Michigan football team will host Air Force in 2012
The Michigan football team's murderous 2012 schedule just got tougher.
The Wolverines will host Air Force on Sept. 8, 2012, the school's athletic director, Dave Brandon, announced via Twitter on Friday afternoon.
"Great to host one of our great service academies again," he wrote.
The game will come one week after the Wolverines kick off the season against Alabama in a neutral-site game in Dallas. Two open dates remain on the schedule, which also includes a non-conference game on the road at Notre Dame.
"Alabama, Air Force and Notre Dame make our non-conference schedule among the toughest in college football,” Brandon said in a written statement.
The Wolverines will likely schedule one more game, and keep one weekend open. Michigan also faces road games at Ohio State and at Nebraska that season.
The only previous game played between the two schools came in the 1964 season opener. The Wolverines defeated the Falcons by a 24-7 score on Sept. 26 at Michigan Stadium.
New Michigan coach Brady Hoke is more familiar with the Air Force program. Competing together in the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs defeated the Falcons, 27-25, this past season. In 2009, Air Force won the battle, 26-14.
The 2012 competition will be Michigan's first game against a service academy team in three decades. The Wolverines last played Navy in 1981, winning 21-16, and last played Army in 1962.
This story will be updated.
Pete Bigelow covers the Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2551, via e-mail at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
15crown00
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 7:05 a.m.
Air Force now there is competition? wouldn't it be nice if every team could pick it' own bye week?don't think so.a huge mess is more like it.solution is NO BYE WEEK.Play 12 games in a row and go on from there.
LSUWolverine
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 2:25 a.m.
Air Force is NOT competition? Why don't you watch a little college football before you make such an obviously fallacious comment.
Richard
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.
I think it is exciting that Michigan will be playing Air Force in 2012. I come out to one game a year with my son and i think that will be the game. Air Force is an exciting team and I think it will be a great game. I just hope the fans will respect the players realizing these are young men who could be sent into battle while defending our country. I hope no one says you suck like I hear. I hope Michigan would schedule a service academy each year. Possibly Air Force could be invited to join the Big Ten.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
Richard your article was truly heart felt and I would commend you on your choice of games to attend with your son.
D21
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 3:43 a.m.
JaySham, Thanks for pointing my error out and for having my back: Beau Morgan, Air Force (1996): 225 carries, 1,494 yards, 18 touchdowns Dee Dowis, Air Force (1987): 194 carries, 1,315 yards, 10 touchdowns D_ _ _ Y, East Lansing Community College (2011): 135 carries (postings), - 1,301 yards, 0 touchdowns JaySham, pls proofread for me if this is in order :) GO BLUE!
Jaysham
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:55 a.m.
@D21 That is my favorite post by you ever. LOL dude and yes the stats are oh so correct my man! GO BLUE!!!
missionbrazil
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
- 10 yards per carry (posting) ... ouch !
D21
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.
Hey Mick, Thanks man and what a sweet difference between the past few years and today, wow. GO BLUE!
Mick
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 4:48 a.m.
Thats Hilarious D21, you crack me up dude.
Mick
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:52 a.m.
Welcome to AA Mr Chris Bryant, Go Blue!!!
1st Down
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
We dont ask for experience. We give it. You dont read it in a book. You live it. Pick up service. Pick up Challenge. Set yourself Apart!. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines.... what a great place, its a great place to start! Go Blue. Good game for a non conference fo. The home schedule for 2012 was pretty weak and this is better than some Mac-rifice game.
Chilltime
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
As an Air Force member I am excited that the Falcons will becoming to the Big House. I will try my best to be there in AA. That day I will be thorn on who to root for.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 3:51 p.m.
That's an easy one Chiltime, root for both teams and a good game. Root for the Mich. fans to treat our service members with respect they so deserve.
Theo212
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.
I root for wins; For wins I long. But with the change, We've done it wrong. Like I've said, if there are any occasions for carrying the coach off the field in the next decade, my hope is that the team will also carry Our King off the field at the same moment. (Or maybe just The King.......don't want any injuries). And, Portage, now I salute you sevenfold!! Thanks for your service. Posters, you can bash me and tater and lorain and dusty all you want (even though it's misguided). But from this day forward, Portage is now on the Highly Exonerated Untouchable Right All The Time list. Your President has so decreed it.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.
Go Blue Pa, Thank you for describing what a fan of Mich is let's see, it's anyone that agrees with you right? Not!
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
You continue to prove over and over that you are not a fan of Michigan. No problem with you expressing your opinion, it's good to have dissent, but you can stop pretending that Michigan means anything to you.
azwolverine
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:44 a.m.
Why bash Lorain? She's totally on board with coach Hoke.
Keith
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
This reminds me of the Ohio - Navy Game. This will be great for both Programs. Will be a good experience for the service men to have an opportunity to play at the Big House before serving our Country. Lets make some memories and GO BLUE!
Ann English
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
One year between 1975 and 1981, the Wolverines defeated Navy by at least 58 points. Navy scored just 14 points, the Wolverines over 71 points but less than 80.
GettingBluer
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.
IIRC, that game *seemed* like it was going to be a tough one. I believe that UofM was down 14-0 with half-time approaching and barely managed to go into the locker room with a 21-14 lead. Most of us watching didn't know if the second half was going to be a nail-biter or not. It wasn't as Michigan score 7 unanswered TDs in the second half.
Rich Rezler
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
1976: Michigan 70, Navy 14
Mick
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
@Portage can I call you dad now since you called me son? I do want to say thank you for your service to our great country sir. What part of CA do you live in my man? As for the 2012 schedule, I prefer we schedule a game for Sept. 15th as opposed to the 29th so that we could have 4 games under our belt and get a much needed bye before the B1G part of the sched starts. What's the point of having a bye week after 2 games, the 29th would be more towards the middle of the season, that's where I'd like to have our bye week always to refuel for the home stretch. As for Theo, Portage and Tater, I certainly hope that as U-M fans, you care more about us winning than being right about the coaching change. So what's the deal? Are you hoping for success or failure?
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 12:59 a.m.
Talk about spin. RichRod was NOT a guest. He was an employee. One hired to coach the University of Michigan football team. At that task, he failed. Spectacularly. It isn't even debatable. The spin that he was a guest and we treated him badly is down right laughable. We're accused of treating him poorly because of "the winloss". How else are you supposed to judge a coach? THAT IS HIS JOB!!!! Let me say this, if a "guest" came to my house and attempted to burn it to the ground, you better believe I'd kick his rear to curb pronto. RichRod got his 3 years and nearly destroyed the program. Any thing else is frankly bunk.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
Jonny jonny the man made a mistake that he wasn't entirely aware of doing a mistake johnny. If making mistakes is enough to get us blackballed then Christ better come again cause you, me and every other person is guilty of that. I think your last point is what got RR canned johnnny, he lost to many games. Let's all be man enough to admit that. Even a lot of my USC friends knew Pete Carrol was a snake oil salesman but hey, Pete was winning so he was a winner. Some of you want me to love Brady Hoke but yet some of you can't man up and admit what you really didn't like about RR was the win loss record. Some of you think that by making RR out to be a devil in disguise that justifies your rude behavior and disgusting remarks about a man that tried hard to help our Wolverines whether you like it or not. Bottom line, within a 3 year period RR did not accumulate enough wins to satisfy Mich. therefore his empoyment and status as head coach and guest in the state of Mich. was terminated and I say guest cause I doubt if RR is going to stay in Mich. I feel great about supporting RR to the end and I'm sure I'll be supporting Brady Hoke when many of You turn on him for not winning fast enough for your pleasure.
johnnya2
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.
@portage Would rude behavior be when a GUEST of our state comes to OUR University and is convicted of cheating, proven to lie on several occasions (tell us how your teams have the highest GPA in history), and on top of it all LOSE more football games in a three year stretch than at any time EVER in over 100 years of football? When a GUEST comes to MY home, and he treats MY home the way RR did to the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, he got better than he deserved.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 6:27 p.m.
Brazil, if I was in your shoes I would be defensive to but the facts of rude befavior by certain folks represents itself you can spin it any way you want. I concider coaches as guests for at least the 5 years it takes to turn the average program around and make no mistake if your expecting Brady Hoke and gang to turn this thing around by 2012 you better look at that schedule. In college ball today if a coach doesn't turn a program around by year two he could very well be a guest by year 3 and shown the door and that goes for Brady Hoke. Brady Hoke is in for a rough first 2 years I don't care who his supporting cast is and if he doesn't turn this thing around quickly he is going to feel like a guest, the fans of Mich. are not forgiving as we already know as evidenced by this site that some can be downright uncivilized to say the least. I feel that if Brady makes it to year 5 and has established consistancey at recruiting and beating Mich. state, Nebraska and Ohio state then he is no longer a guest. After LLoyd and RR I don't think Mich. fans are going to allow constant losses to those 3 especially to Ohio state and don't think it's not possible, Jim Tressel is a darn good coach that has had Mich. # for a long time including against some darn good Mich. teams. This anger at mediocrity by Mich goes back before LLoyd's last season and App. state. This anger goes back to about when Jim Tressell started beating Mich. So if Brady Hoke thinks he can come in and slide because he's the new sheriff in town, well Brazil I kind of doubt it.
missionbrazil
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
I agree with you Mick, az, and GoblueinNE_PA. It's well past time for certain people to move on or go cheer for some other team. Portage, I hate to disagree with you again, but RR was not a "guest" at UM. He was hired to do a job, and he got paid quite well for it. He got fired from that job because he did not do it well enough for the vast majority of fans & supporters, and more importantly not well enough for his boss. I suppose every time a person in Michigan (or any other state for that matter) that gets fired for not doing their job well enough is being treated "unfairly" and "rudely" ? You sir need to move on and quit taking pot shots at the people who supported DB and the change to a new HC. Calling people "idiots" and "childish" and "disgusting" and "ignorant" just because they agreed with DB about the need for a new HC is really telling more about yourself than all the others you are taking a shot at.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
Palm Springs and I love Mich. football, I truly hope coach Hoke works out and all the new recruits. As real Mich. fans speaking for myself the downright stupid remarks and blatant rudeness that was accorded coach RR by folks on this site was childish, rude, disgusting and ignorant at best. Most of these types seemed content at the losses so they could make the point of firing RR. I grew up in Mich and my family and circle of friends never would treat a guest to our house or state with such disdain. Yes, RR made mistakes in my opinion nothing that couldn't be corrected. I believe this man and his family were treated with such disdain because of the win loss. Thank god that the majority of good folks in my beautiful state of Mich are not represented by a few idiots and rude boys and girls on this site, RR was a guest in our state just as Brady Hoke and his family is now.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
I agree AZ, Tater is proving, IMO, that he really is a fan of Michigan. Whereas the others that you mention continue to prove over and over that their true loyalties were with a coach that didn't have a clue how to run a major program. I keep hoping they see the light, but I don't think it will happen.
azwolverine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
Shockingly, what I've seen from tater seems to signal that he wants UM to win despite being upset at the coaching change. The other two, inferring into what they've written, seem to be leaning the other way.
D21
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
chiro19, Good posting! I'd even go for another SEC team (LSU) or even Texas. AD Brandon, in agreement with Coach Hoke, has started putting up "CUPCAKE FREE ZONE" signs around the Big House. GO BLUE!
D21
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.
Louisville...Louisville...Louisville? Maybe if it is their basketball team, eh, even their football team isn't exactly a cupcake but more like a muffin.
MichFanTex
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.
Louisville has an open date on the 15th.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
Air Force will be a cool game. Now, what's worse than playing Alabama in 2012? Playing Alabama in 2012 in Texas stadium.
azwolverine
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
You know what would be even worse? Playing Alabama with our recently fired coach.
RudeJude
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 11:08 p.m.
It's strategic scheduling to thrust Michigan into the national spotlight and, more importantly, into the minds of the recruits living in the fertile recruiting grounds of Texas. You can moan about it all you want, but it's on the schedule now. Continue whimpering if you must, but I'd recommend supporting and encouraging the team to meet this 2012 challenge. Go Blue
D21
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 11:01 p.m.
Ooops, clicked the wrong link, "vote" instead of "reply" so you actually got zero votes :) Bama will barely walk away after the game while being bruised and battered with Saban going down on his knees and profusely bowing down to Coach Hoke
chiro19
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
I cant wait to see who the 4th non-conference game will be against! Maybe the team RR is coordinating for. Michigan will need a cupcake after these first three games! If Michigan wants a tougher game go to Boise on the 29th or play TCU on the 15th at Michigan! It will look like a EA custom schedule on dynasty mode! Fortunately michigan will have a video game QB as a senior if he survives that long in the big ten.
David Vande Bunte
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
Even by adding Boise or something, it will still be a cupcake schedule compared to what I bet most of us do in EA NCAA Football...personally, if they are available, I will only schedule top 10 teams for my non-conference schedule. Its fun blowing the SEC team's national championship hopes, LOL
D21
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
Dee Dowis, meet Denard Robinson, the one who broke your rushing record. It'd be cool if Dowis and DR were to be at midfield prior to the start of the game. The pollsters will have no choice but to vote UM in Top 25 even if UM has a cupcake free 7-5 record. GO BLUE! GO HOKE!
D21
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.
JaySham, Thanks for having my back and pointing out my "grievous" error. Had to do this all over again cuz it got censored in first place after I pasted the stats of Beau & Dee. I agree with Dusty that Dee is better than Beau.
Dusty
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 8:11 a.m.
Dee Dowis was a better QB than Morgan, in my opinion.
Jaysham
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2 a.m.
@D21 It was Beau Morgan not Dee Dowis who Robinson took the QB rushing record from. I just wanted to let you know before some other person who's name starts with D and ends in Y is rude about it. I have your back brother. GO BLUE!
azwolverine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 11:46 p.m.
I'm with you on the record. As long as UM is competitive, that would sure be a lot more impressive than this year's 7-5.
RudeJude
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:13 p.m.
I'm happy to see Dave Brandon is scheduling quality opponents. I'm hoping the UMass game marks the last time Michigan plays an FCS team. With Saban at the helm of Alabama and Kelly reshaping Notre Dame, it seems likely we'll have two Top-25, if not Top-10, teams on the schedule, both away from Ann Arbor. (gulp!) It's hard to guess what type of Air Force team will show up, but if they are anything like they were this year (9-4 with three losses against Top-10 teams (#7 Oklahoma, #4TCU, #8 Utah, losing to Oklahoma and Utah by a combined seven-points!), they may be the third Top-25 opponent for Michigan, before the end of September. I'm hoping Coach Hoke can recruit well and coach the team to rise to the occasion! Go Blue!
missionbrazil
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:13 p.m.
Can you imagine if we had that schedule in 2010 or 2009 or 2008 ? That would have been brutal. Gutsy call to make such a tough schedule ... it's like we are announcing that we expect to be back at or near the top, or at the very least well on the way by then.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
Not to mention what's going to happen to us in 2011 oops, this is 2011.
Theo212
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
Maybe Our King will be back at the helm by then. If not, whoaaaaa nellie. All the real fans should be protesting our game against Alabama since they are an SEC school (gasp!) and we are now only in the business of seeking Big 10 titles. Here's an easy way to remember our new philosophy: Improvement = Bad Backwards = Good
johnnya2
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
If improvement is beating UMass, and Bowling Green, and losing by double digits to OSU, MSU, Iowa and Wisconsin and losing to TOLEDO, then I will choose backwards. You have made it clear you prefer playing lousy schools in hopes of running up statistics that has not translated into a single quality win in three years. It did result in some very bad losses. Going "backwards" to competing for the Big Ten title is more important to me than "improvement" by beating Bowling Green.
azwolverine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:49 p.m.
theo and protage, What you both don't understand is that UM was ALREADY going backwards. From a 6 point loss to a 17 point loss to MSU is backwards. From 11 to 30 against OSU is backwards. And, don't forget 'ol Lloyd owned the SEC with an iron fist. The last coach got beaten like a drum 52-14. No, we're not going backwards anymore. We're making a move back to competing with the big boys...
D21
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:28 p.m.
Brandon>Theo Brandon obviously wants cupcake free crystals. Not those "twinkie" crystals with that sweet but dangerous white filling that your former king fought so hard for in vain.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
Theo, you make my day. I know some think Brady is the next Bo or 2nd coming of Christ I'm afraid this is going to be depressing for some especially in 2012. Maybe it's time to start praying.
David Vande Bunte
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:56 p.m.
Assuming he stays, Denard Robinson will be a senior in 2012. No worries. Michigan has a very tough schedule in 2012, but our best player will be the best he can be, in terms of maturity and experience. The timing works in Michigan's favor. If this were for 2013, when Devan Gardner would be taking over the team as a senior, with little playing experience, I would be very worried. Barring injury or the NFL draft though, we will have a truly special player in his absolute collegiate prime to get us through this. I am holding off on the sky is falling mentality.
Dusty
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 8:06 a.m.
Devin Gardner will be a redshirt junior in 2013, unless his medical redshirt was refused. Which I haven't heard, so I don't think it was.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
I spent my carreer with the Air Force and the Air Force was good to me, I'll be cheering for the Air Force in that one funny thing is though, I won't be upset if Mich. wins.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.
Good for you AZ isn't it great living in a free country?
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:52 p.m.
Now Rude jude don't be Rude and mind your manners.
azwolverine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:44 p.m.
I was in the AF, too, have a lot of friends that are still in, and the AF is still very good to me in a lot of ways...but there's no way I won't be cheering for the Maize n' Blue in that game.
RudeJude
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
I wonder if that will be the only game you'll cheer for Michigan's opponent...
D21
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:19 p.m.
You got my vote! Thanks for protecting our country from the likes of err.., Theo.
jameslucas
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
When Michigan plays Air Force September 8, 2012 at Michigan Stadium during the pre game fly over should we: a. Cheer b. Bo c. Duck and cover d. Consider it an act of aggression and declare war e. Launch a surface to air missile f. Take a page from the French a raise the white flag of surrender g. Start a blockade h. Pay them a million dollar ransom and hope they go away
Dankston Hughez
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
So what we play Alabama in 2012 now.
MichFanTex
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 11:39 p.m.
Actually it will be at Cowboys Stadium. Texas stadium is quickly becoming part of an expressway.
David Briegel
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
In Texas Stadium !
ecmichman
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
Weren't U-Mass, Bowling Green, or Toledo available? Oh - wait - we are on the road to credibility again. Great to see.
Ben
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
I'm stoked for 2012. It'll be a great year for Michigan. "To be the best, you have to beat the best". AF will be a STRONG team in 2012, I cannot wait.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:37 p.m.
I retired from the Air Force they are the best.
Mick
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
This will be interesting to say the least. With how difficult our schedule is that year, it can only help us in the national perspective and getting votes if we stay undefeated in order to play in the 'Crystal Bowl" as Theo likes to call it. Maybe that will finally make him happy and forget about RR, one can only hope. If we can win our division and play in the B1G Championship Game, that would be 14 Games for that season. Man I would love a 14-0 record and the National Championship, ooh goose bumps. Go Blue!!!!
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
Slow down son don't get ahead of yourself. Coach Hoke will still be building we'll be lucky to beat Air Force or should I say will My Air Force be lucky enough to beat Mich.
81wolverine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
That'll be a good game. Love the comment about the flyover! But, yeah, 2012 is shaping up to be a really brutal schedule. With Alabama, ND, Ohio State, and Nebraska all being away from Michigan Stadium, we will really have our hands full. Hopefully, Mattison will have fixed the defense completely by then.
D21
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 10:16 p.m.
Totally thumbs up to your Duke pix. True "M" Grit
missionbrazil
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
The Duke and the new tougher Michigan ... seems right.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:37 p.m.
And then some.
azwolverine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
I like the Duke's hat. Who knew he was a Michigan fan?
azwolverine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
Wow...coming on the heels of the Alabama game, this will be a VERY tough game. No one can complain that Michigan is playing patsies in 2012, that's for sure.
Ignatz
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
This will be a good team upon which we can sharpen out teeth.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.
Or have our teeth pulled.
microtini
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
Do we get a fly-over?
dconkey
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 8:17 p.m.
That's great! For what tickets cost, I am glad to see quality teams coming to play Michigan.