Category: Featured

Posted on

M FOOTBALL 2011-OUCH, ITS THE SPARTANS AGAIN-M-14, MSU-28

By Andy Andersen

Saturday the Michigan State Spartans’ defense overwhelmed the Denard Robinson led Wolverine offense to notch their fourth straight victory over the Wolverines, and to notch Brady Hoke’s first loss as the Wolverine head football coach.

We should not be over eager to condemn Denard Robinson. The 7 sacks the Wolverines endured indicates that it was not the best game that the offensive line has had this year, although it is perplexing that Denard could not get rid of the ball more than he did.

Continue reading “M FOOTBALL 2011-OUCH, ITS THE SPARTANS AGAIN-M-14, MSU-28”

Posted on

M Football 2011- Denard Saves Best for Last- M-42, NW-24

by Andy Andersen

The Wolverines played their second prime time night game of this season Saturday in Evanston at Ryan Field.   They were striving for their sixth straight win in what, at its start, was considered by many to be a throw away season.

Some understandably predicted that Brady Hoke’s first season would be fraught with all the problems new systems and coaching regimes inevitably and gratuitously provide.  So far those types of bumps in the road have been seamlessly overcome and have not caused anything but some anxious moments.

While the biggest challenges of the season remain ahead, their 12/11 national ranking going into the game, which the coaches avidly swear is inaccurate and means nothing to them, will in fact change recent national perceptions of Michigan football if that level continues or advances.

Continue reading “M Football 2011- Denard Saves Best for Last- M-42, NW-24”

Posted on

M Football 2011-Wolverines Shine-Gophers Pine- Michigan 58-Minnesota 0

By Andy Andersen

First, the Gophers lost their Coach, Jerry Kill, to illness.  Fortunately he was back on the sidelines Saturday, hale and hearty to all appearances.

Then they lost their talented starting QB, the adept Marqueis Gray, to an injured toe, and he could not play Saturday.  They had to utilize Freshman Max Shortell at that critical position.  He endured a very tough afternoon learning about B1G (Big Ten) football, but he showed some skill.  He was 11 of 22 for 104 yards with a long throw of 33.

After that, they had to face an energized and physical group of Wolverines who wanted to get off to a good start on their Big Ten schedule in the new Legends Division.  They did so offensively and defensively.

Continue reading “M Football 2011-Wolverines Shine-Gophers Pine- Michigan 58-Minnesota 0”

Posted on

M Football 2011-Defensive Improvement-M 28, SDSU 7

By Andy Andersen

In the sport where games are played by college kids using an oval laced ball filled with gas, before large partisan crowds in somewhat ovate stadiums, Michigan has done better than the rest over time.  Better than all the rest.  Over all the time that college football has been played.

As satisfying as that fact is, it does not help them win one more game. Any game.  They have to fight for each win, tradition or no tradition.  They have to do the preparation and work. And according to Coach Hoke, they have to have the teamwork. He says this team has it.

Saturday, the slightly new coaching regime of Brady Hoke and Company gave it another try, and again contributed to the University’s total win column and lore by dispatching the Aztecs of San Diego State University in Michigan Stadium before some 110,000 fans.

Continue reading “M Football 2011-Defensive Improvement-M 28, SDSU 7”

Posted on

M Football 2011-Eastern Vanquished 10th Time: M-31,EMU-3

By Andy Andersen

The Wolverines have never lost a football game to their immediate neighbors about seven miles east on Washtenaw Avenue.  Wolverines fans did not expect them to lose today either, but at first there was uncertainty.

2011-03-umemu-028

This is an Eastern team that is much improved over last year’s version of the Eagles.  They have their fair share of 300 pounders.  They are primarily a one dimensional offensive football team, having demonstrated little passing capability.  They did turn the corner on swing passes.

The list of ex-Wolverines at EMU is now enlarged by the presence of Mike Hart on that staff.  Ron English is making some real progress there and is a respected coach despite his Eagle’s struggles the past several years.

The Eagles are a run first team, they provided valuable opposition for the Wolverines who need to develop more run stopping capability, and who are searching feverishly to develop an offensive threat at tailback not named Denard Robinson.

Continue reading “M Football 2011-Eastern Vanquished 10th Time: M-31,EMU-3”