Michigan 31, Air Force 25: A comprehensive guide to our coverage
Michigan senior quarterback Denard Robinson runs the ball in for a touchdown minus a shoe in the third against Air Force at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Denard Robinson has confirmed what most have suspected for a while: He's really, really fast and really, really good.
Robinson ran for two long touchdowns and threw for two more to lead the Wolverines to their first win of the year, 31-25, over Air Force on Saturday.
Though the Falcons came in three-touchdown underdogs and never led in the game, they also never went away and gave Michigan all it could handle in a dog fight of a home opener at Michigan Stadium.
Post-Game Coverage
- Boxscore
- Kyle Meinke column: Denard Robinson accounts for 101 percent of Michigan's offense against Air Force
- Game Story: Michigan survives a mighty scare from rush-heavy Air Force, hanging on for 31-25 win
Jake Ryan, right, had a career day on Saturday, which Air Force quarterback Conner Dietz, left, knew all too well.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
- By the numbers: Denard Robinson inches closer to Tom Brady and the Falcons pound the rock
- Michigan loses defensive linemen Richard Ash, Brennen Beyer to injury
- Michigan football beat writer Kyle Meinke grades the Wolverines, with top marks for Denard Robinson
- With Polls: Your chance to grade the Wolverines on offense, defense, special teams, coaching and overall
- Photo Gallery: Images from the Michigan football team's 31-25 win over Air Force
- Scenes from Michigan Stadium where it's not not all about the game on the field
- Michigan's Jake Ryan has a career day in Bennie Oosterbaan's No. 47 'Legend' jersey
In-Game coverage
Pre-Game Coverage
The reflection of Michigan Stadium in UM senior Noah Balsmeyer's glasses before the game on Saturday.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
- WITH POLL: Scenes from University of Michigan football tailgate parties
- Jake Ryan switches to No. 47, Bennie Oosterbaan's formerly retired number
- Now that you know what happened, check out how wrong pre-game prognostications were about how the game would go.
- Pre-game Mega Guide
More Scores
- Illinois State 31, Eastern 14: Story | Photo Gallery
- Big Ten Scoreboard
- Top 25 scoreboard
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
tim
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.
I thought Air Force did the best they could do ( eating up clock and running the ball) but the Michigan defense finally figured it out late in the game. Um's offense was just about unstoppable, had the defense had a bunch of three and outs we could have scored 60 points on Air Force.
Terry Star21
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 1:28 a.m.
There you go tim, good to see a true Michigan fan here. People seem to be blind against the good things, yet want to jump all over M where they need improvement. Don't forget on AF's last two possessions, when it REALLY mattered, Michigan shut them down on 4th down attempts. keep up the good work !
MRunner73
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.
The actual breaking news was that Air Force was not grounded, except for the last two series of downs. Yes, Michigan did hang on for a victory. The victory was against a very good team. Mattison made great calls on defense and had great substitutions to get the 11 best players on the field. Borges called a good game and was wise to let Denard be Denard. My comment is that if Fitz could not find holes, then try Rawls and Hayes. Michigan cannot wait 5 or 6 games for Fitz to find his groove. The game against U Mass should be a laugher and we, the fans, should see a lot of Russel Bellomy, Justice Hayes, Thomas Rawls and more Freshman on the OL if need be. This win over AF was not hollow. I am happy they salted away the win and I think AF will have a winning season. Much work need to be done and Hoke and his staff will keep them improving. Go Blue!
genetracy
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
It looks like Michigan is back to playing Rich Rod football. Denard gets the ball, Denard takes off running. Forget the playbook.
braggslaw
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 12:03 p.m.
Michigan is weak in the trenches despite having 4 and 5 star upper classman on the lines e.g. Campbell sr. 5 star, Roh sr. 4 star etc. Denard is the entire offense, if he gets tweaked then there is no offense. This team will be lucky to win 8 games this year.
FormerMichRes
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
As a long-time UM football fan retired to warmer climes, I have to say this win, although good after the drubbing by the Crimson Tide the prior weekend, was not that satisfying when one takes a hard look at the stats. Michigan's win over a very small, selective school like Air Force (4,500 students) should have been by a much wider margin. It should have been the proverbial cake walk considering the Air Force players are true student athletes and not NFL wannabes taking a few miscellaneous classes during the quarter to remain eligible. Denard is a "senior" but I doubt that he can graduate with a degree of any sort this Spring. If the Wolverines are going to rely on Denard (more a running back than QB really) it will be a long difficult season even in the Big Ten. The talent is there, though the coaching appears pretty lackluster. I had concerns after the Alabama game ... and I really have concerns after this Air Force game. From a team perspective, I'd have to treat this game as another loss.
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 4:25 a.m.
This was a tough matchup for a depleted, young defensive line. I thought the Vegas line on the game was absurd. You knew Air Force would come in here and absolutely exhaust our defense. They ran close to 100 plays. Still, the defense held up OK, and Denard had a memorable game. You can't say Michigan won't be tested coming into the Big Ten season. A bit of a rest next week with FBS newbie UMass, but a trip to Notre Dame looms on the 22nd, and then we're in it. This is a schedule that stands up to anyone's. We won't know what we have with 133 until Michigan State. The defense has to gel, and Hoke has to find a way to get Toussaint going.
Terry Star21
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:22 a.m.
BREAKING NEWS; Ann Arbor, Michigan.....a stealth bomber flew over the Big House Saturday afternoon, but the Air Force was grounded after that. Although a very suburb football team, they were no match for Denard Robinson's speed and the Michigan defense. Michigan now has it's first win of twelve in a row as it prepares to run the table. MgoBlueForTiM.......great time to be a Michigan football faithful.
DDOT1962
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.
"...first win of twelve in a row as it prepares to run the table." Huh? Michigan will be lucky to go 8-4. We struggled with a minor tune-up team in Air Force. In all likelihood, we will lose to Nebraska, OSU, and, although it pains me to say it, Moo-U. Add that to the thumping we were subjected to on national television last week by the Tide, and Michigan's preseason hype balloon has been burst once again. We might stay in the Top 25 if we get to a bowl and don't blow it there.
Scott
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 4:47 a.m.
Terry- you are a true fan. So OK. Go blue.
average joe
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 3:40 a.m.
"...they were no match for Denard's speed and the MI defense"- Maybe Denard, but the defense? I seen an AF team moving the ball the length of the field & scored 25 points. And I think you mean 'superb'.