Michigan football team's seniors determined to salvage the season
Senior defensive end Brandon Graham, right, was one of the seniors on the Michigan football team who addressed the players after Saturday's loss to Purdue. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)
Punter Zoltan Mesko and defensive end Brandon Graham addressed a somber locker room after Saturday’s 38-36 loss to Purdue, Michigan’s fifth straight Big Ten defeat.
The message from both players: We’re better than this.
"We just said just let it go, it’s over with,” Graham said. “We got to deal with it, like we’ve been doing. But we just got to get that taste back, that W, to get back on the good side.”
After starting the season 4-0, Michigan has crumbled under the weight of a turnover-prone offense and the Big Ten’s worst defense.
The Wolverines’ slide began with close losses to Michigan State and Iowa, and continued (after a blowout of FCS lightweight Delaware State) with humbling performances against Penn State and Illinois.
Michigan has been outscored 75-12 in the second halves of its last three games, and the Wolverines (5-5, 1-5) enter the final two weeks of the regular season needing an upset of Wisconsin or Ohio State to qualify for a bowl.
The Badgers are ranked 21st, the Buckeyes 10th, and Michigan hasn’t beaten a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent since Sept. 26.
“This game we very easily could have won, but we didn’t,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “A couple other games early in the year we had chances to win, we didn’t. Again, the season’s not over. We got two big ones coming up and a big one on the road this next weekend.”
Graham, Michigan’s best player all year, said he doesn’t sense any of his teammates have given up on the season or getting the seniors to a bowl.
“I believe these last two, it’s us,” Graham said. “I’m not guaranteeing it, I just believe that just from looking at my players’ eyes - our players’ eyes - that we’re going to get it done."
Notes, quotes and leftovers • My colleague Mike Rothstein did a good job breaking down Saturday’s wildest play, Carlos Brown’s pitch to Mark Huyge on fourth-and-10 that was ruled a forward lateral on replay.
The call was correct, but what about Rodriguez’s decision to go for it on fourth down? Michigan was down eight with just under five minutes to play, plenty of time to try a 37-yard field goal, get a stop and score again.
Rodriguez explained afterward that he went for it because he didn’t trust his defense, and the way Michigan got shredded Saturday - and has most of the season - who can blame him?
“We’re down by eight and we’re not stopping anybody,” Rodriguez said. “We’re trying to tie the game.”
The flip side: Michigan did force three straight three-and-outs to close the game (once when Purdue killed itself with two penalties). Brandon Minor scored his third touchdown after the second stop with 2:10 to play.
• Michigan had a chance to tie after Minor’s late score, but couldn't convert its two-point attempt.
“We had a little double-move route with all the wide receivers,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know again until I watch the film if he had the second guy underneath or not. I don’t know where his eyes were at. We just didn’t execute it well.”
Quarterback Tate Forcier said he was about to unleash a pass to an open Roy Roundtree when Ryan Kerrigan circled around Huyge for the sack.
“We were playing off the (middle) linebacker and I made my read and I was about to throw the ball and I got sacked,” Forcier said. “I wasn’t expecting it. But it happens and we just got to move on from it.”
• Replays showed Purdue coach Danny Hope seeking out offensive lineman Zach Reckman after the game before going to shake hands with Rodriguez. After the handshake, Hope turned and pointed to Reckman, who shook Rodriguez’s hand and mouthed something to the Michigan coach.
Rodriguez said after the game both Hope and Reckman razzed him about comments he made earlier in the year that led to the Big Ten suspending Reckman for one game.
“I just (said), ‘Hey, good luck to you guys. Good ballgame,’” a visibly annoyed Rodriguez said. “What are you going to do? After the game, as frustrated as you are when you lose, you go over and shake their hand and wish them well.”
• Mesko on the mood in Michigan’s locker room after the game: “Anytime you invest so much time and effort into something you’re bound to cry. The emotional outlet was definitely there.”
• Saturday was a nightmare for the Big Ten. Beyond Michigan’s loss, Iowa fell to Northwestern, all but assuring the Big Ten of one BCS bid, and Minnesota lost at home to Illinois. It’s looking more and more likely that the league’s fifth-, sixth- and seventh-place teams all will finish 6-6 (and none will be Michigan).
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 7:35 p.m.
And Fresh,if you WIN,you don't worry about getting fired!!! It's that simple! You win,you stay!!
sandi
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 4:25 p.m.
at least someone is trying to step up. why not support them until the end of the season. rich rod will turn it around..........
ecmichman
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 1:37 p.m.
Fresh - the issue is not whether coaches would have to be looking over their shoulder within two years, it is the fact that this team is absolutely horrible with fundamentals and their on field assignments. Being patient while the team is rebuilt? Absolutely. Watching Michigan get manhandled by lesser teams because they can't execute simple fundamentals or line up properly while coaches argue on the sidelines? Absolutely not. This is a rudderless ship right now heading into game 11. Changes need to be made.
Fresh121
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 1:11 p.m.
I dont think schooling and football are the same. Football is still a "game" until ur paid 2 do it. And i wouldent give him nothing next year after 4 years and his contact is up if were not top 1-3 in the big ten then fire him if not lets see were we go..i just dont want to be a school that fires there coach all the time if you start now it will happen again.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 11:51 a.m.
Fresh, if you felt your kids were regressing in their studies because they were going to a poor school, would you wait until graduation to make a change?
chosen1
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 11:21 a.m.
Fresh, so if next year we go 7-5 and rich asks for an extension. Do you give him one?
Fresh121
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 10:34 a.m.
Once rr contact up check his body of work the decide.and if we fire RR early does that mean every coach that comes here has to be worryed about bein fired after 2 years..u bloggers cry more then my kids man up people my god.
TXteacher
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 9:48 a.m.
dzuck-Miles isn't coming to the UM trainwreck. Just because he's an M man doesn't mean he'll leave his high paying,better job. Stop kidding yourself, UM fans. There ARE better football jobs out there in college football. It's just that myopic Maize and Blue fans can't see them.
63Townie
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 9:35 a.m.
From the Freep Sunday: "Woolfolk, on whether he was surprised that this is happening at this point in the season: 'I don't know what's going on. Everybody's just clueless. We're trying out there. We still go back every Monday and study, but game day, we just seem to forget stuff. I'm not sure what it is. We're gonna get it fixed." That says it all. RR says it's the players, but there has to be a reason so many players forget what's going on. A big part of coaching is preparing the mental athlete and it's clear RR's not getting that part of the job done. Maybe Barwis has the kids so tired with all the plyometrics and Olympic weightlifting during the week they are toast by Saturday. No matter how hard Rich Rod tries to deflect the blame to the players (don't get me wrong, they are responsible as well), Rich Rod is ultimately responsible for the product on the field every Saturday.
ecmichman
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 7:35 a.m.
I am really beginning to think that RR is just a bad coach. Saturday was the 10th game of the season. How many weeks do we need to see UM coaches screaming at each other on the sidelines while the players don't even know where to line up? Disgusting.
Detroitrocks
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 7:05 a.m.
With no Graham, Minor or Brown next year, this team will take a step back. Bye bye, RR! Myself, I hope they keep him around for 5 years. Can't pay for this kind of entertainment.
kerch65
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 5:59 a.m.
give me a break this team couldnt possibly beat wisc. or ohio skank these guys the defense couldnt even stop a runny nose let alone the 2 remaining teams left they are slow and pathetic and out of position. Iagree with RR on not trusting the defense look at their track record i would like to let the entire defense know they are the worst defense thats ever put on the winged helmet something i hope sticks with this bunch of pretenders
kerch65
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 5:59 a.m.
give me a break this team couldnt possibly beat wisc. or ohio skank these guys the defense couldnt even stop a runny nose let alone the 2 remaining teams left they are slow and pathetic and out of position. Iagree with RR on not trusting the defense look at their track record i would like to let the entire defense know they are the worst defense thats ever put on the winged helmet something i hope sticks with this bunch of pretenders
63Townie
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:30 a.m.
I'd love to see RR gone, but Martin would never do it; that would be admitting he made a bad hire. ("What's that ringing noise I hear? Is that a phone? Sounds like it's MILES away. Ah, it's probably nothing.) However, geting a new coach does not necessarily mean you need to completely change schemes. The spread is quickly becoming the prevalent offensive strategy in college FB. UM can't continue on in this manner, you need a good product on the field to put bodies in the seats. I believe if RR doesn't make significant strides next year he'll be gone when Martin leaves.
tomhagan
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:20 a.m.
These poor kids came to UM to win games and championships...instead they get dissesion, corruption, poor-coaching and 8-16 going in to their last few games as seniors. At least they got an excellent UM education, probably their degree, and for Mesko and BG almost certain NFL careers.....but it is sad that what could have been for them, was torn away from them without them having any say about it.
uminks
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:10 a.m.
I would say the chances of major sanctions will be remote unless there is more to it than just extra practice time. Support your coach and team. RR will be here through the 2011 season. If there is not a drastic improvement in the team during the 2011 season than it will be time to give RR the boot, but I'm betting he will turn things around once he gets more talent on defense and the offense gels with either Tate or Gardner! 2008: 3-9, 2009: 5-7, 2010: 7-5, 2011: 9-3, 2012: 11-1 (big 10 champs).
michboy40
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 11:39 p.m.
I was screaming at my telly when RR went for the 4th and 10! What a moron! His excuse is that he didn't "trust the Defense". Well guess what? If you want to win the game you have no choice. Under his theory we get the first down, then score, then get the two point conversion....then what you freakin genius? That's right, we kick the ball to the other team with probably 3:00 or 3:30 min. left in the game and they only need to get into field goal range for the win. So...either way, the D must stop the other team!! Get it? Except when you take the three points, you acually give the D something to play for, and like they mention in the article, the D had two stops right before that series (and another after). Now you get the ball back only needing 5 points for the win, which the Offense has show it can do. So RR got it wrong, and in my opinion he was thoroughly out coached the entire game, especially in the second half. I am one seriously frustrated Michigan fan, and I know we are short on talent and depth, but I also think we are short on good coaching. The talent we can change, but the coaching?...I'm no so sure.
Maize&Believe
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 11:39 p.m.
ok, people that are calling for rich rods head right now need to understand somethings.. 1. what makes you say that Les Miles would even come here? 2. i firmly believe that brian kelly will be the next coach at ND.. Also if we changed coaches right now that would set us back another 3 years atleast because the recruits would have to fit a pro style offense again rather then the spread and we would just have more inexperience.. as for Greg Robinson go's i have no problem gettin rid of him... you score 36 points you should win the football game.. Michigan just has to learn how to handle some adversity during a game.. but for right now why can't we just watch these next 2 games and hope for a win.. this article should make people feel good rather then critisize.. i get it's not easy but the michigan fans callin for his head right now give all michigan fans a bad name... just root for your team!! go blue!!
saginaw
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 11:06 p.m.
Yikes, Wisconsin is out for revenge after last year. Clearly, they will try to run the ball -- which may actually be good for us.
needed perspective
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 9:36 p.m.
Yep the BIG TEN is....the BIG Eleven???....but anything can happen any time---that is why they play the game. What happens on the field, stays......and those who stay will be champions... somehow that is a reference to commitment thru adversity...and yes, if Bo were a commanding officer, I would follow him anywhere...and, yes, Rich still has a lot to prove to everyone.
Salinegoblue
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 9:30 p.m.
Why is our defense so poor, our DC came from a school that was below 500 for two or three years before he was fired. Surely there is better DC out there, why was he hired??
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 9:29 p.m.
Yeah, they've got nothing to lose now. I hope Graham, Mesko and the other seniors are issuing a challenge to their teammates. Even though the coaches have let them down, they can still salvage some self-respect the next two weeks. They will be heavy underdogs in both games. Win one, and at least they get a minor bowl game to remember. Graham and Mesko are at least quite likely to be playing on Sundays next year. Can't say anyone else on the team has shown the same.
azwolverine
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 9:17 p.m.
Mesko and Graham have been consistently getting the job done. I like their attitude. I don't know whether or not Graham actually believes what he says, but he's definitely trying to rally his teammates. He's a true Michigan man fighting to the bitter end. Regardless of what's going on with RR, I love the players who chose to come to Michigan and become Wolverines when they most likely could have gone anywhere they wanted. I WILL support THEM to the end. Go Blue
David Briegel
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 9:15 p.m.
It should be obvious to anyone watching this team that our two best players are Graham and Mesko!
needed perspective
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 8:58 p.m.
yep---just common sense and the right priorities, coach.
BlueInBama
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 8:54 p.m.
Needed perspective... Use that little device called "a mouse" to scroll to the top of this page. What do you see? You should see, "Michigan football team's seniors determined to salvage the season" Does this have anything to do with Iraq / Afghanistan? I see the public school system has not served you well with your lack of basic reading comprehension skills.
needed perspective
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 8:45 p.m.
I would love to see all this analysis, criticism and evaluation given to the war in Irag and the mistake in Afghanistan, where there are no box seats, room for arm chair quarterbacks and football analysts or second guesses! So good to see you have your priorities in order! As for the team...and leadership...that is up to the team; this punter has put M in a position to win many times...knows and plays his role...obviously with out the respect due from BOULDERLION and BLUEINSC.
Lemansblue
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 8:01 p.m.
RR out. Coach Jim Harbaugh in. Do not wait Harbaugh would be great here. Get him now he will be in high demand because of how well he is doing at Stanford. Jim Harbaugh knows the Big Ten. This would be a great hire.
KeepingItReal
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 7:58 p.m.
Theo: I admnire your loyalty however blind it may be. You also predicted a M win on Purdue.
michalllday
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 7:29 p.m.
dzuck...in your dreams. Graham needs to show leadership on the field and not let our freshman buckle when something goes wrong...not "we forgot about this loss, it's over with" after the game
rensational
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 7:27 p.m.
Saw the lateral again today on the Big Ten Network and still can't see how that was a forward. Also still don't agree with not taking the field goal kick, despite the defense. This is not an after-the-fact disagreement, either. I don't think the punter is "the leader." Michigan probably has several leaders, i.e. as the article said Graham is included. I just get tired of hearing assurances and comments that Michigan remains positive, determined, etc, and then they go out and do the same crap they do every weekend...especially on defense. So, to me, it doesn't matter who the leader is or even if they have one. They did this last year, too, and still never won any games down the stretch except the one Minnesota just handed to them. Wisconsin and Ohio State aren't about to hand anything to Michigan, though.
BlueInBama
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 7:20 p.m.
Yep. That's how low Michigan football has fallen.