Another post-worthy mention coming out of Adam Rittenberg’s ESPN Big Ten Blog: Dan from Minneapolis writes: Adam, you pointed out the unique nature of first time coaches in the UM – MSU rivalry. I also wanted to point out uniqueness about first time coaches in the UM – OSU rivalry. Aside from Cooper, going back to WW Hayes, first time coaches have WON their first meeting in the series. Correct me if I am wrong but that is quite impressive Adam Rittenberg writes: You’re correct, first-time coaches have fared well in the Michigan-Ohio State series, perhaps because the games typically are played later in the season when coaches have a better feel for their teams. Woody Hayes lost his first meeting with Michigan, 7-0, in 1951, but Earle Bruce beat the Wolverines in 1979 and Jim Tressel did the same in 2001. The Buckeyes went through four coaches during the 1940s who went 1-2-1 against Michigan. Michigan hasn’t had a coach lose his first game against Ohio State since Harry Kipke in 1929. Kipke’s first game, interestingly enough, was played midway through the season on Oct. 19. Rich Rodriguez will have a tough task to keep Michigan’s run alive, but it helps that the game is at the end of the season. Next, Dave Dye of the Detroit News drops…
-
-
SI’s Top 10 Michigan athletes of all-time
You’re sick of lists I’m sure, but this is worth a look for the photos alone. SI has been rolling through a list of the top ten athletes at big schools, now Michigan is up. Here’s its take and the breadth of sports they covered is appreciated: 10. Glen Rice (basketball, 1986-1989) 9. Jennie Ritter (softball, 2003-2006) 8. Brendan Morrison (hockey, 1993-1996) 7. Barry Larkin (baseball, 1983-1985) 6. Tom Dolan (swimming, 1994-1996) 5. Desmond Howard (football, 1989- 1991) 4. Cazzie Russell (basketball, 1964- 1966) 3. Charles Woodson (football, 1995-1997) 2. Tom Harmon (football, basketball, 1938-1940) 1. Bennie Oosterbaan (football, basketball, baseball, 1924-1927) Why Oosterbaan? Here’s their take: Considered one of the greatest athletes in Michigan history, Bennie Oosterbaan was a three-time All-America football player, a two-time All-America basketball player (who led the Big Ten in scoring during his senior season) and a baseball player. Turning down professional football for religious reasons, Oosterbaan went on to coach football, basketball and baseball at Michigan. In his first season as head football coach in 1948, he led the Wolverines to a national championship.
-
DVD Review: Bo Schembechler’s Michigan Wolverines
One of the perks of posting on this site, after you filter through all the spam, is occasionally you get offered free stuff folks want you to promote. Some of the stuff is a little weird but every once in a while you get something pretty cool. I was contacted a little while ago about a DVD on Bo Schembechler coming out later this month and of course agreed to take a look. I’m glad I did. Bo Schembechler’s Michigan Wolverines overcomes its vanilla title with a strong collection of interviews and vintage clips on Bo. If you liked HBO’s The Rivalry from last year, you’ll like this. It follows the same format where they rolled through Bo’s career with video clips and some narration, and they mix in interviews with journalists, coaches and former players. Here’s a few notes: * The DVD features interviews with Bo’s Lasting Lessons author John Bacon, Mitch Albom, Lloyd Carr, Jamie Morris, Michael Rosenberg, Jim Brandstatter, former AD Don Canham, equipment manager Jon Falk and more. * Extra features in DVD’s usually kind of suck, these are outstanding. It includes a 10 minute or so discussion with Bo and Woody Hayes on a couch in some living room. They talk about the rivalry, their mutual respect, the Rose Bowl, the meaning of ‘The Game’…
-
More feats of heroism, strength
From Angelique’s practice notes this morning, good news on KC Lopata: According to a practice recap on the Michigan athletic program’s Web site, MGoBlue.com, there was a field-goal kicking challenge at the conclusion of Thursday’s practice. K.C. Lopata made a 40-yard field goal to keep the entire team from running sprints. Lopata also kicked a 56-yarder during Friday’s first full-contact scrimmage.
-
Rome Rips Trent’s 4.13 (audio)
Ahh the internet. After Adam Rittenberg in his ESPN blog posted some of the stats inside Michigan’s weight room, word rolled through the blogosphere to the desk of Jim Rome, who took a chance to rip on Morgan Trent’s alleged 4.13 in the 40-yard-dash: Of course a few people have commented that this time wasn’t for a 40; it was actually a shuttle drill. It’s a little nuts that an alleged statistic inside a weight room is a topic on a internationally syndicated sports talk show, but that’s the power of Barwis Obama.
-
eBay Watch: Blue Get Bombed in the Bronx
1950 was a special season in Michigan football history. Many M historians know this is the year that the Wolverines defeated Ohio State 9-3 in the epic Snow Bowl. That classic win earned the Blue a trip to Pasadena where they defeated Cal 14-6 on two late touchdowns. All’s well that ends well, but things didn’t start well and included a trip to New York. The next edition of eBay Watch features this ticket stub from the Army-Michigan game held October 14, 1950 at Yankee Stadium: You can see the full auction here. Army was riding a twenty-two game winning streak heading into the game and dropped the Wolverines 27-6 in front of 67,076 fans including General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Gazing soley at the boxscore you might have figured the Victors prevailed or at least kept the score respectable: The New York Times commended the Wolverines effort that day and reported that Oosterbaan’s men put a bit of a scare into the Black Knights, scoring early and threatening often. In the end Army was too tough, capitalizing when they needed to pull safely away. Army’s streak eventually ended later that season in a 14-2 loss to Navy. While the football squad took a bit of a beating in a hard fought battle, the Michigan Marching Band made a few headlines…
-
Barwis Obama
From Adam Rittenberg’s ESPN.com’s Big Ten blog, ‘Mailbag’ edition: John from Milwaukee writes: Michigan’s team did lose some talent. But they’ve got 7 returners on defense, and they’ve had Top 10 or Top 12 recruiting classes the last two years. I think the biggest factor, which people are missing, is Mike Barwis, the new trainer. Adam Rittenberg writes: You’re right about the young talent being there, especially at the skill positions. And I don’t think anyone is overlooking Barwis, who gets as much publicity as Barack Obama. . Yes. Full article here.
-
Boren Expecting
Thanks to Brian who sent this over. It’s Justin Boren caught on film at a Buckeye practice: Uncle Mike still messing with JB Not sure when he’s due. If he can’t get with the family atmosphere at Michigan, he’s doing the right thing by starting a family of his own. Update: I think Brian found the pic (prior to my tweaks) on Michigan Against the World.