Blog

Posted on

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!

Posted on

Nothing But ‘Net – Week #03 – 11/12/2012 – A Couple Of Cupcakes

The (#5) University of Michigan men’s basketball team played two games this week. They played their second (of two) exhibition games, then they played their first “real” game. On Monday (11/05/2012) evening, UM beat Saginaw Valley State 76-48 in an exhibition game, then on Friday (11/09/2012), they beat Slippery Rock 100-62. Both games were in Crisler Arena. The win in their first regular season game gives UM a record of 1-0.

Both games were against “cupcakes”, and Michigan took care of business and beat two teams that they should beat easily. SVSU was only a little bit better than Northern Michigan, with some good 3-point shooters, but they were no match for Michigan. Even though Slippery Rock is a Division II school, they were pretty talented and dangerous. They played UM even for the first 9 minutes, trailing by only 3 points (20-17), before UM started pulling away. Once Michigan opened a decent lead, they never looked back, extending the lead to as many as 42 points.

So, what can we learn from 2 blowouts against overmatched opponents? We can see which combinations of players seem to play the best together, we can look for individual improvements from last season, and we can get a good first look at the freshmen. So far, everything looks good, but we’ll learn a lot more when the level of competition gets cranked up.

You want stats? I’ve got stats. As a team, Michigan shot very well overall in both games, especially from 3-point range. In the SVSU game, UM shot 56.9% (29-for-51) overall, and 40.7% (11-for-27) from distance. They did even better in the Slippery Rock game: 57.6% (38-for-66) overall, and 63.2% (12-for-19) from 3-point range. 63.2% is the highest percentage I can ever remember seeing by either Michigan or an opponent. Let’s just ignore free-throw shooting, OK? It was miserable: 50.0% (7-for-14) vs. SVSU, and 63.2% (12-for-19) vs. Slippery Rock. Yeah, UM hit the same percentage from 3-point range as they did from the free-throw line. Ugh.

Individually, only 2 players hit double figures in both games: Trey Burke (16 and 21 points) and Glenn Robinson III (17 and 10). Tim Hardaway Jr. had a monster game (25 points and 10 rebounds, for a double-double) vs. Slippery Rock, but he only had 5 points in the SVSU game. The other 2 starters (Jordan Morgan and Matt Vogrich) chipped in some points: Morgan had 7 and 4, and Vogrich had 8 in both games.

Since both games were blowouts, Coach Beilein got to clear his bench, and everyone got to play. Actually, 2 players only played in one of the games each. After missing both exhibition games with a minor knee injury, Jon Horford saw his first action of the season in the Slippery Rock game, and he looked good. He had 4 points in only 8 minutes of action, but he also had an assist, a blocked shot, and a rebound. The other player who only played in one game was Caris LeVert. He played 12 minutes in the SVSU game, but didn’t score. He didn’t play in the Slippery Rock game, because he is probably going to be redshirted this season. Given the depth on this season’s team, he probably wouldn’t have gotten to play very much, so a redshirt season is a good idea.

Even though Coach Beilein got to play everyone, it is pretty obvious which bench players are going to be part of the regular rotation, and which ones are only going to play in “garbage time”. The first 2 players off the bench in all 3 games have been Nik Stauskas and Mitch McGary, with Spike Albrecht spelling Trey Burke. It also looks like Jon Horford and Blake McLimans will be part of the regular mix. That’s 10 deep, which is a little more bench support than Beilein is used to using. That leaves 4 “garbage time” players: Max Bielfeldt, Josh Bartelstein, Eso Akunne, and Corey Person. So, how did these guys do this week? Not bad, overall. For the “mainstream” subs, Stauskas had 8 and 7 points, McGary had 6 and 9, Albrecht had 2 and 2, Horford had 4 points (he didn’t play in the SVSU game), and McLimans had 3 and 3. For the “garbage time” subs, Bielfeldt had 0 and 2 (but his tip-in got UM to 100), Bartelstein had 0 and 0, Akunne had 2 and 5, and Person had 2 and 0. In total, UM got 23 bench points vs. SVSU and 32 bench points vs. Slippery Rock, which is very encouraging.

This Week

Michigan has two games this week, both at home. On Monday (11/12/2012, 9:00 p.m., ESPNU), Michigan plays their first round game in the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament, against IUPUI (Indiana University – Purdue University – Indianapolis), then on Tuesday (11/13/2012, 8:00 p.m., ESPN2), they play the second round game, against either the winner or the loser of the game (in Crisler) on Monday night between Cleveland State and Bowling Green. As I mentioned in my Season Preview, the NIT Season Tip-Off is different from most (all?) other preseason “destination” tournaments since the “host” teams aren’t guaranteed a spot in the championship game. The winner of each of the 4 “regionals” goes on to New York City during Thanksgiving week. So, UM needs to win both games this week to advance.

Come on down to the newly renovated Crisler Arena to check out this season’s edition of Michigan Basketball, and stop by sections 209/210 to say hi to the friendly usher.

Go Blue!

Posted on

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!