Michigan football team hangs on to remain unbeaten
Michigan sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson warms up before today's UMass at Michigan football game.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Fourth quarter
Michigan 42, UMass 37: A blocked punt led to a 25-yard, 4-four play touchdown drive. Kyle Havens hit Andrew Krevis with a 7-yard touchdown pass as the Minutemen closed the gap. The following onside kick went out of bounds, giving Michigan the ball in UMass territory.
Michigan 42, UMass 30: Julian Talley scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from UMass quarterback Kyle Havens. The two-point conversion attempt failed. Havens is 19-of-26 passing for 202 yards.
strong>Michigan 42, UMass 24: Michael Shaw dominated a drive, running 50 yards, 7 and finally 4-yards to stretch Michigan's lead again. He has a career-high three touchdowns, and a career-high 115 yards.
Michigan 35, UMass 24: Kyle Havens faked a pass and ran to the corner of the end zone as UMass scored for the first time since late in the first half. The Minutemen took 7 minutes, 30 seconds off the clock with a 70-yard, 15-play drive.
Third quarter
Wide receiver Darryl Stonum scores near the end of the second half on Saturday against UMass.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Michigan 35, UMass 17: Denard Robinson fended off a couple of UMass tacklers to score on an 8-yard run. Key play of the 94-yard, eight-play drive: A 46-yard pass play to Darryl Stonum. Robinson is 10-of-14 passing for 241 yards and two touchdowns. He has run 16 times for 96 yards.
Today's attendance: It's 110,187
Michigan 28, UMass 17: Michael Shaw darted up the middle for a 34-yard touchdown run. Michigan opened the second half with a six-play, 69-yard drive.
Second quarter
Michigan 21, UMass 17: Darryl Stonum scored for the second time in less than a minute, reaching the end zone on a 9-yard pass from Denard Robinson. Key play of the 55-yard, five-play drive: A 36-yard pass from Robinson to Junior Hemmingway.
UMass 17, Michigan 14: After UMass scored, Darryl Stonum returned the kickoff 23 yards, then caught a 66-yard pass from Denard Robinson and ran down the sideline to score.
UMass 17, Michigan 7: Jonathan Hernadez ran up the middle 9 yards through a huge hole as the Minutemen continued a bid for an upset. Hernandez has 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Missed field goal: Michigan red-shirt freshman Seth Broekhuizen missed a 38-yard field goal with 4:45 left in the second quarter. Michigan kickers are 1-of-5 on field goals this season.
UMass 10, Michigan 7: Jonathan Hernandez scored on a 10-yard run as UMass continued to pile up yardage against Michigan. Hernandez has 32 yards on nine carries. UMass quarterback Kyle Havens is 7-of-8 passing for 78 yards.
First quarter Michigan 7, UMass 3: Michael Shaw scored on a 1-yard dive into the end zone, capping a penalty-filled, 93-yard, eight-play drive. The biggest play: a 43-yard pass from Denard Robinson to Kelvin Grady on a third-and-11 play.
UMass 3, Michigan 0: The Michigan football team (2-0) takes on visiting UMass (2-0) at noon today at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines kicked off and opened the game on defense. UMass quickly picked up three first downs and took the lead on Caleb Violette's 29-yard field goal.
Pregame:
Michigan sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson is 45 yards rushing and 70 passing yards shy of reaching 500 in each category.
It's the first time UMass has faced Michigan and, by far, it will be the largest crowd to see the Minutemen play. UMass beat William & Mary and Holy Cross in its first two games.
More pregame notes:
• Join our live chat: Your host is Rich Rezler
• Remembering Ron Kramer: Former Michigan great Roy Kramer was honored today. Michigan players will wear the number 87 on the back of their helmets and a video tribute was played just prior to kickoff. Kramer lettered nine times while playing three sports -- football, basketball and track -- at Michigan 1954-56.
• The UMass marching band: There was a moment of silence at 11:39 to honor UMass marching band director George N. Parks, who died Thursday as the band was on its way to Ann Arbor. The band was introduced after the moment of silence to warm applause.
• Read AnnArbor.com's coverage leading into today's game: The mega guide
• TV: The game is televised on the Big Ten Network.
Comments
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 6:27 p.m.
Now now boys and girls, in the first place what makes you think Umass is not a tough team, becuase of their division, their name, becuase they are not called the Trojans, or Long Horns or even Gators. I wouldn't want to bet to much money against Umass in a game against Purdue, Indiana, Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan State, Penn State or Minnesota. Mich. played poorly today but that doesn't take away the fact that Umass is a scrappy team that had a good game today, my hats off to them and funny thing boys and girls, I think Umass could give USC Trojans a tough day.
Sean T.
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.
Kubrick, I re-watched the game and you're right about the linebackers. I'd say Mouton did alright but Ezeh was slow or indecisive on getting to the tackle. I was entertaining Family & Friends while watching the game. 81wolverine, we got owned for the majority of the game, down in the trenches. There were times early when the UMASS RB's looked slow but the holes were there and they ran through them all all day. Their O-Line was tough and they had very good balance throughout the contest.
81wolverine
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 4:26 p.m.
Disagree with Sean T about the play in the trenches. I'd say Michigan's Offensive line dominated U-Mass from about 1/2 way through the 2nd quarter on. On the d-line, at least Martin was dominating his guy all game long. I'm not sure how the other 2 guys did. But our linebacking continues to be bad for the most part. Ezeh and Mouton will make a play, then screw on two or three. Not good enough. This defense is starting to scare me they're so bad. The pass coverage is just awful for whatever reason. I'm not sure what can be done either. It's not like we can put someone else in - no one has much experience. Simply put, the only way we're going to win games is to score a lot of points. If our offense bogs down, it's game over, at least where things stand now.
firegregrobinson
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:53 p.m.
Fire Greg Robinson the real reason all the defense of players are leaving
3 And Out
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:53 p.m.
Martin played very well today he was the difference.... where was Roh?
Kubrick66
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
Sean T... With all due respect Martin played like a beast... As for Kovacs, Mouton and Ezeh - they're horrible. Their tackle totals don't nearly tell the whole story... Constantly out of position, constantly taking bad angles, constantly missing tackles. They are three big reasons why this defense is so bad.
Jaxon5
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:44 p.m.
Welcome to Big East football. Michigan defense as we knew it is long dead and gone. Say goodbye to blow outs, say hello to nail biters. Say hello to uncertainty, say hello to more Big 10 losses.
win
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
wow. very disappointed in the defense. if we don't put up 45 per game the rest of the way, we may not get to 7 wins. That is a scary thought. I didn't think this defense was very good, but i also didn't think they were this bad. I thought the offensive game plan of not running drob a lot made the offense a half step slower and little less intense firing off the ball. But still, to put up 42 points on a less than best offensive performance is still pretty good. we looked lazy all game long. a sleepy saturday in ann arbor almost became a nightmare. wake up boys! we have a lot to prove!!
Sean T.
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:39 p.m.
Our offense was better this week because we were able to finally out play UMASS on the athletic ability of our players. But Umass played stout defense for the majority of the game. We showed flash on some on some big plays but UMASS outplayed us overall. UMASS won the battle of the trenches but didn't have the horses to get by us. I take my hat off to Martin, Kovacs, Mouton and Ezeh, they played tough today.
Skipit3
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:38 p.m.
Don't ever underestimate the underdog!!! Now, let's brace ourselves for the negative comments to start flowing from 3 And Out & Nobowl!
Blueman Rick
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:30 p.m.
Whew. Nice to get the victory. Defense? What defense? I shake my head. D was once a hallmark of UM.
3 And Out
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
well there you go....this is 3 years in...and hopefully the last one.
Kubrick66
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
The Good - Victory. The Bad - Greg Robinson. The Ugly - Defense.
TrueBlueinOH
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
"Hangs on" is the only way to describe that effort, or lack of effort imo. This defense continues to amaze me with their poor play. Are we ever gonna see a tough Michigan defense again?!?!
Flyfish
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.
Wow. U Mass sure made moving the ball look easy.