Bowl-bound Michigan football team puts exclamation point on good week for Rich Rodriguez
Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez makes his way over to the student section to celebrate with his players after they beat Illinois in triple overtime, 67-65, on Saturday.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
In a hallway that connects Michigan Stadium with Crisler Arena, athletic director Dave Brandon caught his first glimpse of football coach Rich Rodriguez since the end of a football game for the ages.
“I said, ‘Rich, you had a really good week,’” Brandon said.
That might be the understatement of the football season.
Years from now, should the Michigan football program return to the ways that made it the winningest in college football history, historians may look back at this week as the one that resurrected it.
On Saturday, the Wolverines won a wild shootout, 67-65, over Illinois. It was their sixth win of the season, which makes the team bowl eligible for the first time in Rodriguez’s three years as coach.
In his first season in Ann Arbor, the football program ended a streak of 33 consecutive postseason appearances, much to the consternation of those who expected no bumps in the transition from Lloyd Carr to Rodriguez.
The Wolverines missed the postseason again last year, falling one game short of eligibility. Saturday’s win - not secured until the final play of a game that went to triple overtime - ended the rut.
“Oh, I think it means a lot to him,” said Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson, who is in his 19th year as an assistant with the Wolverines.
“But he knew it, he knew the process and playing together as a team, sometimes that takes longer than what people are willing to give you. So I think it means a lot to him.”
Off the field, it might have been even better.
The NCAA concluded a 14-month investigation into the Wolverines football program. It found that Michigan, under Rodriguez, had committed five major rules violations.
Michigan had already agreed with findings in four of the five allegations, but contested a charge that Rodriguez had personally failed to monitor the football program and failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance.
On Thursday, the NCAA Committee On Infractions committee announced it had amended that charge.
It found Rodriguez had indeed failed to properly monitor the football program, but not that he had failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance.
“Getting this whole NCAA matter behind us and the NCAA really coming out and, I think, really appropriately re-classifying his role in this, it means a lot to him and it meant a lot to this program,” Brandon said.
By Saturday, the NCAA case had already moved to the rear-view mirror in the minds of Rodriguez’s coaches and friends.
“That’s in the past,” quarterbacks coach Rod Smith said. “We’re done with that, and we can move forward with that. We don’t have to discuss that anymore. We’re just happy we got the win. Hopefully, everyone can put that aside and play football.”
For his part, Rodriguez downplayed the personal aspects of the week and enjoyed the victory his players.
“I’m really proud of the way the players have handled everything,” he said. “All the outside drama, all the other things, they come together and work hard.
“They don’t always play the best, and sometimes we’re frustrated, but they’re hanging together. I think that’s one of the main reasons we won today.”
Pete Bigelow can be reached at (734) 623-2556 or e-mailed at petebigelow@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
truebluefan
Mon, Nov 8, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
Yelmonian -- The spread DOES work in the B10. Michigan's offense is #5 in the country and we have played 5 of 8 Big Ten games. Michigan's offense just steamrolled the #12 defensive unit in the country. David Brandon knows that this is an offense that can win us a ton of games. We just need a defense that is top 50 or 60. I am fully convinced that the correct DC hire with power to hire some of his own guys will get us there. WHEN (not if) we get that defense...watch out, brother.
illiniblue
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.
First, OSU runs a spread and they have won 5 straight Big Ten championships. So, I'm pretty sure that the spread works in the Big Ten. The problem is not the offense, it's the defense. Which is making modest improvement, but will not be there this year. They have a bad combination of inexperienced young players and avg talented older players (minus martin). If you put a serviceable D on the field with our offense, we're one of the best teams in the country. We'll be there next year. To Edward R. Murrow's ghost (nice name), please re-check your math. Illinois scores more points then they let up. So your "hidden really bad news" is incorrect. If you're wondering about the name, I grew up an Illinois fan and went to Michigan. Therefore, I root for both teams, but not when they play each other (Michigan all the way).
XTR
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 5:07 p.m.
Errr RR beat Illinois and Indiana with this "unstoppable" offense. Against the top teams in the Big Ten, RR lost. If your team can't beat MSU, you must have a bad team lol! If RR can beat Wisco and OSU with his gimmick offense, that is the only time I will be convinced. For the meantime, Fire Rich Rod! lol!
Robbie Webb.
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
Eduward Murrow, and lets not forget the points given up by penalties and offensive mistakes. Defense played much better than the debacle at Happy Valley.
Yelmonian
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 10:27 a.m.
Bloodangel, I'm not sure a defense can be good if the offense is playing a true spread. They are on the field too long. With the way UMs offense plays, they lack consistent drives to let the defense stay off the field. The defense gets a 2 minute break and that's it. Again, I watched it for three years at MSU. Same problem, the offense was fun to watch and could score but the defense would run out of gas. Now, if RR was willing to put in a package that could burn up clock after getting a lead... it may work but he doesn't seem to be willing to do that.
ViSHa
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
lol @ trigg7. and aa.com should put a warning on this stories' photo like the one about the beating victim. rather see the real winners---the players!
MWH
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
For those who aren't complete fanatics or stakeholders, college football is primarily a source of entertainment. Michigan football has never been more entertaining! Thanks RR! Anyway, I see college football evolving into higher scoring competitions, which IMO is more fun to watch.
trigg7
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.
Even a blind wolverine find a nut once in a wile. Made my $$$ again,keep up the good work, you guys are a cash cow.
ronaldduck
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
Sorry michrick1 I thought the score was 67 to 65. I apologize if I got it wrong.
michrick1
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 7:55 a.m.
This defense gave up 45 points in regulation. 45.. Not 65 you glass half empty haters of Mich football. Overtime dont count in my book. Same goes for offense. 45 is not to brag about though, it sucks. Offense turned ball over 5 times and gave defense short field. Kickoff team was terrible with kicks and coverage and gave defense short field. With better kickoffs and less turnovers this defense gives up 30 or so. Still not good, can get better with 7 freshman in the two deep. Future seasons good be very fun.
ronaldduck
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
Go back and look at the last 10 or 20 national champs. Heck look at all the national champs! I know this has been said before but, Offense wins games and Defense wins championships. Doesn't matter what offensive scheme they used the champions all had good defense. Until UM gets their defense to that level they will continue to lose most games in the Big Ten. And now they will have Nebraska to deal with. And as long as they are satisfied that they win by scoring more than the 65 points that they gave up it will not change.
CamaroDan
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 7:30 a.m.
A win over Purdue next week and all you haters have to stew for another year. Go RR and GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!
rico2458
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 12:50 a.m.
ALL R ROD HAS TO DO IS FIRE G ROB
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 11:23 p.m.
I sure hope this doesn't mean that RR gets to stay for another year.
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 11:23 p.m.
I sure hope this doesn't mean that RR gets to stay for another year.
WhatsamattaU
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 11:19 p.m.
Get a grip and and stop acting like little girls going out on their first date and getting kissed. I'm glad you are enjoying the moment but it also shows how badly the program has declined when you're overjoyed about a possible invite to a 3rd tiered bowl... bring on New Mexico State!
WhatsamattaU
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 11:16 p.m.
Get a grip and and stop acting like little girls going out on their first date and getting kissed. I'm glad you are enjoying the moment but it also shows how badly the program has declined when you're overjoyed about a possible invite to a 3rd tiered bowl... bring on New Mexico State!
CamaroDan
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 10:14 p.m.
3 and Out Could you please update us on where we stand in scoring offence in the B10. Thanks.
BloodAngel
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 10:13 p.m.
Yelmonian, The question shouldn't be if the spread works in the Big Ten, because it obviously does with the numbers that have been put up. For example, with the spread offense Michigan ran for more yards against Iowa who is currently the #5 overall rush defense in the country(and D-Rob is the only player this year to go over 100 yards against them). Yes Michigan lost, but that certainly was not because the offense was bad. Michigan's offense is still extremely young with only 2 seniors on it so that offense that is a top 5 offense in the country is only going to improve. The question is can a coach who runs the spread offense also coach a defense that is good enough to stop opponents in the big ten, because as everyone has seen yes michigan can score, but that defense can't stop anyone.
RobbiesBoyfriend
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 10:08 p.m.
That was an exclamation point?
Yelmonian
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 9:42 p.m.
Bleedmazenblue, This may come as a revelation, but MSU ran the spread before UM. No team that has run a true spread has had overwhelming success in the big ten. Purdue ran it for a long time under tiller and had good teams, but not one that was a consistent championship caliber team. I'm not raining in the parade. Winning a game against Illinois does not mean the spread works in the big ten. So I asked a question...does it really work in the big ten? Not raining in your parade, asking an honest question.
Yelmonian
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 9:27 p.m.
Has the spread succeeded in the big ten. After 2.5 seasons.... RR has one more big ten win in the big house than dantonio.
BleedMazeNBlue
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 9 p.m.
Yel, There is allowable time for transition. This year, Michigan is still the second overall offense in the country - even after 5 Big10 games. The 17 points against MSU is the lowest scoring the offense has been all year. That happens. Or you can use your logic and say MSU's offense is bad because of the 6 points they had against Iowa. A complete game is need for wins in the in Big10. While the spread will work, Michigan needs to improve leaps and bounds on the defensive side of the ball. The special teams also needs work. Say what you want, but the spread will work and is working in the Big10. I am happy for you as an MSU fan and the season you are having, so don't try to crash our party. With that being said, MSU is a couple of trick plays away from having the same record as Michigan.
amzack
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 8:04 p.m.
tulsatom: I agree with your points, but I wouldn't be so harsh on that pass play. Michigan is playing zone defense, and IL executed an awesome play design exactly for what MI frequently shows/plays. In a perfect world, it can be covered, but for a bunch of youngsters back there - it was simply a great offensive call. You can't win on every play.
Yelmonian
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 7:37 p.m.
Has the spread succeeded in the big ten. After 2.5 seasons.... RR has one more big ten win in the big house than dantonio.
tulsatom
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 7:22 p.m.
Going to a bowl game will be a nice reward for an improving team and will allow more practice team for the younger players, which will help them gain more experience and get better. The defense needs all the practice it can get. How many times did Illinois burn the U-M defense for touchdowns on throwback passes? That should be very embarrassing to the team and coaching staff. Don't they know how to make corrections as the game goes along? In the end, though, the all-out blitz on the 2-pt conversion attempt by Illinois sealed the game, so at least they deserve kudos for that.
BleedMazeNBlue
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 7:11 p.m.
Good day for RR and a good day for Michigan football. For those who said the spread wouldn't work in the Big 10 - haha. Now if they could just do something about that defense.