UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball
By Fans…For Fans Since 1999
Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer discuss the QB drama and high expectations for the team as the Wolverines head into the season opener vs Colorado State.
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Called the best coach on campus, Carol Hutchins is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA softball history and led Michigan to 22 Big Ten Regular Season Titles and the 2005 NCAA Women’s College World Series Title. Her successor, Bonnie Tholl, a four-time All-Big Ten shortstop under Hutchins (1988-91), becomes the fourth head coach in Michigan softball history.
Two of the people who taught me the most about what it meant to be a Michigan Man- Bo Schembechler and Lloyd Carr- they inspired me over the years and they taught me what that meant and that’s what it means to be a Michigan woman, those are the same qualities and values that we value in the women, I’m appreciative to them.
Carol Hutchins
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.
8/25/22 Availability
2022 Michigan Football Captains were named as this event began.
QB Cade McNamara
WR Ronnie Bell|
DB Mike Sainristil
DL Mazi Smith
TE Erick All
Q:
You guys had a chance to speak to the team after being announced captain, what was your message in that moment?
McNamara:
I mean, I just told him the truth, I’m extremely honored, you know, to be elected captain, for it to be a player only vote, and for your teammates to recognize you as a leader of the team. I mean, there’s no greater accomplishment, I don’t think especially at this level and I think, you know, my message was how honored I am and you know, the potential and I think where we are as a team, how fired up I am for this season and also, just, you know, how blessed I am to be recognized by them, and I love them.
I’m playing my best football that I ever have in my life right now.
Cade McNamara
Q:
In Indianapolis, you said you felt as good about your fundamentals and the way you were throwing as maybe any point in your career. How do you think the last couple weeks have gone- has it translated the way you hoped it would?
McNamara:
Absolutely, I think I’m, by far, playing my best football that I ever have in my life right now.
Q:
What are you doing well?
McNamara:
I think I’m pushing the ball downfield, I’m throwing the ball with accuracy. My mechanics seem very clean right now, I’m not missing very often. My recognition of the defense right now, it seems very clean. And I think, you know, the more time we’ve spent with the receivers over camp, I’ve been able to gain even more chemistry with them, and just finding zones, whether it’s man coverage, zone coverage on how we’re dealing with those in our concepts, and everything, I think, you know, this team is really ready. I think we’ve done a lot of situational preparation, a lot of work together and not just myself, but I feel that this offense and this team is extremely prepared for the season.
Q:
To your point about accuracy, when Big 10 network was here…they had said that none of your balls were hitting the ground, it was just always a completion, what’s gone into your renewed kind of focus on that?
McNamara:
It kind of starts from the ground up, I think, you know, your feet is a big part of you know, what can lead to accuracy, having a strong base having just really something I’ve been focused on is efficiency, and not having any, you know, poor movement, or any movement that I don’t need in my throwing motion or my footwork. And so far, I’ve seen good results as I continue to work on it.
It’s fuel…being able to continue to deal with adversity is just something that makes people better and your ability to handle it will define you and really not just for me, but for this team as well. When this team faces adversity this season, how we react will define us.
Cade McNamara responding to critics
Q:
You’ve talked about the wideouts, who’s the one that you’ve developed the most chemistry with, the biggest increase in chemistry through fall camp?
McNamara:
I think it’s just a overall collection of guys that are really starting to step it up. I mean, obviously, it’s great to have Ronnie B back out there. He just has a tremendous feel for the game. Really everyone, with Roman, with CJ with a guy that’s starting to catch some people’s eyes is Peyton O’Leary. I mean, we have a lot of talent in that room, and we have a lot of talent on the offense. And, you know, it’s our job as quarterback to get them the ball that way and I think that group in our offense should have a big year.
Q:
How much you sense that your teammates really respect your journey to this point, and what you’ve had to do to kind of prove yourself at every step of the way?
McNamara:
Yeah, I think, really, this is a representation of that, that they, no matter what is, you know, my perception, or how people have viewed me, or whatever the case may be how, whatever it is, I take a lot of pride in the fact that they were able to recognize, you know, me for who I am. And for what I bring to this team, and for them to choose me as their captain, I think it’s just a great representation of, you know, my really relationship with my teammates, and what they believe in me as a member of this team. And, again, I’m just really honored.
Q:
We’ve heard that the defense is complex and confusing to go up against, what’s your view about that?
McNamara:
I agree…this is my second year going against this defense. And I think, you know, they have just so many looks, so much, as you mentioned complexity, it’s gonna cause quarterbacks to be confused back there. And I think, you know, as we continue, we’re just gonna keep finding ways to get to the quarterback, confuse the quarterback and, you know, put stress on the offense that we play.
Q:
We know, you’re only thinking about Colorado State right now but I’d like to hear your thoughts on the non-conference in general, none of those teams are, you know, power five conferences or whatever. Would you rather have a more marquee game or you’ll play wherever?
McNamara:
I’ll play whoever’s on schedule, that’s all that matters.
Q:
Cade, all we’ve heard about the quarterback competition so far as it’s been really even with you and JJ. How are you approaching that now in light of being a captain, a leader on the team?
McNamara:
I feel like the level of play I’m playing out is very high right now in terms of where I’ve been in my career. I have for sure gotten much better than I have, than I was this time last year, or even at the end of the season last year. I’ve recognized that and obviously, my teammates have as well.
Q:
What’s your approach to handling the outside noise that comes with being in a quarterback competition?
McNamara:
It’s fuel, I think, you know, being able to continue to deal with adversity is just something that, you know, makes people better and your ability to handle it will define you and really not just for me, but for this team as well.
When this team faces adversity this season, how we react will define us.
We’re well aware of that and we have really pushed that message, you know, as the captains and the other leaders on the team, we’ve pushed that message as well. That how you deal with that adversity is going to be a defining moment for our team. So not just for me, but for this team, we’re gonna attack it.
Edits made for clarity.