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As Brady Hoke’s tenure draws to a merciful end , speculation turns to possible replacements.

Michigan’s swift and brutal collapse precludes anyone from the current staff replacing Hoke; even highly touted offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has been tainted by the team’s failure.

The resignation of athletic director David Brandon only adds to the intrigue. Any potential coaching candidate may wait until interim athletic director Jim Hackett either takes the job permanently or is replaced by university president Mark Schlissel.

If Hackett replaces Hoke he needs to learn from his previous mistakes. Whomever is selected can’t be viewed as a backup choice because the school whiffed on its top picks and the search needs to be quick and efficient.

Here are the top candidates to replace Hoke:

Cam Cameron

Cameron is currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for LSU under Les Miles. He spent a decade at Michigan where he began as a graduate assistant and eventually rose to wide receivers and quarterbacks coach. He was considered a coaching prodigy at Michigan before leaving to be the quarterbacks coach in the NFL (Washington). Cameron’s rise stalled after returning to be Indiana’s head coach where he compiled a 18-37 overall record. After Indiana he returned to the NFL with San Diego mentoring quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Drew Brees, Miami (a one season 1-15 stint at head coach) and Baltimore.

Pros: Michigan ties, and strong background developing pro quarterback talent.

Cons: No recent recruiting experience at the collegiate level, poor track record as a head coach.

Assessment: Once Cameron would have been considered an elite candidate for Michigan but his experience has primarily been as a pro assistant with little success as a head coach. Has strong ties to John Harbaugh at Baltimore but his odd midseason firing during Baltimore’s Super Bowl run raises questions.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: A great candidate for quarterbacks coach but slim chance of being head coach.

Jon Gruden

Gruden’s name comes up whenever a major program is conducting a coaching search. Michigan fans went ballistic when this snippet from his college yearbook surfaced:
Gruden has expressed interest in returning to coaching telling an audience in 2013, “I haven’t lost a game in 3 1/2 years…I would like to give coaching one more try.”

If and when he decides to coach again, Gruden will have no trouble getting interest from pro and college teams and his role of broadcaster has given him access to the top programs in the country.

Pros: Strong professional experience, won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. He has been a popular broadcaster with ESPN since 2009.

Cons: Only four seasons of coaching at the collegiate level (1986-89), and no recent collegiate recruiting ties.

Assessment: Gruden’s name often surfaces for collegiate openings despite his lack of collegiate experience and time away from coaching. Gruden would be a high profile hire that would fit with athletic director David Brandon’s vision of Michigan being an elite destination however, Gruden has shown no recent inclination that he would be interested in coming to Michigan.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: Low

 

Chuck Martin

Martin is currently the head coach of Miami (Ohio) after serving as offensive coordinator at Notre Dame and head coach at Grand Valley State. It’s dangerous business to compare anyone to Michigan legend Bo Schembechler but check out this Martin quote out via The Miami Student:

Here’s what’s in it for you if you come to Miami: I’m going to kick your ass every day. If you don’t want that, then that’s fine. I’m good. Not many people are selling you a good ass-kicking these days.

Martin also took a significant pay when he came to Miami and is praised as a top coaching prospect by Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports:

He was the perfect combination of experience and acumen; a proven tactician and motivator. He could both develop talent and recruit it, both at the elite level of Notre Dame and finding diamonds in the rough in D-II.
While Miami was once was considered the cradle of coaches, Martin learned his craft at Grand Valley State under Brian Kelly before taking over and winning 48 straight regular season games (2005-09) winning two division II national titles.

Pros: Great success as a Division II head coach, extensive recruiting ties throughout the midwest.

Cons: Less than one season of Division I head coaching experience, Doesn’t have the profile of some other candidates.

Assessment: In 1969 Michigan lured Bo Schembechler away from Miami and the rest is history. Martin has great credentials to lead a major program but doesn’t have the national profile to satisfy alums who have suffered through the Hoke era. He probably has the best upside of any coach on this list.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: Low

 

Jim Mora

Current UCLA coach Jim Mora is rumored to be on Michigan’s radar to replace Hoke. Mora has experience coaching at the college and pro level (Atlanta and Seattle) and has done a good job rebuilding UCLA. While at UCLA Mora has turned down offers from both the University of Washington and Texas.

Pros: Proven ability to rebuild college program.

Cons: Has stated that he hopes to retire at UCLA, no recruiting ties to the midwest.

Assessment: Mora would be a great choice, but he doesn’t appear to be available.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: Low

 

Greg Schiano

Former Rutgers and Tampa Bay (NFL) head coach. Schiano is credited with building Rutgers football up to the point where it could join the Big Ten.

But not everyone is a fan. Former Rutgers player Anthony Davis blasted Schiano after signing a lucrative NFL contract via CBSSPORTS.COM.

He does admire Schiano for sticking by his beliefs while leading Tampa Bay via WWW.NJ.COM:

I respect him for keeping his ways no matter what happened…He believes in what he believes in and he’ll die by it. Even if I don’t believe in what he believes in, I still think it’s pretty impressive that he can stick to what he believes in so firmly.

Schiano was heavily criticized for his style of coaching and game tactics before being fired after the 2013 season.

Pros: He’s available, Michigan previously tried to hire him in 2008. He has extensive recruiting experience.

Cons: Bailed on Michigan once before, stumbled badly at Tampa Bay (NFL).

Assessment: Michigan thought Schiano would be its coach in 2008 before he changed his mind. He still has strong support among some boosters who admire how he rebuilt Rutgers.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: Medium

 

Les Miles

Miles has been a candidate to be head coach at Michigan forever– just ask his agent. In the past the rumors have always resulted in a new contract and a raise. But LSU may be tired of Miles after a subpar season.

Pros: Extensive experience at the college level and bonafide credentials as a “Michigan Man”.

Cons: At 61 is he up for rebuilding Michigan? Might have a trouble recruiting to Michigan’s academic standards.
Assessment: Les has long been a favorite of Michigan fans.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: It’s his for the taking if either Harbaugh declines.

 

J. Harbaugh (John/Jim)

The Harbaugh brothers have been the topic of speculation for years among Michigan fans.

Athletic director David Brandon tried to hire John Harbaugh and talked to Jim during his last coaching search. Sources have reported that John will not pursue the Michigan job, citing his friendship with Brady Hoke.
John is a great coach and with solid integrity. According to ESPN John was one of the few people within the Baltimore Raven organization to immediately call for the team to cut ties with Ray Rice after a controversial video emerged:

Although the grainy video did not show what had happened behind the elevator’s doors, the images horrified Ravens coach John Harbaugh, according to four sources inside and outside the organization. The Super Bowl-winning coach urged his bosses to release Rice immediately, especially if the team had evidence Rice had thrown a punch.

Jim on the other hand has a long and complicated relationship with Michigan going back to playing days as quarterback for Bo Schembechler. After playing in the NFL, he interviewed for Lloyd Carr’s staff but didn’t get the job. A few years later he took shots at Michigan while he was the head coach at Stanford.

Jim Harbaugh is the number one coaching prospect for most Michigan fans. Rumors abound that his act might be wearing thin in San Francisco and Michigan might be a viable option for him.

John Harbaugh

Pros: Extensive experience at the pro football level.

Cons: No recent recruiting ties at the collegiate level.

Assessment: John has the right temperament to fit in at Michigan but is reportedly not interested.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: Low

 

Jim Harbaugh

Pros: Michigan ties, head coaching experience at the collegiate (29-21 at Stanford) and pros (44-16-1 at San Francisco). Recent collegiate recruiting experience.

Cons: High maintenance, contentious relationship with NCAA and opposing coaches. A beat writer’s dream.

Assessment: Jim Harbaugh is the only candidate who will satisfy most Michigan fans. It’s unlikely he would mesh with current athletic director David Brandon but there are factions at Michigan that would more than happy to clear that obstacle out of the way. The big question is whether Harbaugh would surrender his dream of winning a Super Bowl and return to Michigan. Jim and John are hyper competitive and John has a Super Bowl ring—beating Jim to win it. If Jim can get over that then the Michigan job can be his.

The stars have aligned and Jim can name his terms to return.

Likelihood of Getting the Job: It’s his for the taking.

The Wolverines confronted the Spartans in refurbished Spartan Stadium for the second straight year due to scheduling vagaries. Last year’s trip ended with an earned MSU victory 26 to 9. This year’s trip ended in a demoralizing loss and did nothing to salvage Brady Hoke’s slumping Michigan Head Coaching Career. Although Coach Hoke would not admit it pregame, this was a red letter game, more than just another rivalry game. It was the most significant game of his career as the Wolverine’s Head Man.

The Wolverines had put themselves in the unenviable position of having to win five straight to salvage a respectable season. After Saturday, they have just four chances left, and chances of winning all four are indeed iffy. When your offense can’t score TDs against defenses with a pulse, you are headed towards the bottom. I think that Devin Gardner played the worst game of his career and I wondered why Shane Morris didn’t get more of a shot late. He got one play.

Although I have supported Devin this past season, partly because he has been physically courageous, it is time to get someone ready for next season, although I don’t know if this staff can look forward to next season. The continuous litany of Gardner errors helps make it impossible to score enough to win. While the offensive line at time provided holes and pass protection they still are not a strongpoint of the team.

BACKGROUND:
At stake this year was more than the unheralded Paul Bunyan trophy, more than bragging rights, or repayment for pranks. Greeted with ho hums in Ann Arbor when then Governor G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams created the four foot trophy in the 1950s, this year it was coveted in Ann Arbor with gusto because the Wolverines were looking for a much needed signature win. The Bunyan was regarded by disdain in 1953 by the M Athletic Department, and they didn’t even engrave it their first two possessions. Michigan State had our wins inscribed when it was in their possession for the first time.

The Spartans have become the dominant college football team in the State of Michigan. After 2007 they have bested the Wolverines 6 times and the Wolverines have managed just 1 win.

So much for the forty years in which the Spartans won only occasionally and then sometimes by questionable means such as the obvious but uncalled tripping of Desmond Howard in the end zone forcing a drop of what would have been winning TD pass, and the “clock-gate” cheating, which they also celebrate. Lately they have been producing real wins again as they did in the fifties and sixties, and they are catching the Buckeyes as major pains in the Wolverine’s tail.

The M team, the coaching staff, and the athletic director were all in need of a signature win, not to mention the fans. This team is still searching for an offensive identity.

The coaching staff, especially Head Coach Brady Hoke, had been held toes to the fire nationwide by the press recently for what some called on field game mismanagement, including the now infamous “concussion-gate” involving QB Shane Morris.

Some were calling for immediate dismissal of both he and AD Brandon, for that and, in Brandon’s case, a feud with the student ticket holders, among other criticisms. Many fans were unhappy with either or both. The disappointing performance of the Wolverines on the field this season has aggravated fan discontent. The Wolverines could not compete Saturday.

Brandon has been making a strenuous effort to allay some concerns. He has developed a system of negotiation with the students, and they showed up en masse for the PSU home game in M Stadium prior to the bye week.

But further image repair is still necessary for both, and that need is aggravated by this loss, much to the enjoyment of MSU fans.

The keys to AD Brandon’s future are in the hands of the new University of Michigan President, Dr. Mark Schlissel, who is studying the situation intensively and thoroughly.

While many fans have had their patience exhausted because of declining fortunes in the win column, and Brady Hoke has been working hard to get himself, and his team out from behind the eight ball, only wins can do that. This Saturday was a prime opportunity to do just that in the Wolverine’s biggest game of the season, and the Wolverines were not competitive. MSU dominated. Consider 446 net yards of offense to Michigan’s 186 net yards of offense. Domination?

SOME PREGAME CONCEPTIONS, MISCONCEPTIONS AND OPINIONS
That Big Ten Champion MSU was the best team in the Big Ten in 2013 was supported by their record of 13 wins, Rose Bowl Championship, and a year-end third place in the final 2013 polls. This is undisputed. They have a magnificent defense again. If not great in all categories this year as last, they were good enough in all categories to lay the Wolverines away.

Spartan QB Connor Cook drove his predecessor Maxwell to the bench, and has continued his outstanding development this year. He had a couple of outstanding jaunts, threw some nice passes and knew when to throw the ball away. Saturday he was the best QB on the field. He’s cooking. Cook was 12 of 22 for 221-yards. He was sacked once and threw no interceptions and a TD.

Spartan running Back Jeremy Langford ran very, very hard, often dragging the pile. Langford ran for 177-yards and scored twice on 35-carries. M’s De’Veon Smith lugged eleven times for 39-yards and a TD, and Justice Hayes did well running and pass blocking.

Several great MSU receivers stirred their offensive soup. Lippert especially, as he caught three for 103-yards, including a 70-yard TD pass. He had an outstanding day.

They have a pair of monster Defensive Ends, Shilique Calhoun, and the appropriately named Marcus Rush, and they were outstanding.

The interior of their defensive line was also outstanding. The back end of the defense clearly missed last year’s Dennard, and this season State had sometimes been subject to successful aerial assault. Not so much against the Wolverines. Their CBs did a nice job of disrupting catches.

While Michigan’s defense outperformed its offensive counterparts, they still gave up a big 70-yard TD pass play, and 28-points (7 points were the result of an MSU interception return). Jake Ryan and Joe Bolden each had 12 tackles.

Michigan’s prime wide outs, Funchess and Darboh both dropped catchable passes. Narrow misses, but misses all the same. Jake Butt caught one for a desperation 1^st down, and Freddy Canteen had another for a near TD, confirmed short on review.

It was thought MSU’s blitzing defenses sometimes gave up big plays. Not Saturday.

Spartan special teams this year were not as special as when DeAndrea Cobb zipped downfield, and they seemed more vulnerable than last year. Their FG kicker missed an easy 36-yard FG late in the first half, and M’s Hagerup out punted them all day, producing two 50-yarders. Unfortunately, Hagerup’s average was diminished when his punted ball consistently hit the ground end first, bouncing and rolling back from deeper MSU territory.

The old adage is that the team that rushes best wins this game, as proved in 41 of 44 prior games. And so it proved again.

To win the Wolverines had to conquer that persistent turnover bugaboo. Michigan nearly lead the nation in gifts. They have made them all season long, but have received few in return.

Saturday the Wolverines did get two fumbles. Devin Gardner made up for this advantage, losing one fumble, and a pair of interceptions. One was a thoughtless shovel pass to the Spartans, as he hurried to get rid of the ball. Devin Gardner did not play well enough to win in the biggest game of the year. His throws were often off. He had an erratic game.

The Wolverines had to score multiple TDs to win against State this year. Had to put more than 35 points on the board. Scoring has been a problem against MSU in recently, and has been a Wolverine offensive problem all year, so this was a tall order.

The Wolverines got a consolation TD, which ended the day count by the Green Meanies regarding the amount of time since the Wolverines had scored a TD against them. Always a team sport, Gardner had help losing it. MSU is a good team, but this was a remarkable failure in significant part due to Devin’s gaffs.

BRIEF GAME RECAP
The Blue won the toss, but the Spartans went 75-yards to score, as Langford ran in from the two yard line. A Lippert catch was a key part of the drive, and before Michigan got to touch the ball MSU was on top by seven. MSU’s Greg Frey whacked Devin with his helmet, was called for targeting a hit on Amara Darboh, and was tossed from the game. He walked off the field to roaring approval of the MSU crowd, which he elicited by rising arms like he had made a great play. Gardner then spoiled great field position with a fumble. Michigan held in the red zone. The first quarter ended with Spartans up 7.

In the second quarter, the Wolverines sputtered, but so did the Spartans as they went for an iffy 4^th and 7, instead of an available field goal. Subsequently MSU missed the short field goal after losing 13-yards in the red zone. After another M punt, the Wolverines recovered a Spartan fumble as the result of a great Jerrod Wilson hit, which D. Hill recovered on the MSU 31. Matt Wile then connected on a 48-yard field goal, and it was 3-7.

State used the last 3:30 of the first half to stage a 73-yard drive capped by a one yard Langford TD run, establishing another late first half defensive failure. This has become a habit this season. It was 14-3 at the half.

MSU was leading the statistics and score, but the Wolverines were still in the game and had the ball to start the second half. The MSU defense was up to the task. They later collared an errant Gardner throw, and ran it in for a 29-yard TD. Now it was 21-3 in the middle of the third quarter. Hope began to evaporate, and was completely extinguished when Tony Lippert caught a 70-yard Cook TD pass. It was 28-3 at the end of the third quarter. The Wolverines were cooked.

Still the Wolverines battled to the MSU six, but Devin was stopped while attempting a run trying to get a first down on fourth down. He fell inches short of the fourth and five first down, as he was turned around on a great play by the Spartans. I was surprised and disappointed that there was not a measurement.

With just a little more than five minutes on the clock, M recovered a fumble on the Spartan’s thirty-three yard line. Catches by Funchess and Canteen advanced it to one and Smith bulled it in on his second attempt for a TD. His first TD was called back. Canteen had almost scored but he was outside the marker, and a review confirmed he was a yard short of the plane. Devin then threw a short Pass to Jake Butt for two..

The game closed 11 to 35, after MSU drove for another TD.

If it is any consolation, M still leads the series 68-34-6.

CONCLUSION
There is nothing that can mask the fact that Team 135 is in downward free fall. The fact that they may have difficulty winning any more games this season is apparent. Their best chance seems to be Indiana, but who knows. They do not have an offense that is consistently competitive in the Big Ten.

M’s prime time receivers must be wearing mittens, because they keep dropping key passes. Funchess, Darboh, Norfleet. In fairness, some of the passes are too high, behind, or plain out of reach of receivers. Not as many would be errant if pass receivers would finish their routes every time.

Part of it was MSU’s good play, but part of it is on the receivers, and of course, Gardner. QB Devin Gardner has regressed, and seems to lack confidence. To date, OC Nussmeier has not been an improvement over prior OC Borges. Not in results.

The OL is at best Big Ten ordinary, if that, and will likely not be much better this year.

Rushing was therefore an adventure. Twenty-eight plays for sixty-five yards, and an underwhelming 2.3 average is not good enough. Fifty seven plays for 3.3-yards per carry constituted the total offense. A great job by MSU, not so great by the Wolverines.

Special teams, outside of Wile’s kicking and Hagerup’s punting, did little to help.

I have been watching M football for over 65-years, and this was the most disorganized I have ever seen a Michigan offense.

Inexplicably, the players drove a spike in the ground pre-game which provided more fuel to the MSU fire. This disrespect will be a source of satisfaction to MSU for a long time.

An ABC sideline reporter made a snide, cutesy comment regarding Michigan when talking of Rich Rodriguez’s Arizona Wildcats, saying, in effect that maybe, when searching for a Coach, M should consider er, RR. For shame, ABC!

The swirling winds of discontent and change surrounding Michigan’s football are deservedly reaching gale force, as the offense continues to sink, and the coaches continue to fumble for solutions and can’t find them. It looks like hard work and unity alone cannot solve the problems.

Anyway, whichever way the wind blows, I intend to continue to ….

 

Go Blue!

The Wolverines beat the Lions in a defensive battle that they really had to win. Many fans were convinced that they would have a hard time winning another game this season due to offensive inefficiency, and an aerial defensive disaster in their last outing at Rutgers.

But this one was in the friendlier confines of Michigan Stadium. It was a crisp autumn evening in Ann Arbor. There had been a “blood” moon, a bright red moon, a few nights before as the result of an eclipse. What I wouldn’t have given to see that pretty red ball hang over lit up Michigan Stadium, but there was eventually a pretty, if not red, moon hanging above the rim. It was spectacular prime time setting, enhanced by a half time light show.

While the setting was all that could be asked, this was not an offensive master piece by either side. Still, it was a welcome win as Michigan stopped its two game Big Ten losing streak, and defeated predictions some made after the Rutgers game, that they might not win another game this season.  Players and coaches alike aren’t concerned that it was not an offensive masterpiece.  Just happy.

Fall was in the air, and it was pumpkin time. Maybe it was a little on the too crisp side, but the field was thankfully dry. The lights in massive Michigan Stadium had been turned on, along with ESPN’s TV cameras. What every young man’s fancy sometimes turns to in the fall, was about to begin as kick off neared. There was a crowd just short of sell out, announced at a seemingly generous 113,085.

Another Big Ten football game was at hand, the first Big Ten Night game in the history of M Stadium, with its attendant unique atmosphere and spectacle. Night games are not without inconvenience, especially to those who do not live on site, but they do draw crowds.

What wasn’t present were the great PSU or M football teams of yore. Before the game, the Wolverines had lost three straight, and lost four of their last six. It looked as if their season was heading for the dumpster. PSU was 4 and 1, having lost to Northwestern. Both were noted for ineffective offensive lines.

In this one, Penn State and the Wolverines seemed well matched. So it seemed a close game was in the offing and it worked out that way. Both were considered to have decent QBs, PSU’s defensive line was considered most adequate against the run, as was Michigan’s, with PSU having the edge. It turned out M defensive line out performed PSU’s. By only a little, but it was a significant little.

The Penn State Nittany Lions had rolled into town touting one of the most hyped, and actually maybe the most talented, quarterback in the Big Ten. Fortunately PSU’s offensive line is not in that class.

The PSU defense had picked off Rutger’s Nova 5 times, but they only got one from Devin Gardner, in Michigan territory. On a screen pass Devin did not arc the ball high enough over talented PSU Defensive Lineman Anthony Zettel, and Zettel grabbed it with a nice leaping catch.

Rutgers, the sometime Chanticleers (defined as feisty chickens) transformed into Scarlet Knights, had embarrassed the Wolverines struggling pass defense to the tune of 404-yards in getting their first Big Ten win. The Wolverines can opener could not open the armor of the Scarlet Knights that evening, but this Saturday night they held the Lions to 160 net–yards passing on 21 completions in thirty-three attempts, and held them to a single TD.

Rutgers had perpetrated an 8o-yard pass, and a 33-yarder, plus a 53-yarder, and a pair of 26-yarders. At times that evening, the Wolverine pass defense reminded more of Wile Coyote than Wolverines, but not this Saturday. There was a better scenario for this Saturday’s game as Coach Mattison had a better result in store.

We owed PSU. Last year the Lions had engineered a spectacular four-overtime victory at home in a see saw game in which Michigan kicked away its opportunities after first making one of the decade’s most spectacular FGs to garner a last second tie in regulation. But the Wolverines then demonstrated that was just a teaser, by missing multiple OT field goals which would have been game winners, thus sealing a 40-43 Wolverine defeat. While revenge is never supposed to be a team motivator, the same doesn’t hold true of fans. While I half expected such a disappointing scenario again, it did not materialize, as the Wolverines were up to the task.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND A FEW LOWLIGHTS:

• The defense battled, and a number of individuals had good games. Jake Ryan had ten tackles. Brennan Beyer had two sacks. The defensive line produced as it had eleven TFls. Jourdan Lewis had an important interception and M had a Delonte Hollowell fumble recovery and TD run overturned on review. The defense penned in PSU late in the game in its own territory, forcing PSU to a safety. This added tothe final margin of victory in a close game.
• Special teams contributed as Wile connected on FGs of 37, 42, and 45-yards. Dennis Norfleet exuberantly danced to music prior to KO, but still was focused enough to gain 52 valuable return yards. They recovered a critical possession late in the game on an side kick to preserve the lead. They got a second chance at an onside recovery because of an offside call by an official that is much disputed by PSU partisans. How perfect!
• Devin Gardner was up to the task, sat out hurt for a time, and was the key to Michigan’s points. Replaced late in the third quarter by Russell Bellomy, Devin returned and preserved just enough momentum for the victory. He is still a perplexing combination of high risk, high reward but he is the best right now that the Wolverines have at the position. He is 6^th amongst M’s all-time career passing leaders with 6,350-yards. Still it is difficult to live with all those inexplicable miscues that happen every game.
• Devin Funchess made an outstanding grab for the Wolverine’s only TD. It seemed that the defender had it but with strong and quick hands, it was Devin’s. He caught 7 for 69-yards, among which was the TD of 43-yards.
• M’s offense still struggles to produce points in spite of the fact they are great in the red zone (16 of 16). They have trouble this season getting to the red zone. Also, one pines for the excitement of the likes of Denard Robinson.
• The alternate uniforms do not do it for me. Liked the yellow shoes, but the totally blue uniforms with illegible letters, should be gone for good.
• The QB sneak for 4^th and 2 that failed was a poor call.
• 64 rushing yards on 31 attempts for a 2.1 average is a sign of continuing OL woes, as is the ability to score only one lonely TD.
• The defense picked a good time to hold an opponent to 54-yards rushing, and 214 total net yards. M outgained them by 42 net yards.
• The defense did not allow a hurry-up end of second quarter drive to score. This had spelled doom is some prior games.
• ESPN did not show the start of the game.  Fans at home could not see it on TV.

BRIEF RECAP:
PSU marched to the M red zone with the opening KO but stalled due to the M defense throwing them back 7-yards via Ben Gedeon sack. PSU got a 35-yard FG, and the Blue was down by 3.

M answered with a 75-yard drive featuring passes to Butt and Darboh, and the 43-yard TD toss to Funchess and it was 7-3.

PSU produced another drive of runs and short passes, culminating in another field goal. This one was from 32-yards. 7-6 felt uncomfortable at the end of the first quarter.

PSU scored on a 10-yard pass, after the Devin Gardner interception. 7-13, PSU. I thought the dam would now break, but the Wolverines stayed after it, and hit a 45-yard FG. It was 10-13 at the half. Michigan’s sluggish offense produced 4 net yards rushing in the half. A remarkably poor result.

Late in the third quarter, Jourdan Lewis broke the third quarter offensive stalemate with an interception. His interception resulted in a 42-yard M FG to tie it up 13-13.

Michigan’s defense held to start the 4^th quarter, and M went ahead on another Matt Wile FG, a 37-yarder. 16-13.

PSU elected to snap the ball over their punter’s head  for the safety described above.  That made it 18-13, and Michigan finally had a win in its third night time game in the Big House ever, and its first Big Ten win of the season.

Fortunately, the defense played its best game in a while.

While at times this was a dull and boring football game, this win benefits the Wolverines, and it was long overdue. Because it was so long overdue, it was even more welcome.

Michigan has steep challenges in coming games as the schedule steels. After a welcome bye week to heal and scheme, they have the Green Meanies at the refurbished Spartan Stadium. It is a travesty of scheduling to have to play there two years in a row. Somebody pass the Krypton.

Go Blue!!

 

 

 

 

Miami of Ohio’s RedHawks swooped into Michigan Stadium Saturday afternoon in hopes of zooming away with a stunning upset of the one and one Wolverines, even though victories for the Miami football have been few and far between recently. They have not managed a winning effort in their last nineteen games.

Known far and wide as the “Cradle of Coaches”, Miami has developed some dandies. A short list includes, Earl Blaik, Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Weeb Eubank, Sid Gillman, Jon Harbaugh, and William Narduzzi.

Also, and most notable for Wolverine fans, our fabled Bo honed his coaching skills there, and was the Head Football Coach at Miami, when then Michigan AD Don Canham made the hire of a lifetime.

Noted as one of the best academic institutions in the State of Ohio, its proud academic tradition lingers and is something the largest Ohio University should admire and emulate, but Miami’s football heritage has recently been in stress, in decline, but not forgotten.

To turn around faltering Miami, they retained Chuck Martin as Head Football Coach. Starting this season, he brings more than adequate offensive coaching credentials. Martin spent the past two seasons at Notre Dame. His was the offense that deployed against Alabama in a National Championship game. In the first year of a rebuilding, things can get rough as all M fans know, and this season has started that way for Martin and his charges. Martin was at GVSU previously to ND.

Unfortunately for Miami’s immediate future he could not bring the components of the ND offense with him, but he was able to bring an outstanding QB with him in the person of Andrew Hendrix. Hendrix was NDs QB, but has matriculated at Miami for his 5^th year of eligibility. He hit 12 of 26 for 165-yards, threw for a TD, had one interception, and was sacked once.

Michigan was in the nickel, most if not all, of the game, as Hendrix threw from the spread. He was 11^th in the nation in passing prior to the game. Although he has wheels, an aerial assault is what the RedHawks do best. Hendrix had a tough afternoon, but he tied it up 10-10 in the second quarter.

The RedHawks have not profited in the win/loss column this season in spite of increased ability to score, but that still may come. Marshall bested them 42-27, and Eastern Kentucky bettered them by a TD, 17-10. The Red Hawks had 6 TOs in the loss. Three of them were interceptions. The Wolverines Jourdan Lewis, the owner of two pass interference calls last week, made a beautiful interception against the Hawks.

PREGAME CONCERNS, AND RESULTS:
Pass defense: Notre Dame had their way with the passing game last Saturday. Our new found “press” coverage” provided no interceptions and often provided a scene in which our better cover corners had their back to the ball chasing an open receiver. As stated above the Wolverines limited the RedHawk’s passing game to 165-yards. Jourdan Lewis got a nifty interception.

Jabrill Peppers did not play last week due to injury, and Raymon Taylor was injured in the first quarter against ND and did not play this week. Safety Jarrod Wilson did not play. Peppers was back this week and was in the rotation at corner. I spent a lot of time focusing on his play and it seemed to me that he surprisingly polished as a freshman in his pass defense. When necessary, he laid some wood.

Hoke’s comments regarding the cornerback rotation: “I think the guys we played, we rotated through Blake (Countess) and Jabrill (Peppers) and also Jourdan (Lewis). I think they played tighter coverage. We did a few things different with some of the blitz things as far as we played some zero coverage, which we don’t play a lot of, but thought we could play it — lining up at the sticks, those kinds of things. We’ll watch the tape, but I think they all did a nice job in there.”

Defensive line: From last week-Where is the pass rush and why are TOs not being created? Everyone with a pulse understood the problems Michigan might have getting its offensive line together, but it was thought here (not by Nussmeier) that the defensive line would carry the burden until the OL line was seasoned. Based on last Saturday’s game that seemed a forlorn and distant hope. This Saturday, even with a consideration of the step down in competition, they showed improvement by holding Miami to eight first downs and thirty-three yards rushing. Coach Hoke on the D and DL: “Defensively holding them to 2-of-12 from third down perspectives, getting your defense off the field, more opportunities for our offense. The rush for the second week, in looking at our defense, we played that very well, the front seven did, or if we were in nickel situations, the nickel, …. those were the positives of it. We only got the one pick as far as a turnover. We’ve got to do a better job there. I think we harassed the quarterback. I think Brennen Beyer on the one sack really made just a great play, in my opinion, because he finished the play, and how he finished it. We played pretty good rush defense so far. Now, I think the schedule continues to get tougher. We’ll see what kind of defense we are as we go through it. Thirty-three yards, yeah, you’re happy with that. How many attempts did they have? Twenty-four. They weren’t going to try and run it much. But I do think Chuck tried to run it enough to keep us a little more off balance.”

Brennen’s run down of the RedHawk QB was remarkable. He chased the QB down from behind, grabbed a shoulder pad/jersey with one hand from behind the runner’s back, and immediately secured the tackle with both big arms. Jake Ryan and Joe Bolden also had notable games per Coach Hoke. Frank Clark ran down a RedHawk ball carrier from behind, too.

Running Backs: Both smashers, Derrick Green and DeVeon are improved, and they showed it Saturday. Derrick Green was the work horse, having his best day as a Wolverine. Green carried the Wolverines offense. He scored twice, on nice runs and produced 137 yards. Both he and Smith ran hard. Dennis Norfleet looked good against ND, and again this Saturday. Dennis is looking better all the time. He has speed and determination. He ran a nice end around early when the game was still in question.  Justice Hayes did well and there was a nice grab by Freddy Canteen.

Receivers: Devin Funchess was still out. Amara Darboh, and Jake Butt carried the load. Amara collared 6 for 88-yards and a TD. His long was 26-yards. Jake Butt is back. In the after interview he said that he believes he is very near or at 100%. It is amazing he has returned so quickly from a serious injury. He has great strength of will. Jake caught 3 for 59-yards and a TD with a long of 29-yards. He got great separation from the defense on his TD reception.

Offensive line: Already discussed ad nauseam, but some improvement noted. Pass protection is still often iffy. While improving compared to last year in the run game, and earlier this year, they are still inconsistent. More improvement is needed each week, and they showed some this week. There were some holes and a more effective running game.

QB and the Offense: Devin Gardner had a decent but not spectacular day throwing two TDs, and hitting 13 of 20 for 184 yards and 2TD. But a second quarter interception was concerning and led to a field goal to make it 10-3. Then a KO return attempt was muffed by Wyatt Shallman. Hoke on what happened:…Justice (Hayes) was communicating mine, mine, mine, and Wyatt didn’t hear him. The one thing I think we can do a better job at is making sure he understands, we do it every Thursday, that he can fair catch that ball. But I think the way we had lined up, we knew how we were lining up, we had Justice up enough, we were hoping he would be able to field him without a fair catch. He (Shallman)just didn’t hear him.”

Gardner had already hit Darboh for a 17-yard TD pass, and later he hit Jake Butt on the game clincher, making it 31-10, and out of reach. He still does not look to be in full command of the pocket and one reporter asked Hoke if he was nervous. Coach Hoke’s reply: ” Maybe you thought he was nervous. I didn’t. I didn’t think he was. .. it will be interesting (to see it) again, you only see it once, to me it was a little high, but it was on target. I don’t know if Jehu (Chesson) got a chance to try to go get it either.

At the end of the 1^st half, the coaches got the crowd into it by not going for a 4^th and 1 from the Miami 47 with 1:00 on the clock. After a Miami time out, M was flagged for delay of game. Then it happened again. The delay of game after the second time out was probably intentional. The punt still went into the end zone. The crowd sent Brady a message of disapproval by booing. They thought M could get the yard and another score.

At halftime, Michigan hosted military appreciation day. It was an impressive half time performance. The band played the Star Spangled Banner, which officially became the United States National Anthem in 1931. Two large US flags were displayed on field. Service persons of all the Armed Forces were honored. Veterans Ken Weinert and Robert Fletcher were honored. An eagle named “Challenger” soared into the stadium, and found its handler. This was a unique sight, and the appreciation day was nicely done. There was a flyover of four civilian L-39 jets.

The game itself game had a bit of a strange feel to it. The score indicated a blow out, but it never felt that way. You kept waiting for the other mistake shoe to drop, but it didn’t.

Anyway, another win is in the books, and now it’s the prolific scoring Utes. This will be a test in Michigan Stadium that will measure the Wolverines.

See you there. We need to keep filling those seats.

Go Blue!

 

The Wolverines entertained almost the same number of fans Saturday night as they had for their spring “game”.  It didn’t seem to me that there the advertised 30,000 member crowd was there, but the crowd was substantial and enthusiastic, while the team ran through an extensive practice with the speakers spuming loud music intended for player distraction.

Both the open practice and night practice are Wolverine firsts and should benefit the team as intended.

This went into the books as another indication of defensive dominance and a continuing struggle to run the football.  The aggressive defense had the offense on the “defensive” on numerous occasions as the OL struggled to open holes for the running backs, and pass protect.

After the game Coach Hoke criticized the backs for lack of vision, but it was more than that.  Backs were running hard but into a dominating defense, depending on as yet sporadic OL effectiveness.

Starters Saturday night were Freshman Mason Cole at Left Tackle, Erik Magnuson at Left Guard, Jack Miller at Center, Graham Glasgow at Right Guard, and Ben Braden at right Tackle.  Right Guard Kyle Kalis was sidelined as he recovers from injury.  Glasgow hurt his foot.

The latest pecking order regarding running backs is Derrick Green, DeVeon Smith, Drake Johnson and Justice Hayes.  Green had the most snaps, but Smith and Johnson looked competitive.  Johnson had some nice carries for a solid third place.  I believe this group will acquit itself as well as possible this season, depending on the growth of the offensive line.

QBs Gardner, Morris and Speight all were pressured most of the evening, with much rush coming right up the middle.  They played against the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd defensive groups respectively, and Shane by far got the most snaps.

This is not to say the QBs they did not impress at all because they did.  They looked crisp, and organized despite the pressure. There was a notable lack of delay of game penalties, and they get the offense to the line of scrimmage quickly.  All threw some nice balls.  Gardner threw a couple of gems, one for forty-yards, and one for a TD.  Devin played within the system and threw a couple of balls into the stands to save a sack.

Russell Bellomy was the fourth QB in and had an unfortunate play in which he bobbled the ball twice.  I was hoping he would have some success.  He is a well- spoken young man.

This scrimmage was not proof that fans should throw up their hands, and retreat into the bunker regarding this OL line.  There is size and talent there.  And they are improving.  There is still time to present an effective running game, and there is improvement.

While it is unlikely that Michigan will become a three yards and cloud of dust team this year under any circumstances, they will have to reliably move the ball on the ground and protect the QB enough to enable play action passing.

It seems to me the strength of this offense will be its passing game for a number of reasons, not the least of which will be the development of Devin Gardner under Coach Nussmeier.

Another is the cadre of somewhat inexperienced but talented receivers led by Devin Funchess.  Armah Darboh and Juhu Chesson are fighting for playing time, and it appears that both will contribute.  Darboh is a big receiver that is tough to get down, a tough cookie.  Chesson has smooth speed.  Both look very good.  Freddy Canteen had some nice catches out of the slot, but is listed behind a more experienced Dennis Norfleet. DaMario Jones and Bo Dever both had catches.  Freshman Maurice Ways demonstrated his abilities with several catches.

Tight End Ian Bunting looked good receiving, and two tight ends often saw action.

As for the defense, it was aggressive, nasty, and dominate.  It has many interchangeable parts.  Frank Clark stood out, Ondre Pipkins looked good, having apparently overcome last season’s injury DT Matt Godin looked good, among many others including Jake Ryan.

Last year’s defensive backfield has been upgraded as to personnel, depth experience, and by players healed for injury.

In the personnel department, no player upgrade is more remarkable than Jabrill Peppers.  He has the size, strength and athletic ability to contribute immediately, and at multiple positions.  He was listed as a starting corner, and has played nickel corner.  He will return punts.  He is smoothly evasive, and can run over people.

While he has to grow into positions, all he lacks is experience at this level of play.  He has all the qualities to become the superstar at the D-1 level.  In High School, he managed a career that led to him being one of the most hyped recruits in Michigan history.   His future as a Wolverine is going to be breath taking.

But in this defensive backfield, he is not alone.  Talent abounds all over the place.  Jourdan Lewis is another talent, as is Blake Countess to mention just a few.

This is a time of year where a least a little optimism is appropriate, and this year is no exception.  Some is appropriate this year.

This year the Wolverines as a team are bigger, faster, more experienced and more talented than last year.  It appears the coaching shuffle has been a plus in all respects. There is no question the defense will be better because of experience and some better talent.

There is also no question that the defense will have to carry the offense for the early part of the season.

I think that they will be able to do so with positive results, but that doesn’t matter.

What matters is they have to go out and do the job.

 

Go Blue!