[Ed. Given I ran into big Russell Davis on Saturday, what a perfect time for this guest post by Dr. Sap!] Guest post by Dr. Steve “Sap” Sapardanis Back in the 1970s, the first week of January was typically not a good one for the Michigan Football team or its players. It usually meant devastating Rose Bowl defeats. But on January 6th, 1979, Rick Leach and Russell Davis changed all that. Leach was one of three QB’s for the East All-Stars playing in the Hula Bowl in Hawaii. Russell Davis was playing fullback for the East squad in the East-West Shrine Game played in Palo Alto, California. Many expected Leach to be overshadowed by his more high-profile counterparts – Notre Dame’s golden boy, Joe Montana, and Penn State’s Heisman Trophy runner-up, Chuck Fusina. Davis was just a fullback…and when had a fullback ever done anything of note in an All-Star or Bowl Game? When the day was over with, Bo Schembechler had to have been all smiles. Each player walked away with Offensive MVP honors in both games. Leach showed a national TV audience that he could throw the football with the best of them, completing 7 of 12 passes for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. He led the East All-Stars on a 23-point 4th quarter comeback that had to…
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Spring Game Postgame Fashion Police
Just a few for you postgame. First, Taylor Lewan with the new ‘do and mustache giving him a slight Freddie Mercury feel: [Ed. 4/14] Dr. Sap insists this is a more manly look, along the lines of former All-American guard Dean Dingman. Ok, I’ll give in a little—> Lewan looks like the adopted son of Dean Dingman and Freddie Mercury. Devin Gardner is a cool cat and will end up in the booth someday if he wants it. Looks like Adidas handled the orange jersey dilemma of 2013. Uniform timeline is updated to cover this nuance. Hoke flashing for the media his 1997 national championship ring, for the first time to the press IIRC. I’m sure the recruits get to see that quite a bit. When asked why he chose to wear it he replied, “I usually don’t wear it. I just kinda had it on. It went with my … shoes.” As I told Angelique, only Liberace had shoes that matches that ring: “Hmm…trying to remember what we’re playing for..” [Ed. 4/13] Brad at MBN sent over this shot of the #BLING: [Ed. 4/13 #2] Hmm…maybe that national championship #bling was to show to a certain WR prospect who was interested in coming to a school that could contend for a national championship? Hmmm?? More: Photos and recap from…
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Victors Classic! Photos
Congrats to former QB BJ Dickey for taking home the 11 foot epic hardware as MVP, as the Blue took down the Maize in frigid conditions this morning. Thankfully I didn’t see any major injuries out there and other than the weather, it was another excellent event. They also did a nice job running the time and the score on the scoreboards this year so folks knew what was happening. Highlights for me: When Johnny Wangler was inserted in at QB to toss a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. OK in fairness…it was only the end of the half, the pass only went 20 yards, it was the wrong end zone, AC wasn’t on the other end and the toss was intercepted…but it was still cool. If you agree, welcome brother or sister, you are a M history nerd. Seeing early 1960s QB Dave Glinka guiding the Maize down the field on a couple occasions. He still can toss a nice seed. Watching Touchdown Billy Taylor back in action. Phil Brabbs snagging a nice catch. More Pics: Nice shoes BT! But where are the epic Pumas???? Former QB Dave Glinka has still got it Johnny Wangs (winter hat low right) asked his teammates at halftime, “Do we have anybody fast?” Great to see Big Russell…
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Appreciate + Reciprocate in 3D
A few photos from the LSA Appreciate + Reciprocate event held on campus last night. The event featured a panel of Desmond Howard, Dhani Jones and Denard answering a series of questions about their Michigan experiences & more. The event raised over $10,000 for the LSA Emergency Scholarship Fund. Denard was actually originally scratched from the event due to some NFL-related commitments, but worked things out to make it in. Highlights? Dhani reliving his rally of the “freeks and geeks” at East Quad to march over and join the annual South Quad-West Quad snowball fight. Desmond describing Greg Harden, U-M’s longtime director of athletic counseling, as “The Wolf” (or Mr. Wolf if you’re nasty)—the guy who solves problems for athletes with questions and troubles. The three arguing about whose coaches worked them harder, with Denard reminding the other 2 about a certain investigation in such matters during his tenure. A few more pics: Doy Epic Hail cake by Sweet Heather Anne Naturally Denard’s loafers were untied and I promise* this is the last shot of Denard’s shoes on this site. Follow MVictors on Twitter * i can’t promise that
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Michigan Victors Classic 2013 – Rosters
The rosters for the Alumni game tomorrow, some impressive names. Despite Wangs on the Maize team, early favorite is the Blue team.
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Football? Oh yeah…football (2013 Spring Game Details)
Does anyone remember laughter FOOTBALL? All the Spring Football details via U-M Media Relations. Note WTKA starts broadcasting at 10:30AM. I’m still working on the opening line from the Alumni Game (Victors Classic): A Fan’s Guide to Mott Spring Game and “Battle at the Big House” Saturday ANN ARBOR – The 2013 Mott Spring Game presented by PNC Bank in partnership with Michigan Athletics and the “Battle at the Big House” men’s lacrosse game against Ohio State will be held this Saturday (April 13) at Michigan Stadium. The spring scrimmage and lacrosse game are free to the public, and Michigan Athletics and U-M C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital have teamed up once again to raise funds for the new hospital. The gates to the Big House will open at 10 a.m., as events will surround the football team’s final spring practice. The fifth annual alumni flag football game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., while Team 134 is set to take the field at approximately 12:40 p.m. The football scrimmage will be streamed live on BTN2Go beginning at 1 p.m. ET and air on delay at 9 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. Following the spring scrimmage, Michigan’s men’s lacrosse team will face Ohio State, set to begin at 3:30 p.m. Since 2010, the Spring Game has raised nearly $1…
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One (Long) Anxious Moment
I really don’t function too well when I’m watching these games and it’s gotten worse since as I was in New Orleans two decades back. Funny, the lingering painful image I have from ‘93 is not Webber’s timeout but rather Donald Williams out on the wing with his legs and arms extended (wrist snapped), slinging in three and after three like he was Spike. It got worse at the 1998 Rose Bowl. Arms folded, I barely said a word or moved the whole game. Thinking about the never-ending string of late-game third-down measurements still makes me twist. I’ve seen highlights of course (and more importantly, I know how things turned out!) but I’m not interested in watching the entire replay again because it was so agonizing. Last night, once I arrived in section 227 I offered the occasional fist bump to the fellers around me but never moved from the seat—for anything–from tip to the time I walked out. I don’t think I’m alone. My dad once asked one of his pals, a big Michigan fan, why he didn’t really ever go to the Big House despite living within an hour. Reply: “Because they break your heart.” It was heart breaking last night. At times It’s Great to Be a Michigan Wolverine but for a lot us, especially when we’re…
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Full Postgame Presser: Beilein, Spike, Trey, Hardaway
THE MODERATOR: We’re joined by head coach of Michigan, John Beilein, and student?athletes. We’ll start with an opening statement by Coach Beilein.COACH BEILEIN: I’ve had a lot of really good teams over the years, some emotional locker rooms. That one was as emotional, or most emotional we’ve ever had.The team unity that we had, the sacrifice we had from the five seniors that did not get to play very much, to these young guys just buying into the whole team concept. I said to Tracy on CBS, I said, Team 96, there’s so many former coaches at Michigan, so many coaches around the country that would love to take my place and coach these guys, and my coaching staff. For me to have this coaching staff and Team 96 was incredible.We feel bad about it. We could have done some things better, every one of us, today and got a win. At the same time Louisville is a terrific baseball team. I have not seen that quickness anywhere, and we’ve played some really good teams. The quickness is incredible and it got us a couple times today.THE MODERATOR: Questions at this time for the student?athletes.Q. Trey, thoughts on getting that close and the hurt of not getting over the top. TREY BURKE: It hurts a lot. Just to get to…
