck of the woods, and Maryland and Nebraska, and a Big Ten Championship game, plus a couple of play-off games, and a bowl and more. Or will you show up to those games as an empty seat, viewing the tube at home or bar relatively more comfortably? Just asking.

What is worrisome is that it appears that the Big Ten is pursuing a policy of “Manifest Destiny”, wanting to expand its TV footprint from coast to coast for reasons of profit, spurred by visions of the Sugar Plums manufactured by a super conference dancing in their heads.  But many fans seem to have reservations.  Is all this being done for the good of the student athletes, or the good of athletic department treasuries?

Some are elated by the prospect of super conferences as the funnel into a four game playoff system.  A playoff will be good TV, but I do not believe for a minute that it will solve controversies regarding who are the best teams in the nation. 

TWO QUARTERBACK SYSTEM WORKED IN FIRST HALF, NOT IN SECOND.
There were second half instances where the QBs were substituted in the same series.  Some success from this two QB system was obvious in the first half, but obscure in the second half. Failure to convert short first downs in the second half provided the game’s turning points.  Credit the Buckeye’s defense, and M’s lack of a running game.  By the second half it was apparent to the Bucks that Denard could not pass the football.  The short yardage calls in the second half, while understandable, were not innovative.  An option seemed a questionable call. The Buckeyes had done their homework better than the Wolverines for those situations.  When an offense scores no points in a half, and contributes fumbles due to pressure, the offensive line is not living up to its own standard.   Devin Gardner played well in the first half rating a B then, but key mistakes in the second half drove his rating to a C. He did rush for a TD.  Roundtree and Gallon benefitted from his arm.  Devin threw 3 for 92-yards to Roy Roundtree, and 6 for 67-yards to Gallon.  His stock for next year is climbing, even with the results Saturday.  Part of his problem might have been lack of continuity because of the two QB system.  Where were the “deuce” plays?  It seems unfair to have your throwing QB refrigerating on the bench in such cool weather.  The good part is the next game will be in a warmer clime so that won’t be a factor again this season.

SOME MORE STATS
Most stats were in favor of the Bucks who dominated 1st downs 13 to 22.  M had 5 rush and 5 passing first downs. O had 13 rushing and 8 passing first downs.  M lost 3 fumbles and O fumbled 3 times and lost 2.

O held the ball for 36.50 to M’s 23.10.   The three lost fumbles obviously hurt. The Buckeyes lost 3. The late interception doomed the Wolverines hopes.  Ohio rose to the occasion in the second half by posting 2 FGs, and M did not score. M had 279-yards of net offense, O had 396. 

ITS NOT OVER YET
A relatively decent bowl game awaits the Wolverines.  Perhaps they will go to the Capitol One Bowl in Orlando.  Their destination will be known on Sunday December 2.   If it is the Capitol One they will meet an SEC team, and we will hear again how much faster they are over the Big Ten.  It provides a nice opportunity for the Wolverines to prove how much they have learned this year, and for the wounded to heal more.  An 8-4 (6-2) record is far from a disaster, though disappointing.  There are serious what might have beens this season.  Denard’s injury against Nebraska set the stage for a problematic season ending.  But offensive woes were apparent in the weeks before against good defenses.

I will have some comments before the Bowl game and some afterwards.  I hope you tune in.  Thank you for reading this and …

Go Blue!

 

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M FOOTBALL 2012: SEASON’S LAST HOME GAME PROVIDES THE FINAL OPPORTUNITY FOR 23 SENIORS TO ENJOY MICHIGAN STADIUM AND ITS ATMOSPHERE, WHILE OBTAINING A NEEDED WIN-WOLVERINES 42, HAWKEYES 17.

ANOTHER STEP TOWARD A BETTER BOWL AND THE SHOWDOWN IN COLUMBUS:
The Wolverines needed to overpower the would be overpowering Hawkeyes in Michigan Stadium Saturday to add another Big Ten win, thereby maintaining a shot at improving their Bowl game status, and maintaining their shot, even if slim, at the big game in Indianapolis. They got the needed win, but of course they need another. Now, finally, they can focus on the regular season finale in Columbus.

GAME PHOTOS

ABOUT THE HAWKEYES:The Hawkeyes had struggled this year being 4-6 prior to Saturday. They had compiled only 3 Big Ten wins this season, and were therefore desperately seeking another. Coach Kirk Ferentz’s teams have a way of winning against the Wolverines, and the last three years had slapped consecutive losses on them. It was Iowa 24, Michigan 16 last year, and the year before Iowa 38, Michigan 28, and the year before, Iowa 30, Michigan 28. The usual descriptions of Hawkeye lines include rough, and tough and this year was no exception, even though their record was not their best. They wanted to possess the ball, move the chains, and pound it out if they could. They played hard and were chippy Saturday, but team speed seemed a step behind. Defensively, the Hawks have had their problems, and they continued. Opponents had completed 62% of their passes against the Hawks, but the Hawks had gathered in 9 interceptions. Michigan added to those woes Saturday, passing for 314-yards, and rushing for 199 net yards for a whopping total of 513 net yards, but M brought the Hawk’s interception total up to 10.

Offensively too, the Hawks have had their problems, and the Wolverines defense helped them to continue. QB James Vandenberg has disappointed some fans this year who have called for his replacement. M’s defense held them to 128-yards rushing, and 181-yards passing. Vandenberg had more picks (6) than TDs (5) prior to the game, but remained the starter for good reason, proving those reasons by throwing a couple of TDs against the Wolverines. He had no interceptions. Their best RB was Mark Wiesman, who sported a 3.9-yard per carry average for the game Saturday. They owned the second worst rush attack in the Big Ten and that continued. Since they had two good receivers in Keenan Davis and Kevonte Martin-Manley, and have good tight ends, an air assault was expected, if the ground game failed. The Hawks air attack mostly ignored the wide outs and concentrated on the tight ends and it gave the Wolverines fits early. Coach Hoke has indicated their special teams are special, and they had some nice returns.

Before Saturday, Coach Hoke had lost to them twice at Ball State and once at Michigan. Now he is 1-3 and counting.

Last year’s loss was particularly mind numbing. Iowa established a 17- 6 halftime lead and it was too much for the Wolverines to overcome. The Wolverines had four tries from the three, but four passes went awry, and the goal line was not crossed or its plane penetrated. Gut wrenching! There was no solace in M outgaining the Hawks, 323 to 302-yards. A healthy Denard Robinson had a nice day, tossing for 194-yards, and a couple of TDs. Still it was an L.

This leads us to the major continuing drama regarding the Wolverines this season.

DENARD AND DEVIN, FITZ AND THOMAS:
Denard’s injury unfortunately lingered. On Monday, Coach Hoke reiterated for the umpteenth time that Denard was “day to day”. So the Denard or Devin at QB question lingered prior to game time.

One thing that has changed is the added confidence that if Denard cannot play. Devin can play well enough for the team to win, and he proved that Saturday as he was the M player of the game. The pregame question was, would Denard have a cameo role, play a little, or start? Be on the field the same time as Devin? Actuality: Devin did most of the quarterbacking, threw all the passes, and ran for three TDs. He showed his arm strength again and again, once throwing from the hash, to the farthest sideline, making a perfect throw. Accounting for 314 passing years, he rushed for 37-yards and 3 TDs. He had a single blemish, tossing one interception.

Coach Borges was well into his bag of tricks so Denard played at receiver and running back and QB, but never threw a pass. Borges even called a multiple option, which ended up in Denard’s hands. Denard caught a pass or two, ran the read option, pitched to an RB on an option, and showed the magic and toughness that has made his reputation. He was the team’s leading rusher with 98-yards on 13 carries. His long of 40-yards was as good as it gets. Unfortunately, he did not add to his portfolio of scores, and more unfortunately Fitz Toussaint took his pitch and headed toward the sideline where he took a hit that disabled him, and may have broken a leg. At the press conference Coach Hoke would only say that he was in the hospital and in surgery.

Coach Hoke on making use of the different offensive weapons … “I think Al (Borges) and that staff did a great job of incorporating the skill sets that both guys (Denard and Devin) at the same time. Some of those other guys who are a big part of it when you look at playmakers, they were involved.” Hoke on getting Denard involved in the offense… “Al and I have talked about this quite a bit. Al went home last Saturday night and put in nine plays, while he was watching games and thinking about different ways to use him. He had those nine and then about six more different ways, and that’s kind of how it happened. Al’s got a very innovative look at offensive football. Both of our coordinators that way have a nice two-box, of offense and defense, that they can pull from to really help the playmakers and put them in the right positions.”

Fitz was the main man at RB, but Thomas Rawls has proved his worth as a tough runner, and now will get his chance to shine. The next game is against the kind of physical team that needs to be dealt a lick, so he ought to get some carries in the spotlight. It was about time for Vincent Smith to show up again, and on Senior Day he did, but he did with mixed results, having a block in the back, then he held in the same set of downs. To offset that, he made some nice blocks, and had an 18-yard TD catch and run.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF DENARD’S CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Denard has created an extraordinary legacy as a Michigan man. He has been significantly team oriented, cognizant of the accomplishments of his teammates, responsive to coaching, and has kept a smile on his face though the ordeal of being recruited by one coach(s) for a specialized system and inheriting another coach(s) and significantly different system. He has carried his team in a style that is often reserved for Heisman winners.

  • Against Illinois he rushed twice for TDs, becoming only the eighth player in NCAA history to rush for 40 TDs and pass for 40 TD’s, and only the 8th player accomplish to 10,000 career yards. His current (before Saturday) total of 10, 425-yards is 1st in Michigan total offensive yardage.
  • He is among the leaders with 41 career rushing TDs, and in 4th place in career passing TDs with 49.
  • His 4,175-yards set the Big Ten QB rushing mark.
  • He is in 3rd spot on NCAA’s all-time QB rushing list, trailing only Missouri’s Brad Smith and West Virginia’s Pat White.

These are not all the areas in which he resides near the top of active career lists. His career list would be even more extensive if he had not had to endure this nagging elbow/nerve injury in this, his valedictory season. Perhaps the team’s win list would have increased by one highly important game this year if he had not been sidelined. If our style of football was an Olympic sport, and he was competing for medals, he would have earned a record share.

He does not bemoan his final season’s fortune, never complains, and never has. He just puts on that big grin and bears it. That is part of his great personality. He humbly deals with his fame, obviously enjoying the endless attention and tolerating its inconveniences. He has represented himself, his football teammates, and the University of Michigan well. He is a Michigan man.

It will be a long time before we see his like again.

HONORED ON SENIOR DAY:
Twenty-three players were honored on this year’s senior day (13 fifth-year and 10 fourth-year). When Coach Hoke is asked regarding Denard’s legacy he is carefully points out that there are twenty-three seniors who are all special kids. He has uttered on more than one occasion. Mentioned some of them have been underappreciated, and he mentioned a few. Some have enhanced special teams, like Floyd and Simmons. He mentioned Gyamati.

All twenty-three have many characteristics in common, not the least of which was their acceptance of a significant regime change in mid-career. They bought in and the results have showed on the field.

  • Fifth Year Seniors: Barnum, Demens, Floyd, Gyamati, Kennedy, Kovacs, Kwiatkowski, Mealer, Moore, Omameh, Roundtree, Simmons and Wilson.
  • Fourth Year Seniors: Backey, Brink, Broekhuizen, Graman, Campbell, Hawthorne, Robinson, Roh, Smith and Zeller.

KEYS TO THE GAME:
While most games adults play are complicated and football fits comfortably into that group, the measures of ability to win are sometimes not overly complicated. Games are still won or lost in the trenches. Good or bad line play does not diminish the importance of the skill positions, but surely does enhance or detract from their ability to perform effectively. To me the first key to this game was the ability of the offensive line to run block effectively enough against a tough defensive line to enable a ground game, thus enhancing passing effectiveness, and moving the chains.

Actuality: 513-yards of offense pretty well answers that key, even if much of that came on Devin tosses. I have never seen an M QB have that much time in the pocket. Never ever. Some of that was the OL and some of it was Iowa’s well recognized inept pass rush. Responsibility for six TDs is extraordinary. No M QB has done it since Steve Smith.

The second key was thought to be the effectiveness of the defensive line to stop the run. Actuality: The defensive line rose to the task as the game wore on but in the first quarter, and some of the second, they were not sterling, letting Iowa march on them to a TD on a 14 play, 75-yard drive to tie the score. They could not stop the tight ends on pass plays. Hoke’s take on getting hurt by the tight ends and running game early:… “They caught us off balance a bit on two drives. They can get you off balance when they have the ability to run the football. They were able to run the football a little bit, and then on the second downs and on some first down play-actions, they hit the tight end. I didn’t feel like we were settled within the defense like we wanted to be. I do think the players really saw what they had and started playing more fundamentally and with better technique.”

M’s James Ross III had 12 tackles and Joe Bolden had two TFLs.  The young ones are coming on.

The third key would be the ability of special teams to contribute in their areas of specialization. Actuality: M’s special teams were adequate in all respects, except the non-recovery of Iowa’s 4th quarter on side kick.

The fourth key was the elimination of TOs (interceptions, fumbles, as well as stupid penalties like personal fouls and late hits out of bounds) is necessary. This area can move to number one at any stage of the game, and negate good play in other areas. Actuality: Michigan had its share of stupid penalties, an area of sloppiness that will allow the Buckeyes to run up the score, if it continues. Some were described above and in addition the usually reliable Kovacs had a roughing the passer call. But there was only one interception with the ball in the air a lot.

GALLON, ROUNDTREE, FUNCHESS
Jeremy and Roy each had 5 catches in the game and combined for 216-yards, with Gallon snagging five for 133 (long of 51), and Roundtree corralling 5 for 83-yards with a long of 51-yards and a TD. In the past month these receivers have improved geometrically. It probably helps that Devin is putting the ball on target, but they have made some spectacular grabs based on their talent. Hemingwayesque. I should sneak Devin Funchess in here as he had a 29-yard TD catch. He was as alone as you can get in an end zone without possessing a communicable disease.

THE GAME:
M won the toss and elected to kick off and Iowa received, stalled and M took over. With Devin at QB and Denard at TB, they engineered a 12 play 70-yard drive which ended with a Devin run for a one-yard TD. M-7, Iowa -0. Rawls apparent TD was overturned, before Devin scored.

Iowa rapidly answered with a long drive, and a 16-yard TD pass. The defense looked soft. M-7. Iowa 7.

In the second quarter, the Wolverine’s Gardner used his arm to toss a 37-yard TD pass to Roundtree, just after Denard’s used his legs for a 40-yard gallop after lining up at QB. Now Denard had his 3rd consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. M-14, Iowa 7.

Iowa answered with a 22-yard FG. M-14, Iowa-10. Iowa was moving the ball, but a nice stop at the M 9-yard line held them to three. M took a lead it never relinquished.

The Wolverines then produced another score at about the 5 minute mark. Gardner scored on fourth down on a one yard run after a nifty Gallon 51-yard reception to the Iowa 10-yard line. Rawls got it down to the one. M-21, Iowa-10.

Starting at its own 13, a 7 play, 87-yard drive was engineered by Devin Gardner. Jeremy Gallon contributed a 31-yard reception and Roy Roundtree grabbed one for 17. Devin hit V. Smith for 18-yards for a score with 40 seconds left on the clock, and it was M-28, Iowa-10 at the half and it is easier to appreciate the setting and the perfect football weather and half time show.

M received to start the second and moved 81-yards to a score in 11 plays. Denard and Devin ran, and Jeremy Gallon snagged another long one of thirty-one yards. Devin ran it in from 3-yards out. M-35, Iowa 10.

After a 26-yard Iowa punt, M’s offense set up at its 40, and produced a 5 play 6o-yard drive to cap its scoring. Gallon snared a 15-yard pass and the Wolverines snared an Iowa pass interference penalty, before a lonely Devin Funchess grabbed a Gardner pass in the end zone to complete their day’s scoring. M-42, Iowa 10.

Iowa produced a consolation drive of 7 plays for 19-yards after a successful onside kick recovery. M-42, Iowa-10.

Now it is on to the snake pit in Columbus, where the Wolverines will face the undefeated Buckeyes in their biggest challenge since Alabama.

Hopefully the challenge of Michigan’s new found and expanded offensive scheme will produce points, and the defense will be able to contain a mobile QB, and a spread offense.

As usual, there is much for the Wolverines to win, and to lose. This game always counts. Coach Hoke says this game is fun.  But it will be tough fun, a slugfest.

Go Blue!

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M FOOTBALL 2012-WILDCATS NO LONGER MILDCATS-WOLVERINES PREVAIL IN OVERTIME WITH 38 TO NORTHWESTERN’S 31.

 

A LOSS TO THE WILDCATS WOULD HAVE HAD THE WOLVERINES BATTLING FOR SECOND PLACE IN THE LEGENDS DIVISION. THEY ARE STILL IN THE HUNT.

Saturday, the Wolverines returned to the friendly confines of Michigan Stadium to confront the Northwestern Wildcats for the first of a critical two game home stand, that could play a big part in determining the course of the their season. The Wolverines needed to win to get into position to achieve a shot at the Legends title game, which they will have, if they can win out, and Nebraska losses again.  Unfortunately, Nebraska owns the head to head tiebreaker.  After the ‘Cats, the Iowa Hawkeyes come next, and then Ohio in Columbus.  All three games are of equal importance, except for bragging rights, but first things first, and that was hosting, and trying to best the Wildcats.  The ‘Cats made it a game.  The Wolverines dramatic finish made it one to remember.

Game Photos

THIS YEAR’S WILDCATS:  Coach Pat Fitzgerald brought a pretty decent Big Ten Football team to Ann Arbor.  Seven wins and two losses through nine games is a good record, and three wins and two losses in the B1G is also decent. Their rush defense was fourth in the B1G prior to Saturday.  Statistically they were more susceptible to the pass defensively only ranking 8th in the B1G, and the Wildcats were not in the top 100 in pass offense nationally. Actuality: They proved again their vulnerability in that area Saturday yielding 286-yards passing to the Wolverines.

Arriving in Ann Arbor tenth in total B1G defense seemed encouraging to the Michigan cause because M could stop the run.  Actuality: The ‘Cats played a very good football game, moving the ball against the Wolverines with monotony, and converting far too many third downs (8 of 16).  But the Wolverines moved the ball to counter. The Wolverines managed 7 of 10 third down conversions. NW cashed in on a controversial late 1st down that seemed to seal the Wolverines doom in regulation.  There was more than one situation in this game that portended doom, but this is a team that does not quit and it saved them.

Unlike some past NW teams, this year’s edition is a rush first team, relying on the legs of Kain Colter, and tail back Venric Mark.  Both Colter and Mark had admirable games Saturday, but both ended up nicked.  Late in Saturday’s game Mark had the misfortune of providing a cushion for Frank Clark, and that ended his participation. Mark had rushed for 1,072-yards previously and he added 104 net yards on 23 carries Saturday, with one TD. He demonstrated he is a special team whiz that can return kick offs and break the big one, and he proved that Saturday, but his longest and a potential game breaking return of a  KO to pay dirt was fortunately called back due to penalty.  That play could have sealed M’s fate.

The Wildcats wanted to control the clock and dominate the line of scrimmage with the running game, and for much of regulation they did, and they did totaling 431 net yards to M’s 419, while establishing a time of possession for the game of 34.28 to M’s 25.32. In the face of Michigan’s pregame great pass defense statistics, NW wreaked a little havoc though the air at times, getting a couple of TDs, and securing 8 of 16 1st down conversions by air and ground. Kain raised Cain with M’s defense at times. QB Colter shared the task with Trevor Siemian.  Siemian completed a just before the half two minute drill with six, which after the point, tied the game 14 up at the half.

NW threw 13 times and hit 21 for 183-yards.  M completed 16 of 30 for 286-yards with 2 TDs.  NW ran 58 times for 248-yards, but only one TD.  M ran 32 times producing 133-yards and 3 TDs.

NW’s Colter was 8 of 14 for 89-yards and 1 TD, and Siemian was 6 of 7 for 87-yards and 2 TDs.  Colter on the ground carried 24 times for 106-yards.

M’s Devin Gardner was 16 of 29 for 286 passing and 2 TDs. He ran 9 times for 49-yards with 3 TDs and a long of 17.   That run of 17-yards on third down saved the day.

The last time the Wildcats took down the Wolverines, it was November of 2008, and Nick Sheridan was the QB, and Saturday it was too close for comfort again.  NW played a good hard hitting game of football.  None of that Mildcat stuff applies this year.

THE WOLVERINES DEFENSE:  Looking at the stats from M’s first nine games, it seemed that the Wolverines matched up well with the Wildcats defensively.  Actuality: the Wolverines gave up 31 points. What else needs to be said? The Wildcats managed 431-yards against the Wolverines yesterday.  NW took the measure of the Wolverine defense.  Yet, when crunch time came, it was the Wolverine’s defense that stared the Wildcats down, enabling a win, by stopping the ‘Cats cold in the late 4th quarter, and overtime. Kenny Demens and Desmond Morgan each had 9 stops.

Again, while Michigan’s defense struggled with the fine option running of Colter and Mark, they came alive in time, when the game was on the line.  Late in the game, in regulation, a late hit by Beyer almost torpedoed the Wolverines.  It was a possible game changer, but fortunately Beyer did not become a goat.

THE WOLVERINES OFFENSE:  Pregame the continuing question was the offense.  Could anyone other than Denard (if he played), or Devin (if he played) rack up significant yardage overland?  Actuality:  Denard wore headphones and Devin played an outstanding game. Would they be able to score in the red zone? Yes. By land and air.  Would they avoid offensive errors? Actuality:  Devin played a fine game, with only one interception.  The Wolverines had a single fumble, after a 50-yard run.  Devin was poised, knew when to throw the ball away, took some shots and hung onto the ball, and passed and ran well. His bootleg TD run in overtime provided the winning margin. On his one interception he may have misread man when it was a zone defense.  He is my player of the game. He threw for 286-yards and 2 TDs, and also ran for two TDs, winning the game with the last one, and stretching for the pylon on the first one.  He is a great athlete in his own right that has stepped up and out into the limelight.

Coach Hoke on Devin: “I think Devin was very consistent. I thought he stayed in the game and managed the offense. He had the one bad throw, probably two of them during the course of the game. He’s just got to see the field a little better, but he moved our offense. I thought he did a nice job on third down; I think we were 7-of-10, which is pretty good.”

Devin was chased hard for my player of the game accolade by Roy Roundtree.   Roy caught well going 5 for 139.  The hands were there.  Roundtree’s opportunistic 4th quarter catch in regulation, where he snagged a pass re-directed by the defensive back, and no doubt saved the win. Late in the game and down three points M’s chances of winning the game seemed slim if not impossible.  Impossible until Gardner hit Roundtree for a 53-yard gain, and Roy made his improbable catch.  That set up Brandon Gibbons FG to send the 31-31 game into overtime, with only a pair of seconds left on the ticker.  Gibbon’s kick was for 26-yards. Jeremy Gallon caught 7 for 94-yards.

Coach Hoke on Roundtree’s catch: “We had to get ourselves into field goal range. We used the three timeouts in the right manner earlier. It was one of those things, we got some good field position because of the punt return, so that really helped us. It got us into a good area. Then, it kind of fell into Roy’s hands. He did a tremendous job fighting for it, keeping his eye on the football, and he came down with a big one.”

Without Denard the Wolverine rushing game has been spotty at best this season.  It is a shame that at this late date in the season the offense is unsettled because of an injury to Denard, and the fact that the ground game has not lived up to either expectations or last year’s effectiveness.  I hoped to see Denard at full rushing capacity, if not full passing capacity.  His injury is a shame.

The Wolverines were attempting to go 12-0 at the Big House under Coach Hoke, and that’s the way it was-finally.

THE GAME AND BRIEF SCORING RECAP: The Wolverines received, stalled and punted.  The Wildcats went to work advancing with a spectacular one handed catch.  This for a team that the statistics said could not pass.  Venric Mark scored on a three yard run.  M-0, NW- 7.

A 10-play, 78-yard drive featuring a 32-yard catch by Roy Roundtree on the NW half of the field, and an eight yard gallop by Devin Gardner in which he stretched for the pylon, and scored, resulted in a 7-7 game.  It was reassuring to know that the offense could move the ball without Denard against this group in a critical game.

Fitz Toussaint showed some life in the second quarter with a nifty fifty-yard run, but the ball was poked out, and recovered by the ‘Cats.  M’s Joe Bolden saved the day, when NW returned the favor and donated the ball back.  On the foundation of a 17-yard Devin Gardner scramble, Thomas Rawls plowed into the end zone for six on a one-yard run, and suddenly it was M-14, NW 7.

But those pesky ‘Cats would not leave well enough alone and tied the score before the half.  Coach Fitzgerald inserted passing QB Trevor Siemians, and he produced a 56-yard drive culminating in a 19-yard TD pass.  At the half it was knotted a 14- all.

After that it was worrisome as the ‘Cats would receive to start the second.  Those worries were justified.  10 plays and 75-yards later they had another TD. M-14, NW-21.  Then they hit a 34-yard field goal, and it was M-14, NW 24, and it was looking like we might be out of the race.

But when Gardner hit Jeremy Gallon on a 42-yard pass, and then Fitz Toussaint on 28-yard scoring pass, a semblance of order was again restored.  M-21, NW 24.

In the final quarter, the Wildcats made some mistakes that hurt.  There was a costly a block in the back penalty.  The Wolverines were buried at their own nine-yard line, but not in despair, having had the benefit of two back to back passes to Roy Roundtree.  Then came the TD strike to Freshman TE Devin Funchess with under 10 minutes in the game. Great throw and catch.  The ever improving Funchess is definitely earning his scholarship. M-28, NW-24.

The wily Wildcats set off on a journey of clock domination which lasted about five minutes and ended with a 15-yard scoring pass.  The receiver was so open it was painful, and Michigan was behind again M-28, NW 31.

Enter Dennis Norfleet, who hauled the ensuing KO 37-yards to the M 42.  Seemingly trapped he reversed direction and scampered up the side line.  Gardner then threw an interception and I thought for sure, this time it was over.  The ‘Cats ran the clock down to 18 seconds, and the Wolverines had it at their 38.

Enter Roundtree, as he became the recipient of the spectacular 53-yard grab described above, which Gibbons promptly flew the ball thru the uprights for three, and it was 31 all and overtime was on tap.

NW won the toss and forced M to go first.  Devin Gardner finished the game with a roll out around end for a third and one, one-yard score. M-38, NW-31 and it was up the defense. They rose to the occasion, and by stopping the ‘Cats cold, preserved the win.

Both teams played well in a very competitive and exciting game that was worth the price of a ticket on a decent football day, in a beautiful setting, played when some feel a football game should be played.

It looks like Devin Gardner can carry the load, and he is a great athlete. He has restored confidence in the belief that there will be an experienced candidate for the position in the QB competition next year.  The injury to Denard has a real downside in almost all respects, but it has not hurt a thing that Devin has had the chance to acquire real game winning experience.

Hopefully Denard will be back at the helm next week and at 100%, for his last fling in Michigan Stadium.  Crowd appreciation for him should be as momentous as it is deserved.  Will we ever see his like again?

Bring on the Hawkeyes!

Go Blue!

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M-FOOTBALL 2012: MINNESOTA’S GOPHERS GO FER IT, BUT FALL WAY SHORT AS RESERVE QUARTERBACK DEVIN GARDNER EXCELS IN FIRST START: MICHIGAN 35; MINNESOTA 13.

INJURIES SIDELINE ROBINSON, BUT THE LITTLE BROWN JUG IS ON ITS WAY HOME BECAUSE OF THE WOLVERINE’S DEFENSE, AND DEVIN GARDNER AND FRIENDS.

The Michigan Wolverines football team traveled to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis St. Paul, to meet the Minnesota Gophers in their still new TCF Bank stadium on Saturday. The Wolverines were looking to improve their suddenly uncomfortably uncertain football prospects, and in so doing had to kill Gopher Coach Jerry Kill and Company’s dreams of improving their own bowl prospects with a signature win.

The Gophers must have yearned for the football respectability that a win over the University of Michigan would afford them. They were coming off their most solid win of the season, having destroyed Purdue 44-23 last Saturday. This improved their expectations and gave some probability, but not certainty, to obtaining the object of their quest. Sitting at 5 wins, and 3 Big Ten losses, they critically needed another win to go bowling.

Understandably, they wanted to lay their Gopher paws on our Little Brown Jug again. One of the most venerable and venerated “trophies” in the history of college football, it has dwelt most of its time in Ann Arbor, at home in the home of the Wolverines, and it is difficult to categorize any season that ends with its absence as a success.

Even though M leads the series 71-24-1, the Gophers have had their moments. Rickey Foggy laid a memorable loss on the number two ranked Wolverines in 1986, and for those of us in attendance, that was bitter. And there was that miserable playing surface at the Metro dome, where the fleet and shifty Tony Boles ran up the sideline for a nice gain, but twisted a knee, and lost his playing career, due it was said, to a miserable Metro dome rug. Among those 24 prior Wolverine losses there were some stunners.

The Wolverines set out, as they always do, to provide the Jug with a round trip ticket. But there were obstacles in the way, not the least of which were some aspects of the Wolverine’s team itself.

PREGAME KEYS:

When Denard Robinson fell on his elbow in the second quarter of last Saturday’s Nebraska loss, it illustrated like nothing else could how dependent the Wolverines offensive productivity is on his many athletic skills. Some had suspected that M’s offense was a one act pony, and the Nebraska game seemed to prove the point. This injury changed the course of Michigan’s offense, just as it made Nebraska change its very conservative, contain Robinson at all costs, defense. They went to a hell for leather blitzing scheme which took its toll on Denard’s replacement, Freshman Russell Bellomy.

Russell suffered the growing pains of inexperience, the slings and arrows of some fans, and too little help from his friends as catchable passes were dropped, blitzers were coming free, and nearly everything else that besets QBs in ineffective debuts, beset Russell. It was as intense a baptism and learning situation as it was dismal. Russell was 3 of 16 for 38-yards and three interceptions.

  • Could Denard shake off his injured elbow, start and play at his usual high level of performance shaking off the injury? Actuality: No, the injury has persisted. Good luck trying to find out if Denard will be ready for next week until game time. 
  • If Denard was not available, would Devin Gardner or Russell Bellomy replace him? Prior to Nebraska, Coach Hoke said in a presser that Russell was the back up, and that he was taking most of the snaps. Now the scenario had changed a little and they were saying that Devin Gardner would get more snaps at QB, and that there was competition at the position. Actuality: Devin Gardner started and after a dismal first quarter, got going. The ice breaker was a third and seventeen pass play in which he rolled to his right, circled back left, and heaved a perfect pass to Drew Dileo waiting by himself in the end zone. Devin held the ball for nine seconds before the toss. That play set the Michigan offensive wheels in motion. Devin’s career day included 12 completions, 2 TDs, and one interception. He hit 67% of his passes, hitting 12 of 18, for 234-yards. He had a very athletic run down the sidelines. 
  • Could the Wolverines run the ball with no Denard? Actuality: Late in the game, on fourth and one, Fitz broke up the middle late in the game for a 41-yard score. Almost collared, he put an arm down, regained balance and sped to six. He had 70-yards on 13 carries. Thomas Rawls ran 16 times for 43-yards, and played early in the game. Devin Gardner had 44-yards on 10 carries. Jeremy Gallon rushed twice for 21-yards. The total of 182-yards and a 3.9-yard average rush is nothing to write home about considering the struggle of the competition’s defense against the rush, but its better than some recent results. Could M throw it? Actuality: The passing was not effective in the first quarter. The offensive line did not hold its own in that quarter. The passing game was great the rest of the game. As mentioned Devin had some good runs. On his TD run, he ran as tough as any back and stretched for six . It was a remarkable play that was the game’s turning point. The receiver’s cooperated with Devin. Dileo, Roundtree, and Gallon all making outstanding catches. Gallon was a little inconsistent, fumbling a punt return, and getting a silly block in the back penalty, but he redeemed all by snaring a 47-yarder with a beautiful catch. Relatively short, Gallon showed remarkable elevation making that catch, as he has others. Gallon had four with a score. Drew Dileo had 69-yards on four catches and a TD. Roy Roundtree caught two for 64-yards with a long of 47-yards. This was a spectacular grab he as he wrestled with the defender. The catch was upheld on review. Michigan “won” all its reviews.
  • Would the defense continue to improve? Get off the field and stop big plays? Actuality: The defense did well overall. They snuffed a critical fourth and ones and were great in the red zone, once backing short and goal back up to the twenty. They held Minnesota to 144-yds rushing and 147-yards passing, maintaining another 13 point effort. Jake Ryan had nine tackles, three of which were TFLs. Kenny Demens had 10-tackles with one of those being a TFL. The Gophers were limited to 49-yards offense in the second quarter. Outstanding. But with room for improvement per Coach Hoke.  Probably he was thinking of third and long conversions, and that first drive.
  • Would special teams again be special? Too often the Gophers had good field position on KO returns, and Will Hagerup was less spectacular punting than usual, hitting 3 for 88-yards. His 29.3 average was surprising. Gibbons missed an extra point but got a re-try on a Minnesota gift, keeping his made string intact.
  • Penalties? Michigan made some stupid penalties, but Minnesota hurt themselves, once getting charged for two penalties on the same play, and an ill- advised fake kick was effectively snuffed out be the Wolverines.

BRIEF GAME AND SCORING RECAP:

The Wolverines received and it looked like a replay of last week’s troubles at Nebraska would materialize again as the offensive line and Devin struggled, tossing an early interception, but the defense proved solid and the quarter ended zip to zip. A short punt put the Gophers at the M 43 and they took full advantage of the good field position, driving 43-yards on a 6 play drive ending with a 6-yard TD pass. M-0, Minn.- 7.

The Wolverines put together a sweet 91-yard, 12-play drive featuring the 45-yard end zone reception by Drew Dileo that marked the emergence of Devin Gardner and the resurgence of the Wolverines offense. Dileo knows how to get open and he catches the ball reliably all the time, and spectacularly some of the time. The TD drought was over. M-7, Minn.-7.

The Wolverines showed they meant business by producing a 13-play, 90-yard drive. Roundtree, Funchess, and J. Robinson, caught passes and Gardner contributed a nice run. Thomas Rawls finished the drive with a two-yard TD run and it was 14-7 and halftime.

In the third quarter, Minnesota drove to the M 14, but turned the ball over on downs, and during a 7 play 86-yard drive, Gardner hit Jeremy Gallon for a 47-yard completion. M-21, Minn.-7.

In the 4th quarter Minnesota got 3 back on a 26-yard FG. The defense held them to a FG, after they had got to the M 3-yard line. A good example of the defense’s effectiveness when and opponent is in its red zone. M-21, Minn-10.

Soon Devin Gardner was at it again conducting an 8-play 70-yard scoring drive with Roy Roundtree gathering in a 47-yard reception at the Minnesota three. What a reception that was. Roy caught the ball as well as the arm of the defender, and replay verified that the call of a catch on the field was valid. M-28, Minn-10.

Minnesota produced another long drive of 13-plays and 69-yards, which ended at fourth and goal at the M 2. It was another great defensive stand. M-28, Minn-13.

Fitz Toussaint then ripped off the 41-yard TD jaunt described above and it was over. FINAL: M-35, Minn.-13.

In Coach Jerry Kill’s second season, the Gophers have been a much improved team over the one that the Wolverines destroyed in Ann Arbor last year 58-0. With five wins and three losses, they are hunting for a bowl berth in spite of playing musical chairs at QB and on the offensive line. That said, most teams have not had to pass much against them as rushing yardage has been readily available. The Wolverines rushing game again still struggled somewhat, but with Gardner’s contributions, it was enough for a very needed win.

Congratulations to Devin Gardner who had a spectacular first start, and bring on a good Northwestern team.  And thanks to you for perusing these pages.

 

Go Blue!