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Under The Lights Goes Epic
It’s hard to put this game into words. I was lucky enough to be there and have great seats (video from vantage point coming later). I was right on the 40 yard line or so 42 rows up.
I was sitting next to a buddy who is a big time Notre Dame fan. Even when ND had the 17 point lead heading into the 4th quarter, my buddy couldn’t even find an ounce of enjoyment in it because he knew ND would figure out a way to blow it – and they did – in mind boggling fashion.
But still, it’s hard to put this game into words because it was so much of everything. The Under The Lights anticipation of the event itself, ESPN College Gameday, the Desmond Howard honor and tribute, the 9/11 reflection piece, the throwback uni’s – all of this is before the game even started! So before you even get to playing football – you’re left with more happening around the Big House than ever before for a football game.
Eventually, come 8pm-ish, we get to watch the football game. And let’s be honest, those first three quarters were U-G-L-Y. What Al Borges is doing is interesting, intriguing, and you kind of get the sense that even Borges himself isn’t really sure what he has in this offense. Stephen Hopkins was largely ineffective. Mike Shaw didn’t get a single crack at a hole big enough to attack. And Fitz Toussaint, come to find out in today’s presser, had a shoulder dinged up from the Western Michigan game.
A box-score tells you a lot, but not often will it tell the whole story. Let’s see how this box-score translates into everything else we now know about this epic game.
Michigan on Offense
Well, it’s more like “Denard on Offense”, but there were a lot of big plays made by Junior Hemingway, Vincent Smith, Roy Roundtree, Kelvin Grady, etc.
Time to box-score this daddy up, here are your numbers that typically would lead any team to losing the football game:
- Only 16 first downs to ND’s 28, with only three of them coming in the first half.
- 11 completions, 24 attempts, 3 interceptions from your quarterback.
- Gaining 6 total yards from your running backs, with a 3 yard run being your longest run.
- Outgained by opponent in total yards.
- Zero drives lasted longer than 5 plays.
Here are your numbers that typically would lead to any team winning the football game:
- 338 passing yards averaging nearly 31 yards per completion.
- Average a 9 yard gain per offensive play.
- Four 4th quarter touchdowns.
Michigan did not look sharp on offense throughout the entire game. Parts of the fourth quarter when Denard got all in the mood to “make the magic happen”, the offense executed and looked good, but Michigan’s receivers deserve a ton of credit for reeling in those lollipops Denard put up there.
Junior Hemingway. Junior is quickly and impressively becoming Michigan’s best threat on the outside. His ability to go up and snag a ball at it’s highest point, just as you are taught, is just part of the talent that big Junior has going for him.
Jeremy Gallon. I was all up in the 42nd row asking myself how short is this guy and did he really just pull down that fade in the endzone!??!?!! Gallon is proving to be a solid player and a major contributor two games into the season. And for as shaky as he looked last season catching punts, Gallon has done a fine job thus far and actually looks like he’s got some return skills.
Denard Robinson. Maybe it’s because it’s happening right now, like as in this season and we are in the midst of his Michigan football career, but he is my favorite Michigan player of all time. Denard love aside, he showed some great strength and poise. His toss to Junior Hemingway in stride late in the third quarter essentially kick-started Michigan’s rally – and it’s not possible if Denard doesn’t hit Koger on the prior 3rd and 7. [EDIT: that was me trying to get cute there, also like a Tommy Rees whoopsie, neither turn out well. That Koger 3rd down conversion came in the prior drive that did not result in points.] Roll the tape:
Michigan on Defense
Same routine as above – from the box score, this is where you will typically lose a football game:
- Give up 198 yards rushing at 6 yards a pop.
- Give up over 500 yards of total offense.
- Allow 8 out of 14 3rd down conversions.
Do dis yo, and you most likely gonna win a football game:
- Snag five turnovers, one coming in the red zone.
That’s it ya’ll. There is something really evident happening with this defense. And first, let’s face it, outside of a few personnel differences, this is the same defense that was horrendous for all of last season. The evident, obvious change in this years D – better coaching and defensive structure. Greg Mattison is dialing up different blitz packages and disguising some looks that have been the difference in both of the first two games. Instead of sitting back and getting ripped, sitting back and getting ripped – this D is coming at you and every once in a while they are going to make a big play that has the potential to be a game-changer.
Jordan Kovacs. Dude is still bringing it. His 40 time isn’t anything to write home about, but his instinct is. Watch his pick - and he makes a nice break on the ball and does so rather quickly.
Brandin Hawthorne. Who is now the starter on this week’s depth chart, made himself some very nice plays out there. This was a great stop that Michigan needed in an bad way late in the game. He’s always been a guy with great size and potential, so it’s nice to see this Pahokeean do his thing out there.
After the Game
This my friends, is a great, great interview from Denard by Craig Fowler on the Gameday set inside the Big House after the game. Sometimes Denard gets a bit too camera shy and ends up not even addressing the question being asked, but he did great up on the set and under the big lights.
What an amazing game to watch, let alone be fortunate enough to be at with great seats. For the majority of the game, and that’s like the whole game in this case, it really looked like Michigan was going to drop the game and mark their first loss under Brady Hoke. It was hella nerve-racking and it was hard not to be really tense about what was happening on the field. Even when the clock displayed 0:02 seconds, I don’t think any Michigan fan in that stadium vomited with emotion and songs of glorious Under The Lights Denard Robinson and Brady Hoke praise.
At the end of the day, Michigan escaped with a lot of help from Notre Dame and made it one of the most memorable games in the history of Michigan Stadium. For me personally, the only games I can put there with this one are the 2009 ND game (mainly because I was there), the 1995 OSU game (mainly because I was there), and the 2004 Braylon-fest (wasn’t at that one).
An incredible day indeed.
This is flat out awesome from The M Zone:
Photo credit: Detroit News.
