• Crumbled Cookie – South Carolina 33, Michigan 28

    January 2, 2013 /

    Damn I wanted Denard, Treezy and crew to go out on a big note but it wasn’t to be.  Michigan fans know this game can be brutal and there you have it.   USC doesn’t convert on that fourth down late in the game, or even if we wrap up Shaw and bring him down on a couple late scrambles, and it’s surely over.  I thought the defense was just inches away for sealing this game against a team we probably shouldn’t have beaten.   Give Gardner credit for generally remaining cool and getting the team down the field for the go ahead score.  Lewan overall did a fine job on Clowney.  This game will be remembered for Clowney’s bomb blast, the back-and-forth nearly four hour battle and it being Denard’s finale.   It was fun to be down there in the fourth quarter to watch it play out but it was just heartbreaking watching the team creep off the field and sulk during the postgame.   For a team with no running back and a depleted secondary they still had the chance to do some great things this year but really didn’t.  The highlight of the season has to be squeaking by a very mediocre Michigan State team and there’s no way 8-5 can be considered anything but a disappointment despite facing 4…

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  • Bear Hugs Aplenty

    November 17, 2012 /

    Congrats seniors.  Here is Denard and Kovacs getting wrapped up by Coach Hoke, how shows a little one handed ceremonial ball security.   Here’s a look at the custom made pigskins they received.   Kovacs indeed had a #11, not a 32, on his ball.  Here’s how they looked FWIW: One more: here’s Denard tapping the banner for the last time, but check out Treezy with 180 of his 360 degree leap (thanks for nothing, zebras): Follow MVictors on Twitter More here from MVictors: Handling Family Business (Michigan 42, Iowa 17) Senior Day Pageantry (Photos) TWIMFbH: Platooning to Stop Davis, Blanchard (1945) Moeller and Holtz Breaking Down “The Catch”

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  • Charmed I’m Sure | Michigan 38, Northwestern 31

    November 11, 2012 /

    Win 902 will be remembered for a long time and Brady Hoke is clearly a bit charmed.  While Treezy’s ridiculous catch will naturally be the play everyone remembers, that comeback required quite a couple mistakes by Northwestern and few great plays to set up Gardner’s heave and of course to win the game in overtime.   First, let me grab my retro-spectacles to ensure my vision is 20-20.  That’s better…I can see clearly now.   For openers, Northwestern took that delay of game penalty on 4th down on the U-M 44.  They should have just punted it there and not sacrificed the five yards.  Then, with the ball at midfield, the punter hit a short, line-drive right into Gallon’s hands which is just about the worst thing that can happen.  I’m assuming that Fitz told his punter to get the ball off quickly to avoid a block, but Hoke outflanked him by setting up the return to the surprise of a few folks including Brian Griese up in the ESPN booth.   Then Treezy somehow was singled covered down the field before the lucky tip and the epic grab.   To Michigan’s credit, props to Hoke for calling the punt return.  Heck, he even putting an extra man back there instead going with the block.  Next, after Roundtree’s grab, cheers to the offense for…

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  • Is Michigan Back? Hoke: “Michigan Never Left” (Full Sugar Bowl presser)

    January 2, 2012 /

    It’s a first class operation here in New Orleans.  Follow me on Twitter for coverage tomorrow.   Here’s a couple photos from today’s press conference and the full transcript.  Beamer and Hoke sharing a chuckle, looking sharp: Here’s a look at the Sugar Bowl trophy:   Full transcript from the press conference today: THE MODERATOR: We’ll go ahead and get started with coach Brady Hoke, Michigan head coach. Coach, just a few thoughts on how your preparations have gone for the game, and we’ll open the floor for questions. COACH HOKE: Well, first, on behalf of the University of Michigan and Team 132, our kids, the staff, trainers, the marching band, everybody, we can’t tell you how thrilled we are to be here and how much we appreciate the great hospitality the city of New Orleans has given us and the Bowl committee, the Sugar Bowl committee, and all their people and their efforts. It’s been great. I want to thank Tulane and the opportunity to use their facilities. They were tremendous, and really as a team I think we’ve had good preparations starting back in Ann Arbor, navigating finals and all those things that are a part of it. And then coming down here, I think our team has really done well. I think we’ve gone out every day and…

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