Category: Football

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M FOOTBALL 2012: BIG TEN OPENER WAS A MUST WIN FOR BOTH WOLVERINES AND BOILERMAKERS-THE WOLVERINES DOMINATED PURDUE 44 TO 13

WOLVERINES BEST GAME OF THE YEAR SO FAR

The sixth week of the 2012 season is already completed, and before Saturday’s game no one could be reasonably sure as to how good the 133rd edition of the Wolverines could be.  How likely were prospects for a competitive run at a Big Ten title to materialize?  Would the Wolverines at 2-2 get out of the gate faster than 3-1 Purdue?  They not only owned a better record at 3-1, but almost beat the Irish in Notre Dame Stadium.  The Boilers also harbored visions of winning the Big Ten, and had the comfort of their home crowd at Ross-Ade.  This was a crucial opener for both teams and, without doubt, the Wolverines played their best game of the year, offensively, defensively, and on special teams. 

PRE-GAME KEYS:

  • The shadow of Michigan’s missteps at Notre Dame still lingered.  Denard came off what he called his worst game ever, and no one could argue that.   For once, he was not the hero of the game, his 4 interceptions and red zone fumble put him in unfamiliar territory.  He owned up to his responsibilities and promised improvements.  Could the Wolverines limit their remarkable number of offensive turn overs ?  Actuality:  Denard was at his best, and lived up to his promises as his running paced the Wolverine victory in spectacular fashion.  His passing complemented his running with a  TD and 105-yards.  He ran twenty four times for 235-yards.  It was his 5th career 200-yard rushing game, and produced but a single turnover, a fumble recovered by the Boilers. He produced a number of long and spectacular runs, breaking Michigan and Big Ten yardage records.
  • Would the receivers produce and would the other than Denard’s ground game prosper?  Devin Gardner snagged 2 for 31-yards and a made a great catch for a 38-yard TD.  Jeremy Gallon had 3 catches and 37-yards with a long of 28-yards. Roy Roundtree came up with a couple.  Devin Funchess had one for 14-yards. The game plan set Denard’s legs in motion, used passing sparingly, and was an outstanding success, putting the Wolverines on path to an important win in alien territory.  While Fitz Toussaint had 17 carries for a paltry 19-yards, and a 1.1-yard average, he scored two TDs.  The lack of running back production is a  concern expressed by Coach Hoke.  Jeremy Gallon ran some end arounds in addition to receiving, and was very elusive.  Thomas Rawls’ TD came in mop up time, but he ran with authority.
  • The Notre Dame loss set some to wondering about Coach Borges’ management of the passing game.  At Notre Dame, in the first half Denard, threw 4 interceptions. Why were 2 more long passes called to be thrown by an obviously rattled QB, after the first two were intercepted?  Why wasn’t Denard rested for a series?  Would all this become forgettable water over the dam in the Big Ten opener? Actuality:  Its now water over the dam.  M’s sparse passing game was well managed and effective. Denard actually threw one away when trapped.
  • Could the offensive line provide better pass protection and better run blocking to provide the points necessary to win away from home, an area in which the offense has struggled? Against a hurry up spread offense?  Can they tackle in space?  Cause turn overs? Is our defense tougher than theirs? Actuality:  An emphatic yes to all the above, except the better run blocking for all but Denard. Purdue lost four turnovers- two interceptions and two fumbles. M fumbled once when Denard possibly held the read option too long on a play where he got intense pressure.  M won the TO battle.  The defense was workman like and effective.  They are progressing.
  • Was Kirk Herbstreit wrong picking Purdue to win? Actuality: It is most satisfying to say yes to this one, but it was hard to tell before the game as Purdue sports some decent football assets, like QB Caleb TerBush. Prior to Saturday he took over the position after Robert Marve was injured in the 20-17 loss to Notre Dame. The Boilers were alleged to be blessed with the best receivers M has faced this year, and they have a jumbo and talented defensive line.  Actuality: QB TerBush was rushed and sacked, and had a few catchable passes dropped by receivers. He had 105-yards on 16 throws, and one TD, with one interception returned down the sideline for a 63-yard TD by M’s Raymon Taylor. On this day his performance appeared fairly ordinary, but that is a credit to the Michigan defense, which played very well. Purdue did not throw down field much.  TerBush was relieved late in the game by Robert Marve, who returned from prior injury with some effectiveness, but also threw an interception to Thomas Gordon.  That one was returned 19-yards. Marve completed 5 of 8 for 43-yards, returning to action after recovery from a torn ACL.  He did provide a lift to the Boilers when he came in, but fortunately not enough to change results. Defensively, the Boilers LB’s are not as good as their down linemen.
  • Was home field advantage significant? Actuality: The Ross-Ade denizens are relatively close to the action in their 62,500 seat edifice, which is surfaced by prescription athletic turf.  Ross-Ade ambience is enhanced by the Golden Girl, and her companions in silver.  Actuality: Not a factor as the Wolverines went up early, the Purdue students were on break, and there was plenty of Maize and Blue to behold.  Only a crowd of approximately 50,000 attended on a great fall day.
  • Was the bye week helpful to the Wolverines?  Actuality: As M has won nine of its last ten outings after a bye week, it was business as usual.
  • Would special teams play be a factor contributing to victory or defeat? Actuality: Purdue kick-off returns were good enough to draw the attention of Coach Hoke in his on field after game remarks. The Boilers routinely had great return results.  They had many opportunities and too often started their offense at the M 35.   They ran 8 KOs back for 183-yards.  M’s Norfleet (3 returns for 76-yards with an average of 25.3) was no slouch either. Will Hagerup punted superbly. M’s Delonte Hollowell scooped up a Boiler muffed KO in the second quarter.  Brandon Gibbons hit FGs of 29, 42, and 27-yards, missing one of 44-yards that hit the cross bar.

THE GAME:

Michigan kicked off and the defense forced a Purdue punt.  They also made the most of their 1st offensive opportunity, holding the ball for eight minutes and 48 seconds.  This 17-play drive extended 78-yards and resulted in a 1-yard Fitz Toussaint TD.19 offensive players participated, providing perhaps the lengthiest drive since 1976.

With 111-yards of offense, and 12 minutes, 11-seconds of ball control, the first quarter was an almost perfect M start.

The  combination of a Purdue penalty, DRob running, Gallon and Garner receptions, and the short yardage TD by Toussaint, put M ahead and they never looked back. They ended the  1st quarter up 7 to nothing. 

The Wolverines made up for any shortage in points in the second quarter, scoring 21 points.  Fitz Toussaint scored on a one yard run, after an 8-play 60-yard drive which included a Devin Funchess grab, and a 38-yard Denard run, making it 14 zip Wolverines. 

Then Raymon Taylor grabbed a Purdue throw and scampered 63-yards down the sideline for a TD, and it was 21 zip.  Taylor showed why he has latched onto a starting cornerback spot.  This was a fantastic start.  There was hope for a blowout. Purdue moved downfield easily, but the Wolverine defense held them to a 40-yard field goal to make it 21-3. 

Before Robinson’s fumble (at the M 36) gave Michigan’s momentum a cold shower, he tossed a great 23-yard TD to a leaping Devin Gardner crossing the end zone.  A beautiful catch! Think Braylon Edwards.  Gallon contributed a 28-yard reception during the drive.  28-3 has a nice ring to it.  But Robinson’s fumble provided the Boilers a short field opportunity, and they made the most of it on a 4-yard TD pass.  The half ended  28-10. 

That half was the result of a great offensive and defensive effort, a great half of football against a decent team. Robinson was simply magnificent, notwithstanding the fumble. 

The third quarter was a bit of a standoff with M getting 3 on a 29-yard FG which completed an 8 play, 61-yard drive for a 31-10 lead. Denard contributed  an exciting 46-yard jaunt. 

Early in the 4th, the Boilers answered with a 37-yard FG.  The defense stopped a drive which looked to go all the way, and Gibbons answered with two FGs of his own,  One FG which covered 42-yards (Robinson had a 59-yard run to the Purdue 16), and one FG from 27-yards out. Now it was 37-13.  The concern was that M did not complete these drives in the end zone. Hoke referenced this in his post game comments. 

Thomas Rawls capped the scoring late in the game, with an outstanding 7-yard run to complete a 4-play, 33-yard drive for the 44-13 final score.  The entire 33-yard drive belonged to Thomas Rawls. 

ROBINSON BREAKS RECORDS

Denard is revising the Michigan and Big Ten record books. He now owns the Big Ten career quarterback rushing record with 3,905 career rushing yards. He has tied Mike Hart for career 200-yard rushing games. He is now in 5th place among M’s all time rushing leaders, passing Butch Woolfolk and Chris Perry. 

WHERE DO THE WOLVERINES GO FROM HERE?

It now appears the Wolverines will be able to compete well in the Big Ten, as long as they are reasonably healthy at key positions.  They have an influx of young talent that is beginning to step up. Note Funchess, Taylor, Norfleet and others. Desmond Morgan and Jake Ryan are improving every week as is Q. Washington.  

The Wolverines will return to the friendly confines of Michigan Stadium to host Illinois.  Forget the Illini record, they will provide excitement and competition. 

Go Blue!

 

 

 

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Game Day- Michigan Wolverines vs The Purdue Boilermakers

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Michigan at Purdue

Date: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012   |   Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: West Lafayette, Ind.   |   Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network (Channel Finder)
Radio: Michigan Sports Network (Affiliates)

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(2-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
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Game Notes  | Depth Chart 		 All-Time Series
U-M leads, 43-14Last Meeting
Michigan 36, Purdue 14
(10/29/11 – Ann Arbor, Mich.)		 Purdue
(3-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
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After Careful Consideration- To Hell with Notre Dame…

Tradition is one of the main differences between college and professional football.

And there are few college football programs with the long and storied tradition of Michigan and Notre Dame.

It began when the Wolverines visited South Bend to teach the Irish how to play the game over a hundred years ago and has continued on and off since.

Over the years Michigan and Notre Dame have rung up the most wins in college football history and the best winning percentage- with Notre Dame trailing Michigan in both totals.

Both of these teams have had their share of national championships, Heisman trophy winners, and thrilling games. In short, Michigan and Notre Dame often represent the best that college football has to offer.

But it appears that rivalry is about to take another break, and given the attitude displayed by Notre Dame it might be a long time before we see Wolverines play the Fighting Irish on the gridiron again.

Moments before this year’s contest, Michigan Athletic Director David Brandon was handed a letter pulling the plug on the future of the series.

This isn’t how you treat an honored rival.

Notre Dame pink-slipped Michigan with no discussion minutes before kickoff, invoking their three year termination clause in such a way that insures that they have the final home game of the series in 2014.

A classier move would have been for ND to meet with Michigan officials beforehand and discus how to keep the rivalry alive in the future.

But Notre Dame has chosen different course.

It takes to two tango. Michigan can’t force Notre Dame to continue the series and at this point it’s hard for me to argue that they should even try.

Maybe in ten or twenty years, a new generation of leaders at Notre Dame will come realize how important the tradition of the Michigan/Notre Dame is for not only for each university but for college football overall.

Michigan Immortal Fritz Crisler said, “Tradition is something you can’t bottle.  You can’t buy it at the corner store.  But it is there to sustain you when you need it most…”

Apparently Notre Dame officials believe they have so much of it they can throw out their oldest vintage.

You would think the opportunity to take on the team beating them in overall wins and winning percentage would be too enticing of a challenge to throw away.

I’ll miss playing Notre Dame. I have grave concerns about what teams will take their place on the schedule.

But for now the words of Bo Schembechler come to mind.

“To hell with Notre Dame.”

 

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M Football 2012-NO LATE GAME HEROICS TO SECURE WIN AS WOLVERINES TAKE LOSS-MICHIGAN 6, NOTRE DAME 13.

WOLVERINE MISTAKES GUARANTEE OUTCOME

Recent Wolverine football games against the notorious Irish have produced competitive spectacles featuring last minute victories by the Wolverines as both vaunted programs have been trying to claw back to the top of the college football heap.

Lord, thank you for the turnovers we are about to receive…

But this time, the Wolverines produced no TDs, failed in the red zone twice early, produced five interceptions, fumbled twice, and produced foolish penalties.  To their credit Notre Dame produced better defense than they have in the past.

M trailed at the half 10-0, despite good defense.  Their offensive failures in the red zone in the first quarter were inexplicable.  A Raymon Taylor interception at the ND 27 and an Irish penalty putting the ball at the nine yard line seemed to set them up favorably early. The opportunity died by reason of interception.  Later in the quarter RB Vincent Smith threw a pass under pressure, throwing off the mark per Coach Hoke.  When that was intercepted another great opportunity was wasted.  A field goal was also missed in that quarter. Golden chances wasted. A total of seven turnovers (five interceptions and 2 fumbles) over the course of any game spells defeat for a football team nearly all the time.

Defensively M stopped the run, and forced out the starting ND QB Golson after a couple of interceptions.  He was replaced by last year’s starter Tommy Rees.  Rees ran for the only TD in the game.  Finally, nothing could overcome Michigan’s own gaffs.

FOUR OUT OF SIX OF THE MOST RECENT GAMES AGAINST THE IRISH HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR THE WOLVERINES

In, 2007, both M and ND were struggling with perception of declining national prominence, when Charlie Weise came to Michigan Stadium for what some disparagingly called “the bottom of the barrel bowl.”  It was also Lloyd Carr’s last shot at ND as the head man.  Hart was hearty, and Mallet hammered. Surprising absolutely everyone, the Wolverines prevailed 38-0.  The self-proclaimed “offensive (football) genius”, Charlie Weiss, then owned a notch in his own decline as ND coach, but in 2008, Charlie’ fortunes were rejuvenated, and the Wolverines were dismayed by 6 TOs and a 17 to 35 defeat.  Rich Rodriguez owned this one.

Game Photos

Fortunes reversed again in 2009, RR’s charges winning at home, 38-34, and fortunes stayed tuned to the Wolverines for 2010 with a win in ND Stadium, 28 – 24. Denard was superb with 502-yards rushing and passing, and he really hit the big time with this game. Roy Roundtree ran in a 31-yard TD.  The only sad note that day was that the great Ron Kramer passed away the day of this game.

In 2011, Brady Hoke won his first Head Coaching game against the Irish, 35-31, in the first night game in program history.  Roy Roundtree caught a spectacular TD falling out of bounds with the ball being wrestled by an Irish DB, and again the Wolverines won in the final minutes in spectacular fashion after coming back from behind.  Last year the Irish dominated until the final quarter, M having produced only 3 first downs in the 1st half.  Denard again proved to be a football weapon of mass production as he engineered another spectacular last minute defeat of the Irish with under thirty seconds remaining.

PRE-GAME PERCEPTIONS OF SATURDAY’S GAME, AND SOME ACUALITIES

There were numerous unanswered questions regarding Wolverine’s Team 133   prior to this contest.  The blasting by Alabama, the ball possession of the precise triple option scheme of the cadets of Air Force, and the home opener against winless Massachusetts, did not provide sufficient answers to the following and more.

  • Could M create a passing game against a decent defense like NDs that would be sufficient to open up the running game?   Actuality: 5 interceptions and two fumbles prevented any M TDs or magical comeback in this game. Would Fitz Toussaint, and all, take some of the load off Denard?  Actuality:  Fitz lugged 13 times for 58-yards, most of the yardage coming later in the game.  Michigan presented an anemic run game outside of Denard’s efforts, until late.   DRob carried 26 times, earning 90-yards.
  • Would the heretofore effective pass blocking continue and the effectiveness of that blocking extend to the running game?  After all, ND had held the Spartans to 50-yards on the ground.  The actuality:  Again, outside of Denard, M had no running game until the second half.  The protection of the OL was poor in some passing situations, causing Denard to revert to flinging it downfield when rushed. Even so, M had 299 total-yards to ND’s 239. Giving all due credit to ND, which earned it, particularly on defense, this is a game that should have belonged to the Wolverines had they retained their poise.
  • Would the M defense be able to get off the field, and stop up the middle? The actuality:  They did a good job against the run for most of the evening.  It appeared to me that the DL showed progress.  ND gained only 94-yards rushing.
  • Could Michigan get a pass rush, create any defensive TOs, and eliminate Irish interceptions and big plays? Actuality: Ryan knocked down a pass with a spectacular leap.   The M defense played well for most of the game, got two early interceptions, but got no help from their sputtering, mistake prone offense, until late in the game, when they managed two field goals.  Holding the Irish scoreless and to three plays in the third quarter was an accomplishment.  Thomas Gordon got an end zone interception.  But in the 4th quarter at crunch time, Notre Dame produced the drive that sealed it with a field goal.  When the defense created ND TOs, Wolverine offensive mistakes (interceptions, a fumble, and penalties) cancelled any chance to obtain a win. Devin Gardner was the leading receiver collaring 3 for forty yards.  He slid into some objects on the sidelines and injured an arm.
  • Could M special teams contain returns, and tackle effectively?  The actuality: M did not score until a pair of FGs in the 4rd quarter (Gibbons for 33-yards and for 31-yards), so there were few ND returns.  Matt Wile kicked off effectively, although he did not get much chance to do so. Dennis Norfleet was again outstanding in returning kickoffs. He returned three for 87-yards with a long of 33.
  • Denard is 90% or more of M’s offense and has had spectacular success against ND.  Could he do it again by land and air?  Actuality:  Denard was responsible for most of M’s offense as usual.  He also contributed most of  the constant offensive miscues.  Four interceptions and a fumble is nasty, but don’t lay it all on Denard.  The offensive line had its moments of indifferent pass blocking and penalties.  Denard when, rushed tends to fling it downfield, but ND deserves some credit.  They put on the pressure.  It was definitely his worst game against Notre Dame and maybe his worst ever.  Five Denard turnovers  a personal record, but  Denard’s performance over all games has been spectacular, notwithstanding this one.  With this game he passed Chad Henne in offensive production with 9,438 total yards, and he now has 1,197 career total yards against Notre Dame, but this will mean little to him right now.  I can’t believe those who trash him with their ill-conceived derogatory comments in some forums.  He has had and will have better days, but Saturday he did have a miserable 22nd birthday, at least the part in Notre Dame Stadium.
  • Would this be another close classic?  Well it was pretty close but it certainly wasn’t a classic.  ND made less mistakes and won, but they had their share of mistakes. Michigan had more first downs (19 to 14), more 3rd down conversions (8 of 15 to 3 of 9) and total yardage.  And more mistakes.  Tiresome to keep mentioning them,  but they were the key aspects of this game.

Almost every one conversant with Wolverine’s football knew that the Notre Dame game was the appropriate litmus test for the early season, and knew that we did not have a handle on the Wolverines standing from the first three games.

Now we do.  This year’s version of the Wolverines will struggle to win games, although they will be more competitive once they get a handle on their own mistakes, and young players develop.  They blew an opportunity to win a high profile game against a team that does not appear to be significantly better in spite of being ranked at 11 to the Wolverines 18.

Those two red zone failures in the first quarter could have been the ticket to a great win.  They changed M’s fortunes big time.  A 14 to nothing early lead would have changed things drastically.

To their credit the Wolverines played hard.  Post-game Coach Hoke indicated that both sides played hard, and it was obvious.  The running game got a little life in the second half, but I had to wonder why the ball kept going down field to be intercepted until the first drive of the second half, when some short passing game appeared.

This team is not going to roll over and play dead.  Denard, (and hopefully Coach Borges) will learn and adapt, and they will not disintegrate.  Nobody will quit. Maybe the defense came of age a little.

Bring on the Boilermakers in a key B1G game at Purdue.  The Boilermakers played Notre Dame better than we did, and may be a contender this year. While this game did nothing at all to improve the perception of the B1G, it appears there is a lot of parity within the League.  The Boilers will be tough competition having a good defense and decent offense, in what still appears to be an uncertain year.  It is going to be a tough two weeks at Schembechler Hall.  Team 133 will have a bye week to lick their wounds, and find some answers.  They will find them.

Go Blue!