spring game : All posts

On-street parking restrictions in effect for Saturday's spring game at Michigan Stadium

City of Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan Mott Spring Football Scrimmage is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Michigan Stadium, and on-street parking restrictions will be in place on several streets.

Denard Robinson's solid camp allows Devin Gardner and Russell Bellomy to get QB reps in Michigan spring game

Michigan redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Bellomy was 6-of-9 passing for 36 yards and showed good elusiveness during Saturday's Spring Game at Michigan Stadium.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Senior quarterback Denard Robinson has started the past two seasons for the Michigan football team, and played a year in the Wolverines' spread-West Coast system.

He has some kinks to work out, but also is a proven commodity.

Devin Gardner is not. Neither is Russell Bellomy.

So, the Wolverines' coaching staff decided to use their 60-play spring game Saturday to allow Gardner and Bellomy a chance to show their stuff during scrimmage-like conditions in front of an estimated 25,000 fans at Michigan Stadium.

Could QB Denard Robinson wear the No. 1 jersey? Michigan football coach Brady Hoke doesn't dismiss idea

The No. 1 jersey traditionally has been reserved for the Michigan football team's top wide receiver, but there's been speculation that quarterback Denard Robinson could wear the iconic number. Robinson, however, prefers his No. 16. "I feel it's a receiver thing, but if they wanted to give it to me, I don't know what I'd do with it," he said.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

One of the more intriguing subplots to unfold after the Michigan football team's spring game was the prospects the No. 1 jersey could be doled out next year.

And that it could be given to someone other than a receiver.

When asked about the jersey, which traditionally is given to the program's most elite wideouts, coach Brady Hoke said "we'll consider" handing it out next season.

Analysis: Michigan not happy with its defense in spring game, showing just how important Will Campbell is for next season

Michigan defensive tackle Will Campbell weighed 356 pounds the first time he set foot on campus. The senior says he's down to 310 pounds and hopes to play this season at 305 pounds.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Denard Robinson set an NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback, and will be a third-year starter this season for the Michigan football team. Roy Roundtree has twice led the Wolverines in receiving.

Will Campbell has 19 career tackles and one start.

Which of the three is unlike the others?

Yet, there the senior was, his big, sweaty stomach exposed by a rolled-up jersey, leading the Wolverines onto the field with Robinson and Roundtree for their spring game Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

The defensive tackle's effort has been questioned in past years. He has called himself lazy. He's been a bust.

But after a spring game that didn't reveal much, mostly because of the limited snaps for Robinson and also the skeleton game plans for both units, one thing is abundantly clear: The Wolverines are pinning a lot on Campbell.

Desmond Morgan, Jerald Robinson among injured players in Michigan football spring game

Michigan sophomore linebacker Desmond Morgan looks on suffering an injury during the spring game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

It took one series Saturday for the injury bug to strike the Michigan football team.

Sophomore linebacker Desmond Morgan limped off the field following the first possession of the club's controlled scrimmage portion of the annual spring game at Michigan Stadium.

Morgan spent the remainder of the afternoon on the bench, with his right leg propped up.

"He got hit," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said, declining to go into further detail of the injury.

'Battering ram' Michigan football RB Thomas Rawls caps productive spring behind starter Fitz Toussaint

Michigan sophomore running back Thomas Rawls rushed nine times for 39 yards and scored two touchdowns Saturday during the spring football game at Michigan Stadium.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Offensive coordinator Al Borges said as much earlier this spring. Fitz Toussaint is his tailback, and there's no sense debating it.

However, Toussaint's reserve corps seemingly took a big step forward during the past month, as evidenced Saturday by the play of sophomore Thomas Rawls in the team's annual spring game at Michigan Stadium.

"Thomas has had a good spring," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said. "He's one of those guys, when you look at the body of work, with his physicalness, he's hard to tackle.

"You've got to give him credit for that, and he's a good football player."

photo gallery: Images from the Michigan football team's spring football game

AnnArbor.com photographers Melanie Maxwell and Angela J. Cesere compiled their favorite images from the Michigan football team's annual spring game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

photo gallery: Images from the Michigan football alumni flag football game

A play-by-play review of the Michigan football team's spring game

Sophomore tailback Thomas Rawls was responsible for both touchdowns scored at the Michigan football team's spring game Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

Matt Wile's 43-yard field goal accounted for the only other points scored in the controlled scrimmage, which culminated with the Wolverines' defense stopping the offense on four consecutive 4th-and-goal plays from the 2-yard-line.

Body fat, and camaraderie, high as ever at the fourth annual alumni flag football game

Alijah Bradley, right, eludes a tackler during Saturday's fourth annual alumni flag football game at Michigan Stadium. Bradley earned game MVP honors for the second consecutive year.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Live chat from the Michigan football team's spring game

Sophomore running back Thomas Rawls (38) reaches for an extra yard during a run at the Michigan spring game on Saturday. Rawls scored the only two touchdowns of the 70-play scrimmage.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

1:12 p.m.: Thomas Rawls added a second touchdown run on a 2nd-and-goal play from the 2-yard-line.

12:42 p.m.: It's "halftime" of the controlled scrimmage. A 43-yard field goal by Matt Wile was added to Thomas Rawls' touchdown run as the day's scoring plays.

12:29 p.m.: Sophomore tailback Thomas Rawls scores the first touchdown of the day. His 21-yard scoring run came on a 4th-and-1 play.

12:01 p.m.: Michigan is wrapping up its special teams drills and about to head into the controlled scrimmage portion of its spring game. The plan is to run 30 plays, take a "halftime" break and run 30 more plays. Estimated attendance: 20,000. And the sun is breaking through.

11:19 a.m.: The Michigan football team's fourth annual alumni flag football game is complete (John Wangler and Alijah Bradley were named co-MVPs) and the varsity team is on the field.

AnnArbor.com's Michael Florek hosted a live chat from the Michigan Stadium press box. Click the link below to read a replay and check back for complete coverage of the spring game.

Game on: Michigan will play spring game at Michigan Stadium

An improved weather forecast has convinced University of Michigan officials to continue with plans to host its football spring game and associated events outside at Michigan Stadium today.

Assuming lightning stays away, that is.

Noon Saturday: Your mega guide to the Michigan football team's spring game

Michigan football players run out of the tunnel before the 2011 spring game. The 2012 event will be held at noon Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

AnnArbor.com file photo

WEATHER UPDATE: Game on: Michigan will play spring game at Michigan Stadium

WHAT: 2012 Michigan football spring game (spring roster)

WHERE: Michigan Stadium

WHEN: Noon, Saturday

OTHER EVENTS: Alumni flag football game at 10 a.m. (rosters), Michigan-Ohio State lacrosse game at 2:30 p.m.

LIVE COVERAGE: Join the AnnArbor.com live chat on our Michigan football home page beginning at 11:30 a.m.

ADMISSION: Free, but donations will be accepted for C.S. Mott Children's Hospital with giveaways at the following levels:

$5: Magnet replica of spring game patch worn by players.

$10: 'This is Michigan' rally towel and spring game magnet.

$15: "I Wore 21" book about Desmond Howard.

$20: 'Hail to the Little Victors' baseball cap.

$250: Four passes to a preseason football practice.

$500: Brady Hoke-autographed helmet and four passes to a preseason football practice.

Michigan to decide Saturday morning if weather will force spring game indoors, wipe out public access

Michigan coach Brady Hoke runs a drill with Roy Roundtree during a practice last year at the Al Glick Field House. Thunderstorms may move the Wolverines' spring game indoors on Saturday and eliminate public access to the final practice of spring camp.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

After 14 practices, the Michigan football team was prepared to unveil Team 133 publicly during its spring game Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

But there's a chance that won't happen.

With thunderstorms expected for the area Saturday morning, Michigan will make a call at around 6 a.m. on whether to move the game indoors to Al Glick Field House. If that happens, the spring game would not be open to the public.

Michigan said in a release there's a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms Saturday.

The game is scheduled for noon, and will be broadcast by Big Ten Network no matter where it is played.

Mercury Hayes, John Navarre, Ricky Powers among 106 players slated for Michigan's alumni flag football game

Gilvanni Johnson runs the ball during the 2011 alumni flag football game at Michigan Stadium. A total of 106 former Michigan players will take the field at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Former Michigan center John Morrow will relive the glory days when he takes the Michigan Stadium field on Saturday for the annual alumni flag football game.

He might have to shake off a little rust first, though. He played for the Wolverines from 1953-55.

Better keep the ice handy.

Still not enough depth for Michigan football team to have a true spring game

Coach Brady Hoke talks to the Michigan football team before its 2011 spring game at Michigan Stadium. Hoke said the Wolverines are more physical and playing with better fundamentals heading into the 2012 version at noon Saturday.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

If Michigan football coach Brady Hoke had his druthers, the Wolverines would play their spring game against another school -- and the public wouldn't see it.

But the NCAA doesn't allow that.

So, he would settle for an intrasquad game.

Except, he can't do that either because of tenuous depth, especially on the offensive and defensive lines.

So, here we are: The Wolverines will close their 15-practice camp Saturday with a spring "game" that kicks off at noon at Michigan Stadium. It will be televised by Big Ten Network.

5 new names to watch at Michigan football team's spring game

Michigan cornerback Terrence Talbott (37) smiles as he sits with teammates during media day before the 2011 season. After not playing last year, the junior has impressed coaches this spring.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

At this time last year, Jake Ryan's resume went something like this: Redshirt freshman linebacker; so-so recruit; didn't start until he was a high school senior.

He was nothing more than a blip on the Michigan football team's 100-something man roster. After the spring game, he was anything but.

Ryan posted perhaps the biggest highlight of that game — a pick-six of backup quarterback Devin Gardner — and showcased the kind of sideline-to-sideline tenacity for which he has become known.

He carried that momentum into the fall, eventually earned the job at strong-side linebacker and started every game. He finished with 11 tackles for loss, second on the team, and recovered two fumbles.

This year's spring game will kick off at noon Saturday at Michigan Stadium (Big Ten Network). Who will be this year's breakout player?

Michigan football offensive coordinator Al Borges discusses his philosophy on player development

Al Borges answers questions during a February press conference. The Michigan offensive coordinator has two key concepts to player development that he refers to as "body learning" and "functional intelligence."

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

Then-sophomore Fitz Toussaint had a strong spring camp last year, standing out among a deep stable of Michigan football tailbacks. He eventually won the job in the fall and rushed for more than 1,000 yards.

Then-redshirt freshman Jake Ryan did the same at linebacker. He was an unknown entering spring camp, but emerged as a leader to start on the strong side. He won that job in the fall and started every game.

See a pattern?

Jobs aren't won in the spring — at least, not at Michigan, and not with this staff. Coach Brady Hoke craves competition and seeks it wherever possible. It keeps his team sharp and combats complacency.

But it's no coincidence that those who go on to win jobs often do so after strong springs. That's especially true of the younger guys, who benefit from the emphasis on player development that marks this time of year.

Offensive coordinator Al Borges peeled back the curtains a bit on his philosophy of player development last week. It includes two key concepts that he refers to as "body learning" and "functional intelligence."

Michigan tinkering with Devin Gardner at receiver, but emphasis remains developing him as quarterback

Michigan junior Devin Gardner appeared in nine games last year at quarterback.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

But the Wolverines' offensive coordinator also conceded that, yes, there's some experimentation going on this spring.

Someone who has observed several spring practices told AnnArbor.com that Gardner has practiced regularly at receiver, running with both the first and second units. The person went as far to say Gardner has been "definitely one of their best options at receiver."

He also is taking his regular snaps at quarterback.

Borges has yet to directly confirm Gardner is practicing at wideout, but continues to maintain he would like to get the junior on the field in whatever way possible.

"He's going to be (the) No. 2 quarterback, and then see how things go," Borges said, when asked about Gardner's role. "Our approach with Devin hasn't changed too much. We got to find a way to get him on the field, because he's got skills that go over and above your average quarterback."

Michigan announces incentives for spring game donations to children's hospital

The Michigan football team is once again using its annual spring game as a vehicle to raise money for the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

The game, which kicks off at noon on April 14 at Michigan Stadium, is free to the public. However, the Wolverines are accepting donations for the hospital, with the following incentives: