Michigan football coach Brady Hoke says Junior Hemingway's play was a catch, wants explanation from Big Ten
Junior Hemingway pulls a pass from Denard Robinson toward him in the back of the end zone. Officials ruled that Hemingway did not catch the ball.
Associated Press
They think receiver Junior Hemingway made a catch — in-bounds — in the back of the end zone in the waning seconds against Iowa, which would have set up a potentially game-tying two-point conversion attempt.
Instead, the officials — one of whom signaled touchdown, another incomplete pass — ruled Hemingway did not make the catch, and upheld that call upon replay. Two incomplete passes later, and Michigan was tagged with a 24-16 loss to the Hawkeyes on Saturday.
Now, Hoke plans to seek an explanation for the call from the Big Ten office. He has yet to receive a response.
"Not completely, yet, have I gotten that explanation," he said Monday afternoon at his weekly news conference. "On the field, there’s not enough time for ‘em to come up and they’re not going to take the time to come up and say, ‘This is what we decided.’ They reviewed it and went through the proper channels and all that stuff.
"It’s just the way it goes."
Still, Hoke made it clear he disagrees with the call on the field.
"I thought Junior made a catch," he said.
In-bounds?
"Oh, yeah," he said.
Does he feel robbed?
"I never carry much money with me, anyway," he said. "Mrs. Hoke doesn't give me it."
The only thing Hoke was unsure about was whether Hemingway completed the process of catching the football, saying, "That's where everything gets diluted. What is that rule?"
Hoke said Michigan typically sends clips to the Big Ten office for review, so this week is not unusual. It's not always for missed calls, either, but also to seek explanations for why penalties were called.
He knows one thing, though: There won't be much measure of satisfaction, even if the Big Ten says the call was blown. A loss is a loss, and the No. 22 Wolverines (7-2, 3-2) now have two of them in conference play heading into this week's game at Illinois (3:30 p.m., ABC).
"It's football. That stuff happens," Hoke said. "It never changes anything, so I don't worry about it. We're going to cement what we need to cement, and we're going to move forward."
Still, he has to be a little angry, right?
"Maybe," he said with a slight smile. "Believe me, you want your kids to win. You want them to have success. They invest."
Sophomore tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint said he still is angry about losing, and the way Michigan lost, but was looking to move on to preparing for the Illini.
But there's no doubt this loss was a tough one to take for the Wolverines.
"We thought he caught it," senior defensive lineman Ryan Van Bergen said. "We thought he caught it on the field. "But, you know, we had another opportunity to win the game, we had opportunities before that, so we can’t get hung up on that and we have to move forward."
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Joe Batten
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 1:18 p.m.
No confusion on my end..... he did not have possion when his knee hit or when the ball hit the ground. See reply..... <a href="http://www.thedetroitsportssite.com/2011/11/05/michigan-vs-iowa-controversial-incomplete-call-costs-junior-hemingway-td-catch/8204" rel='nofollow'>http://www.thedetroitsportssite.com/2011/11/05/michigan-vs-iowa-controversial-incomplete-call-costs-junior-hemingway-td-catch/8204</a>
truebluefan
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
It's really pointless to argue about the call on a couple plays when Michigan should've really handled this less than stellar Iowa team. However, I will say that Junior DID have possession with a knee down in the end zone. That is a touchdown. And the last play to Roundtree was blatant PI but I honestly didn't expect the call judging on how things had gone all game. Either way, Michigan should've been up at least 6 points with 5 seconds left in the game. This is certainly not last season's Iowa team. Before the season I had reservations about how the offense would be run this season under the new staff and now I am more worried than ever. I said it many times and will say it again, we NEED to be running shotgun hurry up for the whole game! Shelve the I-form, waggles, long vertical passes and play action stuff. And leave Gardner on the bench!
SMC
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.
Brady Hoke is following the time-honored Michigan Football tradition of whining about bad calls and blaming the officials for their misfortune. See: "We deserved better."
Joe Batten
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
The ground can not cause a fumble or complete the catch. The ball was slipping out of his hands when it hit the ground and he did not have full control PERIOD. Its insane that Hoke or so many of you are questioning this. Michigan was over ranked this year and a not so great Iowa team showed that.
Rufus
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
Why wait until the end to run the spread when (Minnesota!) beat Iowa with it the week before. If they had have run the spread earlier Michigan wins by 2 touchdowns. Michigan deserved to lose.
truebluefan
Wed, Nov 9, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
OH, but the "situation" of the game changed. Don't you know that being down 15 points turns the Iowa defense into the Western Michigan defense? Garbage yards. That's all they were. I hope you get my sarcasm.
rightmind250
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
Hoke and Borges are recruiting players telling them they run a pro-style offense. This affects the recruitment of lineman, wr's, running backs, qb's etc. How do they look a guy in the face and tell them that then run a spread on Saturday? Besides, Borges is not a spread OC. You are right though, Denard gained more yards in the 4th qtr, running the spread, then he did the first 3 qtrs combined under center.
K32
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
Boo hoo, Michigan loses again.
GoBelow
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:39 p.m.
Until this very moment we didn't know, but Brady Hoke is indeed a real Michigan Man!
rightmind250
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
Yeah he is right now. He and borges look like the dough boys I mentioned above.
bobd
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.
Here is the rule for you and Hoke , and the AP to read, get over it and report facts my friend. quit the crying. NCAA rulebook: XI. Airborne receiver A85 grasps a forward pass and in the process of going to the ground, first contacts the ground with his left foot inbounds as he falls to the ground out of bounds. Immediately upon A85 hitting the ground out of bounds, the ball comes loose. RULING: Incomplete pass regardless of whether or not the ball hits the ground because the receiver is out of bounds. (page 164 of 197) <a href="http://www.fwfo.org/Files/2011" rel='nofollow'>http://www.fwfo.org/Files/2011</a>... <a href="http://www.fwfo.org" rel='nofollow'>www.fwfo.org</a>
George Maierhauser
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
bobd, The ball never came loose! Look at the replay. Also, see the interception in The Northwestern game. Michigan LB catches the ball, the tip of the ball is clearly hitting the ground, but the LB had control of the ball. Replay ruled interception. If that is a catch then the Hemingway catch is a touchdown.
azwolverine
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.
Wow, a link and everything and it doesn't even relate to the play on the filed. Let me be the third to tell you: the ball DID NOT COME LOOSE.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 12:27 p.m.
The ball DIDN'T come loose. You must be watching another game. Thanks for the effort.
Engineer
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 3:15 a.m.
The problem is the ball did NOT come loose. It was a TD no doubt about it! We got screwed.
Charlotte Richardson
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:16 a.m.
I think we got screwed. It was not only a catch and at the end their was pass interferance. I think bad calls like that should be allowed to protest and reviewed by the NCAA . There has been to many bad calls this year that have effected the outcome of the game.
jeff blue
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 1:44 a.m.
OMG, "The Dirty Play in East Lansing cost us the game". This type of talk makes us look weak. The Spartans were stupid, and all of those penalties really hurt them! If Sparty had those penalties against Wiscy, they would have lost at home. We must a culture the change -- we need to be the tougher team. No penalties, but tough, clean play. Illinios is not the cleanest team, and we had better be ready. Everyone (but PSU, and this will change) has lost on the road this year. IMHO it is Time for us to win a big road game!!!
Squeek Eron
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 1:19 a.m.
Michigan got screwed, let's face it.
unclefred
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
Joesph While I completely agree that the win must be earned and that MIchigan failed to play well enough to win for most of the game. A correct call is not a gift, it is expected. As the Big Ten becomes a more competitive conference the impact of poor officiating increases. The conference must address this before more close games are decided by poor calls than play on the field. That call and that game are in the past. But the general problem with officiating is not over and needs to be addressed.
Joseph Brando
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.
How many overthrows did DRob have? In the last drive alone? Plenty of missed opportunities, questionable play-calling and downright sloppy football. You have to earn your road win. Perhaps after 3-4 years of not being a quality BigTen opponent and on the road you would have figured that out by now. You don't get gifts on the road my friend....you have to earn the W.
Joseph Brando
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
Yes all of you guys are correct. The high winds and dirty play cost you the game in East Lansing and the poor officiating cost you the game in Iowa. Yes, Michigan should be undefeated. They deserve it because they have the best offense/defense/special teams in the Big Ten. /face palm You do realize that the last three seasons your great starts came at the expense of below-.500 teams, don't you? You do realize that is what really is happening right now, don't you? Obviously not.
MRunner73
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:15 p.m.
Brady Hoke may be more upset over the Junior Hemingway end zone play than meets the eye. Overall, he remains professional. If the Head Coach or assistents whine, then the players will whine as well. The play and replay showed it was a TD to me. But it isn't so by the official ruling. IA wins, Michigan has a few more tries and fails to score. Close but not close enough. Next game is at IL. One more road win would be really great. We need this in more ways than one. I am sure the focus at Schembechler Hall all week will be IL. They are beatable. If many of you think our offense has gotten meager, here's what IL did on offense in their last three loss: 7 vs OSU (10), 14 vs Purdue (21), they were almost shut out and then 7 at Penn State (10), blew a sure win. Sounds like a good defensive effort on their part so our offense needs to click. Michigan needs to refocus, head west and take it to IL on Saturday. GO BLUE!!!
lindor
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:10 p.m.
Agree with lumber. Dear Coach Hoke - Please explain to all of us why you choose to bottle up one of the most explosive players in the country and call 4 straight passing plays? I'd also like to know why "Plays that have great success at SDSU" are called on 4th and less than an inch in a game where we are trailing by a TD and our O line and Denard had been getting beat up all day. We're 7-2. If we don't win another game this season our coaching change decision is a complete loss and we would have done better keeping RR. Our improvements on defense this year are negated by our declines on offense.
lindor
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
No one is saying anything about our defense. Everyone knowingly admits that the defense was awful last year. Ask anyone who was part of the program last year and they will say the same. The whole defensive staff was on its way out. My point is this, our offense would have been far better this year than the mismanagement we are suffering from due to Borges. I'm hoping our defense, with a new DC would have been better as well. RR did win 3 games his first season. Didn't LC lose to Appalachian State? I guess there is no point in arguing because we've moved on. My main point is though, we're 7-2, with 3 tough games ahead. I think we'd be at this point with RR if not better this year, and if that is the case, the coaching changing was premature. Maybe you like your coach sitting on the sidelines completely oblivious to play calling during the entire game, I don't.
Matt Patercsak
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
whoa whoa whoa. calm down BROSEPH. Better off with Rich Rod? Are you concerned at all about the future? If rich rod were here we would have gotten blown out by MSU, lost at Northwestern and would have definitely not beaten Notre Dame. I dont understand why people think Rich Rod was so great? the guy won 3 games in his first season. THREE GAMES!!! he lost to Toledo, can you imagine losing to SDSU? or Eastern? and the defense, dont even get me started. Rich Rod was awful. how can you even say that things would be better if he were around. he nearly killed michigan football.
lindor
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:19 p.m.
Michigan State - maybe it was 4th and an inch. Also, I've read your comments above. Agree with you on lack of time, but clock was stopped on 4th and 2. Give Denard a chance to make a play, clock is going to run out anyways.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
4th and less than an inch? When, exactly, did that happen? GN&GL
A2D2
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
I'd like an explanation as to why you've turned the most dynamic and dangerous player in college football into an offensive afterthought. I'd like to know what Al Borgas has been thinking the last several weeks. The offense has been turned into a train wreck in less than a season. Anybody willing to hold Borgas accountable?
heartbreakM
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
There is a myth that DR is the most explosive dangerous player. Against better defenses, he is merely ordinary. Exciting for sure, but generally contained as a runner and poor as a passer. Love watching him for the unexpected break out, but he has not dominated games in any team with a winning record in the last 2 years. Borges needs to get better play-calls in there; more screens, more passes to the wide-out at the line of scrimmage, more draws, more I formation. But i don't think he is trying to force Denard to do anything a QB should not be able to do.
JustfortheRecord
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:46 p.m.
Well, Denard isn't injured yet, we have 3 games to go, and in the end of each game, he is there making plays instead of standing on the sideline like he and/or Tate did at the end of many big ten games. That might be what they are thinking about.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
Yes, I think Brady Hoke handled this very professionally. He didn't whine and complain about the call, or chaste Referee's and Reply Official and blame it on losing after the game. I'm sure he did pretty much what all professional do; he read the NCAA official rules then double checked the Big Ten rules (I did also) then watched the video two dozen times, two dozen ways and consulted with his staff. Because of the closeness of that play and the rules - Yes, he does deserve an explanation. He is not asking for a game change or protest, all he wants is a 'Yes we made a mistake' ! This call and the dirty play earlier from another team needs to be addressed. It is not about winning or losing as many naysayers and non-faithful will harp all day about on this column. It is about finding a fault, reporting a fault and taking responsibility for a fault - you know ethics, like ohio state and penn state forgot about. MgoBlueForTim...........Brady Hokes requests and deserves the truth...
rightmind250
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.
Terry , Actually MSU did Mich a favor. They showed just how soft this team is. In years past, Mich wouldn't ask the commissioner to do something. Mich would have done something on the field. Mich needs to rid itself of the dough boys and man up.
aarox
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 5:05 a.m.
Yeah, that's it. He's just curious. grief.
Terry Star21
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 1:58 a.m.
Thanks azwolverine...there are too many simple minds out there with a lack of clear intelligence that want to make this 'request for explanation' about wining/losing. My intention was to help the intelligent people and supporters understand his request; I mean JH caught the ball, knee in the end zone, rolled and the ball did not move at all. PROCESS completed !
azwolverine
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
TS, I also feel that Hoke simply wants to fully understand the rule. As he said, the rule is a bit "diluted," so he wants it clarified. The better he understands the rules, the better he can coach his team to meet the parameters of the rule in the future.
OTOH
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.
Problem is this is a tradition with Alibi U. Has UM ever lost a close game that wasn't someone's bad or missed call? This just gets old after a while.
Peter
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
The worst call was not made by the officials but by Michigan's coaching staff. With Robinson, Smith and Toussant, Mich should have been able to move the ball 3 yards in 4 plays. Calling four consecutive pass plays with a QB who was inconsistent this game and receivers who dropped too many passes was a travesty. Someone said it did not matter because they were not getting the 2 point conversion anyway. Hell, they did not even give themselves a chance. What happened to the great play calling from Borges we saw in the first 5 games?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:57 p.m.
One other thought, too, then I'll quit spamming this thread. A roll out takes time. There was only one second on the clock for the last play. Had we rolled out and not scored, likely the last play does not happen. And, let's face it, there PI ought to have been called on the last play so that there was one more down. But I agree that, on the last play anyways, you try rolling out to see what develops. GN&GL
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.
Agree, MS, but that's not what "Peter" is suggesting with Smith and Fitz That's a straight running play. Might have worked because it was not expected. But, if it fails, game is over GN&GL
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:13 p.m.
I agree. You call a play where Robinson has the option to run if no one is open. On all four plays, Iowa blitzed where running lanes often develop - specifically to attack that delayed draw. I would criticize Borges for not calling a designed roll-out when he saw where the Iowa linebackers lined up, though. If Iowa insists on collapsing the pocket immediately, get out of the pocket.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
OK. 16 seconds on the clock. No timeouts. Run the ball and get tackled short of the end zone, the game is over. Get it? Good Night and Good Luck
missionbrazil
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10 p.m.
It's a shame that they did not overturn the call, because Junior made a great effort and a great catch. We all know it was a catch Junior. Great job ! Go Blue !
RudeJude
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:58 p.m.
There were a number of bad calls made during the game, but more blame falls on Michigan's offensive strategy than on the refs calls, although seeing this pic of the Def. Pass Interference call makes me sick: <a href="http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/Roundtreelastplayiowa1.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/Roundtreelastplayiowa1.jpg</a> The Iowa defender's hand is clearly wrapped around Roundtree's waist before the ball is touched. Regardless, Denard seemed to force himself to make passes rather than run in situations where the run seemed like it would be more affective. Although the play resulted with a TD pass to Toussaint, it felt like I was watching a circus performance with the amount of time Robinson spent in the pocket, and you're telling me he couldn't have easily waltzed into the endzone before lobbing that difficult pass to Fitz? I feel if Michigan let Robinson run, just six-to-eight more plays even, Iowa would have been forced to defend differently, and Michigan would have won by two scores, or more. Not taking anything away from Iowa, good game to them, I just feel confident this would have been the case. Difficult loss. Go Blue
jeff blue
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:51 p.m.
Dear Mr Hoke, I love Michigan Football, but IMHO this is not the time to complain about officiating. There are some bad calls in every game. Everyone gets bad calls; especially on the road. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE BITING ILLINI!! What happened to the 24 hour rule? Forget about the last game and maintain focus on the upcoming game. I remember -- about 10 years -- UM vs IL, and there were very questionanable calls on two fumbles. They didn't use replay. Both calls went Michigan's way on that day; that is college football. Of course the Illinios fans complained, but nothing changes. The game is over. People already call us names: whine & chees, excuse University, poor sports and worse. PLEASE MOVE ON. Beat Illinios.
Michael Christie
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
Here's the explaination after playing ball for 19 years. The ball cannot hit the ground for any reason while the player is coming to the ground off a catch. The tip of the ball hit out of bounds as the player fell to the ground, thus an incomplete pass. It was clear as day, well maybe not today, but in some other sunny city.
Michael Christie
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:16 p.m.
I will bet the NCAA will rule he didn't have control until the ball hit the ground, as that would be the only rational reason the catch didn't count. Funny that someone is so sensitive that their reply is removed from this subject matter. Lighten up Francis.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
Uh Oh! LOLOL GN&GL
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
The NFL rule is the same: a part of the ball can hit the ground as long as the ground is not used to control the ball. I think he caught it. The Calvin Johnson rule refers to maintaining possession of the ball through the entire process of making the catch. It's still not completely clear and will be reviewed during the off-season. In the specific Calvin Johnson case, it means don't spike the ball until you've finished the process.
Lorain Steelmen
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
I agree with Ghost...thats' right, Lorain Steelmen agrees, with Ghost. But seriously...the ground cannot cause a fumble, at least, in college. (There was no 'fumble' to begin with.) The ball never changed postions in his hands, either before or after hitting the ground. His knee was down, and it clearly was IN, the endzone. What makes me nuts, is that you had an official call the play a touchdown. You do NOT guess a touchdown. If you are not sure, you do NOT call it a TD. Here was a guy who SAW the TD. He was at fault, for NOT staying with the call on the play, ahead of the review. Just like fastpitch softball, which I officiate. You NEVER 'guess' an out, you must SEE an out. You never 'guess' a strike, you must SEE a strike! If you are NOT sure, you are trained to call safe, or call ball, and then seek a second opinion. This offciating crew, got it exactly wrong. The next miscall on the interference, is clearly a case of the crew NOT having the 'guts' to call a play, for the visting team, on the road. They just let the clock expire, and ran for the locker room. Interestingly enough, a crew missed the so -called msu TD, against wisconsin. Now the two 'miscalls' will put msu in the championship game, which means the league may NOT be getting the match up that was billed when the league went to the new format. That is the two best teams from each division. The league looks bad, as the league office looks the other way. And they ask why the league gets no respect nationally.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Not the case. That is the NFL rule (aka "The Calvin Johnson Got Jobbed" rule). It is not a rule in the NCAA. In the NCAA, the moment his knee hit the ground with control of the ball, the play was over. GN&GL
jayjay
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
If they cannot get it right on replay, they ought to cancel all replay reviews. They missed the call in the MSU/Wisconsin game, overturning the correct ruling. Now they missed the call in the Iowa/Michigan game. Reffing in the Big 10 this year sucks, and the hometown calls are getting progressively worse. If the Big 10 cannot find 1) competent officials, and 2) officials that are not afraid to make the correct call even in the other team's home field, then they ought to at least find a way to get it right on replay. It gets worse every year. Thank heaven basketball is soon upon us. I do not feel that reffing in basketball has deteriorated as bad as it has in football. They are making a shambles of a great sport.
unclefred
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
Zeeba Have you see all the video of that catch? Bad calls are a part of the game. The replay rules are intended to prevent critical bad calls from determining the game. "Indisputable evidence". The video was clear. He had the ball and had completed the catch before he hit the ground. It was a terrible call that should have been overruled. The Michigan players were robbed on that call in a game that could have been a highlight reel of bad officiating. Hoke is right to push back on the officiating in that game, because the overall officiating in the Big Ten needs to improve. It has been pretty lousy this season and won't get better if it is given a pass. That said we should not have let the entire game depend scoring a touch down and a 2 point conversion to keep the game alive. We did not play well enough to win for most of the game.
zeeba
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
Oh, quit whining. If all you had to go on was the replay, they might have called it a catch, based on preponderance of evidence. But the ruling on the field was incomplete pass and the video wasn't enough to overturn it - there wasn't indisputable evidence he had control of the ball. As for the MSU catch, you're just being a partisan complainer. The video clearly showed the ball in Nichol's hands, across the inside of the goal line stripe, not just the plane of the goal itself. Even his left shoulder was across the line, twice. I'm just glad Hoke didn't decide to run it, or we'd have to listen to you complain about the clockkeeping all over again.
Tesla
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
Sounds like Hoke is channeling his inner Schembechler. Bo was a professional whiner who often got his way with officials and the NCAA.
lindor
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:16 p.m.
Not like Bo. Bo would have had his head in the game far longer than the last 4 plays (see Hoke throwing on headset only on last drive). Also highly doubt Bo wouldn't have put the ball in the hands of his best player at least ONCE.
jeff blue
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:55 p.m.
"I knew Bo. Bo was my friend. Brady is no Bo Schembechler." From a VP debate long ago about Dan Quayle and JFK.
fjord
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Makes no difference. They weren't going to get the two-point conversion anyway.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:12 p.m.
Hey, could you give me a couple stocks to buy, maybe some lotto numbers ?
81wolverine
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
It was very close. Hemingway appeared to have only a partial hold of the ball as it hit the ground. So, they probably thought he hadn't "completed the process" of catching the ball. The worse call (actually a non-call) was the obvious pass interference where Roy Roundtree was hit while trying to catch a first down pass at the end of the first half. The resulting deflected pass was interecepted, killing a probable Michigan scoring drive. Iowa clearly got the home-field calls on Saturday.
Buster W.
Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
Isn't "completing the process" an NFL rule?
ralph mcgraw
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Good luck, Brady. You're asking for fairness from the same Big 10 that thought the actions of Ohio State's players last year were heinous enough to suspend them from 5 games THIS year (not 1, but 5), but not so heinous that they couldn't play in the Sugar Bowl. Gee, think the bookies had anything to do with their decision?
Meangoblue
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
Happy MEAN day! 1.Beat Purdunck---very winnable game . CHECK!!!! 2. Slap the Squackeyes!!-----CHECK!! i am counting this as a win!! 2 missed pass interference calls and a blown TD call on Hemmingway! 3.Play defense against the Illini----if we hold em under 65--we win! 4.Hook the huskers-welcome to the big house...children of the corn!!! 5. Smush the punkeyes- nothing like kicking an injured dog while he's down-- See Ndamukong Suh 6. Continue to read all of the MEANies posts and marvel at his wisdom and way with the ladies! MEEEEEANchigan football will go 3-0! I was told by a guy that I know!!!
lumberg48108
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
i want an explanation on why u called 4 straight pass plays with the most dynamic running QB (and average passer) in the country?
Matt Patercsak
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
fastest qb in the country maybe, but most dynamic? not by a long shot.
lindor
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
The timeout issue was quite clear.. What about on 4th down. Or how about this, spike the ball on 1st? You stop the clock and still keep the timeout but you lose the a down. Would love to have someone pull up stats that show Denard's success rate/yardage gained on designed roll outs. Willing to bet he gets 3 yards at least 50% of the time.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
Maybe because they had no timeouts and, had he been tackled, the game would have been over? GN&GL
Michael Christie
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
And then when you waste a play trying to 'run/pass' the faithful will question if the coach is a coach.
lumberg48108
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
I understand the clock issue - that is when you get creative and run/pass option etc ...if no run there, he dumps the ball
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
No TiMe OuTs. That's why you try to save them until the end of the game.
chiro19
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
If you run the ball and have no timeouts there are two things that may happen one is that you run out of time with 14 seconds or however much it was left. With that officiating it could have happened! 2 is that you lose one play possibly two with no timeouts and spiking it. The better question is why were timeouts taken earlier in the half when not necessary! Now does it mean you should pass it every time. I agree with you, No! I would have ran it the last play and suprise Iowa with it. Or run Denard to a side and if something opens run it, if not throw it. Plus I think your assessment of Denard as an average passer is very gracious on your part!
81wolverine
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
One big reason may have been we had no timeouts left at that point. If you run the ball and come up short, we had no way to stop the clock. The coaches evidently didn't want to risk that happening.
David Briegel
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 7:58 p.m.
We were sitting in the 7th row on the goal line and that catch happened right in front of us. Even the Iowa fans around us thought it was a catch. They kept overruling the on official that got the calls correct!! Those officials were horrible! And I agree with amazinblu that those calls weren't the reason we lost.
amazinblu
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
Ok fellas, the worse blown calls were made on the pass interfenece before the half on the interception and on the last play of the game was obvious interfrence but it's time to move on. We lost because we played with less intensity than iowa for 3 and a half quarters (just like MSU and ND) we need to play better and the refs, although they blew these calls on KEY plays, were NOT why we lost.