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…
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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…
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Foggy, Blurry & Wet but…We Dance! (NW Postgame Photos)
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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
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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
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Pure Bovember: The Defense | Storytime with Dr. Sap
From the mind and archives of Dr. Sap. Earlier this week, in honor of Movember, Steve provided the all-‘stache’d Schembechler offense. Today he unveils the defense. Once again I supplied mustache ratings, simply an evaluation based on the quality of the facial hair: Defensive TackleDAVE GALLAGHER1970-1973 Middle GuardSTEVE GRAVES1973-1977 Defensive TackleCURTIS GREER1975-1979 As tough as they come, DG had the best player introduction ever before the 1973 Ohio State game. Woody gave him the ultimate kudo, saying he was the best middle guard he’d seen. Had size, speed, and a knack for sacking the QB. Set the U-M TFL record in 1979. Outside LinebackerROBERT THOMPSON1978-1982 Inside LinebackerANDY CANNAVINO1977-1980 Inside LinebackerCALVIN O’NEAL1972-1976 A force off the edge, his size and speed were too much for almost any o-line to handle. Led what many consider the greatest defense in Michigan history, and gave Bo his first Rose Bowl victory. Leader of the defense that kept U-M ranked #1 for 8 weeks in 1976. Outside LinebackerJIM HERRMANN1979-1982 Defense BackMARION BODY1978-1982 Defensive BackJIM PICKENS1974-1977 He liked the defense so much he designed the smothering unit in 1997 that won it all. Part of the 1980 defensive backfield that did not give up a TD in over 22 straight quarters. Member of some of the fiercest hitting defensive backfields in Michigan history. #takethat Defensive BackMIKE…
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The Soul-Sucking Sound of Crickets – Sights & Sounds | Nebraska 17, Michigan 13 (2013)
When the offense took the field with a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter there was a stunning sound from the crowd: nothing. Crickets. Nervous mumbling at best. This muffled din was delivered by the crowd that unleashed the loudest Bronx Cheer ever recorded after the team’s initial first down, and the same crowd that screamed like schoolgirls when a blindside Husker defender was closing in on 98 during the third-quarter touchdown drive. Say what you want about the Michigan Stadium crowd, but when there’s good reason to get loud they do. Except for Saturday. Perhaps it was a concern for President Mary Sue Coleman’s condition (thoughts and prayers), but the bottom line is the soul was sucked out of that place well before the fourth quarter. If Bo were alive I’m guessing many of the Michigan faithful would expect him to be toting his famous yardstick, circling the coaching staff talking teamwork, and about preeminent men having enthusiasms…enthusiasms. Bo’s not here and the Clans are reforming in the foothills at Fraser’s. Fans are filed up outside Ann Arbor Torch and Pitchfork and preparing to march on Schembechler Hall. They want names. Misc: The Mood. Losing at home like that was a gut punch, and you are red-faced Brosef: TWIMFbH featured the first game after the…
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Dr. Sap’s Decals | Seeing Husker Red
Thankfully we caught Dr. Sap in a good mood Saturday despite that thing he watched on the field. Perhaps he was cheered up by the knowledge that a Nebraska man presided over Ricky Leach’s wedding. Here are your dekes and once again I contributed the Ufer Fan Award and Editor’s pick: OFFENSIVE CHAMPION DEVIN FUNCHESS MANBALL – That’s his new name – DEVIN FUNCHESS MANBALL – because that’s the only Manball I see out there right now. How many positions can this guy play? Did I hear it right? Gallon had zero catches in the 2nd half? This offense, as one-dimensional as it is, would be NOTHING without DEVIN FUNCHESS MANBALL. Can he play the slot? Can he line up in the backfield? Can he kick a 45-yard-plus field goal? DEVIN FUNCHESS MANBALL needs to have more touches – plain and simple! DEFENSIVE CHAMPION JAMES ROSS III – #15 in my opinion may have played his best game as a Wolverine. Some big stops on key plays that got the defense off the field is EXACTLY what you want from your linebackers – SOLID! SPECIAL TEAMS CHAMPION BRENDAN GIBBONS – This one was going to Wile, but you can’t miss a field goal and be the Special Teams Champ. Gibby’s bank shot gave UM its first lead in what –…
