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Michigan vs Michigan State Football — Looking Back – 1995

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

Among the many traditions that are part of the Michigan vs. Michigan State football rivalry, one is rarely discussed: New coaches are usually given a brutal introduction to the series.

The third installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1995. The national economy was slowly starting to wake up, and if you listened carefully, you could hear a few people discussing something known as “the Internet.” If you paid attention to college football, it was becoming apparent that Michigan’s interim head coach, Lloyd Carr, was pretty good. Unfortunately for Carr, the Michigan State Spartans didn’t plan on giving him a warm welcome to the in-state rivalry.

Of course, it didn’t help that Michigan State also had a first-year head coach named Nick Saban, and in the mid-1990s, he was just looking forward to a bright future. The matchup of first-year coaches produced a classic Big Ten battle. With snow flurries falling to produce a memorable environment, Remy Hamilton gave Michigan the first lead of the game with a 35-yard field goal. Shortly after that, Michigan State’s Derrick Mason took a punt and weaved his 70 yards for a touchdown to give the Spartans a 7-3 lead, and the momentum. By halftime, the Spartans led, 14-3, and the mood surrounding the Michigan team was as dark as the snowy fall sky in East Lansing.

The Wolverines then came out with a new resolve to start the second half. Michigan lined up in several two-tight end sets, and started to run the ball with conviction, as Tim Biakabutuka and Chis Howard took turns battering their way through the Michigan State defensive line. Finally, with three backs in the backfield, quarterback Brian Griese handed off to Will Carr, normally a defensive lineman, and Carr barely made it over the goal line for the touchdown. After Griese connected with Mark Campbell for the two-point conversion, Michigan State’s lead was cut to a mere three points. The teams then traded scores, but when Griese found Mercury Hayes in the back corner of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown, it looked as if Michigan was in control. The Wolverines had a four-point with 3:38 to play. Greg Mattison was coaching the defense. Jarrett Irons was playing middle linebacker. Chuck Winters was playing safety. A freshman named Charles Woodson was playing cornerback.

But Spartan quarterback Tony Banks still had time. On 4th and 11, Banks connected with Mason for an 11-yard gain, and the meaurement indicated it was a Michigan State first down. Then Woodson bobbled a would-be interception, and Mason caught the ricochet for a catch deep in Michigan territory. On the next play, Banks scrambled and saw Nigea Carter twisting around toward the goal line. Banks heaved the ball, and Carter twisted the right way at the right time for a Michigan State touchdown. Suddenly, Michigan trailed with just 1:24 left to play, in hostile territory.

Finally, with six seconds left on the clock, Michigan had one, final, desperate hope. Griese faded back to pass, and threw with all his might, but his pass landed harmlessly on the ground. Suddenly, a 7-1 MIchigan team had just lost a game they weren’t supposed to lose. It shows that nothing can be taken for granted against Michigan State.

Thanks to ESPN Classic, ABC Sports, YouTube poster ROLL TIDE Graham 2 and YouTube for the highlight film of this game. As always, neither I nor anyone involved with umgoblue.com make a profit off this blog post, which is intended strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukwTFhCxXK0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukwTFhCxXK0

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Michigan vs Michigan State Football — Looking Back – 1973

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

The second installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us back to 1973. The ’73 Wolverines might just be one of the most underappreciated teams in the school’s illustrious football history. They did not win the National Championship. They did not play in the Rose Bowl, but that’s a story for another day. For that matter,, they did not play in a bowl game of any kind. You can’t even find any video of the 1973 Michigan vs. Michigan State game online, though I certainly tried.

Yet the 1973 Wolverines didn’t lose a game all season.

Bo Schembechler usually learned his lessons as a head coach. After losing to Michigan State in his first season in 1969, Michigan reeled off eight consecutive wins against the team from East Lansing. The 1973 win might have been the most emphatic victory in that entire stretch. In the first quarter, Dave Brown fielded a punt at his own 47-yard line and dashed 53 yards for the touchdown to give Michigan the early lead. Later in the first quarter, Mike Lantry tacked on a 35-yard field goal, and the rout was on. Not even a driving rain could slow the Wolverine offense, as Michigan cruised to a 31-0 victory.

Since there is no film of that game to be found, I’m improvising by attaching the documentary “Michigan Football Memories.” Thanks to Michigan Football Television, HKO Media, YouTube poster WolverineDevotee and YouTube for this video. As always, neither I nor anyone involved with umgoblue.com profit in any way from this blog post, which is intended purely for the entertainment of readers. Enjoy!

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Rivalry Week – Michigan State Pre Game Press Conference Highlights


HEAD COACH JIM HARBAUGH


The importance of beating Michigan State

They want to win it, I want to win it

The intensity of rivalry

Everybody wants to win so bad

The team has prioritized getting to the ball on defense

We’ve added a “get to” coach

Throw out the records

Both sides want it that much

Great culture

Everybody bleeds Blue

On the halftime tunnel fracas with Penn State

Bigger to fish to fry

OL Ryan Hayes

On the bitter loss last year

We were pissed off

On the intensity of the rivalry

We hate each other

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Michigan vs Michigan State Football — Looking Back – 1989

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

Lance Dottin might just have been the most unlikely player to make the clinching play in any Michigan rivalry game coached by Bo Schembechler, but when Dottin cradled a desperation pass from Dan Enos, the Wolverines secured a hard-fought win over their in-state rivals, the Michigan State Spartans.

The first installment of this year’s series looking back at rivalry games between the Wolverines and the Spartans takes us back to 1989, Schembechler’s last season as Michigan head coach. Fittingly, the two rivals engaged in a classic, low-scoring slugfest. Michigan controlled most of the game, jumping out to a 10-0 lead. But few leads are safe in this series.

In the late 1980s, the coaches of both teams had very similar philosophies, both centered around toughness and precision. In Ann Arbor, Michigan had the luxury of having two very capable quarterbacks: Michael Taylor, who could run the option, and Elvis Grbac, a traditional pocket passer. In ’89, Grbac established himself as the starter. Grbac started this game for the maize and blue, and once he led Michigan to the lead, Schembecher wasn’t about to make any changes.

Oh, Michigan State had chances alright. The Spartans attempted a field goal in the first quarter, but Vada Murray blocked it, preventing Michigan State from taking the first lead of the game. The Wolverines then settled into a classic Bo Schembechler drive. On 4th down & goal to go from the 1-yard line, Michigan lined up in the wishbone formation, and Grbac handed off to Leroy Hoard, playing left halfback. Hoard barreled in for the go-ahead score, setting the tone for most of the game. J.D. Carlson tacked on a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter to give the Wolverines a 10-0 lead at halftime.

That lead stood for most of the game, until Enos (later a Michigan assistant coach for about 15 minutes) found Courtney Hawkins in the end zone to cut Michigan’s lead to 10-7. But the UM defense made sure the Spartans got no closer, and Dottin sealed the win with his interception.

Thanks to ABC Sports, YouTube, and to YouTube poster Pizza Pizzichetti for the full broadcast of this game. Settle in, grab a hot dog, and listen to a couple of old friends, Bob Griese and the late Keith Jackson, as they call this classic game. As always, neither I nor anyone involved with umgoblue.com profit in any way from this blog post, which is strictly intended for the enjoyment of readers.

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2022 Michigan Football — Playbook — Donovan Edwards 67 Yard TD Run

Let’s break down Donovan Edwards’ 67 yard TD run versus Penn State.

At the 11:30 mark of the 3rd quarter and Penn State leading 17-16, the Wolverines have a 1st and 10 at the 33 yard line. The Wolverines are trailing despite statistically dominating the first half, settling for two field goals while two fluky touchdown plays by Penn State brought the Nittany Lions back into the game.

PRE-SNAP

At initial alignment, things look good for Michigan. They line up strong left and on the right side tight end has 86 Luke Schoonmaker has a good angle on the Penn State down lineman. If Michigan were to hand off or pitch to #7 Donovan Edwards, sweeping to the right, a nice gain seems possible.

But it wait, Michigan isn’t done yet- #7 Donovan Edwards move from behind QB JJ McCarthy and resets on his left. Michigan is overloaded to the left, strongly hinting the play will go that way to the wide side field.

Let’s take another look at the formation. From this angle you can see that #52 Karsen Barnhart and #86 Luke Schoonmaker have great angles to seal off the Penn State down lineman, potentially leaving #7 Donovan Edwards one-on-one with a Penn State edge defender.

Michigan has multiple options out of this formation, but with Edwards lined up in the backfield to the left, it seems like something is coming that way.

THE ACTION

At the snap of the ball things start happening.

Michigan #18 Colston Loveland runs parallel to the line of scrimmage towards the left side the sideline. #1 Andrel Anthony and #8 Ronnie Bell match up with their respective defenders. This is important to freeze the Penn State Safety #16. It also causes Penn State #20 and second level defender to track Loveland, diverting them from the actual point of attack.

Next #76 Ryan Hayes engages #43- this is a key backside block with big implications as the play develops.

#77 Trevor Keegan, #52 Karsen Barnhart, and #86 Luke Schoonmaker perform seal blocks on the their respective defenders.

Then the hammer, Michigan pulls lineman #55 Ulu uluwatimi and #65 Zak Zinter to lead the way for #Donovan Edwards who takes the front hand off from QB JJ McCarthy and follows his pulling linemen to the point of attack.

#65 Zak Zinter blocks #4 Penn State while #23 Penn State inexplicably takes an inside path to the backfield, and Edwards is off to the races.

The image below shows the action:

(1) shows the Penn State safety distracted by the action on the left, not seeing that #76 Ryan Hayes (2) is blocking downfield, indicating a run play.

(3) shows the Michigan offensive lineman putting on a blocking clinic, while (4) shows Olu and Zinter pulling to clear the way for Edwards.

Below (3) shows Penn State #23 taking an inside angle into the backfield (where Edwards used to be), (2) shows #76 Ryan Hayes holding his block on #43, (3) shows the Penn State Safety #16 still not reacting the point of attack.

Now watch the play.

Linebacker #43 knows to key on the pulling guard (he’ll take you to the play) but #76 Ryan Hayes keeps him engaged while Edwards breaks through to the next level.

Penn State Safety (#16) recovers but takes a bad angle and Edwards makes him pay.

Donovan Edwards

Donovan Edwards and JJ McCarthy describing the 67 yard TD run.

A few notes here. This play shows how many things have to go right for Michigan (and wrong for Penn State) for Edwards to score this touchdown. What could have been 5 or 10 yard gain turns into a 67 yard TD run because a backside block by #76 Ryan Hayes and bad angle taken by Penn State #23.

In defense of Penn State #23, he did have 6″3′ and 307 pound Olu bearing down on him.

This play also shows how incredibly fast the Penn State defense is. #20 and #43 on the backside of the play recover to race Edwards to the endzone when he cuts back. Make no mistake, Penn State was out schemed on this play but their talent nearly bailed them out.