In case you missed the game, or even if you just feel like reliving it, what follows below is the first-ever Labovitz Michigan Football running diary (a mouthful, perhaps). For reasons passing understanding, my entire game-watching crew save for one was MIA for yesterday’s tussle against the Aztecs from San Diego State, so I figured what better way to pass the time than write down my thoughts, criticisms, cheers and jeers as the game progressed. Didn’t hurt that I chose a game where I got to rip on the Big Ten Network’s perennially shoddy game announcers to boot! So without further ado – let the diary ensue (oof, bad rhyme. It was that kinda day).
10 minutes to kickoff – No idea what kind of game it’s going to be. I’ve seen predictions that range from a Michigan blowout to an SDSU upset. The Aztecs allegedly don’t play much defense, but they can certainly score, and thus far, Michigan really hasn’t been able to stop anyone (though they did only allow three points to Eastern – Woooo Mattison!).
Game stats… Junior Hemingway has only four catches on the season… for 202 yards? That’s pretty ridiculous. On that note, it’d be nice to see Denard actually complete some passes today; in fact, Michigan won’t win if he doesn’t. But I think he does just enough, and while Michigan won’t cover, they will win 38-31.
5 mins to go – BTN actually shows some pregame festivities… Who needs ESPN and Lee Corso’s foolish helmet picks? Give me Hail to the Victors and the drum major back-bend any day. 10 gold stars to the BTN!
Wait a minute; commercial break? No tunnel running? Maybe they’ll give it to us later, but it wont be live. Meh. I want the fiancé to see how fun it would be to have a banner spread across our wedding aisle!
Noon – Get up and touch the banner, Coach Hoke! Nice that the BTN got their act together to show it. And we have our first “Hoke used to coach SDSU” reference. What’s the over/under today? Five? I’ll set it at six and roll the dice on some added “drama.”
15:00, 1st quarter – Michigan to kickoff. Nice… it’d be doubly nice if Michigan could pull out a stop on the first drive. Hey, there’s the student section predictably empty. Hey, a kickoff coverage stop prior to the 20! That’s good coverage right there… for a change.
14:45 – First play from scrimmage – stuffed. Mike Martin gets a big paw on Hillman. Hawthorne is always around the ball, but man does he miss a shit ton of tackles. Third and 1 coming up. Craig Roh with a massive hit! Wow, you could hear that tackle, Coach Hoke! It’s puntin time!
12:51 – what a heads up play by Gallon on the punt there. Michigan caught a break after the ball hit a non-attention-paying JT Floyd. Offense time. Hopkins split wide? And then a run straight ahead? That’s sort of innovative… I guess. Big third down coming up.
11:30 – Denard drops back, steps up and runs for 19. That’s when he’s most dangerous, when he breaks the pocket on a straight drop back. First down Blue. And Denard’s first pass of the day results in an unfortunately predictable throw to no one in particular. Not a good sign
10:53 – Vincent Smith with a squeeeeze through the line puts Michigan at the 5. Aaaand next play TD Denard on a keeper! All in all, that was about as easy as it could be, and whaddaya know, Michigan scores in the first quarter! It’s a Festivus Miracle!
Well, that couldn’t have started any better, other than Denard’s pass that we think was intended for Odoms. Can the defense hold again? I imagine SDSU is gonna come out throwing on this next drive.
10:08 – Matt Wile’s feeling it against his hometown team, and boots a touchback. Let’s go defense! SDSU with a big gain on an end around… that’s how EMU hurt the Wolverines last week… runs to the outside. After a holding penalty, its second and 12. Another easy pitch and catch, and we’re gonna have another 3rd and very short. That’s too easy from 1st and 20 start. On 3rd down, Hillmanh gets outside for a big gain… thought there was a hold, but no call. Meh.
7:12 – Fumblaya! Looked close, I’m sure it’ll be reviewed, but man, Michigan is causing some turnovers this year! It’s ruled a fumble… woo hoo!
7:12 – Denard throws deep on first down, not a bad throw, but Roundtree couldn’t pull I tin. A little WR screen on second down. I like that play call, and I like that throw by Denard. And he looooves Gallon. Big third and short here… OPTION! OPTION! Denard keeps it for a 50+ yard TD. Al Borges how we love you!
Go back and look at the replay; Vincent Smith started celebrating right when Denard hit the hole; he knew it’d be a score! Terrific blocking by Hyuge and Koger too. Meanwhile, I honestly cant remember seeing a true Michigan option since Antonio Bass was for various trick plays before his knee died. Wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more of it!
6:14 – Michigan has a 14 point lead? In the first quarter? I’m a little stunned, not gonna lie. Let’s see what the defense can do here.
On cue, SDSU hits a wide open play action on first down. That’s tough to stop.
4:32 – Good pursuit by Gordon and others on a first down toss sweep. Second and long turns into 3rd and 4, but there’s batted ball on third down! That’s what the d line needs to be doing. Way to go Van Bergen. Will SDSU go for it? Yes… but they don’t get it! Defense steps up again! Let me repeat… the Michigan defense STEPS UP AGAIN!!!
3:20 – Michigan ball. A pass, and a beauty to Roundtree. First down Blue. Vincent Smith with a nice first down run… at this point, it appears he’s totally the guy.
2:14 – After a pass interference, here’s Blue with a first down in SDSU territory. Woop! The second Hoke/SDSU reference…
1:35 – Denard goes through his progressions, hits Vincent Smith very nicely, but he fumbles! Smith fumbles? I feel like he doesn’t do that so much. It looked like he was down, but shit, he most definitely was not. SDSU ball
0:33 – Michigan forces another 3 and out. Great blitz on 3rd down, and Lindley looks very shaky right now. But still, hello Michigan defense? I like what I’m seeing. No harm no foul from Smith’s fumble.
0:24 – Ricky Barnum holds, and the first quarter comes to an end with your score 14 – 0 good guys. It could’ve been more, but hey… I don’t think anyone saw this first quarter coming. The way Michigan played, they could totally be a player in a depleted B10. Hopefully they keep it going, so my classic Labovitz hyperbole can hold water for at least a week.
End of quarter – looking around the landscape, Pitt’s up 3-0 on ND? UNC’s up 7-3 on GT? Some weird scores so far. Also, I’m really glad I’m not a fan of Notre Dame, Pitt, UNC or Georgia Tech. Though I do kind of root for Pitt… and Georgia Tech. So scratch that.
15:00 – And we’re back! On 2nd and 14, Koger with a baaad drop. Double meh. Sets up a 3rd and long, and we don’t really convert these. Denard makes some moves, but it’s not nearly enough, and Michigan has to punt. That one’s on Koger (and Barnum on the hold)
13:26 – Mike Martin’s getting some pressure inside. Niiiice. But on 2nd and long, Woolfork gives ridiculous cushion and it’s an easy pitch and catch.
12:42 – Michigan had Hillman dead to rights in the backfield, but Hillman escapes nicely. He’s good… Yet another 3rd and short for SDSU.
11:28 – I love Thomas Gordon, but not when he’s playing man on a wide receiver; another 3rd and short, but SDSU shuffles pre-snap, and it’s 3rd and 6. Big play coming… have I said that yet today? Slant in front of Woolfork… 1st down.
8:58 – Seriously, every time I look up, SDSU has a 3rd and 1, and they convert another. Michigan needs to tighten up.
8:33 – SDSU with a long pitch and catch, but Jake Ryan does a great job drawing a hold. He can’t stop the run, but man, dude can get to the quarterback. Plus he’s dreamy.
BTN analyst says Michigan’s front four is disruptive? Hmmm. Maybe a little in this game, but not so much overall. And as I talk trash about Ryan, he stuffs a run for no gain. On 2nd down, Courtney Avery plays some great defense to snuff out a pass, and it sets up 3rd and very long. Blitz coming? No blitz, but not a good pass either, and SDSU has to punt! Michigan tightened up!
6:20 – A Toussaint sighting, and a decent run. Would love to see a drive. Uh oh, Barnum is down. Hello Mike Schofield.
5:58 – Wow the BTN production is shoddy.
5:58 – Option again! Toussaint does run hard.
Ewww… Does not look good for Barnum right there. But he’s a tough guy. We’ll see. Not being carted away yet. Michigan has NO depth on the O-Line, so hopefully he’s ok.
430 – Toussaint with another hard fun for a 1st down. Next play is busted, Denard amazingly only takes a loss of 2. I think Vincent Smith missed an audible there. 2nd and long. And now 3rd and long. I hate 3rd and long L. Denard with a decent pass to Junior Hemingway, but it’s short of the 1st down. Curse you busted play! Michigan to punt.
Or are they?? Brady Hoke calls a timeout, and now wants to go for it from our own 48? Verrrrrry interesting call here; maybe the fact that we get the ball at the half makes a difference? Early watershed call for Brady Hoke here… let’s see. OPTION! First down. Brady Hoke! Al Borges! New regime!
2:19 – Denard with a huuuuuge hole! Down to the SDSU 10. As my buddy says, this guy is a special player!
1:45 – Toussaint running hard down to the 2! I like to see runs between the tackles. Toussaint hesitated on second down, we’ll see if he got enough for the 1st… and he did! Probably got a great spot. 1st down at the 1. Denard/Shaw play action fakes out everyone, including the BTN camera man, and Denard keeps it and scores! DRob with three TDS and over 140 yards rushing in the first half. I love you Denard Robinson.
1:00 – If THIS is what the offense is supposed to look like, with options and tough runs between the tackles and Denard… I’ll be very happy the rest of the year.
Halftime! 21-0. I’m gushing. Could not have gone ANY better. Impressed with offense… like, seriously impressed.
14:18, third quarter – Denard run on 2nd and 10 picks up eight. Be nice to pick this up here. Another Denard run, 1st down. Nice.
A third Denard run, this time for a sizable loss. Not so nice. Where’s the offensive diversity? Ughhhh -- A HOOORRIBLE pass by Denard, picked off a the 49. He rolled out but threw right into double coverage. Dileo was wide open too. Shame.
13:38 – Martin draws a blatant hold on 1st down. He’s really been a beast thus far. SDSU’s drive ends up in a punt, which Gallon catches at the 5? Why Jeremy, why? Oh, that’s way… a return out to the 25. Ok buddy, you win that round.
Michigan’s actually losing the TO battle, but the defense is still pitching a shutout. Shocked and awed at the moment.
Commercial; Michigan’s on the BTN next week too. Meh x 3 = Triple meh.
WTF. SDSU’s mascot blows a conch. We’ve totally crossed into “Lord of the Flies” territory out there.
11:00 – A lot of Denard in the second half… too much. Up 21-0, don’t you run the other guys here?? Hopkins is in the game. Play action to Koger turns into “Ugly Denard pass.” Really sluggish start to the second half thus far. Not as happy as I was 15 minutes ago. 3rd and 6 = big play. Aaannd, it’s intercepted again off a tip. Wow, Denard does NOT look good to start the second half.
9:30 – Michigan catches a major break on 2nd down as the ball goes right through the hands of an SDSU receiver. 3rd and 8… Key play? Yeah, get ya keys out!
9:20 – Wowee, talk about your game-changer. Hillman gets a huuuge hole on 3rd down, but RVB forces a fumble from behind and Michigan recovers at the 10! Gigantic play. Monumental. Ryan recovers. That’s some hustle right there. Major hustle.
9:20 – Make that the 5; and Toussaint gets out to the 11. Replay of the fumble. MAJOR hustle.
Denard carries for first down. A lot of the Denard… wouldn’t mind seeing a Denard pass completion. BTN guy thinks Michigan running backs should be running now. I agree.
8:10 – Al Borges disagrees… Denard run option keeper for nothing at all. And another keeper. Helloooo, other guys? 3rd and 7. Screeeeeeen! I love the screen. Smith picks up 30. Great, redeeming play call for Al right there.
6:00 – Denard hits Dileo off the read option play action. Love that play. Dileo’s not so bad, himself.
5:00 – Not getting much in the run game thus far in the second half… Smith goes nowhere twice, and another 3rd and 7 coming. Michigan runs an option to the short side of the field, and Denard gets killed. I like the option on 4th and short, but on 3rd and 7? Actual field goal coming! A 40 yarder, and itsssss… no good. Gibbons misses, and I think anyone who’s rooted for Michigan over the last three years could’ve seen that one coming.
4:30 – Fumbled snap on 1st down, but Jake Ryan got LIT UP, and SDSU still picks up a yard. JT Floyd is down. Meanwhile, from the audio, it sounds like Michigan student section is trying to start up a Michigan wave… and I hear cheers… we got it going! There is NOTHING in college football, or in any sport, quite like the Michigan wave.
And there’s a Blake Countess sighting! Floyd walking off under his own power. I think he’ll be ok.
3:00 – Jake Ryan with more pressure on 2nd down. No pressure on 3rd down, but Blake Countess provides some BLANKET coverage, and the ball goes elsewhere. Punt!
2:45 – On 1st down, Hopkins hits a big hole, and then fumbles. Yeesh… Stephen Hopkins officially has a fumbling problem, and Michigan is trying to put its defense in a hole here. On 3rd down, Lindley actually hits someone, and it’s a first down.
Methinks it could be a while before we see Hopkins around these parts.
1:15 – After a penalty, Hillman catches a quick one and surprise surprise, Hawthorne misses a tackle. 3rd and short, and SDSU picks it up on a tight end hitch.
0:32 – Lindley hits a slant in front of Avery, and SDSU is finally on the board. Michigan kind of needs to stop handing SDSU the ball with a short field… or really at all.
P.S. When was the last time the Michigan defense was the side that was playing significantly better?
End of the 3rd – SDSU stops Michigan again on a read option to Smith, and thus ends a really UGLY quarter for the boys in blue. Three turnovers, never crossed the 50. At this point, Michigan’s truly lucky to still be up 14. Gotta turn it back on in the 4th. Must. I’m kind of annoyed now.
15:00, fourth quarter – Denard throws deep on 2nd down, but overthrows an open Roundtree. One day he’ll hit one of those in stride. One day.
14:40 – On 3rd and long, Denard finds no one but actually completes a short pass to Smith. Puntin time. Uh oh. They return it to the 50. I repeat… uh oh.
13:00 – SDSU throws deep, trying to punish Countess for being a freshman, but he stands tall. 2nd and 10. And JT Floyd makes one of the better plays I’ve seen a Michigan corner make in, oh I don’t know how long, deflecting the pass off a hitch route.
3rd and 10. Michigan catches a major break on the fade when SDSU drops the ball, and they’re gonna have to punt. Michigan defense holds again, thankfully. Can’t say enough about the defense; it’s really the reason Michigan’s winning.
Next week it’s a “Legends Division clash.” Seriously? How ‘bout the clash for the Little Brown Jug?
110,707. Nice crowd.
12:32 - Ok offense. Toussaint runs into his own guy, and then finds a 10 yard seam to get out from out of the shadow of the end zone. Toussaint again… for nada mucho. SDSU is playing close to the line, and why not? On 2nd down, Michigan runs again… for nada mucho. 3rd and long, yet again.
Michigan has had a lot of 3rd and longs today, compared to a lot of 3rd and shorts for SDSU. Michigan’s seriously lucky to be winning. On 3rd down, Denard has a guy very open over the middle, but throws it about 10 feet over Roundtree’s head the way only Denard can do. Sad face.
10:33 – Terrence Robinson getting his name on the stat sheet with a great special teams play. Just about the only thing that’s gone well for Blue in the second half.
Wait a minute; next week it’s actually a clash for the Little Brown Jug! It’s as if the BTN is reading this diary. They’re not, but the thought makes me happy.
10:27 – Hillman runs for a first down. I’m starting to get verrrrry nervous, and the BTN analyst is wearing eye makeup. Clearly we’ve entered into the realm of stream of conscious.
Van Bergen eats an SDSU receiver on an end around; 2nd and long. SDSU will probably get 13 here. No, only 4… Demens with a big hit on Hillman, who’s now gone over 100 yards. SDSU gets another 8 on a slant, and they have to go for it here.
Dare I say, big play? This one’s bigger than the others. WOWOWOW. SDSU goes play action, but Lindley misses a wide open TE. Not sure about that call there, but I’ll happily take the result! Thanks Rocky!
Meanwhile, I’m starting to wonder if SDSU’s players are just happy spending some time in Ann Arbor? This game has been theirs for the taking, but they don’t seem to want anything to do with it.
8:04 – And that play right there encompasses one Denard Robinson. He can look sooo bad for so long, and then suddenly break one for 30 yards like he’s playing against a junior varsity squad.
7:45 – That one play softens the defense, and Toussaint has a 1st down run of 10 yards. Toussaint again for 9 yards… he does run hard, you can’t deny it. And so does Vincent Smith, who carries a would-be tackler in for a seven-yard score! It’s 28-7, and just like that, I’m not really nervous anymore.
6:30 – Michigan’s up 21, and it looks like they might actually cover this one. Good thing I didn’t bet on the game.
Boy, Lindley’s looked not so good today. There’s another misfire on 1st down. On 2nd down, Blake Countess makes a strong tackle after a pickup of just two. Countess has played very well thus far. But on 3rd and long, Lindley hits the tight end over Van Slyke’s head. Why is Van Slyke in the game?
5:30 – Another wide open catch on a post pattern. And then another, though Gordon kinda sorta tipped that one. SDSU’s down at the 19. But Craig Roh gets in there and forces the fumblaya! ROOHHHHH.
That’s definitely a fumble on the replay, and Ryan recovers his second fumble of the game, in his first start of his career. They’re going to take a look, but I can’t imagine they overturn this one. Huge play, and that’s pretty much gonna wrap it up.
VERY impressed by the defense. It’s a little “bend but don’t break,” as Rich Rod tried to do in years past, but this year, they’re actually not breaking. Michigan is forcing a crazy amount of turnovers, and though they can’t possibly sustain this pace, we’ll take whatever we can get whenever they come.
Ruling on the field confirmed. Good bye, good luck, good seein ya, SDSU.
Still 5:00 to go – A quick three and out there, punt for Michigan.
Thomas Gordon is the BTN’s defensive player of the game? I would’ve gone with Ryan.
2:28 - SDSU hits one for 25 yards, right over Demens’ head. Great defense, actually, nothing you can do about a great catch. Another pitch and catch, and SDSU’s driving. Not enough time left, thankfully.
1:45 – Lindley throws a slant to a guy in front of Gordon, but the receiver can’t rein it in. They’ve picked on Gordon a bit, and I think we’re gonna see more of that as the season progresses.
Screeeeen, which is picked up beautifully by Jake Ryan. But Jibreel Blake lined up offside? That’s a stupid call. And on 3rd and four, they slant over Gordon’s face again, for an easy first down.
1:00 – SDSU is marching, but there’s no time; Michigan’s making them march, which is smart. Everything is underneath. I’m so impressed with the defense. It really makes me smile. On that note, SDSU throws to the end zone, but Countess is there to break it up (sort of). 4th down. It’d be nice if Michigan could hold here and keep the margin at 21.
0:32 – They hold! Pass incomplete, and Michigan’s gonna win this one going away.
BALL GAME. Michigan wins 28 – 7. SDSU crossed into Michigan territory 11 times, but only comes away with seven points. 11 times? That’s crazy defense by Michigan; but they made the plays when they had to. Denard runs for 200 and three scores, threw for another 93, but with 2 INTs.
Bottom line… Michigan’s 4-0, and the defense is the story. Whoda thunk it?
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