Andy Andersen – Page 28 – UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball

February 4, 2010July 20, 2011

M Football 2010- The Recruiting Spinning Wheel-2010 Signing Day

Signing days come and go and so do the student athletes that commit themselves to succeed at the major avocation that is Wolverine football. This year?s signing day presser was held in the Junge Center yesterday.

For those students signing commitments on the dotted line, the responsibilities and toil and tears that occur subsequent to that act are just beginning. The process may seem endless, drag and grind for a long while, while the committed adjust to the weather, to being away from home, of growing into adult hood, of living down mistakes, or being double-crossed by honey baby, as they recover from losses or failure, or whatever. They face a cauldron of life challenges, football challenges, and academic challenges.

But in the end college football will fly by for them. Some will succeed and some will fail at the sport. Some will suffer injuries that will necessarily end their participation in sports. Some will disappoint themselves and us. Some will not. Most will not.

Some will remember the sport with life long aches, but in the long run there will not be failure for many of them, football success or not, if they can capture that springboard to life?s success, a Michigan degree. Later memory will obscure the challenges and they will fondly remember the success of becoming a grown up, a Michigan man, and hopefully remember the restoration of the success Michigan seeks on the football field.

Hopes and aspirations do not change much from class to class, generation to generation. Everybody wants to be Saturday?s Hero, graduate a quantum physicist, or a forensic CPA, orthopedic surgeon, or constitutional attorney, and at the same time be the MVP of the Rose Bowl, national title game, and the Super Bowl.

At this stage of their development, their dreams can be lofty. To be honest, today there is more emphasis on preparation for the pro football game than in the past. In the now distant past you didn?t get much money for being clothes lined by the Chicago Bears. Now you can get a small fortune to break your leg.

Being on a successful football team enhances the memories and the rewards both for players and fans. But success comes at a price. Is this class willing to work hard enough to pay that price?

The Michigan Coaches today stated that they have gathered a supporting cast that will help in numbers (27 signed), and fits their needs: (by position; Athlete Josh Furman, Cornerback Courtney Avery and Cullen Christian, Defensive Back Demar Dorsey, Terrence Talbot, Defensive End; Jordan Paskorz; Ken Wilkins; Defensive Line Jabreel Black; Defensive Tackle Richard Ash; Terrence Talbott; Linebacker Antonio Kinard, Davion Rogers, Jake Ryan, Offensive Line Christian Pace; Punter Will Hagerup; Quarterback: Devon Gardner, Cornelius Jones, Running Back Stephen Hopkins, Austin White; Safety Carvin Johnson, Marvin Robinson, Ray Vinopal, Slot Receiver Drew Dileo; Wide Receiver Jeremy Jackson, Ricardo Miller, Gerald Robinson, D. J. Williamson).

Coach R went over the history and accomplishments of each of the recruits. It would seem that DB recruits might see major playing time as freshman due to the lack of depth at those positions. There is no question that they are high on Demar Dorsey and Marvin Robinson. RR mentioned that DB recruits may play early due to the depleted nature of the position.

There is also no question that a couple might not qualify academically (not necessarily meaning Dorsey or Robinson). That always happens and proves the value of having a big class. That and other attrition has hurt several recent classes. Surprisingly, I heard no mention of walk-ons at all.

At the presser Coach Rodriguez seemed rightfully enthused regarding his new Wolverines. Suffering from a chest cold, his patience seemed to wear a little thin at questions regarding rumors that Demar Dorsey had a checkered past in some juvenile incidents. Questions regarding Dorsey?s background were slung at Rodriguez persistently. Who else but Mr. Drew Sharp persisted. No doubt with another hatchet job article in mind. It is no rumor that Demar does not have any convictions. That is a fact. So why pick on a kid and make a happy day miserable?

I thought Rodriguez did not handle this series of questions as smoothly as I thought he could have. I thought he should have simply said that the student is protected from such discussions, and moved on, but he let himself become slightly irritated. He stated that Michigan will not take a player with a misdemeanor or felony.

Rodriguez did not, as stated by Caputo on his Spartan slanted radio tirade, stomp out of the meeting mad, nor is this class in any way shape or form inferior to that garnered by the Spartans as the Great Caputo consistently avers. As far as the Rodriguez behavior, I doubt Caputo was there to observe it first hand. I was.

I haven?t heard that much propaganda since they collared Mata Hari. And I never will again, as I won?t dial in that station again. I would rather watch the Price Is Right than listen to that drivel and I am not fan of TPIR. Whoever said talk is cheap must have been tuned into Caputo. Maybe Caputo verifies his information by referencing the Free Press.

Everybody but Caputo ranks the Spartys considerably below the Blue in the Big Ten standings, and national rankings. Could it be that Rodriguez is doing something right? The top three are Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan, and the order is somewhat variable. OSU may not have had their best day. Michigan had four of the top ten Detroit News players. Ten recruits attended the football camp. Several players, including Devin Gardner, enrolled in January. He?ll have fifteen practices before fall camp. Is that enough to put him in the two deep?

Gardner is not a savior, and he may or may not pan out. Like the rest of them, only time will tell. But it looks like they are developing a competition at quarterback, and that is only good. In fact a stated coaching goal is competition at every position. RR indicated that by next year they would have that. They will still be thin at some positions this year.

I talked to several of the Coaches and received no indication that Denard Robinson would be anything other than a QB. I will be interested to see how he is used in the spring. It was indicated that Demar Dorsey, Denard Robinson?s cousin, could see major playing time and that Marvin Robinson might also.

When I asked Coach Robinson about this year?s defense, and Craig Roh specifically, Coach Robinson said ?he wished he had his (Roh?s) future.? He said Roh is growing.

Had a nice talk and interview with Devin Gardner, from Detroit (attended high school at Inkster). Seems to be a young man with a lot on the ball and a great deal of poise to go with his good size.

Talked to Stephen Hopkins, from Double Oak, Texas (fairly near Dallas) who models his running game on Brandon Minor. He didn?t want to be called a slasher, so he must have some moves as well as power.

Ricardo Miller was the most outspoken of those three. Perhaps he is the most outspoken of any three on the team. He is expert at forming words into sentences and indicated, as Coach R had previously stated, that he had directed a lot of those sentences at fellow recruits. Perfectly at home, perfectly poised. Said the winter had provided a challenge at first, feet felt frozen, and felt like his hands would break. Now, he said, the adjustment is complete and he doesn?t even dress heavy any more to face the chill.

Granted I talked to only three of twenty-seven, but each seemed extremely happy to be Michigan men, claimed to be hard workers, and exhibited experienced poise beyond their years.

RR indicated that now that 2010 recruiting was past he could concentrate on filling the missing DB coaching position. Coach Robinson will coach linebackers. Departed Coach Hopson has not yet been replaced. but will be soon. I should have asked regarding a dedicated special teams coach. It appears to me they need one. They have long been one defensive coach short.

The wheel of fortune that is the recruiting process stopped on February 3^rd for this year, and has seemed to provide Michigan with an outstanding class tailored to the needs of the program?s style, even though some are lamenting the lack of ?five star? recruits in the class.

Bo was often quoted as saying that the worth of a class can?t be evaluated for four years, and that has to be true.

But that doesn?t mean that the game of recruiting speculation enjoyed by so many fans has to end. One year is barely over when another recruiting cycle starts, and concerns start about the ?one that got away or is about to get away?.

Let?s hope this big class is what Michigan needs in all respects. We shall see.

Go Blue!

November 11, 2009April 22, 2012

2009 M Football- Some Memorable Michigan Moments -THE GAME

The annual fracas with the Ohio State Buckeyes is on deck again, and this year the contest has the irrefutable distinction of being a game where nobody and his brother or sister gives the struggling Wolverines any chance in the hot place of whipping the Buck?s Terrelle Pryor led offense, and their big, mean, physical, and effective defense.

This year THE GAME as some style it, has no national championship implications for the Wolverines or even perhaps the Bucks, as some games in each team?s not too distant past have had. Both have squandered opportunities for any rock and roll type prominence on the national scene. The Bucks obviously haven?t squandered as seriously as the Wolverines, and have secured a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl date in Pasadena. Only the Bucks have any shot at making the cover of Sports Illustrated for their accomplishments this year.

The Wolverines are firmly at the bottom of the Big Ten standings so any recognition they get on the cover of Sports Illustrated would only happen if they can sneak up on the marvelous Muckeyes (sorry I really was trying to type Buckeyes), in a surprise attack on offense, defense, and special teams, and if they can play mistake free and effective football for an entire game. Based on recent history, it seems I am more likely to win the Mega Millions prize. But if its any consolation, it is absolutely certain that neither will make the cover of the Rolling Stone, even if some kind of miracle lifts either to super heights of hype Saturday.

This season is almost universally regarded as a down year for the Big Ten, and at the bottom of that league, sits the Michigan 2009 football team. OSU will be pumped because of the fact it is Michigan and vice versa. This is the Wolverines last shot at bowl eligibility this year, and fifteen extra practices, and the last opportunity to salvage a very disappointing Big Ten season. It also provides the opportunity for the Wolverine to take the thorn from its wounded paw and stick it in the Buckeye?s ample nether reaches.

Because many Michigan fans are realists and have been watching closely, there is an unusual degree of trepidation and pessimism in the air this time around, an uncharacteristic dread that the Buckeyes will thrash our inexperienced and limping Wolverines.

Not the least cause of this is the instant recall of Michigan?s defenses against mobile quarterbacks under its two most recent coaching regimes, and the continuing inability of the Wolverines to post a win against any Big Ten opponent, but lowly Indiana this season. This is aggravated because of the team?s demonstrated inability to play at top effectiveness for a whole game on either defense or offense. Then there are injuries, the superior OSU talent and experience, and so on and so on. You know the drill, you saw what happened recently at Wisconsin as the cheese heads reigned supreme.

I am getting quite experienced as a Michigan fan. In fact at my age, I am experienced at all my avocations. I am so old I feel Pre-Owned. I have been trekking to Michigan Stadium annually for most of the past sixty years or so, and nothing in those years quite prepared me for the frustration of the last two years. The Wolverines are 8 and 15 over that span. Wow! Couldn?t imagine that would ever happen. Didn?t think that would ever happen, but it a fact and there is nowhere but up to go.

I have had a great time over the years following the Wolverines, but they were not without tribulation. Much of the fifties and early sixties were hard to take. Michigan Football had not quite moved into the modern age. Bo Schembechler did that. But not without some kicking and screaming.

Thomas Jefferson was right on in 1804, when he said that history is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn?t want to live there. That was certainly true during the 1950s/60s era. There was Spartan domination of much of that era. Ohio State also dominated Michigan then. But the teams tried hard and sometimes prevailed. Watching the great Ron Kramer put his Wolverines on his back and carry them was a privilege in the 1950?s. Wins then were appreciated, but not necessarily expected by Michigan fans.

Then suddenly one of Bump?s teams put together a Big Ten Championship. This was completely unexpected to me, as was their victory in the 1965 Rose Bowl. To get to that Rose Bowl they had to beat the Scarlet and Grey, and did 10 to zip at home, to seal a completely unexpected Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl trip. I walked out of M Stadium a very happy man that day.

No whipping of OSU is a downer and this one came out of the blue, and was therefore stunning. It showed Bump had finally achieved something. That remains an accomplishment that couldn?t be taken away from him or the team over time. An 8-1 regular season was in the books. The sole glitch was against Purdue?s Spoilermakers. DL Bill Yearby, QB Bob Thornbladh, Left Half Jim Detwiler, Right Half Carl Ward, and DB Rich Volk, were favorite players.

Mel Anthony was the full back whose long TD run won the Rose Bowl. This win earned the Wolverines a ranking of #4 in the nation. Rick Volk was a very good DB, and would start on today?s team and improve it. You may not recognize those names but those of us that saw them will never forget them, and what they did for Michigan.

Michigan was a team that had more or less struggled since the late forties, so the 1965 Rose Bowl was indeed manna from heaven.

To make most Michigan minutes memorable over the years, a season needs to be capped with a victory over OSU. Bo Shembechler?s teams provided many of those memories in his 10-year conflict with Woodrow Wilson Hayes. The first one in 1969 was no exception and is among Michigan?s all time most memorable football moments.

The five years between Bump?s Rose Bowl victory to Bo?s first season seemed like an eon, as the Michigan Football program needed a real metamorphosis, and that?s when Glenn E. ?Bo? Schembechler landed in Ann Arbor. Sometimes the fan base was kicking and screaming regarding changes, and values as Bo dragged the program into the modern football world.

And he did it his way, which appeared rougher in some cases than it had been in the past. There were defections, everybody did not like Bo?s tough persona as a Coach, and there were parallels in that first year to the difficulties of the current coaching program shapers.

The wily MSU mentor, Duffy Daughtery caught Bo flat footed by drastically altering his offensive scheme. Bo lost and the fans were livid. Almost like they are now. It was thought he had not taken the Spartans seriously enough. Fans piled on regarding that loss.

But there were a couple of tremendous differences. In the last game of the 1969 season, Bo managed that most memorable beating of Woody Hayes and his so-called team of the century, in his first year, and he never looked back. Bo had his signature win, and he immediately became a galvanized Michigan man, even if his football origins and loyalties had been born and bred in Ohio, at OSU (student and coach), and Miami of Ohio (coach).

The other difference was that Bo inherited a talented team for the style he would play.

Now lets fast-forward from 1964/1965 to that 1969 Ohio State game, perhaps the most infamous and satisfying of all the Michigan upsets of Ohio State. Led by the great Woody Hayes, the Bucks came into Ann Arbor hyped as the best team of the century, pushing their wheel-barrows of ego before them. Some calculated they could beat many pro teams, especially the Buckeye fans.

They were very good, but unexpectedly, on that day, the Wolverines were better. As they say paybacks are hell. Woody had enraged Michigan players and fans by going for two late in the 1968 14-50 drubbing at the horseshoe, just because he could. Michigan fans were enraged beyond belief, and apparently it was not lost on the players either. This would top my list of memorable games I had seen, if I had only been able to be there.

It is on this list anyway, because I did get to listen to it via the talents of broadcaster Bob Eufer. Eufer rose to the occasion that day and ended the broadcast with his ?They put on the gloves of gray? recitation. I always thought it was Bob?s best effort, and possibly the best radio broadcast of a Michigan Football game I have ever audited. This stunning Michigan victory and broadcast was completely unexpected.

Probably the most famous player on the team in later years was TV football broadcaster /analyst Dan Dierdorf, but the star of that game was little Barry Pierson who made effective returns, and timely interceptions. Also, it is said Tight End Jim Mandich demolished the locker room door on the way to the field. They were ready.

Reggie McKenzie, who later blocked in the pros for OJ Simpson, and All American DB Thom Dardin were on that team. McKenzie would have done well with today’s OL scheme. The toughest man on any team with his was on that team. The uniquely named Garvey Craw. He is said to have gone out of his way once to run through the MSU sideline group from end to end. Short yardage and toughness was his game.

Next it was the antics of the great Woody Hayes on the sideline in 1971. The always volatile and aggressive Hayes, aggravated by an interception he incorrectly perceived to be an infraction, and correctly perceived was a game changer, systematically attacked the yard markers to prove his point that he was dissatisfied with the call. As I recall Billy Taylor made a great burst to the endzone to finish the suspense, for a 10 to 7 win.

I have never, ever been so entertained by a Coach (ours or theirs), at a football game. The crowd loved it and as a result we were totally fired up. It was more fun to watch a victory against Hayes than against any other coach. Michigan manufactured an 11-1 record that year, but lost a tough one to Stanford in the Rose Bowl, 12 to13.

Since this is not a book, and we are only talking about unexpected Michigan victories against the Scarlet and Gray, the last one I will talk about in this article is the Michigan Stadium trouncing led by Tim Biakabutuka.

In front of us sat four well-dressed Buckeyes, two couples, well on their way to being thoroughly soused.

I didn?t mind, that was up to them, but were they vociferous regarding their total distain and disrespect for all things Maize and Blue. They proclaimed their superiority in no uncertain terms and in language well understood. Thinking that OSU might have the best of it, the M fans in the section held their tongues early.

That is, until Biakabutuka saddled up for his 313-yard performance. Run after run after run, the kid piled up yards, and the Michigan fans were fueled by a contagion of delight. Finally at the half, one of the Bucks turned to me and said,? You are incredibly noisy and loud for such an old goat!? I thanked him for the compliment and continued the noise. They stood up at the half, filed up the stairs, and never returned. Mission accomplished.

The unexpected happens. As you have probably realized by now this was and attempt to point out games where Michigan faced Ohio State and secured wins, the point being teams win when they should sometimes, and don?t when should some times. That unpredictability makes the game.

I realize that I have not covered the John Kolesar game, the 10-10 tie, the Desmond Howard game, the Charles Woodson game, and many other M/OSU games that were remarkable in results, and many other M/OSU games have been remarkable.

Michigan has a chance Saturday. Not a good one. A very slim one indeed, but there is a chance. Upsets do happen, and there have been unexpected results in the past.

If you saw the Wisconsin game Saturday, you know the probabilities are not on the Wolverine side. True underdogs, this time, are the Wolverines. Lets hope they play like wolves and not like Bowser.

As always, thanks for looking in and ..

Go Blue!

September 12, 2009September 10, 2011

Michigan Football 2009: Forcier, Stonum, Mathews, and Minor-M 38 ND 34

By Andy Andersen

In what was one of the most exciting games in the modern Wolverine/Irish football series, Forcier, Stonum, Mathews and Minor played major roles in a 38-34 victory. Michigan finally prevailed at least partly and maybe mostly due to the outstanding performances of the quartet mentioned in the title above. Other games in the series have been close and featured outstanding performances, but this one was exciting alpha to omega, featuring two outstandingly productive offenses, and defenses with just enough stops at critical junctures to keep it close, to keep it interesting, to keep it winnable.

It is hard to say the Wolverine defense was outstanding, although at the end of the game they stopped ND enough to enable victory before and after the Tate/Mathews pass/catch that put the Wolverines up for good. An outstanding Stevie Brown hit put the ball on the turf, and when recovered, gave M?s offense good field position to begin one scoring drive. The defense played hard and never quit, but yielding a total of 590 yards meant it had some problems.

Even so, the eighteenth ranked Irish are a talented, and experienced team. Their improving QB Jimmy Clausen and outstanding receivers had M’s CBs for lunch, racking up 336-yards passing, and 3 TDs, but M?s CBs had enough break ups to win. With an effort and production like ND?s, one wouldn?t expect to lose. ND receivers Floyd and Tate are extraordinary. Their lines are huge. Notre Dame rushed for 154-yards missing Aldridge, their best back. But all that turned out to be a losing combination, as the Wolverines were capable of putting on an offensive show of their own.

Tate Forcier and the offense countered with outstanding poise and ability in only his second game wearing the winged helmet. He was 23 of 33 for 240 yards and 2 TDs, and rushed 13 times for 70-yards, and a 31-yard dash up the middle for a TD to kept the Wolverines in the game on fourth and three. He made some mistakes, but always recovered (even after an untimely drive killing fumble and an interception), and played with more poise than can be realistically expected of a skinny freshman. He simply produced all that was needed to defeat a talented Notre Dame contingent when it was needed. The kid is a winner. He is going to get nothing but better with experience.

Tate took the majority of the snaps at OQ, but Denard Robinson contributed with a few runs. He has to throw the ball now and then so they do not crowd him all the time on his runs. Once they had Denard in the gun and Tate split left but the play failed. Tate also had a very decent quick kick that did not fail and was very effective. His quick kick traveled 50-yards and gave Michigan critically needed field position.

Darryl Stonum ran a kick off back 94-yards for a TD in the first quarter, and he collared Tate?s pooch punt at about the ND 3-yard line. I had no idea he was that fast. The run back gave the Blue a 14-7 lead in the first quarter, and ratcheted up the crowd enthusiasm to deafening peaks. He also had several key catches, left the game dinged, but not before he had caught 4 for 54-yards.

Greg Matthews did not gain much yardage corralling many punts, but dropped none, and had an outstanding leaping pass reception. He collared 5 passes for 68-yards and caught one TD, with a long reception of 40-yards. He managed the winning TD with seconds left on a 5-yard Forcier pass. I remember about 11 seconds on the clock when the play ended, later that was reduced to 9 seconds as ND took the subsequent snap.

At a critical juncture, a wide open Greg did not look for a Tate pass when he was in route, but appeared to be looking to block. The interception happened at a critical junction, ending a drive late in the game. Fortunately for both Greg and us, he snagged the game winner later. Vindicated!

That Brandon Minor is Michigan’s most effective running back when healthy was demonstrated Saturday. He had 16 carries for 106-yards, a TD with a run of 32-yards.

They would not have won without his runs.

While the above players made the most visible contributions to whacking ND, this is still a team sport, and the rest of the team presented great effort, too, did not fall apart under pressure, and also showed great team unity.

THE SCORING:

1^st quarter:

Brandon Minor opened the scoring on a two yard run, after a 79-yard drive featuring a 40-yard Mathews reception. Olesnavage hit all the afternoon?s EPs and it was M 7, ND 0.

ND answered with a FG. M 7, ND 3 and it seemed Michigan was going to prevail easily.

After all ND’s opening game drive, while impressive had stalled, and they missed that FG. Now ND could only respond with a made FG, and Darryl Stonum rocketed up the middle for 94 yards. Old mo was ours. Hey, this was fun. M 14, ND 3.

2^nd quarter

ND began to move the ball at will, dominated the statistics, and soon registered 2 TDs to take a 17 to 14 lead. It seemed they would prevail. There were dominating offensively and would not be stopped. They then hit a FG to make it ND 20 M 14, and it was looking like last year was coming back.

M finished the scoring for the half, on as Olesnavage hit a FG for 39-yards. The half ended M 17, ND 20.

Many felt we would see just how good Rodriguez was in answering the question as to whether they could adjust at the half and hang in there? Or, overwhelmed, would they quit.

3^rd quarter

And indeed they did hang in there, producing a nice drive but failing to score, fumbling, stalling and missing on an Olesnavage FG attempt once again.

Jonas Mouton recovered a fumble caused by Stevie Brown and M’s offense was quickly in business again. Tate produced a 5 play, 26-yard drive and a TD on a three-yard pass to Koger. M 24, ND 20.

4^th quarter

Tate Forcier expanded M’s lead to 11 again on a 31-yard run up the middle to cap a 6-play, 64-yard drive. A beautiful run, and the crowd went nuts. M 31, ND 20.

The euphoria didn?t last long as ND produced a pair of scoring dives, with ND hitting a pass, (the 2-point conversion failed) and then scored a TD on a run (two point conversion good). Now it is getting more desperate all the time. No more lead. And it was getting late in the game with M 31, ND 34.

But no nerves Forcier went to work as this team produced a stunning victory against a ranked opponent, marching on a nine play 58-yard TD drive that was outstanding in its effectiveness. Tate?s 5-yard completion to Greg Mathews for what proved to be the winning score brought a joyous pandemonium to the crowd the likes of which has seldom been seen. M 38, ND 34.

ND used up the 9 seconds remaining and M had prevailed. The pass to Mathews was preceeded by an 18-yard strike to LaTerryal Savoy that put them on the 5. Another vindication as Savoy earlier in the drive has one bounce of his chest in the end zone.

This was an outstanding victory over an experienced and talented ND team with a great passing game. The scene in the old stadium was electric and loud all game, the weather beautiful, Michigan well coached (I’ll leave the dissection of Charlie to the Golden Domers), and the weather perfect. What more could you expect for your 65 dollars? This game has to be among the top M/ND games ever played for continuous excitement

Although I talk to some, mainly old-timers, that don’t like the stadium renovations they have improved the beauty and comfort of the venue. May I say again that it is LOUDER!

It is beginning to seem that Michigan is developing well and may end up being a force in the Big Ten by the end of the season, if things fall their way. But before that we have Eastern Michigan. Can you appreciate how badly Coach English wants to down the Wolverines? They played well against Northwestern. Toledo and Appalachian State taught there is no such thing as a gimmee. One more win will match last year?s total wins.

The one Notre Dame fan I talked to after the game said he was from Pittsburg, and blasted Rich Rodriguez, saying he wouldn?t work out at Michigan. I reminded him that it seemed today that he was working out very well indeed. End of conversation.

Do you think Michigan State fans woke up today with a Chip on their shoulder? And how many Bucks got a headache that won?t quit this morning? Ah, the pleasures of schadenfreude.

This was a great weekend of Michigan Football!

Go Blue!

October 28, 2007September 30, 2011

M Football 2007- The Bad, the Good and the Jug

Michigan’s Football Wolverines suffered the humiliation of falling behind to the University of Minnesota?s lowly Gophers 3 to zip in the first quarter, of trailing 10 to zip in the second quarter, of barely scraping out a 13-10 lead at the half, of starting with less than glacial speed and almost putting the announced crowd of about 109,000 to sleep with first down runs to the left, only to later stun the crowd with a series of sparkling plays in the second half for a 34 to 10 victory.

Those pesky Minnesota rodents battled in earnest in their desperate attempt to right a wronged season. They did not quit even if they were finally out manned and overwhelmed, but their many freshmen played tough at least for a while.

Any win is a win and is good, especially in conference, even though in this one, in the first half, it was simply a stinker on the part of the Wolverine offense and, to a lesser degree, the Wolverine defense. Thirteen points in a half against statistically the worst defense in BCS (formerly D-1) ball is not particularly laudable. In fairness to Michigan’s defense it should be noted that the Gophers have demonstrated a proven ability to move the football this year.

Minnesota has fallen on exceptionally hard football times and the Wolverines should be able to demolish a team owning their statistics at the bottom of BCS play, even without the services of Chad Henne and Mike Hart. While eventually the Wolverines prevailed in somewhat expected style, they were not able to put the game away early, and again seemed to somewhat play down to the level of their competition.

In the absence of Chad Henne, Ryan Mallett drew the start at QB. And like the rest of the Wolverines he saved his best for last, after bobbled snaps, a fumble that led to Gopher points, after passes were batted down, after some poor throws were made and offensive false starts happened.

Ryan seems to be in the midst of some growing pains, but fortunately the situation is perfect for him to learn and put mistakes behind him with the least damage to his team. His arm appears to be as good as advertised, perhaps better. His 40-yard, late in the game, TD pass to Mario Manningham in the south endzone was perfect, allowing Mario to catch it in stride. That, and others like his strikes to Adrain Arrington, are all proof that the talent and a better than average football future is his to reap.

Just like premium cheese, he needs to be aged, but the level he attains will not just be dependent on his abundant physical skills but on maturation and the growth of football wisdom. I wonder if the cooler temperatures Saturday bothered him. In Texas, this kind of temperature would be a ?Blue Norther?.

Ryan was 11/20 for 233 yards. He got better as the game went on, and he will get better as his career goes on. Next year is sure to be both challenging and interest for him and us.

In the absence of Mike Hart, Carlos Brown started but soon fumbled an opportunity away. Brandon Minor replaced him at TB after the fumble. Minor had 21 carries for 157 yards and a TD. Fortunately, Carlos got another chance and redeemed his day with an 85-yard TD sprint from scrimmage into the south endzone, and finished with a solid 132 yards for a total of two TDs ont he day.

That long TD run was a masterpiece, a spectacular run that showcased Brown?s outstanding speed, and it was his second of the day. He ran away from everyone. He had done the same thing in a spring practice, so in that sense it was not surprise.

Mario Manningham has to be considered the player of the game. He snared 5 passes for a career high 162 yards, and had key catches in scoring drives, and a spectacular TD catch.

How It Unfolded:

The Wolverines all but ceded the first quarter to the Gophers. Carlos Brown fumbled and they got a 29-yard FG. M looked flatter than yesterday?s beer on a platter. This yawner of a quarter ended W-0, G-3.

Things picked up some in the second as Ryan Mallett donated the football to the Gophers and they decided to carry it across M?s goal line. W-0, G-10. Unthinkable. Unbelievable. Actual. More Appalachian State?

The Wolerines ran left on many first downs, but threw Junior Hemmingway into the fray as a running back, taking a direct snap, with Mallett spread far left, for a harmless trick play that netted three yards. Finally they shook off some lethargy, and moved for a 42-yard Lopata FG after a 10-play, 54-yard drive. W-3, G-10.

Then they did it again, this time on a 26-yard Lopata FG enabled by a Mario Manningham reception for 39 yards in a 7 play, 53-yard drive. W-6, G-10.

Mario struck again with a neat 24-yard TD catch, and with a Gopher pass interference call, Brandon Minor ended the drive by scoring on a two-yard run. It was W-13, G-10, and a poor half of Michigan football was complete. Offensively, it was a performance as grey and misty as the day. Henne and Hart missing should not be the crutch used to support that first half. The defense, while not perfect, played better than the offense.

Fortunately, Zoltan Mesko continued his great punting. Unfortunately, we could never collar the ball before it bounced into the endzone. What happened to the punting team trying to catch it near the goal line? It appeared we had the opportunity with people down there a couple of times, but they could not locate the ball.

Carlos Brown had a nice 27-yard return to start the second half, but they stalled and punted.

Well into the third quarter the Mallett to Manningham connection struck again on a 48-yarder to set up a Carlos Brown TD run of 5-yards. Great throw and catch. M-20, G-10 after a 5-play 75-yard drive.

The Blue struck again early in the fourth, on a picture perfect pass and catch resulting in a 6 play, 68-yard drive, which ended with Mario?s remarkable 40-yard TD reception. Perfect throw, perfect catch, and Mario grabbed it on a dead run. W-27, G-10.

Carlos Brown than made as good a long TD run as I have ever seen, hauling it 85-yards to pay dirt. Final W-34, G-10.

For a long time this game was not as lop sided as the final score and statistics indicated. Michigan? own lack of contain, fumbles and missed tackles, and some mind numbing play calling, helped the Gophers hang around far too long.

Michigan ended up with 307-yards rushing on 40 carries and 254-yard passing on 21 attempts, so eventually they dominated statistically and on the scoreboard. Ryan Mallett made some mistakes, but engineered some nice drive too.

The Gophers did manage to run the ball for 132-yards on the Wolverines. Next week the Spartans will want to triple that. In view of the Gopher?s past performances this year that is a lot, but overall this was a great win, and the Jug gets to remain with its rightful owners for another year.

Now the Wolverines have to slice into the toughest meat of their Big Ten season. Each of the three remaining games means everything to their hopes, and each will be difficult. Michigan State lost to Iowa Saturday, but don?t let that settle you into a comfort zone. The Michigan game is always their season and a win would help D?Antonio to settle into a comfort zone never enjoyed by Williams and Smith. Spartan Stadium will be wild with excitement. They have been focused on the Wolverines for a long time.

With Henne and Hart back the Wolverines have the talent to win. The question will simply be how much do the Wolverines want it? It will likely be a brawl, a physical battle.

It will be televised on the inconvenience that is known as the Big Ten Network so my greedy cable company will not carry it. Should I go to a bar here in the Lansing area and put up with all that crap they spew? Better to get a tape from a friend and watch right after, so hopefully I can get something posted.

Correction: Late word is that ABC has exercised its option and picked up UM/MSU so the game WILL be available for those of us with non-participating cable providers.

Enjoy the game, thanks for reading this far and ?

Go Blue!

October 14, 2007October 19, 2013

Michigan Football 2007-Michigan 48, Penn State 21-Toughening Up

The Michigan Wolverines displayed fortitude, aptitude and effort on both sides of the ball Saturday for 59 minutes while humbling Purdue’s Boilermakers 48 to 21. The Boilers were left steaming and clanging ineffectively before a Homecoming crowd of 110,888.

Even the run right or left on first down play calling that had seemed to contribute to Michigan recently being among the statistical bottom feeders in Big Ten scoring offense, and some other offensive categories, was abandoned at times, with much success.

With temperatures in the low 50’s and blue skies mixed with fleecy clouds, it was a perfect autumn afternoon in Ann Arbor to tailgate, listen to the Blast from the Past (Michigan’s musical has beens from prior bands), and the current Marching Band. I never grow tired of Temptation and the Hawaiian War Chant.

It was a great day to enjoy a victory over a team recently ranked 23rd in the nation and a definite stumbling block on the Maize and Blue road to a Big Ten title. Purdue’s fine Marching Band was not on scene, nor was the much admired and missed “Golden Girl”.

Prior to this game, most Michigan fans wondered how we would fare against Coach Tiller’s usually productive “spread” offense. Not to worry. Coach Tiller’s lack of success against the Wolverines in Michigan Stadium was to continue.

Michigan fans witnessed the finest Chad Henne performance of the season, He was a sterling 21 of 28 for 264-yards, 2 TDS and no interceptions.

Both the offense and defense played well for a 31-7 Wolverine lead at the half.

Credit the Boilers that they did not give up and produced not one but two successful on side kicks, and scored TDs on a couple of drives with little time left in the game. Both the resulting scores came late against Michigan’s reserves. Since those onside kicks and drives came against reserves, and in the last minute, they really are not indicative of the game as a whole. This was a good, old fashioned, country butt whuppin.

Perhaps, the successful onsides happened because Michigan had failed to put in a “hands” team, with Carr explaining that his “hands” team was cold since they had not been in the game for fifteen minutes, so he did not put them in. I suppose to avoid risk of injury. He also said it would give people something to complain about. I agree with that. They should and will complain about those two errors and resulting scores.

Otherwise the special teams acquitted themselves well enough, allowing no really big run backs, except one early one which approached really big. With KC Lopata hitting a couple of FGs and Mesko hitting some towering punts and Wright kicking kick offs to the short returners instead of to the proficient Purdue deep returners (after getting burned a little bit first), they seemed more proficient than usual. At least one FG was nearly touched, but it went over the cross bar with room to spare. Lopata’s FG kicks looked strong. Brandon Minor had a 35-yard KO return to set up an early field goal.

While it was still Hart on first down for little gain on some occasions, they did toss it downfield to Manningham who had an outstanding game after returning from the “dog house”. He snagged 8 catches for an outstanding 147 yards. This ties his career best number of catches.

Mike Hart had 102 yards on 21 totes, and a couple of TDs. Another outstanding day, a record seven 100-yard games, but again leaving the game nicked, limping off not to return. Carlos Brown replaced the also nicked Brandon Minor who had replaced Hart at TB and had the best day of his career. In contrast to Hart, Brandon Minor came off the field on the cart. Carlos Brown demonstrated his speed on an outstanding 29-yard scamper for a TD, scored another TD, and totaled 66-yards on 13 carries. Minor and Milano also rushed, but not as successfully as Brown.

Both Hart and Henne are over 1,000 yards for the season.

Henne hit a variety of receivers besides Mario, with Adrian Arrington having 6 receptions for 55-yards. Mathews, McLaurin, Moundros, Butler, Hart and Clemons all snared one or more aerials.

Michigan’s first possession of the game started with a Henne roll out and nice pass to Carson Butler for a first down and 13-yards on the first play of the game. While our offensive coaches were not exactly riverboat gamblers Saturday, this seemed a better offensive scheme, and the results show it. It was an efficient plan, and more importantly, a convincing winner.

As unlikely as it seems, special teams breathed first life into Michigan’s effort early. Stevie Brown, on special teams, grabbed a loose Purdue punt that had glanced off the back of a Boilermaker, and ran it into the endzone, but it was considered down and called back. Michigan had great field position with the ball at the Purdue 31, and subsequently Chad hit Mario with a perfect 24-yard strike for the first TD of the game. KC Lopata converted all EPs on the day. M 7, PU 0.

The vaunted left side of Michigan’s offensive line let a blitzer through and Henne was blindsided and separated from the football. The result of the recovery was a short Purdue drive for their only meaningful TD of the day. M 7, PU 7. So much for our early advantage as worry began to replace elation.

M stalled, but Lopata hit a strong 34-yard FG. M 10, PU 7. Maybe this field goal unit is beginning to jell.

Purdue fumbled on their 26, and M capitalized on an outstanding 10-yard run by Mike Hart in which he was on a pile, maneuvered off, and without touching down, twisted and propelled himself into the into the endzone. This was in the south endzone, so I got a good look at it and it was an amazing effort. Ruled a TD on the field, the review confirmed. M 17, PU 7. Vintage Hart. Again and amazing effort.

In the early second quarter, the Wolverines and Boilers exchanged punts. An end around by Mario, a couple of catches by Greg Mathews, and nice Hart run, a penalty, and another Hart run for 8-yards, and the Blue looked at a 24-7 lead with 5 or 6 minutes left in the half, and the Wolverines were rolling. This was confirmed when Brandon Harrison grabbed a Purdue pass, and sprinted to the Boiler 21. The crowd was alive with anticipation, and they were certainly not disappointed by a perfect Chad Henne toss to Mario of 21-yards for a TD. Great throw and catch. M 31-PU 7.

Offensively and defensively it was a great half of Michigan football. This was the kind of performance that restores confidence and enthusiasm.

The third quarter was unremarkable except for the injury to Brandon Minor and a late 35-yard Lopata FG. M 34-PU 7.

The fourth contained some offensive fireworks with Carlos Brown scampering 29-yards into the north endzone. M 41-PU 7. Jamar Adams made an interception and Brown ran another TD in. M 48-PU 7.

Purdue then got their two last minute consolation TDs mentioned above for a final score of M 48-PU 21.

Michigan had a total of 459 yards to Purdue’s 292, passing for 279 and running for 189.

All in all an outstanding performance all around except for the last minute.

All the defensive wounded that were thought before the game to able to play did, except John Thompson, including Will Johnson, Chris Graham, and Brandon Graham. Brandon’s return surely helped Shawn Crable’s effectiveness, and Shawn had a good game, as did Terrence Taylor and the fast improving Obi Ezeh. LB Chris Graham led the defense with 6 tackles. Adams and Harrison both had interceptions.

The OL wounded did not return and Schilling and Ortman manned the right side of the OL and appeared to do a credible job.

What more could we ask for? We are still in the Big Ten race, but with successive challenges looming. At Illinois is a nasty place to play. A night game, this one will be broadcast by network television. The Illini will be energized by their recent difficulties at Iowa.

Hopefully we will not get Zooked, but will continue to improve. It ought to be a great game.

Go Blue!

Andy Andersen