Black Knight Champions | Dr. Sap’s Decals

[Lead photo:   Mike Mulholland | MLive.com ]

By Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis

Let’s get a couple things straight right off the bat. If you have ever played against a service academy team in any sport, two things are certain:

1. They will be in top physical condition
2. They will NEVER give up

So having having said this I was not surprised that this ended up being a four quarter game. What I WAS surprised with was that it went to two overtimes. I’m so glad that these soldiers are defending our country! Their effort, tenacity, teamwork and esprit de corps are outstanding! I just never want to see them on the football field against Michigan, again! Having said all that, let’s get to the Black Knight Champions!

OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – For the second straight week I’m going with Zach Charbonnet. Great running backs typically see three things when they run: the hole, the 1st down sticks and the end zone. It’s becoming obvious that 24 has the vision to see all three. Last week it was great pass-pro, this week it is the durability to carry the ball 33 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Dude’s just getting started and he already looks so comfortable in this offense.

DEFENSIVE CHAMPION – You’ve heard the coach-speak about needing to be just one play better than your opponent to win. Army was that opponent and that one play happened in the second overtime when Aidan Hutchinson hit the Army QB and forced a fumble that Kwity Paye recovered.

Helmet stickers for both of you! Sometimes the margin of victory is one play and that was today. Take the W, move on and let’s not play Army again!

SPECIAL TEAMS CHAMPION – I loved the trickeration/intent-to-deceive/hot read when LB Michael Barrett took the short punt snap & threw a perfect spiral to Daxton Hill who juked the defender to get the first down! Michigan noticed the defender on Dax crashed down on the play before (a procedure penalty) and they activiated the “alert” call. This quick thinking was great to see and more importantly, great to see well-executed! I’m guessing this won’t be the last bit of trickeration we will see this year on special teams.

UNIFORM CHAMPION – Not sure if it’s just me, but last week I thought the maize pants looked more yellow than they did last year. I got a closer look on Saturday, and they sure do look to have a more maize hue/tint to them compared to last year. I like it and will like them even more if they make the trip to Madison in two weeks!