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.
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.
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?
Cade McNamara spring game 2021
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.
Cade McNamara Orange Bowl (2021)
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?
Cade McNamara 2021 Big Ten Championship
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.
Q: How does it feel to be honored by your teammates to be named team captain?
Smith: Great, you know, I’ve been having to deal a little bit more with people having the eyes on me. And you know, being somebody who’s noticeable, you know, I just appreciate that people see what I’m trying to do and appreciate it, you know, respected and it. It just feels good to be appreciated and respected.
Q: Is this something that you had envisioned or hoped for when you first came to campus?
Smith: Not at all? Not at all, like I did, I didn’t start thinking about being a captain until people brought it up to me. You know, which was like, two weeks ago. So, like wow. That’d be cool.
Q: Does feel like go time for you? We’re a week out from season, you’re named captain, is the only thing left to do at this point is play?
Smith: That always the only thing left to do- like, I kind of feel like people get it twisted. When it’s time to go on it ain’t, it’s always time to go, always.
That’s the approach we take to the season, like no matter what we do, until we get a national championship it’s not going to be enough.
Mazi Smith
Q: What was your reaction, and the team’s reaction when your name was announced?
Smith: You know, I heard a lot of claps and excitement- Big Maz, you know, your t-shirt is too small! For me, personally, I didn’t know, you know, going into it. I was like, you know, if I’m a captain, that’d be great. But if I’m not gonna just keep doing me keep doing the same thing. And I talked to Coach Harbaugh about just being yourself and forever, not changing for nothing. And that’s what they got in a captain…
Q: That was that today when it was announced? Can you take us inside the room? Like who said it?
Smith: Coach Harbaugh, they have everybody vote, then they go out to another room with some of the freshmen have them count it all up. You know, we goof around, you know, and then when they get back in and we get our serious again, and he announces it.
Q: You have a shirt that says Michigan captain?
Smith: No, they were talking about this shirt.
Q: Have you talked to your parents yet? What was their reaction?
Cade is one of the hardest working guys I’ve seen, one of the biggest competitors and he’s been that way since he got here…You appreciate having a guy like that who wants to win all the time.
Mazi Smith on fellow captain QB Cade McNamara
Smith: I haven’t yet, it was like 10 minutes ago, they told us, I know my mom’s gonna be like, “My baby is a captain”, it’s gonna be all over Facebook.
Q: Mazi, you’ve had a pretty enriching last few weeks, you went to Selma, you were at the jail in Genesee, you talked about how moving that was for you, is this sort of another layer of that kind of experience for you?
Smith: Oh, for sure. You know the opportunities God has given me, you know, throughout my time here, they’re tremendous, things I never would have imagined you know, experiences I never would have or could have dreamed up and always say to myself, you know, God I has never steered me wrong. So why will he now? I always put my trust and faith in him.
Q: After the announcement that you were a captain were you given a chance to speak to the team if so- what was your message?
Smith: We put in a lot of work but just because the season here all that means is there’s more work to be put in, more opportunities to get better. I told them there’s no other group of people I want to go to war with, that I want by my side, I love everybody in that room. You know, I could get emotional about it…
Q Considering the nature of the position, how important do you think it is to have a quarterback be a captain?
Smith: The quarterback makes a lot of big decisions that impact the game and you always want the guy making those decisions to be respected by the guys he’s making the decisions for. You always want to look at your quarterback and see somebody who embodies the team and can bring the team together when he needs to and and keep keep the team going.
Q: Why do you think Cade has done that, how does he demonstrate that?
Smith: Just by coming up and being the same guy every day, competing and always trying to get that edge. You know, Cade is one of the hardest working guys I’ve seen and one of the biggest competitors and he’s been that way since he got here. You know, lately he’s just allowed- now that he’s the starter and the eyes are on him- people to see it. No, he’s always been the way he is, you appreciate having a guy like that who wants to win all the time.
Cade McNamara (2021)
Q: We may or may not get to talk to you before kickoff…You said you feel ready. How do you think this defense is in terms of being where they need to be 10 days from now?
Smith: I always tell the guys individually on defense, no matter how perfect practice was or how, good you play, there’s always more to be done. You know, no matter how good your pad level is, you can always get lower. No matter how good your hand placement is, you can always get it better.
I think that’s the approach we take to the season, like no matter what we do you know until we get a national championship it’s not going to be enough.
Q: With game week quickly approaching to do the emotions change for you at all heading into the first game week?
Smith: The emotions? Nah. I kind of gotta contain that excitement you know and now let it flow on game day. Don’t like getting ahead of yourself, you know that’s how you make yourself trip up.
Q: Who were some of the other guys who have been playing either one rotation with you or next to you that have impressed me with?
Smith: Cam Goode for sure, you know, he do a good job, Mason Graham. They’re playing a real good ball especially for how young he is. I think Kenneth Grant is gonna be a force…Basically the whole interior of the defense has made big strides and I said we were gonna have too, as long as we keep getting better anybody can play. You know anybody and everybody. I told the room that we’re gonna need that whole room if you want to win games. Everybody in there can play winning football.
