Author: Jeff Cummins

Jeff Cummins has written about football since 1998, including nine years with The Record of Hackensack, N.J. He frequently contributes feature stories to Touchdown Illustrated, an insert in the national college football game program, published by University Sports Publications, and he has also written the official pregame stories for the game programs of the Rose Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Gator Bowl, and the BCS National Championship game. He has written the preview story for the official program for the NHL Winter Classic at MIchigan Stadium, and numerous college basketball feature stories for College Hoops Illustrated, another game program insert published by University Sports Publications. In addition, he has written stories about theater, music, physical therapy, and newsletter marketing. He’s an avid Michigan football fan and long-time New York Jets season ticket holder, and he can be reached at jeffcummins@optonline.net.
Posted on

Looking Back — Michigan Football Season Openers – 2015 Utah

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

In 2015, Michigan welcomed a familiar name back as its new head coach. Jim Harbaugh led the Wolverines to Utah for their season opener against the Utes of Utah.

There was considerable fanfare following Harbaugh’s hiring. Fans felt a renewed confidence in the program, and many traveled to Utah for the opening game, where there reports of fans in the maize and blue spending early and often at Salt Lake City eateries. For one week, the Wolverine fans and alumni pumped up the local economy, as well as the volume. Michigan people almost seemed to outnumber Utah faithful. Of course, that all changed once the teams entered Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Harbaugh managed to keep the starting quarterback a secret until game time. Once the game began, Iowa graduate transfer Jake Rudock stepped under center to play quarterback for the Wolverines. It was obvious from the start that Rudock had potential, but he and his receivers seemed to be on different pages in the beginning, allowing the Utes to grab the early lead. In the third quarter, Michigan was trailing, 17-3, when Rudock connected with tight end Jake Butt for the first Michigan touchdown of the season. Rudock found Amara Darboh for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough, as the Wolverines fell to Utah, 24-17.

In spite of the result, playing the first game on the road toughened up the Wolverines, who went on to finish 10-3. Had Michigan faced Utah in Utah just four weeks later, the result would probably have been a Michigan victory.

Thanks to Fox Sports, YouTube, and YouTube poster JazzyUte for the video of this game. As always, neither I nor anyone involved with umgoblue.com profit in any way off this blog post, which is presented strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

Posted on

Looking Back — Michigan Football Season Openers – 1986 Notre Dame

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

Starting a season on the road represents an interesting challenge for many teams. Most prefer to start the season at home, in the comfort of their own stadium, in front of their own fans. But for the teams that go on the road and win, an opening day victory on the road can pay tremendous dividends.

Michigan started the 1986 season on the road, in a place as familiar as it is hostile, South Bend, Indiana, home of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The Wolverines were coming off a monster season; their 1985 team fielded a defense for the ages. Still, Notre Dame isn’t an easy place to win, under any circumstances.

Michigan entered the ’86 opener with Jim Harbaugh at quarterback, and the tenacious Jamie Morris at running back, running behind an offensive line anchored by tackle Jumbo Elliott. On defense, the Wolverines were led by All-America defensive back Garland Rivers, and defensive tackle Mark Messner was a tackling machine.

On this day, Michigan needed contributions from all three disciplines, offense, defense, and special teams. Twice, the Wolverines overcame a one-touchdown deficit, and in the final minutes, Bob Perryman fumbled the ball, forcing one more defensive stand from the Michigan defense.

Things didn’t start so well on that drive, as Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein connected with receiver Alvin Miller immediately, and the Irish were at the Michigan 40-yard line. The drive stalled at the Michigan 28, when John Carney attempted a 45-yard field goal for Notre Dame. Carney hooked the ball far to the left, and Michigan held on for a 24-23 win, proof that a tough road game on opening day can build mental toughness in a team. Michigan went 11-2 in the 1986 campaign, capturing a share of the Big Ten championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl, all sparked by that gutty performance on opening day in a win at Notre Dame.

Thanks to YouTube, ABC Sports, and YouTube poster RxWolverine for the video of this game. As always, neither I nor anyone involved with umgoblue.com profit off this blog post, which is presented strictly for the enjoyment of our readers.

Posted on

Looking Back — Michigan Football Season Openers – 1984 Miami

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

In 1984 the national economy was roaring as hiring and production were both rising quickly. The United States of America was experiencing a new, flashy style, as boutique TV networks MTV and ESPN served specific segments of the marketplace.

The Miami Hurricanes represented that flashy new style as well as any team in college football. The Hurricanes had won the the national championship the year before, and they possessed speed and a high-powered offense, along with the attitude to go with it.

Sometimes, though, attitude can get you in trouble. The defending national champion Hurricanes brought an undefeated record into Michigan Stadium, along with a lot of swagger. Some players had Walkmans with them during warmups, and there were reports of players lying down on the brick wall surrouding the field, making sure they got some sun.

The Miami Hurricanes soon learned that teams should never enter Michigan Stadium expecting a day at the beach.

While Miami’s players warmed up at a leisurely pace, Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler approached the warmups with his traditional rigor, putting the first-string players against each other, and hitting at full speed. Once the game began, the swagger that Miami carried as defending national champions was eliminated pretty quickly. The great irony is that Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar, a native son of the midwest, hailing from Boardman, Ohio, was interceptepted three times by Michigan defensive back Rodney Lyles, a native of Miami, Fla. By the end of the game, the Wolverines had intercepted Kosar six times, sacked him five times, and forced two fumbles en route to a 22-14 Michigan victory. Despite all of Miami’s star power, the game had come down to fundamentals and intensity, and Schembechler outcoached Jimmy Johnson all day long.

As alway, neither I nor umgoblue.com profit in any way from this blog post, and we thank YouTube, Katz Sports, and YouTube poster Football Fury for the video below.

Posted on

Looking Back — Michigan Football Season Openers – 1995 Virginia

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

College football is built on a season that builds to a crescendo. Still, there’s something about the opening game. No matter which teams are playing, there’s a sense of excitement that comes with the clean slate of a new season.

For Michigan, the most memorable opening day in recent memory occurred in 1995. The Wolverines had a new coach, Lloyd Carr, who was hired as an interim coach until the university could find someone more qualified to guide the football program. By the end of the first game, one thing was clear: Carr’s Michigan teams would certainly provide their moments of excitement.

The game started in ferociously hot weather, and for the first three quarters, most Michigan fans and alumni were hoping that then-athletic director Joe Roberson was poring through his Rolodex, looking for qualified candidates to replace Carr. It was also the first time that many fans saw the Barber twins, Ronde and Tiki. Suddenly, all the noise was about Virginia, and Michigan fans were getting just a little bit restless.

The game continued into the fourth quarter, and slowly, Michigan began to show a little fight. At the time, many people thought it was too late, but the Wolverines kept plugging away, one play at a time. Finally, the Wolverines were left with a 4th down and 10 yards to go from the Virginia 15-yard line, fully aware that they needed it all on the last play. For one play, quarterback Scott Dreisbach became a legend, even if it was only for a fleeting moment. Dreisbach faded back, and threw to receiver Mercury Hayes, who ran a buttonhook right into the northeast corner of the north end zone. Amazingly, Hayes caught the ball with his feet barely in bounds, and no time left on the clock. Having trailed virtually the entire game, Michigan took the lead at the only time it really mattered, at the end of the game. Virginia coach George Welsh had the option to make Michigan attempt the try for point after the touchdown, knowing that if Virginia blocked the kick and returned it all the way, the Cavaliers would get two points and the win, but Welsh opted to let the result stand. Michigan had completed arguably the most memorable comeback in its illustrious history, topping Virginia, 18-17.

Ironically, neither Hayes nor Dreisbach went on to distinguished careers. Lloyd Carr? Well, let’s just say that the “interim” tag was removed at the end of the season.

Thanks to ABC Sports, YouTube poster RxWolverine, and YouTube for the following broadcast. As always, neither umgoblue.com nor I own anything, and we do not profit off this blog post in any way.

Posted on

Michigan vs Ohio State Football – Looking Back – 2003

Looking Back is a Special Feature Highlighting
Key Rivalry Games by Jeff Cummins

The fifth and final installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us to 2003. Just a year before, Ohio State had defeated Michigan in a tightly contested game, before a partisan Ohio State crowd that was exceptionally intense. The Wolverines fought hard that day, but things just didn’t go their way.

Twelve months later, the Wolverines were poised for a rematch, fully aware that the 2003 version of “The Game” would be the 100th playing of the rivalry. By the time the Buckeyes arrived in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines were ready for them.

Michigan leaders John Navarre and Chris Perry remembered the previous year vividly. Despite playing a very good game, the Wolverines were not able to make the necessary plays at the necessary times. That was not going to happen again.

From the opening kickoff, the Wolverines were in control of the 2003 game. Well, almost. Ohio State started well, gaining eight yards on its first two plays. On 3rd down and 2 yards to go, Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel threw to tight end Ben Hartsock, who was wrapped up immediately for no gain by Michigan safety Ernest Shazor, and the Buckeyes had to punt. The teams then traded a few possessions before Michigan took over at its own 11-yard line. Perry then gained a hard eight yards, zigging and zagging through the Ohio State defense, something he would do all day. A couple of plays later, Navarre and Perry connected on a screen pass for 11 yards, and suddenly the Wolverines were cooking. Near the end of the quarter, receiver Steve Breaston lined up under center and followed his right guard into the end zone on an option play to complete an 89-yard drive, giving the Wolverines a 7-0 lead that they would never relinquish.

Michigan extended its lead in the second quarter when Navarre connected with receiver Braylon Edwards, who broke a pair of tackles and went 64 yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, the game had established its identity: The Wolverines would lead with Perry on the ground, and when the Buckeyes committed too many players to stop Perry, Navarre would answer with a big pass play. A few minutes later, Navarre and Edwards connected again on a 23-yard scoring pass to give the Wolverines a 21-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Ohio State began to mount a comeback, and by the time Lydell Ross went over from two yards out in the fourth quarter, Michigan’s lead was down to just one touchdown. At that point, the Wolverines went back to basics, putting their faith in Perry and the offensive line. It was a wise decision, as Perry ran 15 yards for a touchdown to extend Michigan’s lead to 35-21, and the Wolverines were never threatened after that.

The victory gave Michigan the Big Ten championship. The Wolverines fell to USC in the Rose Bowl, but their performance in the regular season, with convincing victories over Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State, had firmly reestablished them as a national power.

Many thanks to ABC for the attached game broadcast. As always, we own nothing, and this blog post and video are intended strictly for the enjoyment of readers.