That wasn't pretty but I'll take it. I'm just happy for the seniors especially the 5th year seniors like Van Bergen who have been thru Holy Hell since the day they arrived in Ann Arbor. They fought their asses off this year and brought the program back to a certain measure of respectability. Made me happy to see them jump around like kids after the game. It's a great memory they'll never forget.
I don't see it as a catch. The ball was still moving in his arms when he went to ground. Not to mention the ball hits the ground while he's still in the process of making the catch. I think it was a good call by the refs. And it's a tough one to make because it was such a spectacular effort on his part. Bottom line, Michigan won (luckily) because the Hokies kept shooting themselves in the foot. But as a read somewhere, I've never seen a team apologize for beating the Red Wings 3-2 after being outshot 51-18. So it goes. And I love Hemingway. He's given me a lifetime of memories from this season. It's too bad he doesn't have, didn't have a better arm getting him the ball. Also, I read that Borges said he threw everything he had at the Hokies. I don't believe that for a second. This felt like one of the most conservatively called games on offense I've seen in a long time. Michigan never seemed to play with any confidence once on offense. But all credit to them for hanging in there. It would have been completely understandable if they lost heart with how much that were being handled at the line. And to give up that many third downs only to keep grinding it out. Impressive. They're 11-2. They're Sugar Bowl champs. That's all anyone is going to care about a year from now.
Living in VA Tech territory I can say that the Hokies have always been known for their outstanding special teams. I think they've blocked more punts and field goal attempts than any other team in the last ten years. Probably ran back more kickoffs and punts too. But last night it was their undoing. The kickoff out of bounds, the fumble on the kickoff, the roughing the punter, the fake punt....it all blew up in their faces. The played defense beautifully and inspired but they just couldn't make up for the miscues on ST. And I agree with Pathogen, Borges didn't show me much creativity last night. They did basically what MSU did and stack the line and take Robinson's lanes away. I was certain he was going to adjust at halftime and keep a fullback or an extra tightend to block. All he did was try to stuff the ball on first down and getting it blown up or maybe a 1 or 2 yard gain. Those 3 and longs killed us while they were making all of theirs. I think we won it on pure grit.
I think Borges did add some pretty good wrinkles on the "inverted veer" concept with some jet sweeps from Odoms, but Va Tech was too good. You need to remember that Va Tech really has 5 defensive backs in at all times with very good speed/athleticism. They key run all day and they man cover a lot. The Hokies did an excellent job in man coverage 95% of the game (2 Hemingway TDs), and blitzed on 3rd down like crazy. Robinson and Co. did not have much chance. What won it was the three 3rd and short stops inside the red zone that forced them to settle for field goals. When it was 0-6, it should have been 0-14. After that, the game was more even with Va Tech making all the bigger mistakes.
I think Borges did add some new wrinkles on the "inverted veer" concept with some jet sweeps from Odoms, and he did some different things with motioning and stacking the receivers, but Va Tech was too good. You need to remember that Va Tech really has 5 defensive backs in at all times with very good speed/athleticism. They key run all day and they man cover a lot. The Hokies did an excellent job in man coverage 95% of the game (2 Hemingway TDs), and blitzed on 3rd down like crazy. Robinson and Co. did not have much chance. What won it was the three 3rd and short stops inside the red zone that forced them to settle for field goals. When it was 0-6, it should have been 0-14. After that, the game was more even with Va Tech making all the bigger mistakes.
I think it is safe to say that I am skeptical of the logic and reasoning behind the hiring of Bill O'Brien. I'm quite nonplussed, actually, but perhaps reluctant to be terribly upset due to an overarching sensation of relief that this elongated search is finally coming to an end. With that said, I do believe one ought to give a new coach a few years to prove himself in recruiting and player development. What will be important are the assistants he brings to Penn State. I have no idea how this will go. One thing I can say is that I think this hiring means the end of the obligatory fullback pass at Penn State, considering the offensive scheme O'Brien has used at New England.
Doesn't sound like the alums are real happy with the hiring..... http://blogs.mcall.com/nittany_line...tion-negative-to-obriens-reported-hiring.html
Anyone else think that Montee Ball is making a huge mistake? How much better of a season can he have without Russell Wilson under center?
You're not joking about that. There was a stat shown during the Nebraska game that claimed the Badgers O-line to have about 30lbs and an inch or two on the Packers O-line.
How long has it been since Wisky had a bad o-line? They seem to be able to reload those positions better than most.
You are what you recruit. Lineman and RBs for them. It also helps when they can sell people on tradition (Ron Dayne, etc.) and philosophy (3 TEs, inside zone until ears bleed).
I think it's time for this dude to give stepping down some serious consideration. http://espn.go.com/college-football...ident-gordon-gee-makes-ethnic-comment-slip-up
As a human being, I want to believe him. Because, if he's full of shit, then he intentionally put a lot of people in harm's way.
Good luck Darryl..... http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-f...an-football-team-for-violation-of-team-rules/
It is a sad day. Just a sad day. Words are difficult to muster when you lose the fatherly figure of a community you belong to.