Your guide to the 2013 Michigan football spring game
Devin Gardner throws a pass during Saturday's spring game at Michigan Stadium
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
Postgame coverage:
LIVE COVERAGE: Join Michigan beat writers Nick Baumgardner and Kyle Meinke from our live chat on the Michigan Football homepage for their take on the action as it happens. You can also follow them on Twitter @nickbaumgardner and @kmeinke.
WHO: Michigan vs. Michigan.
WHERE: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
WHEN: Saturday, 12:40 p.m.
BROADCAST INFORMATION: TV: Big Ten Network, tape delayed until 9 p.m.; Radio: Detroit: WXYT (97.1 FM), Ann Arbor: WTKA (1050 AM).
MICHIGAN: Roster
Coverage: Did that sneak up on you, too? Just five days after the Michigan basketball team competed for a national championship, the Michigan football team returns to the field in its annual spring game. And for the first time in four years, they will do so without No. 16, Denard Robinson, as the Wolverines take their first step into a new era. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the Wolverines' annual scrimmage:
Michigan feeling comfortable about pro-style offense on eve of spring game
The 2013 spring game marks the public unveiling of the full-fledged pro-style offense. Devin Gardner showed last season that he is capable of piloting Michigan's offense into the future. He is an accomplished passer, and better equipped than Denard Robinson to run the pro-style offense that Michigan desires.
8 players to watch in Michigan football's spring game
Michigan has the fewest returning starters in the Big Ten, and that doesn't included injured starters Fitz Toussaint, Blake Countess and Jake Ryan. Needless to say, the spring game should feature a bevy of fresh faces. Here's a look at eight to keep an eye on.
Michigan's Brennan Beyer comfortable moving to LB as long as he's 'hitting people'
Brennen Beyer played strong-side linebacker as a freshman in 2011. And after spending last season at defensive end, Beyer is back at linebacker this spring. He said the move, prompted by Jake Ryan's torn ACL, has been seamless.
Michigan ramps up pass rush after sack totals plummet
The Wolverines averaged a scant 1.69 sacks per game last year, which ranked 80th in the country. Defensive Greg Mattison says the Wolverines have spent more time during the spring working on pass rush techniques, and that he's seeing improvement.
Michigan's offensive line steps up mustache game, becomes most surprising unit of spring camp
Michigan is replacing all three interior offensive linemen and transitioning to a pro-style offense that will feature a power-running attack, accentuating the importance of the interior. The line is embracing the challenge. Oh, and it's growing mustaches.
Michigan DE Frank Clark holding his own against Taylor Lewan, earning all-Big Ten buzz
All-American left tackle Taylor Lewan said that defensive end Frank Clark has been giving him the most trouble of any defensive lineman in camp. Clark, a junior defensive end, has added 15 pounds this offseason and received praise throughout spring camp.
Michigan lost its backup quarterback early in camp when Russell Bellomy tore an ACL. Despite having no scholarship quarterbacks on the roster after Devin Gardner, Al Borges said he isn't losing sleep over the situation. Michigan coach Brady Hoke later said the Wolverines could explore adding a junior college transfer or graduate transfer.
Taco Charlton is one of six true freshmen who have enrolled early and are participating in spring camp. The weak-side defensive end already has packed on 16 pounds since arriving on campus three months ago.
Michigan raving about big-play threat of WRs Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh
The Wolverines lose Roy Roundtree from their already-depleted receiver corps, and have no experienced options to start alongside Jeremy Gallon and senior Drew Dileo. The rest of the unit combines for just nine catches. Michigan hopes Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh, a pair of promising second-year receivers, can do just that.
Thomas Gordon becoming leader of Michigan defense
Safety Jordan Kovacs is gone, creating a void in performance and leadership. Michigan has plenty of bodies to throw at safety, but none has as much experience as Cam Gordon. He has played 34 games at safety, making 26 starts, and is easily the Wolverines' most experienced defensive back.
Michigan seeking improvement from RBs Thomas Rawls, Justice Hayes, Drake Johnson in spring camp
Michigan's tailbacks are coming off their worst season in modern school history, returning starter Fitz Toussaint is recovering from a broken leg and incoming freshman Derrick Green won't arrive until the summer. Brady Hoke is looking for improvement from Thomas Rawls, Justice Hayes and Drake Johnson.
Michigan's Brady Hoke says he's not concerned by spike in knee injuries
Kaleb Ringer. Chris Wormley. Blake Countess. Jake Ryan. Russell Bellomy. Michigan has lost each to major knee injuries in the past seven months. But while coach Brady Hoke says he's concerned about depth issues posed by injuries, he's not concerned by the recent spike in injuries -- specifically, knee injuries.
This and that
- Information on format, parking, alumni game, and donations
- On-street parking restrictions in effect
- David Terrell, John Wangler, Jonathan Goodwin among former Michigan stars slated for alumni game
- Video: Michigan's Elliott Mealer shaves off beard, upsets Devin Gardner
- Michigan's orange QB jerseys were obtained from Nike school Oregon State