• Sights & Sounds | Michigan 52, Appalachian St 14 (2014)

    People needed an old-school toilet-paper toss style beatdown on someone, and I guess it helped a weensy bit that we dropped it on the source of our epic humiliation seven years ago.  Still, we needed 48 more points to erase THE HORROR from memory and in fact, officially from the NCAA record books.  Look it up. Beyond that, I loved seeing the gaping holes in the line, it was great to see the #1 out there and there was genuine excitement when Peppers was on the field.   Looks like Jake Ryan is still getting used to the position and we need to feel him more next week. So the general sense out there—that was fun, but now let’s block & run against a real team.  Check back in Saturday night. Historical Games Notes:  Primarily via #1000SSS: Michigan improved its record in season openers to an impressive 111-21-3. With his three passing touchdowns, Gardner upped his career total to 37 and earned a share of the seventh spot among Michigan’s all-time leaders in the category. He is tied with Todd Collins (1991-94). Gardner also moved to ninth among U-M’s career leaders in total offense with 5,280 yards, passing Tom Brady (5,180, 1996-99). It is the 38th time in program history that U-M boasted two or more 100-yard rushers in a single…

  • Dr. Sap’s Decals | Love for OC/DC

    Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis is back this season with his weekly postgame helmet stickers.  Sap would do a backflip if coach Hoke decided to reinstate this tradition that Bo brought to the team in 1969.  Until that day comes, Sap will bring you his game Champions who will be decorated, albeit virtually, with his helmet stickers.   I’ll typically toss in the Fan Award and the Editor’s Choice: OFFENSIVE CHAMPION DOUG NUSSMEIER – Yes, it was great to see Devin Gardner look so good throwing the ball. Yes, it was great to see #1 catching touchdown passes (again). Yes, it was great to see Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith run with some authority and confidence.   But in my mind, ALL of this starts with the OC. Coach Nuss got the offense started on the right foot and for that he gets a decal for that offensive performance. May not have been tremendously complex, sophisticated or flashy, but it was simple, effective and confidence-boosting and that is exactly what Team 135 needed to start the season. DEFENSIVE CHAMPION GREG MATTISON – The defense just seemed and looked ready to me, today. Believe me I get it – this was Appalachian State 2014, not the 2007 version of the Mountaineers – but the defense was not lost out there. Maybe it has something…

  • Game Photos | Michigan-Appalachian State (August 30, 2014)

    More great work by MVictors photog Kelley Kuehne: The Funchise is officially on the Ham it Up watchlist – my man can ham. [Update: my man digs this photo:]   ‘It’s like this and like that and like this, you know?’   Never gets old   Legend.   Love this shot – look at the awareness of these guys to head down field after the punt block… [Update: Apparently Jake Butt agrees.  Hey, JBooty, how about a hat tip next time? ;) ] …and Gedeon scores Talk to the Block M, fool     Play of the day – you know it!   Pure Peppers. The De’Veon do-si-do   Pregame Pics | Appalachian State Funchess Dons the Ace Oh Captain! My Captain! | Captain Jim Conley on WTKA TWIMFbH: Chips, the 51 Club & Beating Sweatervest McCheatypants (2003)

  • Pregame Pics | Appalachian State

    In and around the gridiron before from this fine morning:   The obligatory Peppers   No Horror part Deux, thank you   The new radio duo loving it.  And P.S., I shook Dierdorf’s giant hand and now I can barely type this   The inside of the mascot head smells like Doritos, Jagermeister and shattered dreams. (HT: Sklars)   The Funchise — surprised everyone by coming out in the COVETED #1.  His statement here.  Uniform timeline will be updated.   The block M nosebumper made it on the field, Uniform Timeline will be updated.  First change to the bumper since 1985 when MICHIGAN replaced the helmet manufacturer in that slot.   NOTHING wrong with seeing that name roam the west sideline   Follow MVictors on Twitter 

  • 1964 Michigan Football Captain Jim Conley on WTKA

    This morning 1964 championship team captain Jim Conley joined John U. Bacon on WTKA as part of the Fantastic Friday lineup.  Captain Conley covered a lot of ground – from leadership to his unique set of teammates, to coach Bump Elliott – and of course, shared a bunch of stories from that amazing season: Conley also noted that the ‘64 team will be honored during the Minnesota game this year – which is great news.  Hopefully Bump (who is 89 and lives in Iowa) will be there.

  • TWIMFbH: Chips, the 51 Club & Beating Sweatervest McCheatypants (2003)

    Yes sir!  This Week in Michigan Football History returns for its 5th season as part of the WTKA 1050AM (and new this year, Sports Extra 1330AM in Flint) KeyBank Countdown to Kickoff. Saturday we relive THE HORROR we jump back 11 years to the rosy season of 2003, when John Navarre and Chris Perry led the Wolverines on another championship run. Things started off on August 30, 2003 when our pals from Mount Pleasant came to town and kept it interesting before Perry and Navarre dialed up 4 straight touchdowns in the second half.   After stumbling on the road at Oregon and Iowa, Coach Carr’s crew responded in epic fashion, including the ridiculous comeback in Minnesota and the 51 Special [inset photo via the Michigan Daily] in East Lansing. The regular season concluded in grand fashion with the glorious 100th game in Ohio State rivalry, as against Ohio State and Sweatervest McCheatypants came to town in late November and got served by the Victors Valiant.   Clip: [display_podcast] You can catch all of the This Week in Michigan Football History clips here…And don’t forget to catch it live Saturday on the KeyBank Countdown to kick-off on WTKA 1050AM and Sports Extra 1330AM in Flint or..inside the Bud Light Victors Lounge Saturday. Script: This Week in Michigan Football History we stroll…