Nebraska's turnovers lead to 45-17 rout for Michigan football team
The Michigan defense corrals Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez in the first half. Martinez was held to 49 yards rushing and 122 yards passing.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
It had been nearly five decades since Nebraska last visited Michigan Stadium.
Forgive the Wolverines, though, for not rolling out the red carpet.
Fitz Toussaint rumbled for 138 yards and two touchdowns Saturday and No. 20 Michigan flexed its new-found defensive muscle all afternoon as the Wolverines pasted the No. 17 Cornhuskers 45-17 in the first Ann Arbor-meeting between the two schools since 1962.
"It's probably as well as we've played in all three phases (this season)," Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said. "As a group they played with great toughness and complimented each other well.
"It didn't matter if it was Nebraska or Slippery Rock, we want to win football games."
Michigan (9-2, 5-2) will head into next weekend's annual Ohio State battle with its best record since taking an 11-0 mark into the 2006 contest.
And with 5:54 to play in the fourth quarter, the Michigan Stadium crowd of 113,718 began chanting, "Beat Ohio."
"Everyone knows how big (the Ohio State game) is," Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin said. "This week has to be one of our best weeks of preparation.
"Period."
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson celebrates with fans.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
After turning in its best defensive performance of the season a week ago at Illinois, the Michigan defenders seemed to top themselves Saturday against the Cornhuskers.
Michigan forced three turnovers and held Nebraska to 260 yards. The Cornhuskers began the day going 0-for-7 on third down before finishing 3-for-13.
The Wolverines limited Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead to a season-low 36 yards on the ground. Cornhusker quarterback Taylor Martinez ran for just 49 yards, also a season-low.
"The seniors on that defense have done a tremendous job," Hoke said. "They're prideful kids, the Mike Martins, (Ryan) Van Bergens, (Troy) Woolfolks. We, from day one, have said that we're always going to play and coach for our seniors.
"The young guys understand that. Fundamentally and technically, they're playing what they're coached to do and they're playing together. It's been fun to watch."
Offensively, the Wolverines played with balance, as junior quarterback Denard Robinson rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 180 yards and two scores.
After taking a seven-point lead into the half, Michigan took advantage of a pair of early second-half miscues by Nebraska to pad its lead.
Sophomore cornerback Courtney Avery recovered a fumble, which was forced by junior receiver Terrence Robinson, on the opening kick of the second half, setting the Wolverines up on the Cornhusker 31.
Seven plays later, Robinson scampered into the end zone untouched on a 1-yard bootleg run to make it a two-score game.
Things went from bad to worse for Nebraska on its next possession, as Michigan safety Josh Furman blocked a Brett Maher punt, giving the Wolverines the ball on the 50. Michigan again took advantage, using a fake-field goal run by Drew Dileo near the goal line to set up a 1-yard scoring burst from Toussaint to make it 31-10 with 5:03 to go in the third.
The Cornhuskers showed signs of life late in the third, taking advantage of a poor Michigan punt with a short 31-yard drive, capped by an Ameer Abdullah 3-yard touchdown run.
Nebraska looked to be in better shape minutes later, forcing the Wolverines into a quick three-and-out. But a roughing the punter call kept Michigan's drive alive, and Robinson eventually made the Cornhuskers pay.
The junior quarterback's 38-yard touchdown pass into the back of the end zone to Martavious Odoms gave Michigan its 21-point lead back, and effectively put the capper on a Wolverine party.
Toussaint wrapped up Michigan's scoring with a 31-yard touchdown run seven minutes to play.
Toussaint has now ran for more than 100 yards in four games this season, and sits 109 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.
"It was a very physical game, but we prepared all week for it," Toussaint said. "We knew what was coming and we expected everything."
In the first half, Wolverines jumped out in front early, as Robinson led Michigan on an eight-play, 79-yard march on the team's second possession, capping things off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Gallon to make it 7-0.
Michigan would go up 10-0 two minutes later after Brendan Gibbons connected on a career-high 42-yard field goal.
Nebraska bounced right back, though, as Martinez found a wide-open Brandon McKinnie over the middle for a 54-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing drive. The score was the longest play Michigan has allowed this season.
After Maher tied things up with a 51-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Robinson gave Michigan the lead right back, polishing off a 12-play, 74-yard drive with a 14-yard scoring scamper to give the Wolverines a 17-10 lead at the break.
Michigan will try for its first victory against Ohio State since 2003 on Saturday at Michigan Stadium.
The Wolverines are currently saddled with their longest losing streak in the history of the series, but this year, Michigan players say they'll enter the season finale with a different feeling.
They'll actually be confident.
"This is the best win that we've had since I've been on the team," Michigan junior safety Jordan Kovacs said. "I don't think we've ever had a game this late in November that meant as much as this one, so it was a big win and a fun win.
"But we're looking forward to next week."
Check out AnnArbor.com's Michigan Football News and views on Facebook. "Like" the page and sign up for your chance to win 4 Ohio State at Michigan football tickets.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Adolph Dooley
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
The knuckle sandwich beat-down I promised the Corn-Huskers would receive as a welcome into the Big Ten from Michigan. Go Blue!
#58ontheroster
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:07 p.m.
Right now I'm not worried about which bowl Michigan may go to. My whole thought process is to beat that glorified junior college in Ohio next Saturday. The bowl picture will sort itself out. All season long I've not let myself get too excited because of the past three years. Yesterday's win changed all of that. I feel as if we have gotten OUR Michigan back. I think "THE OSU" will be complaining that Michigan ran up the score on ohio. DEFENSE!!! Isn't it great to have a Michigan defense again? As Bo always said "If the other team can't score, they can't win." It's great to have a coaching staff that understands that. It's great to have a coaching staff that knows what it means to be a "Michigan Man." It's great to have a coaching staff that has ties to Bo, however tangentially. We all witnessed what happens when ties to Bo are forgotten. Now I have to sit back and watch my Chicago Bears beat San Diego. (Yes, I was born and raised in Chicago, but went to the greatest university in the world. Michigan!!!)
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 2:25 a.m.
A win this week guarantees a wildcard BCS Bowl !
Mick
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:45 p.m.
Agree with everything but the part about the Bears, Go Chargers, Lions need a Bears loss. M 27 TSIO 9, I'm calling my shot now
Bludogg97
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
#58 you said that very well, and if your living in Chicago your still a part of the M-family living on lake MICHIGAN.. GO BLUE..
Bludogg97
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
Michigan by 4 TD"s over the Huskers ! I know Brady was trying to impress us,but who would have guess it !! I like his style !! Greg Mattison was a HUGE Hire,and there is a reason he is the highest paid asst coach in the B1G !! Urban Meyer has also claimed Greg is the best recruiter in the country! He has 5 stud line backers coming in 2012,and more.. Move over Sparty,and ohio, the offical shift of powers (defensive) has moved North !! His teaching of fundimentals is epic, therefore all the take aways,I heard it several times by game commentaters this season,how Mich D has put their helmets on the ball,and if done correctly,the ball comes out..another take away.. I have a senerio that I'll share here,and i'm sure I'll be corrected if i'm wrong.. msu goes to Indy for the B1G championship game against Wisc, i'm guessing, msu loses,and has 3 loses one more than Michigan,and Michigan gets a better bowl game than msu ! possible ? GO NEW BLUE !!
#58ontheroster
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 4:52 p.m.
I think ohio fans will be complaining next Saturday that Michigan ran up the score. By the way, it's been 10 years since that glorified junior college in ohio beat Michigan with ELIGIBLE players.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 2:23 a.m.
And a few will be saying (after being convincingly beaten) - your team plays dirty ! Ha,ha - too funny.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 6:24 p.m.
EXACTLY right, #58. Good Night and Good Luck
Kai Petainen
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
Victoria Secret makes Michigan State t-shirt... but... it had the Wolverines logo! "The women's lingerie company came out with a Michigan State T-shirt with "Spartans" across the front and the Michigan State logo on the back. However, underneath "Spartans" the shirt reads, "Hail to the Victors." <a href="http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Victoria-s-Secret-fails-with-cute-Michigan-State?urn=ncaaf-wp10226" rel='nofollow'>http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Victoria-s-Secret-fails-with-cute-Michigan-State?urn=ncaaf-wp10226</a>
Regularjoey
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
I have been waiting all season for Denard to begin making that transition to a true triple threat QB. He's throwing better, he's another runner in the backfield and now has added his most deadly trait in frustrating defenses and keeping drives alive --- the tuck and run scramble when his receivers are covered. If this becomes something that he masters there will be no stopping this team on offense. Greg Mattison has surprised everyone with how quickly he's turned around the D and you have to give credit to the kids for stepping up their physicality! GO BLUE BEAT OHIO
Mick
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
I love your screen name plus, I love your analysis plus Go Blue!!! 1st time in 10 years that a non cheating ohio will be on the field, let's see how that works out for them
Steve
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
I think the team is really looking strong, organized and sharp. Hoke and Co are impressive coaches. As a retired teacher, I blame a lot of how a team plays on the coaches-teachers who instill proper respect in the student athletes for the game and themselves. Hoke appears to be a true Michigan Man. As am I.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
This was a dominating victory. But for one play where there was a blown coverage, the defense played near flawlessly. On special teams: 1 missed FG and a couple of weak punts into the wind, but GREAT kick coverage w/ two turnovers forced, a 42-yard FG into the wind, and a fake FG for a first down. On offense: 45 points. Need I say more. But the best part has been watching this team improve over the course of the season. Good job, gentlemen. Now go beat that school south of here. Good Night and Good Luck
BornInA2
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.
To steal a line from Seinfeld: "Hoke, *what* are you doing?" "Well, we're *dominating*!" Best all-round game of the season for our Wolverines, best game of the season for Denard *as a quarterback*. Solid, enjoyable, dominating example of "Michigan Football". I can't wait for next Saturday. Go Blue!!
The OSU
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:30 a.m.
Yes, yes, yes... I know you're very excited about beating Big Red. As I pointed out in the comments under another article, I still think Blue (and Hoke) ran up the score. Blue led 31-17 at the end of the 3rd qtr, but kept DR (and the rest of the 1st string) in and called long pass plays. Probably just an effort to influence alums and/or pollsters. But now its Michigan Week (What do you guys called it?) Read it here first: Ohio State 23 Michigan 14 The Buckeye defense will rise to the occasion and contain DR and the rest of Blue's "O." Once again, Blue's lack of special teams will be exposed. One more thing: Can't you guys (and gals) come up with something better to call us than "TSiO?" Woody coined the phrase, "that school up north." All you folks did was modify it.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 2:21 a.m.
You are funny - all good Wolverines need a good laugh once in a while - good job !
MRunner73
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.
I have got to hand it to you that you do have a lot of guts posting in enemy territory. If you like to stir up the pot, you got that and more. expletives are deleted so I can offer my kindest comments that I would not consider posting anything pro buckeye.
Daniel Soebbing
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
Michigan didn't run up the score. Nebraska just kept coughing up the ball in their own territory. I guess the Buckeye defense rose to the occasion to contain PSU's offense for the whole second half yesterday. But offensive futility kept the Buckeyes from having a shot at that game. I'm not exactly shaking in my boots here.
#58ontheroster
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
I can come up with a something better than tsio. "That glorified junior college in Ohio." How's that for you? A correction is needed for your post. It's ohio week, not Michigan week. By the way, its been 10 years since ohio beat Michigan with ELIGIBLE players. I guess running up the score is exclusive to Michigan. I remember Woody beating Michigan 50-14 in 1968. Ohio scored and it was 48-14 and Woody went for 2, and got it. When asked after the game why he went for 2 he said "because I couldn't go for 3." That led to the 1969 Michigan beat down of Ohio's greatest team ever. So know your history before you accuse us of running up the score. I sincerely hope you have the same complaint next Saturday.
Matt Patercsak
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
run up the score? this is Nebraska we're talking about here. not minnesota, or purdue?...oh wait... see you in a week. btw you have michigan week right? when brady was hired in the spring, he installed a countdown clock for Ohio State. that has been ticking down slowly, and ominously. the players are hungry and vengeful and they all know how it feels to lose to OSU. my advice, get your "if Pryor was here" excuses ready. you WILL need them
oldblueypsi
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 2:08 a.m.
I prefer The Olentangy Stench University. It will be even more ironic if your next head football and tattoos coach bears the initials "U. M.".
Joe Kidd
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Ever hear of math, osu? 31-17 is only two TDs. (17 + 14 = 31). So you are implying that we should have given NE hand in getting back in the ballgame for the entire 4th quarter? Let me ask you this, had we taken out the starters at 31 to 14, would it be okay with osu fans if we put them back in if osu scored a TD to make it 31 - 24? Would that be okay? Or does osu logic demand we could not put the 1st string in until NE evened the score? I guess you are asking for us to take it easy on you next week, huh? Do you want us to take the 1st string out if the score goes to 7 - 0 or 14 - 0?
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.
Better to spend time taunting on our site then on your own being taunted by Penn State fans, huh? lol. And we call you "Ohio." 6-5. 5!!!
mookienation
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:35 a.m.
Who cares if they ran up the score? Most teams do. Also, nice game today.
maizenbluedoc
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:45 p.m.
A friend of mine is a Nebraska fan posted this on FB: I'm sorry to all my friends who are Michigan fans but your team plays dirty, I'm ashamed for you. Did anyone see dirty play by Michigan players? I don't recall any incidents other than the late hit OOB by #90 for Nebraska. I think next week may be a war. Much pent up frustration since 2003.
Daniel Soebbing
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
I noticed one play where a Michigan lineman tweaked the face mask of a Nebraska ball carrier as he was laying on the ground near the line of scrimmage. It looked a little reminiscent of some of Sparty's shenanigans of a few weeks ago, but perhaps a bit more mild. There was a possible offensive pass interference that wasn't called and resulted in a big gain for Michigan. But in general Michigan kept it clean and most of the obvious penalties were duly noted by the refs.
Joe Kidd
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.
Maize, ask him for some examples. I didn't notice anything "dirty." Maybe hard hitting is new to Nebraska. Tell your friend, "Welcome to the Big Ten."
mookienation
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:26 a.m.
I saw more dirty plays by Nebraska players. I noticed several Michigan players helping up Nebraska players after tackling them to the ground. If anything, I'd say Michigan was excessively classy today. Although, that's easy to do when you win by 4 touchdowns.
doctrsnoop
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
Dirty? I try to see the game objectively and dirty didn't even cross my mind. Maybe it was Ndomakong Suh projecting a reality distortion field
DonAZ
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.
Honestly, no. There was the offensive facemask ... but that was flagged and penalized. It was a stupid penalty, but I don't think malicious. There was some solid hits ... but nothing that'll go on some YouTube highlight video. Penalties on both sides relatively low. So no ... can't see the charge. As you say, frustration.
Mick
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:42 p.m.
What a great victory! HAIL TO THE VICTORS!!! So impressive to see the matriculation of this squad throughout the season. I would love another chance at MSU or Iowa, I think the results would be different now. Great game by Denard, please keep it going next week and the bowl game. Great game by the Defense, gave up that long TD and a short field TD and that was about it. The FG was a gift. Great game plan by Borges and execution, Hail Toussaint! Hail O-Line! Great job by the special teams with very adequate coverage, only the punting could've been a little better. I just love this team and staff, it's been so enjoyable to watch them this year. Let's beat that school in ohio next week and get a chance at a BCS Bowl! Go Blue for This truly is Michigan!!!
jeff blue
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
Dear Fans, Let's see, the scoring against Nebraska by Michigan schools: UM = 45 points of offense MSU = 3 points of offense Jeff, GO BLUE
7718
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
I am surprised by some of the comments still ripping Rich Rodriguez, he's gone...isn't it time to move on? In other news...Congratulations to Brady Hoke, the current Michigan coach and the only one we really should be talking about.
D21
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
Try telling RR to move on first cuz we already moved on the day Hoke was hired but RR kept butting his head in from time to time so we are using him as cannon fodder. :)
Jojo B
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
While I'd be one to forget and stop talking about Richrod, perhaps he's coming up again as a topic because this is the first really challenging team that we have played and beaten. In our schedule this year, MSU, Nebraska, and Ohio State are arguably the teams to beat and this was Hoke and company's day to shine. And shine they did! I hope that next week goes well (Ohio State isn't looking very good these days) and by next year, I hope nobody mentions Richrod again. A new era has begun and we can all be happy.
DonAZ
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
Because there are still some (many?) who wish to take credit from Hoke and staff and (wrongly) give credit to that other coach. I saw it the other day here in a comment about the defense ... arguing that the better defense was due to "one year more maturity." It's anathema to suggest the talent was there last year, just horribly under-utilized. I heard it from the TV booth today where Chris Spielman (and to some degree Urban Meyer) were calling for a return to last year's offense. That ignores who badly that offense did against decent defenses last year. That ignores the key added dimension Toussaint adds. That ignores all the work Borges has done to "un-learn" some of the bad habits in Robinson and put some fundamentals under him. So yes ... still hearing some criticisms of the past coach. Partly in anticipation of the same tired arguments for that coach; partly in reaction to continued tired arguments for that coach.
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:08 p.m.
My guess is that when RR and his cronies stop ripping LC (new book, anyone?), who is a legend at UM, most UM fans will wash their hands completely of RR as he moves to his rightful place as a UM footnote. In all truth, though, it is all about Hoke now as we move forward and he deserves all of the congratulations he gets.
1st Down
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
Total Domination in all facets of the game by Michigan. Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska.
missionbrazil
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
This is a great win for us today, against a quality opponent. Nebraska has a good offense with several weapons, and our D did a great job once again. To put up 45 points on the Nebraska D is a great accomplishment. Nice to see Denard come back with a solid game and only 1 turnover. He came back after the INT and played a good game the rest of the way. Another great effort from Fitz. Hopefully he can go over 1000 yards next week. Great special teams game, except for the missed FG and short punt in the 3rd quarter. Coach Hoke has some "Mad Hatter" in him, with the fake FG call. Great call and great execution to get the 1st down. So I guess this means that Coach Hoke can coach ... LOL ... most of us already knew he could. Go Blue ! Destroy Ohio !
maizenbluedoc
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
Great win. While the offense appeared erratic at times, the defense did a great job in creating turnovers and stopping third down plays. I don't understand why so many first and second down plays were runs, primarily Toussaint getting stuffed. A first down pass play would have been a nice change-of -pace. I also don't understand why Koger isn't used more. Overall, a good game in preparation for the school down south.
GettingBluer
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:56 p.m.
Makes one wonder if the scoreboards were made in Ohio... (scoreboard-gate???)
glacialerratic
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:46 p.m.
"Toussaint has now ran for more than 100 yards in four games this season,..." Nope. Toussaint has now RUN for more than 100 yards...
Jaxon5
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 2:08 a.m.
No matter how you spell it, he gained a lot of yards!
mookienation
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
Fair enough.
glacialerratic
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 12:03 a.m.
Hey--it's the football team of the University of Michigan. Grammar and spelling count.
mookienation
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
Elitist!
DonAZ
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:14 p.m.
Grammar aside ... I am increasingly impressed with Toussaint's grit. He's got some really nice quickness. And he's *tough* ... defenses have to play fundamentally sound to bring him down. Arm tackles don't work.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Two days ago, I wrote here and in emails to Michigan fans across the country: I believe Michigan may take this game by 14 (points). I guess I was a little conservative, sometimes it's hard for even me to believe in my own predictive powers. ;-) Jets roaring overhead, an American Flag stadium card trick. Whoa! It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine (and to live in this great town)!! I'm sure that the TSiO trolls have telegraphed the news of Michigan's 28-point win over SEVENTEENTH-ranked Nebraska to Columbus by now. Unless of course, they got distracted by what will go down as the biggest electronic scoreboard ripoff in college football history. SEND the scoreboards back, get a refund - and get better ones - AND - try updating Michigan Stadium's electrical system to SOMEWHERE close to 21st Century standards. Lets never again see scoreboards causing Michigan to get delay of game penalties, EH?? Just to drive home the point: Those living close to this stadium know they've kept images playing on both scoreboards 24/7. Presumably, this is so that any problems can be detected in advance and fixed before the next game. Well - that was wasted electricity! Congrats to the 9-2 Wolverines (who will surely be ranked well above their current EIGHTEENTH level, despite all the negative effort of AP sports writers) and to their soon-to-be legendary head coach, Brady Hoke! Go Blue!
D21
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
"...soon-to-be-legendary head coach, Brady Hoke..." Heck any coach that replaces RR would be hailed as legendary. Hoke is already beyond legendary status as he is in the realm of TiM. TiM
DonAZ
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
@MRunner73 -- yes, very good suggestion. There's either a fascinating technical story ... or there's a story about some colossal screw-up that few will own up to. As I watched today I wondered ... why don't they have play clocks hung from the underside of the field goal crossbars? It seems a natural and comfortable place for QBs to glance to.
MRunner73
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
I live and work in town and drive by the stadium to and from work each day, so with ALL of the testing Dave Brandon has been doing, I can only wonder why there was such a failure of the eletric system... Note to Ann Arbor.com: Please do a detailed story on this whole Jumbotron scoreboard, why all of the testing, the game stats part has never been as good as the previous scoreboard. It is mind bogging as to why there was this huge failure, electric or otherwise.
D21
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Mattison would be the first to tell you that Hoke/Robinson > RR/Mattison unless Mattison stages a quick coup d'etat on RR in a nanosecond. TiM
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
Last year: More than 35 points per game allowed. This year: less than 16. Any questions? Beat Ohio, and I'm ready to coronate Hoke as coach for life.
D21
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.
Most uber-astonishing statistic - Hoke's 5 in one season with the Ohio game left to RR's 3 in conference wins in 3 loooonnnng seasons. TiM
GettingBluer
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:33 p.m.
Mattison is worth every penny. The defense is looking like a Michigan defense again.
Terry Star21
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
Awesome - couldn't have dreamed a better game ! MgoBlueForTiM.........I'm placing the team down south on notice...
DonAZ
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:27 p.m.
Most astonishing statistic - time of possession: Michigan 41:13, Nebraska 18:39.
Terry Star21
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:33 p.m.
Goingb to be fun next week !
Kubrick66
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
Sometimes it's best to just hit back and enjoy the soothing comforts of victory... go blue.
mookienation
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.
1) Fitz Touissant. I just. I don't have the words. 2) Greg Mattison's emasculation of Greg Robinson is officially complete. Did anyone really think the defense could possibly improve this much from last year? I didn't. I was very, very wrong. 3) As it turns out, Denard, at times, can throw a pretty good football. How about that deep ball he threw to Odoms in the 4th quarter? Great all-around game by Denard! 4) Probably the best performance this team has turned in all season. The only thing that really bothered me was the missed field goal in the 4th quarter after the Michigan special teams forced a fumble on the kickoff return. Hopefully that was ust an isolated incident. Michigan still has a lot to play for. They've got a chance to beat Ohio State and go undefeated at home for the first time in several years. There's also the possibility of an at-large BCS bowl berth and (not to get ahead of myself or anything) and 11-win season. I'll hope for the best and prepare for the worst, but no matter what happens, nobody can dispute the fact that this team is a completely different animal than the team we had to put up with last season. Go. Blue.
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
We now have an offense that involves a featured back to take the pressure off Denard, as well as the ability to punch out short yardage plays when necessary. Both of those REQUIRED components of a quality offense were missing the past three seasons. Borges/Hoke are responsible for those added, necessary dimensions to the offense and why UM was able to put 45 on the board against possibly the best team UM has faced in 4 years.
DonAZ
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
1) Yes, I am *really* starting to like Toussaint ... his vision, mobility and toughness all seem to be improving in leaps and bounds. And don't even think about arm tackling him. 2) Correct ... this is not merely the "one year older" effect. 3) When he doesn't feel pressured and he sets his feet ... yes, he can throw. Borges has said as much all year long. 4) Yes and no ... I'm happy for the win but I don't feel this was as dominant as this team is capable of being. Some misfires kept this from being a complete rout. "Nobody can dispute the fact that this team is a completely different animal than the team we had to put up with last season." I think most will grant the defense is definitely a different animal. But I continue to hear the same chatter -- Spielman in the TV booth, for example -- who seem to think Robinson running playground ball is what they should be doing. That's not giving enough credit to Borges for what he's done -- the offense has multiple dimensions now and when Robinson plays disciplined he can be effective in a lot more ways. So I suspect we'll hear plenty of talk about this being last year's offense with no credit to Borges. And that's nonsense.
Nick Pirce
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:05 p.m.
Brady Hoke's squad is 9-2! It feels good to be a Michigan fan!
MRunner73
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
Gotta love it, an impressive win. Nebraska was ranked higher than us going into this game. Preseason, NE was more of a favorite than MSU to win the Legends Division. Many nay sayers said Michigan hasn't beaten anybody all season. Today was supposed to tell us how good this Michigan team really is. I might be hearing silence and maybe read nothing from said nay sayers, or at least anything that will make sense. Michigan has won 9 games and now 7 at home. They can now see the finish line. Congrats and kudos to Brady Hoke, staff and players for believing. This will be a fun week. The electricity is just starting. GO BLUE!!!
Anders
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
This should silence the naysayerest of naysayers.
missionbrazil
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
speaking of Theo, that wasn't Oregon and their great spread O that got beat was it ?
DonAZ
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
Oh, I can already tell you the spin you'll hear ... it'll be the same spin that came from Spielman and Meyer in the booth -- "When you let Denard be Denard of last year then Michigan offense has a chance to win." They simply can't acknowledge that Borges HAS added other dimensions to this team's offense. The offense has other cylinders to fire on. It doesn't always hit on all those cylinders (yet), but it's no longer a one-cylinder engine like last year. And I can't prove it because I'm not that knowledgeable about offensive line play ... but I swear this O-line is doing things last year's edition didn't or couldn't do. Again, credit Borges and his staff.
GettingBluer
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
Real wins > fantasy national championships
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:49 p.m.
He'll be here. He's just researching some way to spin this in a bad light. It's going to take him awhile. A long while...
1st Down
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
anyone see Theo today? didnt think so the king is dead
RJ12688
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Defense- Check Special Teams- Check Enough points to silence even the worst RR slappy- Check These players have bought into what Hoke and Co. are selling, and its starting to show. OSU's streak ends next week.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 10:34 p.m.
RJ: Regarding your last point: don't count on it, as the deletion of a post suggests. Good Night and Good Luck