Michigan Flexes the Big Ten's Muscle As They Demolish #5 Oregon
December 31, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 18, 2010 02:10
Michigan destroyed a good Oregon Ducks team 49-0 to win their 2nd Rose Bowl in the last 3 years. This was Michigan's 3rd shutout of the season and 5th single digit score game. This Rose Bowl victory was bittersweet for Michigan fans. It was sweet for obvious reasons and it was bitter as it's the last time that 16 great players will wear the maize and blue. PotG, Tate Forcier had a solid final game as he threw for 265 yards, 1 TD and ran for 2 more. On a night that featured a lot of SRs, it was a FR that stole the show. WR Greg Banks caught 4 balls for 128 yards and Forcier's only TD. He also had 68 yards worth of punt returns.
Michigan's defense ended the season the same way that they began it; by shutting out a top 6 ranked team. They once again put up some gaudy numbers:
104 total yards allowed
-9 rushing yards
21% 3rd down conversions
0 for 2 on 4th down conversions
0 trips to the red zone
2 INTs
6 sacks (7 different guys had 1 sack each)
On top of this, Michigan's special teams made a play that I have never, ever seen by anyone, player or CPU in NCAA '10. I was so stunned, I didn't even know what was going on for a couple of seconds.
This victory, combined with the likely top 3 finish, undefeated Big Ten run (despite not being crowned Big Ten champs), and most importantly, the victory over Ohio State makes this season a great success for Michigan.
Michigan Shuts Down Hairless Nuts to Win the Only Important Game of the Season
November 3, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 18:04
Michigan came into their final game 7 and 0 in the Big Ten. A victory would make them perfect and assure them of a tie for the conference title. A win would likely move them into the top 5 in the country. A victory would guarantee them a BCS bowl bid. Of course none of the above matters at all because of 2 little words.
Ohio
State
Under coach Jello Michigan has gone 1-2 to the hated nuts prior to this game (although in fairness to him, he was unable to coach one of their losses) and everyone knows that success in Ann Arbor is measured by 1 thing. The nuts came into Ann Arbor ranked #7 knowing that a victory over Michigan would guarantee them 2nd place in the Big 10. The game was expected to be a defensive battle and it was throughout. Michigan's defense dominated on the scoreboard (where it counts) while aOSU's defense dominated on the stat sheet.
Michigan could only muster 2 offensive TDs, 111 yards of rushing and 108 yards of passing. Michigan's QBs were sacked 6 times on the day, including several sacks before they could even finish their 5 step drop. aOSU was also able to knock out starting QB Tate Forcier in the 1st quarter after he had thrown only 2 passes. Luckily, Forcier's pussyness has forced Michigan's backup QBs to get a lot of game experience over the years and Heffner was able to fill in just fine. Michigan played things conservatively and relied on their defense to win the game for them and they lived up to their end of the bargin.
While aOSU was able to churn out more yardage, they were blanked on the scoreboard in the 1st half. They managed to get a TD in the 3rd and then another with 50 seconds left in the game when it didn't matter and that was all. Michigan's D was able to force 3 turnovers, including 1 INT which was returned for a TD by SR corner J.T. Floyd. Michigan took a 17-0 lead into the half and only had 1 scary moment in the game. On their 1st drive of the 2nd half, JR HB Vincent Smith would cough the ball up for Michigan's only turnover. If aOSU could've capitalized, they would be in the game. They moved the ball down the field, helped by 2 fucking roughing the passer penalties (including 1 on a failed 3rd down which extended their drive). Michigan's D stiffened inside the 5 yard line however and forced a 4th down. aOSU, knowing that they had to make something happen attempted a fake FG, but they were denied. After that, Michigan was able to cruise to a 27-14 victory.
Michigan will now sit and watch to see what bowl they'll be playing in.
Michigan Beats Northwestern 52-21 to Remain on Track For a Share of the Big Ten Title
October 27, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 18:03
Michigan Beats Northwestern 52-21 to Remain on Track For a Share of the Big Ten Title
Michigan turned the ball over 5 times, including 4 by QB Tate Forcier, but their defense (who forced 5 turnovers of their own) proved too much for Northwestern. They held the wildcats to 175 yards of offense including (-2) yards of rushing (with 0 sacks so that was all running). Michigan's ground game sputtered all day as it took them 44 carries to only get 150 yards. Their passing game was on point as Forcier completed 21 of 27 passes (including 16 of 16 in the 1st half) for 254 yards, 2 TDs, and only 1 INT.
Next up is their annual showdown with their hated rivals from down south. They win, and they will likely share the Big 10 title with an 8-0 record. They lose, and they will finish in 3rd place.
With Fear of Sounding Like a Broken Record, Michigan's D Gets It Done Once Again.....Gets It Done Once Again.....Gets It Done Once Again.....
October 13, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 18:00
Michigan took on an over matched Michigan State team tonight in East Lansing. There was the possibility of Michigan's players being off their game as they were looking ahead to their annual matchup against #1 ND. Suffice it to say, this was not the case. Michigan dominated the game in every respect and it was clear that Michigan's players were simply too good for the Spartans.
Michigan's offense made a few big plays, including a 30 yard TD pass from Forcier to FR Greg Banks and a 66 yarder to TE Brandon Moore, but for the most part, they were simply very methodical as they marched the ball repeatedly down the field (4 of their 6 TDs were for 6 yards or less). Forcier (who, like the rest of the offensive and defensive starters only played 3 quarters) had a big day throwing the ball. He completed 13 of 16 passes for an even 200 yards and 3 TDs. The carries were spread around once again, led by Vincent Smith who ran for 84 yards on 13 carries. FR Banks had a big day with 145 all purpose yards and a TD.
Defensively it was another dominating team performance. They only allowed 7 points, 177 yards of offense, 26 rushing yards on 25 carries, 56% of passes completed, 36% of 3rd downs converted, and they forced 2 turnovers and sacked the QB 6 times.
Next up for the Wolverines is a huge game as they host #1 Notre Dame.
Blackshirts Dominate as They Outscore Purdue By Themselves
October 6, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 17:59
Michigan dominated a bad Purdue team as expected today. Michigan's defense outscored Purdue 14-13 (only 6 of Purdue's points came against the 1st team defense) as Michigan cruised to a 59-13 victory. Michigan's defense forced 4 turnovers which allowed Michigan's offense to play in Purdue territory all day long which caused them to only put up 367 yards, but they were still unstoppable. Michigan's attack came from the ground as usual as they rushed for 235 yards and 5 TDs (from 4 different players) on 45 carries. The ground attack was spread out once again as Michigan had 6 different players rush for at least 20 yards.
Next up for the maize and blue is a big user game against rival Michigan State. If Michigan still wants to get a trip to the Rose Bowl, this is a must win for the Wolverines.
Michigan Survives Scare Against Illini
September 29, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 17:57
Illinois, who has scored the fewest points per game in the country with 9.2 PPG was all over Michigan's defense today. They got big play after big play in the 1st half which led to them rushing for 106 yards and passing for 234. Their defense was also very tough in the first half as they sacked Forcier 5 times in the half. In the end, however, Michigan was simply too big, too strong, and too fast for Illinois.
Forcier, who is having INT problems this year, threw his 9th TD pass of the season along with his 8th INT @ the goal line. Michigan's only forced turnover, a beautiful INT by OLB Brandin Hawthorne, was called back because of a roughing the passer penalty. Michigan was sloppy all day as they were called for 3 roughing penalties. Offensively, HB Vincent Smith carried the Wolverines to victory. Smith had career highs with 22 carries and 4 TDs and rushed for over 100 yards for only the 4th time in his career. Forcier's favorite targets in the passing game were SR Je'Ron Stokes and FR Greg Banks as they both caught 4 balls for 85+ yards.
Next up for Michigan is Purdue as they continue on their quest to win the Big Ten title and get a trip to the Rose Bowl.
Michigan Pounds Furry Beavers 33-8
September 22, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 17:56
Michigan's defense beat down Minnesota all day. They gave up 1 big play in the 3rd quarter which led to a Gopher TD, but other than that, they were very solid as usual. Forcier had problems throwing the ball as he threw 2 picks (including one where I thought it was a terrific pass, but the defender pulled a cape out of his ass without even using a phone booth and turned into Superman). The ground game is where it was at all day for Michigan. They racked up 288 yards and 3 TDs on 50 carries. Fitz Toussaint led all rushers with 76 yards on 6 carries, but Michigan had 6 people rush for at least 28 yards and had 3 carriers rush for TDs. The defense was able to force 3 turnovers of their own, led by 2 INTs by SR corner J.T. Turner.
Next up Michigan will host Illinois.
Michigan's Offense Tries to Throw the Game, But the Defense Is Up To the Challenge
September 8, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 17:53
Michigan's offense was constantly getting in their own way today, but in the end, Michigan's offense and defense were both much too strong for the Hawkeyes. Michigan would fumble the ball 4 times, lose 3 of them and throw an interception during the game. These 4 turnovers kept putting Michigan's defense in rough spots, but they pulled through. Michigan's 1st team defense only surrendered 3 points in Michigan's 45-17 victory @ Kinnick Stadium.
Michigan ran the ball well as they had 4 HBs gain at least 45 yards on the day. Starter Vincent Smith was the big gainer as he ran for 81 yards and 2 TDs on 13 carries. Michigan had 3 runs on the day for 20+ yards. QB Tate Forcier didn't throw the ball often, but when he did it was usually for a big gain as he threw for 203 yards on only 10 completions. Michigan's defense only allowed 267 yards on the day and they forced 2 turnovers themselves.
#3 Michigan will next play on the road again next week. This time they'll travel to Minnesota to try to retain the Little Brown Jug.
Michigan's Defense Does It Again!
September 1, 2012
Game Report Posted: February 11, 2010 17:49
Michigan came into their game with the #9 Florida State Seminoles expecting a dog fight and a likely offensive shootout. When it was all said and done, the Wolverines would walk out of Doak Campbell Stadium with their 2nd shutout in 3 games, 30-0.
FSU's defense played fairly well as they did a decent job of taking away what Michigan's offense does best; run the ball. Yards were very difficult to come by on the ground which forced Michigan to pass much more than they are comfortable doing. Luckily, the Michigan QBs were very proficient in the passing attack today. They completed 20 of 27 passes and threw 1 TD pass with 0 INTs. Due to the driving rain which was prevalent all game, Michigan played it safe and thus the QBs only averaged about 11 yards per completion. Despite the difficulty to run on the ground, Michigan stuck to their running game down the stretch and managed to gain 124 yards and 2 TDs on 34 carries. Michigan was also fairly difficult to get off the field as they converted 8 of their 14 3rd down conversions and scored on all 5 red zone trips.
While Michigan's 331 yards of offense seems like little, it towers over what their counterparts were able to achieve against our defense.
* They only allowed 167 yards of offense.
* They didn't allow FSU to convert a single one of their 8 3rd and 4th down conversions.
* They only allowed 8 first downs in the entire game.
* They never let FSU enter the red zone.
* They forced 3 turnovers.
* They only allowed the Noles to possess the ball for 9 of 28 minutes in the game.
As is usually the case with this Michigan defense, they weren't on the field long enough to rack up many stats so coach Jello gave the game ball to the entire defensive squad.
It didn't seem to matter what FSU tried on offense, Michigan's defense seemed to be 1 step ahead of them and their players just seemed to outplay their counterparts. FSU employed the help of the former Oregon Duck's O.C. for this game and mixed things up nicely. They tried various things from the wildcat. They tried a lot of pistol formation. They tried going 5 wide with a DB taking the snap. They tried using their SG wing formations. None of this worked. Michigan held both of FSU's QBs to under 81 QB rating and under 40% completion percent. They held the scarily dangerous Marcus Baker to less than 3 YPC.
Michigan will now begin their trek to try to win back the Big 10 title after failing last year. They open up in Ann Arbor against Indiana.
Michigan's Defense Gets Thrashed, But Offense Gets the Job Done
August 25, 2012
Game Report Posted: January 19, 2010 01:49
Michigan traveled to Cincinnati for the 2nd year in a row to face the Bearcats. Their defense looked completely lost at times and they did everything in their power to ensure a Bearcat victory (including three roughing the passer penalties). Luckily, Michigan's offense was just good enough to overcome this poor defensive performance and pull out a 26-14 victory. Cincinnati managed nearly 400 yards of offense on the day including 104 yards rushing and nearly 300 yards passing. Michigan was incapable of stopping either facet of Cincinnati's offense. While our defense did a lot of bending, it did very little breaking as they only allowed 2 TDs and 3 of 12 3rd down conversions.
Michigan's offense was average at best, but they got the job done. They gained 142 yards on the ground and 157 through the air. HB Vincent Smith was the biggest weapon as he gained 85 yards and 2 TDs on 12 carries. Michigan's RBs were beat up during the game as the top 3 guys were knocked out @ 1 point forcing Michigan to go 5 deep @ HB. Luckily, everyone is healthy after some ice baths and ready to make the trip to Tallahassee next week. Hopefully both the offense and defense will play better against the Seminoles as they'll have to if Michigan has any hope of a victory.
Wolverines Defense Dominates #6 Texas in Season Opener
August 11, 2012
Game Report Posted: January 19, 2010 01:47
#8 Michigan, who plays a positively brutal schedule this year playing 4 teams ranked in the top 6, opened the 2012 season against #6 Texas. While the game looked good on paper, the Wolverines showed early who was the better team. SR QB Tate Forcier returned from his devastating injury last year to lead the offense and they played very well. The well balanced offense rushed for 249 yards while passing for 211. Michigan spread the carries around as they had 3 guys rush for at least 48 yards and had 3 guys rush for a TD. Forcier had a solid game, completing 61% of his passes for 185 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. He also led Michigan in rushing with 85 yards on the ground and 1 TD.
With as impressive as the offense was, this game was all about Michigan's defense. The defense last year dominated opponents last year including 2 shutouts and 2 games where they only gave up 3 points. In this game, the defense picked up where they left off last year. They got after the QB all game and Texas' offense was ineffective throughout. They forced 4 fumbles, caused 2 turnovers, sacked the QB 4 times, held Texas to -3 yards on 17 carries, allowed 76 passing yards and 73 total yards. In addition to all of those impressive numbers, they allowed 0 points and didn't allow Texas to convert any of their 10 3rd or 4th down conversions.
After this impressive victory Michigan will rest a week as they prepare for #11 Cincinnati the following week.