Michigan 31, Western Michigan 7: Here's your guide to our coverage of yesterday's game
"What a difference a quarterback -- or two -- makes."
That's the opening line from AnnArbor.com football reporter Dave Birkett, who has chronicled Saturday's 31-7 Michigan victory over Western Michigan by recounting the near-flawless start from U-M's two freshmen quarterbacks and the Wolverine defense.
He leads off our coverage of the game with this game story.
From the poised play of his quarterbacks to the defensive buzzsaw that emerged, Rich Rodriguez himself probably could not have envisioned a more perfect season opener.
The day's highlights probably start with Forcier, the true freshman who drove Michigan down the field for a touchdown on his first drive, and in doing so, probably wrested control of the starting QB job and quieted the competition, writes Michael Rothstein.
Forcier found a rhythm with up-and-coming receiver Junior Hemingway, who missed last season with a bout of mono, but caught five passes for 105 yards, including two for scores. Rothstein has the details on Hemingway's big day.
It was also a big day for Rodriguez, who said earlier that he endured the most "miserable" week of his coaching career amid allegations of NCAA violations and the filing of a lawsuit against him that ties him to a banned booster.
Michigan's fans, who have been divided over Rich Rod before, stood behind him like never before during Saturday's game. Pete Bigelow has the story on the uniting fan base.
There's more coverage of the game in Jim Knight's notes from the press box. In those, you'll learn about the early returns in the kicking competition, the status of Brandon Minor and perhaps who had the best seat in the Big House.
From the Western Michigan perspective, the game was a huge disappointment, writes Scott DeCamp of the Kalamazoo Gazette. Tim Hiller was supposed to be the poised QB veteran in the game, but was knocked out of any sort of rhythm early on.
Michigan dominated in nearly every statistical category, and it shows in the final stat package here.
Beyond the football field Saturday:
AnnArbor.com's Kaleb Roedel checked in with fans to get their impressions on the stadium renovations, which won't officially be complete until 2010. He's got a story here and video here that also asks a question a lot of people have asked: Is it any louder in there?
Photographers Lon Horwedel and Melanie Maxwell have a nice photo gallery, complete with their best shots from Saturday's action.
If you missed our live chat during the game, you can revisit how the blowout developed, blow by blow, by giving it a quick read. We hope you'll join us for next week's chat during the Michigan-Notre Dame game.
For a little flavor of Ann Arbor around the game, be sure to check out James Dixon's story about the parking situation at the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club, which had been a hot topic over the summer after changes in parking policies.
And if you want to check out the post-game tailgate scene, you've got to see some of the fans here fired up for next week's Notre Dame game.
Comments
jeremy
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 5:15 p.m.
azwolverine, I try to be reasonable and objective on here. living in ann arbor for 15 years i have developed a respect for um. As far as pryor goes, i really dont care what he wears under his eyes. Vick, the person, isnt that great, but if he can be like Vick, the football player and thats the reason he does it then no problem. I do think its the latter cause Vick was at one time one of the most dangerous qbs in football. Either way T Pryor is a good kid from everything you here from his hometown and even people in the columbus community. So as long as hes paying tribute to alot of kids hero, vick the football player, then I think its being blown out of proportion similar to the michigan rules allegations. once again congrats big blue and help get charlie fired....
KiwiKeelings
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 4:01 p.m.
MOST IMPORTANT, safety at U of M Rugby at the (ex-) Pfizer Field As I was reading the newspaper edition of the Sunday, September 6, 2009, AnnArbor.com, I noticed that there were many articles regarding yesterday's University of Michigan Football game (this particular article is top of the front page) and the U of M's consideration of the ex-Pfizer research site. I found it ironic that as all of these 'big' events were happening, the U of M's Women's Division One Rugby team completed their first game of the season (a fantastic victory) at the "new" Pfizer Field. There was not a single mention of this event on-line or on-paper, and ironically, it was most likely one of the first sporting events the University of Michigan has held at the ex-Pfizer site. This year both the men's and women's U of M rugby teams were told by University of Michigan Rec Sports to move from their long-standing presence at Mitchell Field to practice and play their home games at Pfizer Field. I really enjoyed the game and the venue's setting at Pfizer Field, but it was very noticeable that the site lacked some basic amenities that Mitchell Field has: a sign to mark the driveway entrance to the field, appropriate lighting, drinking water, toilet facilities and an unlocked entrance gate at the end of the driveway. MOST IMPORTANTLY to mention is that one of the players on the opposing team needed ambulatory care during the game, and the locked driveway gate made it difficult for the EMS paramedics to easily attend to the injured player. I hope when the "University leaders [will] shape the site's future this fall after several committees involving about 200 university officials and Ann Arbor business leaders deliver a series of recommendations*" that 'Pfizer Field' and it's Rec Sports needs are considered and addressed. (*quote taken from Nathan Bomey article U-M considers most effective uses for ex-Pfizer research site) - Joanne Lande Keeling
azwolverine
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 3:42 p.m.
Buck1, I'm not trying to offend because I've seen your comments on here before and actually think you are quite sensible in your opinions. I have to ask you though, as a Buckeye fan, what do you think of the whole Terrelle Pryor wearing the Mike Vick eyeblack thing? I looked on the Columbus Dispatch today and saw a LOT of Buckeye fans are irate about it. What do you think?
jeremy
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 3:09 p.m.
great job um....i have said before on here that i was really interested and seeing how the freshmen qbs would perform....they were as adveritised....and the big house was loud....congrats um and now i am really looking forward to the osu-um game this year....it should be one of the great ones in the history
Kent2525
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 10:45 a.m.
Yes, GO BLUE. Great win. Rich Rod all the way. GO TATE. Now someone needs to go, the reporter from the freep and Michael Rothstein for his bashing of Michigan. Michael Rothstein "but I'll take the fifth-year senior quarterback over the freshman. My pick: Western Michigan 31, Michigan 28." We dont need reporters who are down on Michigan, so I say down with Michael Rothstein. He needs to leave the state of Michigan.
Theresa Taylor
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 10:44 a.m.
FANTASTIC GAME!!! WONDERFUL ARTICLE.
wavsav
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 10:26 a.m.
Character revealed... what a great bunch of guys wearing the winged helmets.
raddes
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 9 a.m.
Just a few observations: They tackled extremely well! For the first time in a long time, I saw a defensive linemean knock down a pass at the line of scrimmage (instead of just bull-rushing head down). Team speed was clearly evident. Robinson looked like he was playing at a different speed than everyone else--as soon as the game "slows down" for him he will clearly break out (notice how he slowed down, surveyed the field before he was gone for 43 yards). Many times, he was just running up a lineman's a@@. Also, I think the play-calling allowed him to throw--he just reverted back to what he knows and does best--run! The defense was in prevent towards the end of the half which is why Western looked competent. Hence, they were shut down as they got closer to the end zone. Tate definitely is the guy. Keep in mind in the 2nd half, Tate led them on 2 drives that Sheridan (pick) and Cone(had a shot) could not complete. He definitely is the balance this team needs. His 1st Q 3rd and 2 run on the opening drive was a breath of fresh air. How many times do we see a run stuffed up the middle (ask Tressel) or a an incomplete pass into the ground. The fact he can run to continue drives will be huge this year (especially to keep the defense off the field). Next week's game has now become HUGE!!! Oh yeah, I finally heard 106+ thousand people on my television! Go Blue!
local boy
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 8:27 a.m.
Good first half. Mich 31 WMU 0. Second half WMU 7 Mich 0 I would have liked to see more offense in the second half at least a TD. Defense at times looked suspect. How they fare against ND will answer all the questions. Still too early to call.
tulsatom
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 7:49 a.m.
I agree 100% with what uminks said. Great game all the way around. I think the players rallied around the coach in a big way. Tate Forcier stood out as the best all-around QB of the group. My main concern is to keep Forcier healthy, which may be a tough task since the QBs run the ball so much in RR's offense and get tackled alot (we don't want another Sam Bradford injury). The team needs to work on getting fewer penalties (D Warren on defense, especially) but the performance Saturday was just what the doctor ordered for U-M.
Otto Mobeal
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 7:11 a.m.
Lots of articles, but where are the hard numbers? I have been going through the "guide" but didn't find the statistics. Did I miss them? Are they in the print version? Also, could you bring back the grades?
barks74
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 2:52 a.m.
Okso they beat Western Michigan! Woo hoo!!! Like Ohio State won't thump the heck out of these guys!
ohiowolverine
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 1:25 a.m.
All the crap stories didn't work. Michigan came out and kicked butt. bring out more sh_t and watch how strong the wolverines get. 75 days and the sweater vest will find out what it is like to play a Michigan Team that is led by a coach that knows football. All in for Michigan, Go blue,wear Maize.
uminks
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 1:20 a.m.
What a difference QBs with talent can make in the offense. I felt sorry for Sheridan, he came in could not complete two passes and then threw an interception. I think Ole Nick is doing a good helping the young QBs and he may be headed down the path of being a future QB coach, but please stay off the field! The defense played well in the first half, except for the long drive towards the end of the half. I think they were just playing at such a high level that they just let up a bit and made some careless penalties after the big lead. Next week will be a huge game. I'm sure the team will be up and I hope they play well.
Kubrick66
Sat, Sep 5, 2009 : 9:40 p.m.
Victory!