Seth Broekhuizen likely will kick for Michigan football team Saturday; Wolverines 'optimistic' Michael Shaw will play
Should the battle between No. 17 Michigan State and No. 18 Michigan come down to special teams Saturday, the Wolverines are in trouble.
Spartans sophomore Dan Conroy is the Big Ten’s most accurate kicker this season. He’s made seven of seven field-goal attempts, including a career-long 50-yarder against Florida Atlantic.
Michigan, on the other hand, has watched Brendan Gibbons and Seth Broekhuizen combine for a 1-for-5 performance thus far. The Wolverines haven’t attempted a field goal since the second quarter of the UMass game on Sept. 18.
Michigan redshirt freshman place-kicker Seth Broekhuizen is 0-for-1 on field goals this season and 21-for-21 on PATs.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
“We haven’t had an opportunity to kick field goals in the last few weeks, but I don’t hesitate to try,” he said. “Our guys work extremely hard. They had a great day kicking yesterday.”
Michigan’s coaches have evaluated every aspect of their kicking performances during practice lately, tracking which kicker is better from the left and right hashes.
Both kickers have a range of approximately 45 to 50 yards. Rodriguez said with the wind at their backs, he’d feel comfortable attempting a 50-yard field goal. Against the wind, it’s about 40 yards.
“There’s nothing definitive,” Rodriguez said about isolating the problem. “We’ll try to figure it out. … But they’ve been consistent in practice. They’re more confident, and we’ll be all right.”
The kicking struggles have been so great, they’re even afflicting former Michigan kickers.
Bryan Wright, who played at Michigan until this season, has made three of seven attempts for Bowling Green. He’s 3-for-3 from inside 30 yards, and 0-for-4 beyond.
Injury report
Michigan running back Michael Shaw didn’t “do much yesterday” in practice,” according to Rodriguez, but the Wolverines are hopeful that he’ll do more today.
Shaw missed last week’s game against Indiana with an injured knee. Rodriguez is “optimistic” that Shaw will play Saturday.
That’s not the case for running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (shoulder), who also missed the Hoosiers game. He did not practice Tuesday. If he can’t practice today, he won’t play Saturday.
Linebacker Brandon Herron (ankle) is expected to play against the Spartans.
Glance at freshmen class
So far this year, the Wolverines have played 12 true freshmen. Barring injury, they don’t plan to play any more.
“It’s been exciting for them and it bodes well for the future, but that’s probably a high number,” Rodriguez said. “You don’t want to play a guy before he’s ready mentally or physically.”
Seven of the true freshmen have played on defense, including five in the secondary (or six, if you could hybrid safety-linebacker Carvin Johnson).
Key freshmen who have - at least for now - preserved their redshirt year include defensive tackle Richard Ash and safety Josh Furman.
Extra point
Former MIchigan linebacker Dhani Jones has created a signature bow tie that will be sold at select Ann Arbor stores to support C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.They go on sale Oct. 15, with all proceeds going to Mott.
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via e-mail at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
Sean T.
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 12:32 a.m.
Thomas, Indiana stopped themselves. They had very little run game to begin with this year. If they had balance, it may have been a different outcome. But thats last week. Thosewhostay, We've ran it all season and if they go away from it to stop the spartan run-game, they'll go back to it after one deep pass play. I"ve heard this "they won't run the 3-3-5 defense" before and they've ran it all season. When we use 4 down linemen we get a little pressure and can make plays, but I doubt they'll change it for MSU.
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 12:10 a.m.
Anyone who believes our defense is going to play out of a 3-3-5 defensive scheme either doesn't know ANYTHING about football or they have absolutely ZERO confidence in the mental aptitude of our defensive coaching staff. Michigan is not going to play out of the 3-3-5. Unless we are doing a GREAT job stopping the run (unlikely) there is no way we are going to play in a 3-3-5. It just isn't going to happen.
lawrencelaundry
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 7:59 p.m.
U would think with 5 weeks of play already, the coaches would know what defensive scheme works best. Defense coaches sucks. Rich rod offense is awesome. Hopefully they get rid of DB COACH any GERG.
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 7:20 p.m.
There's sucking and record setting futility. I'd take one of those "travesty" defenses from 1998 to 2007 right now.
lawrencelaundry
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 6:11 p.m.
U would think with 5 weeks of play already, the coaches would know what defensive scheme works best. Defense coaches sucks. Rich rod offense is awesome. Hopefully they get rid of DB COACH any GERG.
kampkoby
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.
Does anyone know what happened to Scott Schrimscher? He had a great career w/CC and kicked only once last year and this. Senior/Junior (2010)... made season debut at placekicker vs. Bowling Green (Sept. 25), converting one extra point. Junior/Sophomore (2009)... made collegiate debut at placekicker vs. Delaware State (Oct. 17), converting one extra point. Sophomore/Freshman (2008)... did not see game action. Freshman (2007)... did not see game action... walked onto team prior to the season. Prep... attended Detroit Catholic Central High School (2007)... Student Council president... four-year honor roll member... three-year varsity letterman in football... Key Statistics... converted 8-of-10 field goals and 72-of-74 point-after-attempts during his career... hit four-of-five field goals and all 25 PATs as a senior... connected on three-of-four field goals and 45-of-47 PATs junior year... converted a 35-yard field goal and both PATs as a sophomore... Honors and Rankings... earned all-area honorable mention senior year... selected as squad's Special Teams MVP as a senior... Other Sports... two-year letterman in soccer as a sophomore and junior.
Forever27
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 3:03 p.m.
Tulsatom, the defense, especially the DB's, has been a travesty ever since 1997 with 2006 being the exception.
tulsatom
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 2:53 p.m.
I have faith Seth Broekhuizen can get the job done this weekend if called on. Sounds like he's had a good week of practice. This game might come down to special teams. I don't fault all the freshmen defensive backs who were forced into playing right off the bat instead of red-shirting or learning the defense as reserves like most freshmen do. They're doing their best under trying circumstances and all this experience should help them later in their careers if it doesn't kill them first. It's a shame that this staff neglected the defense to the point there U-M was forced to rush them into harm's way so soon in their college careers.
james Kurtz
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
This is Michigan's mid-term exam. If they pass this with a victory they will probably play Ohio state for a share of the Big Ten title; if not, expect a 7-5 record and a bowl bid.
Brad
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 2:36 p.m.
Michigan seems to be using the Lions defensive schemes, the "no man to man" and the "twilight zone" I hate to say it, but it could get ugly Sat.
thomas h blaske
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 2:34 p.m.
mich defense stopped IU 8 out of 13 times they had the ball with no points it ain't great, but it's not as bad as some suggest
InsideTheHall
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
Dylan Moulder from Saline will be the kicker next year. He has the longest field goal in Washtenaw County this year, 44 yards. He may not get a scholly but get preferred walk on status.
dell
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.
We want J Ross for kicker. He even has a facebook fan page. We may be his friends, but we all know he can do the job.
Kubrick66
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
The M Defense is my worry, unlike pervious years where we've seen the potential hidden beneath all the blown coverages, and missed tackles- this years version seems content to plays soft on the outside, rush three, and literally give the receivers a free ten yards on any given play. We saw this over and over against IU. Even in 4th and long situations the corners allowed the receivers to run past the first down markers uncontested, setting up a simple game of pitch and catch with their quarterback. Michigan's defensive philosophy seems to be keep everything five to ten yards in front of you including the first down marker. How can anyone be expected to make plays under those circumstances?
clarklaker
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 1:32 p.m.
the bigger problem is the 3-3-5 prevent defense that doesnt adjust the whole game.This defense will absolutly ruin our chances saturday against state.
Sean T.
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 1:26 p.m.
I know many of you are going to justify this as; it doesn't matter because Denard will score one for us. But not attempting a field goal since the second quarter of the UMASS game is disturbing! You know, there will come a time that we won't be able to score so easily. And having a kicker would make things so much smoother. I hope we don't need a kicker this week!