Football – Page 286 – UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball

January 31, 2011August 11, 2011

2011 M Football Brady Hoke Succeeds Rich Rodriguez

To the delight of many Michigan Football players who played for or watched Brady Hoke while he helped lead the Blue to a National Championship in 1997 as the Wolverine Defensive Line Coach, and to the chagrin of some Michigan fans who had their caps set for Jim Harbaugh, or Les Miles or anybody but Hoke, Brady Hoke has been named University of Michigan Football Coach.

It seems to me that all of us will find that Brady fits the ?Michigan Mold? and he will represent the University of Michigan and its football program, its traditions and values, with honesty. He will restore the program to its former toughness.

He has family values in spades, wants tough guys on his defensive line, and on his team as a whole, and will toe the line to stay inside the NCAA rules.

He will bring a diverse offense and use personnel in a system that utilizes a player?s talents to best advantage.

He has the kind of personality that invites people to like him, but make no mistake he can be tough when tough is called for.

He is not Lloyd Carr and will not play Lloyd?s brand of football. He is not a Lloyd Carr crony. He is his own man.

He does not tolerate losing and will do all that is within the rules to win. He will work hard and his team will work hard.

All that being said he has a tough row to hoe. He is behind in recruiting for this year. Way behind.

More importantly he has to assemble a staff. That might be the most important thing that he has to do, to provide a staff that is all on the same page and which can produce in the Big Ten.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Rich Rodriguez for his effort in Ann Arbor. Even if the results in the win column were not what we, or he, wanted for the past three years, he worked hard, and did what he could to remain in Ann Arbor. And lets quit dumping on Lloyd Carr, and appreciate the only National Title Michigan has managed in fifty years. And let’s forget Les Miles, and Jim Harbaugh as coaches, but, of course, not as people and Michigan men.

It is past time the Michigan Wolverines snarled with one voice. I am sick of forums with conspiracy theories, Brandon bashing, complaining about that ho hum Hoke, kicking Carr, and insulting Rodriguez. The Free Press remains fair game.

AD Brandon thinks that Brady Hoke can do it. Let?s give him a warm welcome and all the help we can in what will be no minor task.

How soon he wins is an issue, because we have three years of frustration behind us.

Fans want winning sooner than later. Their irritation is also understood.

Things can only be accomplished through wins.

Welcome aboard Head Football Coach Brady Hoke!

Good Luck, and Go Blue!

January 4, 2011July 27, 2011

2011 M Football Bowled Over, M 14 MSST 52

The Mississippi State University Bulldogs dominated the young Wolverines at will in establishing their football superiority in the Progressive Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on New Years Day. This completes the 2010 season on a sour note. For Michigan, it should have been called the Regressive Gator Bowl as it was the worst Bowl loss in Michigan football history. The Wolverines are now 19 and 21 in Bowls.

This was the Wolverine?s first Bowl game under Coach Rodriguez, and some hoped it a chance for redemption of coaching reputation, and a chance to prove team improvement. It was thought that the Wolverines could compete with a mid level SEC team. That proved untrue.

Unfortunately, game day completed on a note too familiar, as the Wolverines were embarrassed 14 to 52, and were competitive only for the first quarter. It was 14 to 31 at the half, and the game was essentially over at that point.

MSST played well, and they proved too much for the Wolverines in all three phases of the game. Whether that should be stated as all four phases of the game (including coaching), will undoubtedly be decided by AD David Brandon in the very near future.

In my opinion, Coach Rodriguez did not add the needed positives to his body of work to gather sufficient traction for longevity as the University of Michigan Football Coach. He is after all, 15 and 22, and 1 and 11 against ranked teams. Opponents have consistently scored more than 34 points against the Wolverines this season.

Outside of the beautiful weather, and perhaps the hospitality of the folks managing the event, not much went right for the bumbling Wolverine offense, defense, or special teams. This beat down was only a surprise offensively as the Wolverine?s echoed their usual defensive body of work this year when facing some of the better teams on their schedule. They could not stop the run game of a one-dimensional running team. Fourteen points by this offense, usually capable of far more, is certainly sub par.

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Denard had an ordinary day (for him). He had 256-yards passing and 58-yards running. Statistically, that is not that bad of an ?ordinary? day, with two TDs. But an errant pass helped seal the Wolverines fate. Make no mistake that he has had a brilliant and record setting season. He has 4,272 total offensive yards, and that is a school record. He has had a spectacular season. But the Wolverines needed more from him on Saturday to entertain a victory. And he needed more weapons helping him.

Denard has not proved a winner against the better teams. That will come next season as he hopefully gets more help from his friends. It will be worth the price of a ticket to watch him. There is no question he is the team MVP.

Saturday I had hoped a healthy Denard could make us competitive, but he could not. The running game was stuffed. Yards after catch were denied. He simply did not have enough offensive help, and the offense has sort of become a one trick pony. The offense could not convert several critical 4th downs, or attempt 3-point FGs because they simply can?t kick them. Obviously our scheme is well scouted by this time of year.

Other turnovers, and dropped passes also hurt, as did penalties, not to mention decent defense by MSST, and 481-yards and 26 first downs by their offense.

It was no surprise the defense played like they have played all year. It was no surprise they had trouble lining up properly, sometimes appeared confused, remained ineffective tacklers, had an inability to stop third downs, or corral the lumbering, but mobile Bulldog quarterback. Not surprising that they yielded record numbers of points today as they have over much of the season. They let out a short dump pass for an 81-yard TD. They confirmed again that they are among the worst defenses in the Big Ten, and nationally.

Sad to say that is a fact and some played hard all season, and they had some moments this season, but overall the team defensive results are still nothing but poor. No question, the worst defensive season in Michigan history.

Was it all because of injuries and young players? Or is some of it because of scheme and ineffective coaching? Or is it some of both? Do you believe that the defense has headed in the right direction the past three years? Certainly the offense has taken some strides, has seen measurable improvement, but defense and special teams remain special disasters.

As expected, the special teams were no blessing again. A punt was blocked, a short field goal missed, but Martavious Odoms returned from a broken foot in good form on KO returns.

The first half started off well enough, with Denard weaving runs of 22 and 24-yards. An 11-play, 73-yard drive was completed with a 10-yard TD pass to Roy Roundtree. M 7-MSST 0.

MSST immediately answered with an 11-play, 79-yard creation featuring a 4-yard TD pass. It was 7 up and I thought the shoot out was on.

MSST then blocked a Wolverine punt, and hit a 42-yard FG to break the tie. M 7-MSST 10. It seemed a happy event that they were held to a field goal.

M answered with a beautiful 27-yard TD pass to Odoms. Perfect throw and catch. M 14-MSST 10.

Michigan was unable to score again so the expected shoot out never materialized. The Wolverines fueled the Bulldogs scoring frenzy with an interception. The Bulldogs never looked back as they produced a couple of long drives for scores by half-time to produce an overwhelming 14-31 deficit.

MSST didn?t need any more scores to win, but they engineered more long TD drives after halftime and an 81-yard screen pass to end the thumping at M 14-MSST 52.

To start the second half, M?s defense stopped the Bulldog?s opening drive, but to no avail. The Wolverine?s offense had been solved, and it could not score. And the defense had no more stops. The embarrassment was complete.

Everybody wonders if loss should, and will signal the end of the Rodriguez era. Wonders if there will be hurricane winds of change in Ann Arbor regarding the entire coaching staff, if it is the end of the Rodriguez era, and is the dawn of the Harbaugh, or Hoke, or whoever wants the punishment, era. Many fans are on board the Harbaugh train.

There are compensations even for losing coaches. RR would take 2.5 million out the door, more than the lifetime earnings for most of us. In that sense he would go out a winnerfrom Ann Arbor.

They say only the hairdresser of a lady that colors her hair knows her true hair color, and only David Brandon knows for sure if Coach Rodriguez and all of his staff will continue to be Maize and Blue.

Logically, we should know the why and who of it in a few days. I would think the waiting period has to be over very soon. At no time has AD Brandon made a strong statement of support for RR, and this has fueled speculation that change is imminent. The lack of positive results has caused that speculation to ignite like a magnesium fire, and burn intensely.

It is sad to think that RR has come to this point as chief of the Wolverines. I have always wanted him to succeed, because I want the Wolverines to succeed, but it is my obligation to report it as I think it is. My uninformed guess is that there will be a change of all or part of the football staff.

Coach Rodriguez came to Ann Arbor with a few cans tied to his tail, factions at Michigan tied on other cans, and some of the press has missed no opportunity to slur him and the program when and where it can. Makes you want Coach to succeed, but it is a wins and loss business and he is not winning, nor effectively competing. Some sort of signature win continues to elude him. The defense is not any better than the two prior years.

I will support whatever David Brandon does. He has a lot at stake in this call, as it will likely be the athletic director?s biggest career decision. It will be a decision that may determine his legacy. It is hard to see how he will satisfy all of the factions.

In any case, Saturday?s game was a sad end to a throw away season even though it was a 7-6 season and therefore showed a bit of improvement in the win/loss column over the two previous season under RR?s tutelage. It seems a sad punctuation mark to end the careers of seniors such as Schilling, Mouton, Rogers, Dorrestein, Webb, Ezeh, Ferrara, Banks and Patterson, who obviously would have preferred a win to remember. They will have to pack it away and forge ahead in the real world now.

As always, I thank you for reading this column and visiting the site. Hopefully next year will be a better season, but for sure it is going to be most interesting.

I can be emailed if you like at oldblue@cablespeed.com. I enjoy hearing from you, whatever your opinions, and I hope the New Year brings you all the health and happiness you need or want.

Go Blue!

November 11, 2010April 27, 2012

2010 M Football- Ann Arbor is a….

Change is inevitable and change is coming.

So says Michigan Athletic David Brandon. But all change isn’t progress.

As two of the most popular sports programs in the country both Michigan and Ohio State have made concessions to other Big Ten schools. Surely, both could have held out for a bigger piece of the revenue from the Big Ten Network but to do so may have jeopardized the entire endeavor.

The good old days, playing in November…having a chance to win…

So sometimes you make a concession for the good of the whole. Sometimes you need to look the big picture.

But whenever you head into a negotiation you need to have a firm understanding of what’s in play and what’s not.

From this fan’s perspective, it’s hard to imagine what’s worth trifling with the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

Exaggeration? Not according to ESPN. Not according to most fans of THE GAME.

So let the Big Ten have their made-for-TV, neutral site abomination otherwise known as the Big Ten Championship game.

Let them split the league into two divisions and institute some BS cross divisional protected rivalry scheme where some league games count in the division standings and some don’t.

But leave THE GAME out of it.

To leave the Michigan and Ohio State as cross division rivals, scheduled randomly cheapens the rivalry. It reduces the game to little more than an exhibition with the hope that if everything works out right, maybe, perhaps they’ll meet a several weeks later in a game that really matters.

If the cheapening THE GAME is negotiable what isn’t?

The AD’s at Michigan and Ohio State will tell us that these changes are necessary but some things should be non-negotiable.

What’s worse than losing to Ohio State? Losing to them when they’re wearing their circus uniforms

Meanwhile Ohio State recently announced for the second season in a row, that they would be wearing Nike throwback uniforms for THE GAME.

And the store is open in Ann Arbor…

October 30, 2010October 7, 2013

M Football 2010: Season Watershed Game Lost-M 31-PSU 41

The handwriting on the wall regarding this season’s results is now becoming clearer and clearer with this ungainly 31 to 41 loss to the Lions.

As happened last year, the slide to the bottom of the Big Ten has begun, on the wheels of a familiar defensive scenario. The defense can?t stop the run or the pass to give Michigan?s Denard led, and fairly potent offense, its fair number of chances.

This was a game in which the Wolverines should have been competitive. For example, Penn State was last in the Big Ten in third down conversions but we made them very successful, at least for a day.

Penn State had been struggling offensively and defensively until the Wolverines came to town. The Wolverines let them convert third and longs at will. Saturday the Lions were 10 of 16 on third down conversions. Penn State QB Matt McGloin was a first time starter, and frankly our inept defense made him look like an experienced All American. He had a very nice game.

Denard was nicked early and Tate Forcier replaced him for a few plays, but DRob recovered and had an outstanding effort in toting 27 carries 190-yards for three TDs. He hit 11 of 23 passes for 190-yards and 1 TD, and had a total of 381 total yards. UM had 422-yards, PSU 435. M had 190-yards passing and PSU 250. The Wolverines actually outscored the Lions in the second half, but it was too little too late. The game was not as close as the statistics indicate. Michigan never really seemed to be in control.

Denard set a Big 10 record for QBs. He has 1,287-yards.

Before the game it was almost universally thought that the Wolverines would be able to effectively compete with PSU, but in fact they simply did not compete effectively defensively. Denard did his job, producing several drives ending in TDs that should have put Michigan in position to be there at the end of the game, but silly penalties as well as sporadic defense hurt. Although I thought the late hit call that RR was yelling about extensively late in the last half was a cheap call, mistakes, short KO?s, a critical fumble, and opponent?s runbacks again highlighted the tiresome play of some aspects of the special teams.

Jeremy Gallon miscued deep, and set up an ensuing PSU TD drive from the resulting field position gift. His nice runbacks, including a 47-yard return in the 3^rd quarter, could not quite compensate for that damage. Broekhuizen hit a 37-yard FG. Hagerup handled the KOs for the first time, with mixed results, but had a 55-yard punt.

Most of the onus for Saturday?s loss belongs directly on a defense that is not improving, consistently allows long drives, too often seems confused, doesn?t looks well coached, consistently misses tackles, makes heady plays to provide third and long, and then fails to stop a run or a pass to allow the opposition?s drive to continue. It seems to have earned and deserves its place at the bottom of the Big Ten barrel. They have given up thirty points or more to all their Big Ten opponents, whether their offense is good or bad. But I don?t have to describe the Wolverines defense to you, you have seen the results for yourself all season long. For this game they have earned another D.

The defense seemed to play harder after Rodriguez waded into them in the second half on the sideline, with a very animated entreaty. Mike Martin spent much of the game on the sidelines because of injury, as did Jibreel Black. That couldn?t be more unlucky for an already thin unit.

They made several changes over the bye week in the defense. Ray Vinopal was moved to safety and Cam Gordon to spur. Vinopal had six tackles, but was “Roystered” a couple of times. Although they both made some plays, unfortunately the overall results were not much improved as the previously anemic PSU offense put up four TDs in the first half and 41 for the game.

PSU deferred and M received the ball but stalled and PSU produced a 14 play, 71-yard drive that was a prototype for the afternoon. Royster ran it in from four and it was rapidly M 0-PSU 7.

After a 15-yard Martel Webb reception, Denard traversed 32 yards for a score and it was 7 up after a 9 play 80-yard drive.

PSU returned the KO forty yards and in 5 plays covered 56-yards with Royster recording a 1-yard TD. M 7-PSU 14.

DRob was hurt at the end of the quarter, and Tate took a few snaps.

M hit a 37-yard FG. M 10-PSU 14.

PSU produced another long drive of 11 plays which covered 74-yards, scoring on a 1-yard McGloin run. M 10-PSU 21

Gallon fumbled the KO on his own two, and PSU subsequently drove 37-yards to another TD in 4 plays, scoring on a 20-yard pass. M 10-PSU 28. The game was out of hand at the half.

PSU opened the 2^nd half with a 10-play, 67-yard drive for a 32-yard FG. M 10-PSU 31.

Denard threw a 62-yard scoring pass to Koger to complete a 5-play 80-yard drive. M 17-PSU 31.

Another PSU 80-yard drive with a 5-yard rushing TD really hurt and made it M 17-PSU-38.

Michigan scored twice more to on short rushes by Denard to make it M 31-PSU 38. but it was not enough

Special teams helped seal the Wolverines fate at this critical juncture by allowing a 30-yard KO return. PSU executed a sucessful fake punt to continue possession and capped the scoring with a 42-yard FG. M 31-PSU 4 and the day was done.

This loss leaves the Wolverines in an undesirable position that should have been avoided. Of the five games they had left on Saturday, the PSU game appeared the most winnable, with the possible exception of Purdue, and it is lost.

So now logic indicates that they will only have one more victory available (Purdue), or maybe two (add Illinois). When and if the Wolverines win another they game they will have established some Bowl eligibility.

Maybe the Wolverines can take Illinois at home next week if Denard and Molk are healthy. Perhaps. But don?t count on it as Illinois is playing some good football right now, and Michigan is not playing well in all three phases of the game. Zook let his entire staff go after last season and it seems to have produced some results. They will be a formidable challenge for Wolverines fresh from a three game losing streak, even if some say Illini statistics show the Wolverines should prevail. So did PSUs.

Last year?s Illinois game was a loss that helped put the final stamp of disaster on that season. The same scenario seems to be looming again with gathering momentum. Someone will have to spike the Kool Aid to restore a lot of optimism after Saturday?s Happy Valley excursion.

I thought 7 and 5 at the start of the season and it is still possible even if Wisconsin and Ohio State are so much better teams that victories over them seem out of reach. But the chances are getting whittled down each week

The Wolverines will return to greatness sooner or later. It will be worth the wait. But the wait continues.

Go Blue!

October 14, 2010April 27, 2012

Spartans- What is your profession? Minor rivals…at least for now

The debate rages.

Where does the UM/MSU rivalry rank among Wolverines fans?

The answer is third.

First is UM/Ohio State. Ranked as possibly the greatest rivalry in all of sports it is the undisputed top rivalry for Michigan.

Second is UM/Notre Dame. Both teams are near the top of the all-time wins and winning percentage list with unmatched history and tradition to match.

Which leaves the UM/MSU as the third most important rivalry for the Wolverines.

But don’t shortchange the Spartans.

With three consecutive wins not to mention the emphatic thumping of the Wolverines 34-17 in the most recent contest, MSU backers definitely have a lot to be excited about.

Who knows at thus rate Coach Dantonio might even lead the Spartans to a bowl victory some day.

But one thing is for sure. Give the Spartans credit- they have solidified their position as the top football program in the State over the last three years. And unless Michigan can beat the Spartans next year in East Lansing the Spartans may be making a play to to be the top rivalry of the next 100 years of Michigan football.

Coach Rodriguez is fond of saying that he doesn’t worry about the past. Video Clip

But the past can be a great motivational tool for athletes. Watch the Spartans celebrate and listen to their fans at Michigan Stadium.

The score of the game and memories of the Spartan jubilation should rile up every Wolverine fan.

But we can’t do anything about it.

That’s up to the Wolverine players and Coach Rodriguez.

It’s time to remember, not to forget.