In 2009 I asked Dr. Barry Dehlin, a sophomore on Bump Elliott’s 1963 squad, to talk about his memories of the historic day in 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. The day after the shooting Ohio State was scheduled to be at the Big House but understandably that game was postponed to honor the President. Here’s what Dehlin shared:
-
-
Guilty.
As a youth, a friend of mine and I visited Monmouth Park in NJ to enjoy the ponies. My buddy had never been to the track before so I gave him some advice: if your horse is winning the race, just play it cool man. It’s nobody’s business what your horse is doing or not doing, dig? Maintain. Minutes later the horse we both bet on was pulling away from the field as they came down the stretch. Naturally we both jumped around and screamed like little girls as we air-jockeyed that doggie across the line. Saturday: Via Ace at mogblog: If you’re wondering about the identity of the guy in the black jacket running around like a manic behind the goalposts, that’s Greg Dooley of MVictors. Livin’ the dream, Greg. Guilty. And the white-shirted fellow waving off the kick was Northwestern AD Jim Phillips:
-
Meet the ‘73 Wolverines
You might have caught a reference to the player intros in Dr. Sap’s Bovember post (see Dave Gallagher). Thanks to Sap here’s a look at the TV intros prior to the 1973 Ohio State game. It’s short clip but worth your time: You gotta love seeing the players’ faces right before the game & the different salutes they offer up are epic. If you didn’t know Gallagher was team captain before seeing this clip, now you know after you watch how he carries himself. Finally Bo’s reaction to the camera is absolutely classic. Sap says he has a few more of these…including the appearance of a toothpick…which has to be pure gold. I’ll work on getting those out. In the meantime: Follow MVictors on Twitter
-
Dr. Sap’s Decals | Waterlogged Wildcat Style
Sap has stuck through the decals this season thick or thin (except when it got really thin that one time). Decals for Northwestern, once again Editor’s Pick and Ufe selections are mine OFFENSIVE CHAMPION DEVIN GARDNER – I gotta be honest with ya – I watched this offense sputter its way to a 3rd down conversion goose-egg during regulation and I thought, “How can I pick a “Champion” from this offense?” Sure Gardner still has his shortcomings, and yes he still doesn’t set & plant his feet on every throw (probably due to defensive lineman in his face all game), but when he scored in the 3rd overtime – on an OPTION RUN no less – I felt VERY happy for the guy. New 98 never gave up – just what a true leader does. Nice going DG! DEFENSIVE CHAMPION THOMAS GORDON – Aside from the game-clinching INT, Gordon was solid all game. He delivered a smack-down shot on Wildcat QB Kain Colter in the 1st quarter and then snuffed out an option run in the 2nd period. He brought the wood like I haven’t seen in a UM secondary in a LONG, LONG time. Dude was sending a message all game and I dig that from the defensive secondary! SPECIAL TEAMS CHAMPION DREW DILEO – Not only did he…
-
The Chicago Hustle (Michigan 27, Northwestern 19)
For good reason, we spend so much energy talking about offense and defense, but you have to take a moment and acknowledge what happened with the special teams unit on Saturday. Offhand that was the most complete special teams performance I can recall and if not, definitely the most significant as it relates to the outcome of a game. In the slippery & windy conditions, to cleanly execute all those kicks (save the long FG), punts catches, and coverage during the game was exceptional. If Northwestern blew this game by not hanging onto the ball, the difference for Michigan was the play of special teams. The coaches have taken a beating since week 3 so give STC Ferrigno and Hoke major credit for the military-style discipline and execution by the special unit throughout the game…all the way to the wire: Hoke called that one of the best single football plays he could remember. While we’ve seen several ridiculous individual plays over years (and Hoke was there for the best–Woodson’s ‘97 pick at MSU), based on the number of variables that had to cleanly function and fall in place in those few frantic seconds it’s hard to argue with him. You’ve heard now that Michigan practices that every week, & Gardner joked postgame that he appreciated that they finally got to…
-
Foggy, Blurry & Wet but…We Dance! (NW Postgame Photos)
Follow MVictors on Twitter
-
Pregame Shots (Northwestern)
No purple today, just pride. And butt enhancing pants. They passed on this look: Us too Derrick Green ready to go Someone taped something on the goal post – not cool man Wind is kicking
-
Ron Johnson Rolls Up 347 (1968) – This Week in Michigan Football History
For this edition of This Week in Michigan Football history we head back four and a half decades to the home finale of the 1968 season, Bump Elliott’s final year at the helm of the Wolverines. On November 16, 1968 the Big House was barely half full. Those who didn’t bother to show certainly regret it as Michigan, Big Ten and heck, NCAA history was made by Bump’s badass back Mr. Ron Johnson. 347 yards on the ground. One man. Barely more than 3 quarters. Ponder that here in 2013. Today, Friday November 15, we are as far from that type of performance as we’ve been since that day 45 years ago. Johnson, along with Elliott and Old 98, graced the program cover (above) for this game and this was fitting. Johnson’s big day knocked out a couple of Harmon’s records, and of course it was Bump’s final home game. (P.S. I want one of those vintage ‘68 coaches shirts). You can catch all of the This Week in Michigan Football History clips here. Don’t forget to catch it live Saturday on the KeyBank Countdown to kick-off on WTKA 1050AM starting at 11:30AM Saturday. Follow MVictors on Twitter
