Throughout the early portion of the Big Ten slate, Michigan was the one beating up opponents and delivering decisive knockout blows.
For the first time, the Wolverines were on the receiving end of one of those haymakers in Saturday’s humbling 18-point defeat at Minnesota, where they trailed by as much as 23 points.
And now for the first time all season, No. 7 Michigan finds itself in an unfamiliar position — having to pick itself up off the mat as it heads into Tuesday night’s rematch against Maryland.
“No championship boxer has never — and I know it's a double negative — not been knocked down,” assistant coach Phil Martelli said Monday.