Richard Retyi of U-M media relations posted a nice story recently on mgoblue.com, talking about the first touchdown in Michigan football history, widely attributed to a gent named Irving K. Pond. From the piece: The team photo features 13 handsome gentlemen with team captain Dave N. DeTar standing in the back row with his mates. The team did not have a head coach until 1891. Hand written notes on the back of the team picture read: “All except Collins H. Johnson were in Chicago for the game with Racine College on May 30, 1879. Petit was substitute and did not get into the game. Touchdown by Pond. Field goal by DeTar.“ Pond described the feat in his autobiography: My touchdown was made towards the end of the first half and involved a long distance run to where the ball must be grounded directly behind and between the goal posts … To Avoid being tackled I was forced to mount the bleachers and run eastward along them until I was opposite the goal when I stopped suddenly and — fearing that a touchdown in the bleachers would not count– jumped over the heads of my pursuers to the ground.” You’ve got a few sources claiming that Pond scored the first Michigan touchdown that’s certainly the accepted history. The ‘DeTar’ who made…
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Rodriguez on the Competition (08-25 audio)
mgoTim’s presser notes from yesterday. On the quarterback competition, here’s a clip where he explains how tight the competition really is (even tighter than last year when he played three in the opener). He hoped he’d have the reps split 60-40 by now, wasn’t able to do it. [display_podcast] He also scoffed at the notion that he needs to settle on one guy and fans won’t know until kick-off of the UConn game (does that mean we’re taking the ball?). I’m taking RichRod’s lead and declaring I’m done worrying about the quarterback situation. Tate rebounded, Devin’s much better than he looked in the spring and Denard seems to be the leader and the team favorite. I don’t think we’re going to get anything else. The big question for me - How does Denard fare in the pocket when pressured? We’ll find out September 4.
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The Shake Out
[Ed. With word out per Alvarez that Iowa and Wisconsin will be split, a revision]: Assuming they add that special rule that requires Michigan and Ohio, (and now, Iowa and Wisconsin?) this also protects 9 of the 13 traditionally recognized rivalry games with a trophy (including The Game). If Iowa and Wisconsin are split, seems to follow that Iowa would hang in the division with Nebraska so they can have their annual corn war. * Indiana-Purdue (Old Oaken Bucket) * Indiana-Michigan State (Old Brass Spittoon) * Iowa-Wisconsin (Heartland Trophy via special rule) * Michigan-Michigan State (Paul Bunyan Trophy) * Iowa-Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale) * Michigan-Ohio State (“The Pride of Rose Bowl” via special rule) * Michigan State-Penn State (Land Grant Trophy) * Illinois-Ohio State (Illibuck) * Illinois-Northwestern (Sweet Sioux Tomahawk/Land of Lincoln Trophy) Left out, unless they work in some deal like Ohio State and Michigan for the first two, are: * Minnesota-Penn State (Governor’s Victory Bell) * Michigan-Minnesota (Little Brown Jug <shakes fist>) * Illinois-Purdue (Purdue Cannon) * Minnesota-Wisconsin (Slab of Bacon/Paul Bunyan’s Axe) If you really want to optimize the rivalries, take the structure above and swap Minnesota and IU, and protect the Indiana-Purdue cross-division game. This will hold 10 of the 13 rivalries each season not to mention Michigan-Penn State and Iowa-Nebraska: * Indiana-Purdue (Old Oaken…
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-28
OMG RT OSU now an OOC game! Woo! RT @TonyGerdeman: Brandon says cross-divisional games wouldn't count in the standings.. # Desmond on Rome now, on Rich Rod, needs to be 8 or 9 games (or 7 + Ohio State). # Desmond Howard joining U-M grads @SklarBrothers guest-hosting Jim Rome later this hour # great US Americans & Jug-ists –> @translator82 @cdbarker @ryanhaase # RT @LucyAnnLance UM Football Coach Rich Rodriguez joins us at 9:40 AM Friday on 1290 WLBY. Listen online at http://www.1290WLBY.com. # Save the Little Brown Jug rivalry! (Or at least bitch about it) –> http://bit.ly/savejug # Moundros still battling for starting position at LB. # Started the installation for UConn game, next few days will work on all 3 phases. # RR would hope that a guy or 2 would emerge at RB, but not overly concerned. "We'll be ok." # Not any closer on kicker, it's been up and down. Kickers are practicing on the new turf at the Big House. # RR had more praise for Cam Gordon, but said he didn't play his best in the scrimmage, # RR says we'll find out QB starter at gametime, Sept 4. Team will know Friday. # RichRod presser: he continues his ask that college teams get a scrimmage/preseason game. # nicely done! RT @MGoShoe Irving Pond…
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Sam Webb ruins Valenti, Foster (audio)
On August 11, 97.1FM afternoon hosts Mike Valenti and Terry Foster reacted to a caller who called them “irresponsible” for their reporting of the JT Turner departure, and evoked the name of Sam Webb of WTKA and GoBlueWolverine. A few things happened. First, Valenti ripped Webb’s credibility on matters of Michigan, calling him “shill” for the program, and criticized Sam for framing 2-star M recruits as “the next Walter Payton.” Valenti then ran down a list of players who he said bailed on Rich Rod and the program (I don’t think he mentioned where he got the list). Fast forward to the following day when a caller into WTKA tells Sam about the comments about him on 97.1. Sam’s reaction is one for the books, taking a swipe at Valenti but saving the best for his Detroit News colleague Foster, and longtime update man Dery. Audio: Greg Dooley · Sam Webb – Valenti Foster Blasts of note from Webb: On Valenti: called him “the Sparty Gilbert Gottfried” and a “hack” and “a blowhard”. “Tell him to quit sitting around, with Terry Foster bouncing in his lap, and go do some real work.” “He can’t give you anything credible about Michigan..” On Foster: “And Terry Foster? You’ve got to be joking. The dude is a walking minstrel show. Stepin Fetchit, that’s…
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Schembechler Hall Lockers – Still Available
A must have for any man cave, Michigan shrine, office, garage and/or living room (if you aren’t married). Details: Full size locker, with combination. We have proof of authenticity, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the ultimate Michigan Football memorabilia collector. It could be a very long time before they change lockers again. Locker numbers still on them. Dimensions: 36? wide x 24? deep x 74-3/4? tall Weight: About 200 lbs – free pick-up in Detroit It seems a local demolition company cleaned out the locker room and was granted rights to take away the lockers. Get this—they actually crushed one of them before someone came to their senses. The company is based in Detroit and they’ve still got some to sell. Interested to buying one of these to round out your shrine or for a gift? The seller was asking $800 earlier this year but shoot me an email, he might do better: One recent buyer sent over this pic. He got the #7 locker and went with the Drew Henson theme. Looks great, although I think a few Ricky Leach and Chad Henne fans are scratching their heads:
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Moe’s Tailgate Contest Winners
The folks at Moe Sports/Underground Printing got a bunch of great entries for the "trick out your tailgate" contest and decided to do a couple things: Award three tailgates with custom shirts instead of just one as originally planned, see a breakdown below, and… Is considering awarding more winners as "tailgate of the week" this season based on the entries received. Details TBD. Drum roll, the three tailgates selected: Grand Champion Jason Freeman & John Baciak – "Grey Lot Tailgate" What they get: Forty (40) custom shirts made up and discounts to use at Moe’s for their tailgate members. They’ll be the official tailgate of the UMass game. What put them over the top? If you plan a theme this hard, you must be serious. I haven’t met Jason or John (yet) but you should know I likes me Irish fare: Tailgate Theme: ST. PATRICK’S DAY TAILGATE Description: With Massachusetts representing the state with the highest population of Irish Americans per capita, and with September 18th representing the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day, this one was TOO EASY!!! We’ll be celebrating this cosmic Irish alignment of circumstances in true stereotypical American fashion: by wearing green t-shirts and beaded necklaces, drinking green beer, enjoying some corned beef hash, potato skins, and cranking up the Irish tunes! This will be one…
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Denard Robinson – Media Day
I spent a little time with Denard Sunday and most the questions and answers were pretty dry. My impression watching him—he feels like he’s the guy and exudes confidence. A few of the solid quotes including my favorite from the day*: How has he gotten better? "I think I’m more calm. I’m getting used to the offense, and that’s really helping me out." On his thoughts last year: "There was just a whole bunch going through my head and everything was coming by so fast. Everything has slowed down." On whether he thinks more than one quarterback will be starting this season. "Oh yeah, oh yeah. Because all of us are playing real good football right now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Devin on the field and Tate on the field in one of these games. They could start the first game, we really don’t know." On Devin’s progress. "He calmed down. Everything was fast to him at first when he came in. He took it all in and he’s using it now." *On where he was with the read option last season: "Man. <laughs>. Last year I was like, ‘All right, I’m not reading, I’m just running’ – that’s what I was thinking. Now I can read it." Related: The Standard Fare Will Hagerup – Media Day Devin…
