Did Chad Henne take too many snaps?

QB Chad Henne started every single game for his first three seasons. Michigan amassed a 27-10 record during Henne's 37 starts. As noted in a previous post, Michigan's record with Henne at the helm put him in good company. Michigan was 26-10 from 1981-1983 during the Steve Smith-era while the Wolverines amassed a 28-6-2 record during Rick Leach's first three seasons from 1975-1977.

Not only was Henne a dependable starter, he was also a durable player. He took almost every single snap during his first three seasons (2004-2006). It is widely known that the coaching staff had no faith in last year's backup quarterbacks (Jason Forcier and David Cone). As a result, Henne played almost every single down even when a game was well in hand. Forcier only took a handful of snaps all of last season (completing 3 of 6 passes over the course of the entire season while doing so) while Cone never touched the field in 2006. Henne hardly missed a play much less a game. That is until his senior season.

The number of snaps Henne played in his first three seasons may have taken its toll on his body. Henne's senior year was injury plagued. He missed three starts and was severely limited in other games due to both a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament of the right knee and a sore right (throwing) shoulder. In the Ohio State game this season, Henne's arm looked shot as his throws were fluttering all over the field as the Michigan offense sputtered all afternoon. Michigan only managed a mediocre 5-4 record in games Henne started in 2007 and it was a rare occasion when Henne looked like the "Henne of previous seasons." His injuries severely limited his effectiveness this season even when he was able to gut it out and play. He had his moments of course. (see the MSU game). However, on the whole, Henne struggled like never before in his college career. Henne finished the 2007 season having completed 137 of 239 passes for 1,565 yards, 14 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. His completion percentage was 57.3% while his QB rating was 125.80. By way of comparison, in 2006 Henne threw 22 touchdown passes while throwing only 8 interceptions on the season. Also, he had a completion percentage of 61.9% in 2006- more than 4.5% higher than it was this season.

Henne's injuries clearly limited his effectiveness in 2007. What is not as clear is if whether he had saved some wear and tear on his body by coming out of games during his first three seasons, he could have made it through 2007 without suffering so many debilitating injuries. Although I have always admired Henne's dedication, his body can only take so much. His spirit was strong this year but his body betrayed him. That was especially evident in the OSU game and it was difficult to watch. I just hope he can heal sufficiently so that he is able to play up to his capabilities in the bowl game. Go Blue!

*Note: Photo of Chad Henne (7) & Jake Long (77) by JOHN T. GREILICK/The Detroit News from the 9/29/07 Northwestern game

Jake Long named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year

For the second consecutive season, Jake Long was named the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year. Also announced on Monday, November 19, 2007, was the All-Big 10 Team and four (4) Wolverines were named to the first team: OL Jake Long, QB Chad Henne, WR Mario Manningham, and OL Adam Kraus. Noticeably missing from the first team this year was Mike Hart who finished 5th in last year's Heisman Trophy voting. This year Hart was relegated to second team All-Big 10 status due to the fact he missed so much time as a result of injury. Nevertheless, Hart was recently named a Doak Walker Award finalist which is presented annually to the nation's top running back. Go Blue!

*Note: Photo of Jake Long (77) from MGoBlue.com.

Coach Carr's Retirement Press Conference

This morning, Coach Lloyd Carr officially announced his retirement which will take effect following the bowl game. Coach Carr's statements at his press conference can be found here. Also, for historical information, here is Coach Carr's biography from the Media Guide (.pdf). Go Blue!

*Note: Photo of Coach Carr getting a "Gatorade Shower" at conclusion of 9-18-06 game vs. Notre Dame by Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press

History of Michigan Coaching Searches

With the impending announcement by Coach Carr that he plans to retire after the Wolverines' bowl game, speculation is running rampant about who will be hired as Michigan's next Head Football Coach. Coach Carr would like to see his successor come from inside the program (such as Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord) while others would like to see a hire from outside but still with Michigan connections (i.e., LSU coach Les Miles- a former player and assistant coach under Bo). As always, history can be a guide to the future. With that in mind, here is a look back at the history of the searches for Michigan's Head Football Coach since 1968.

In 1968, Michigan's Head Football Coach was Chalmers "Bump" Elliott. Bump was a former All-American player for the Wolverines under Coach Fritz Crisler and a former Michigan assistant coach under Coach Bennie Ooseterbaan. In 1968, Bump was in his 10th season season at the helm and the Wolverines were 8-1 and ranked #4 in the nation heading into the final game of the season at #2 Ohio State. OSU Coach Woody Hayes had the Buckeyes pour it on and OSU trounced Michigan by the score of 50-14. Although the Wolverines finished the season 8-2 and ranked #12 in the AP poll, Michigan's new AD Don Canham felt it was time for a change. He decided to "promote" Bump to Associate Athletic Director and hire a new Head Football Coach. AD Canham did this despite the fact that Bump had enjoyed some success as Coach of the Wolverines. During Bump's tenure, the Wolverines won the Big Ten title in 1964 and won the Rose Bowl game that season (Jan. 1, 1965). Furthermore, the Wolverines (despite the blowout loss to OSU) had finished the 1968 season ranked #12 in the nation in the AP poll and #15 in the UPI poll. Nevertheless, AD Canham wanted to make a change as he wanted to remain competitive with the rival school to the south (i.e., Ohio State).

It did not take long for AD Don Canham to take action. (It never did). Michigan's humiliating 50-14 loss to Ohio State occurred on November 23, 1968. By December, AD Canham had offered Michigan's head coaching position to a 39-year old rising star in the field- Bo Schembechler. Coach Schembechler was the Head Coach at Miami (Ohio) University where he compiled a 40-17-3 record during the previous six (6) seasons. Bo drove up to Ann Arbor to meet with AD Don Canham and accepted the Michigan Head Coaching position on December 27, 1968. Legend has it that the deal was sealed with nothing more than a handshake.

AD Don Canham wanted Coach Schembechler to keep Michigan Men on his coaching staff. However, Bo was insistent that he was going to bring in his own people. In later years, Asst. Coach Jerry Hanlon would refer to this group as the "Miami Mafia". Bo brought six assistants from Miami University: Jerry Hanlon, Gary Moeller, Jim Young, Chuck Stobart, Dick Hunter and Larry Smith. Coach Schembechler did retain George Mans and Frank Maloney from the previous year's staff. As legend has it, in late-January of 1968, AD Don Canham invited the six assistant coaches from Miami to Colonial Lanes for a drink. (1) Colonial Lanes has a tavern called the Pin Room where Canham allegedly liked to conduct business. On this day, Canham informed the six assistants matter-of-factly that he had not wanted to hire them but Bo had forced his hand and that they would be fired immediately if they did not win. The rest, of course, is history.

The next coaching change was smooth because Bo was in a position to control all aspects of it. At the time he decided to step down he was serving in the dual capacity of Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. That meant he got to handpick his successor. His choice was his longtime protegee and friend Gary Moeller. Moeller had played for Bo at Ohio State back when Bo was an assistant coach there under Woody Hayes. Later, Moeller served as an assistant under Bo at Miami University and served as Bo's Offensive and Defensive Coordinator over the years at Michigan. Moeller had been on the Michigan staff with Bo for the entire time Bo was Head Coach at Michigan except for the three years (1977-1979) that Moeller was the Head Coach at the University of Illinois. Moeller was the perfect choice to succeed Bo. Bo wanted a seamless transition where the only person leaving the program would be himself. In fact, the assistant coaching staff stayed almost entirely intact for the transition.

Moeller coached the Wolverines for five (5) years and probably could have gone on for as long as he wanted were it not for an unfortunate incident at a restaurant. As a result, Moeller ended up on the cover of Sports Illustrated and he ultimately tendered his resignation. His tenure (1990-1994) had been quite successful as the Wolverines won four bowl games in his five seasons at the helm. As a consequence of his sudden departure, the Wolverines were suddenly in need of a new Head Coach. Michigan elevated Defensive Coordinator Lloyd Carr on an interim basis on May 16, 1995.

Coach Carr had been on the Michigan coaching staff since 1980 when he joined the team to coach the defensive backs. Some people did not want him to get the permanent job as they preferred that Michigan conduct a national search following the 1995 season. However, on November 13, 1995 (with the Wolverines at 8-2 and ranked #12 in the nation with 2 regular season games and a bowl remaining) A.D. Joe Roberson removed the interim from Lloyd's title and named Coach Carr as the 17th Head Football Coach in Michigan history.

Coach Carr led the Wolverines to a National Championship in 1997 and to a bowl game in each of his thirteen seasons as Head Coach including this year. Coach Carr, however, has come under criticism in recent years as his teams are 1-6 against OSU in the last seven games (with four consecutive losses) and are 1-5 in their last six (6) bowl games with four consecutive losses. It has been widely publicized that Coach Carr's contract calls for him to "move up" to an Associate Athletic Director position upon his retirement from coaching. Much like when Bump Elliott was moved by Canham into the administrative ranks because Michigan was no longer competetive with OSU, some critics (not me) would like to see Carr move into the Associate A.D. position and vacate the head coaching job to make way for a more innovative coach who can challenge Jim Tressel and the OSU Buckeyes.

The question is whether Michigan should look outside to a young up-and-coming coach (as it did with a 39-year old Bo Schembechler in 1969) or should it stay inside with the hire as it has done the past two times. I believe that it may be time to allow someone to come in from the outside (like Brian Kelly of Univ. of Cinc.) to reinvigorate the program like Bo did in 1969 even if it means he brings in his own people like Bo did at that time. Go Blue!

(1) Tales from Michigan Stadium, p. 172-173, by Jim Brandstatter, published by Sports Publishing L.L.C. in 2002.

*Note: Photo of Press Conference in 1969 announcing Bo Shembechler as new Michigan Head Football Coach with Coach Schembechler (left), Don Canham (center), and Bump Elliott (right) from Bentley Historical Library, U-M.

*Note 2: Sports Illustrated cover of May 15, 1995 with photos of Bobby Cox (AP), Gary Moeller (Jonathan Daniel/Allsport), Dennis Erickson (AP).

News Conference set for 10:00 a.m. Monday

A news conference has been scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at which it is widely believed that Coach Carr will discuss his future as Michigan's Head Football Coach. It is conventional wisdom, of course, that Coach Carr will officially announce his retirement at that time. Such an announcement would end months of speculation on that topic. However, it will only fuel speculation on Michigan fans other favorite topic: Who will be Michigan's next Head Coach? It will be interesting to see Monday if any hints are given as to what the future may hold in that regard. As for Coach Carr, it would have been nice if he could have gone out on top (assuming of course he is retiring) rather than a hail of criticism. I would like to see him coach another year but that seems unlikely at this point. Go Blue!

UPDATE: It is now being reported as official that Coach Carr will announce his retirement tomorrow during the Monday press conference with the retirement to become effective after the bowl game.

*Note: Photo of Coach Carr from the 11/3/07 game vs. MSU by DAVID GURALNICK/The Detroit News

First down? What's that?

Michigan's offense (and I use that term loosely) only managed eight (8) first downs during the entire game versus the Buckeyes. Michigan obtained 3 first downs rushing, 3 first downs passing and 2 first downs on penalties. Five of Michigan's eight first downs came in the first half of the game. Of Michigan's paltry second half total of three (3) first downs, two came on penalties on Ohio State. The other second half first down came on a six yard run by Mike Hart on a third and two play in the third quarter.

Michigan's offense went "three and out" on five of seven offensive possessions in the first half. Things only got worse in the second half as the offense went "three and out" on six possessions and "four and out" on one possession. Only once in the second half did an offensive series last longer than four plays and that was on a seven play "drive" that ended up covering a whopping fifteen yards and consuming 3:07 on the clock. That "drive" also ended in a Zoltan Mesko punt. Michigan's offensive coordinator Mike DeBord could never find the right plays to jump start the team and the offense floundered all afternoon. The result was a devastating loss and a missed opportunity at the Rose Bowl. Go Blue!

#7 Ohio State 14 #23 Michigan 3

Michigan's Big Ten title and Rose Bowl game hopes were dashed by Ohio State in front of 111,941 fans today at The Big House. This is the second largest crowd in Michigan Stadium history. Following are the game recap, boxscore, play-by-play chart (.pdf), player participation chart, postgame notes, photos (from MGoBlue.com & The Detroit News), and quotes. Much analysis to follow when I'm done canceling with my travel agent my non-refundable Rose Bowl Game trip package. Go Blue!

In memoriam- Bo Schembechler (1929-2006)

As the winningest head coach in Michigan football history, Bo's teams won or tied an impressive 13 Big Ten titles during his 21 year tenure. (Photos of Bo's career). Under Schembechler's guidance, Michigan's 96-10-3 regular season record through the decade of the 1970s was the nation's best. He guided 17 teams to post-season bowl games (Ten Rose Bowls) and also 17 to top ten finishes in the final wire service polls (AP and/or UPI). In his 27 years of coaching, Schembechler's teams never had a losing season. Upon stepping down after the 1989 season, Bo retired as the winningest active coach in the nation (234-65-8) and fifth on the all-time list, only behind coaching legends Paul 'Bear' Bryant, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Glen 'Pop' Warner, and Woody Hayes. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Schembechler served as Michigan's Director of Athletics, 1988-1990.
After earning his diploma from Miami (Ohio) University in 1951, Schembechler received his master's degree from Ohio State in 1952 while serving as a graduate assistant coach. He continued his coaching career with brief stints as an assistant at Presbyterian College (1954), Bowling Green (1955) and Northwestern (1958) before spending five seasons as an assistant at Ohio State. In 1963, Schembechler was named head coach at Miami of Ohio, a position he held until taking over the Michigan program prior to the 1969 campaign. Go Blue!

*Note: Photo of Coach Schembechler conferring on the sidelines with QB Rick Leach (7) on the sidelines during the Purdue game in 1978 from the Bentley Historical Library, U-M.

2007 Michigan/Ohio State game program

This year's Michigan/Ohio State football game on November 17 marks the one-year anniversary of Bo Schembechler's passing. The program for tomorrow's game includes a special 40-page section honoring Bo Schembechler. Included will be reflections from some of those who knew him best: his wife, Cathy, son Shemy, former players, and peers.The game program will also include excerpts from "Bo's Lasting Lessons," the book Bo was in the midst of finishing with John U. Bacon at the time of his passing. Following the game, a limited quantity of the game programs will be available for purchase by mail for $15 each. Quantities are limited. Go Blue!

Thursday Pre-Game Speech

Under Coach Schembechler the pre-game speech was given on Thursday night before a game. According to Bo, that would give two nights for what he said to sink into the minds of the players. (1) Rather than give a fiery speech on Friday, Bo and his assistants would go room to room during bed check and pass out hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. (2) During Friday night bed check, Bo would talk to the players about anything BUT the game that was to be played the next day. He had already said what he had wanted to say during his pre-game speech of Thursday night.

Last season, Coach Carr had Coach Schembechler address the Wolverines during the traditional Thursday night pre-game speech before the Ohio State game. Bo did not focus on the chance for a national championship or the fact that the schools were ranked #1 and #2 in the nation entering the game. Rather, Coach Schembechler spoke to the team about his friend Tom Slade (1971 Michigan starting QB who had passed away a few days earlier) and what it meant to be a "Michigan Man." (3) Bo then, as we all know, passed away the next day- the day prior to the playing of the game.

Assuming he sticks to the traditional schedule, Coach Carr will be giving the Ohio State pre-game speech tonight. If the rumors of Coach Carr's impending retirement are true then this will be Coach Carr's final Ohio State game. Coach Carr's pre-game speech tonight will likely not be about "getting to the Rose Bowl" but will rather focus on how the team stayed together despite early adversity this season and that if they can play AS A TEAM on Saturday then good things will happen. At least that is what I imagine Coach Carr's pre-game speech will be like. If nothing else, I know the team will be motivated. Go Blue!

(1) Bo's Lasting Lessons, p. 224-226, by Bo Schembechler and John U. Bacon, published by Business Plus.

(2) Bo's Lasting Lessons, p. 214, by Bo Schembechler and John U. Bacon, published by Business Plus.

(3) Bo's Lasting Lessons, p. 299, by Bo Schembechler and John U. Bacon, published by Business Plus.

*Note: Photo of Coach Bo Schembechler from Bentley Historical Library, U-M.

Top Michigan Performances vs. OSU

Michigan's 2007 offense is loaded with experienced talent at the skill positions including QB Chad Henne (Sr.), RB Mike Hart (Sr.), WR Mario Manningham (Jr.) and WR Adrian Arrington (Sr./Jr.). One or more of these players will need to step up and have a big game Saturday versus Ohio State for the Wolverines to have a chance to beat the Buckeyes. Following is a look back at some of the big time performances that were delivered by Wolverine players in prior contests with the rival Buckeyes:

Rushing Yards

• 313, Tim Biakabutuka, 1995
• 210, Jamie Morris, 1986
• 165, Rob Lytle, 1976
• 164, Jim Pace, 1957
• 162, Ed Westfall, 1941
• 154, Chris Perry, 2003

Rushing Attempts

• 37, Tim Biakabutuka, 1995
• 31, Chris Perry, 2003
• 31, Anthony Thomas, 1999
• 31, Butch Woolfolk, 1980

Receiving Yards

• 172, Braylon Edwards, 2004
• 160, Marquise Walker, 2001
• 130, Braylon Edwards, 2003
• 118, Tai Streets, 1998

Receptions

• 15, Marquise Walker, 2001
• 12, Brad Myers, 1958
• 11, Braylon Edwards, 2004
• 10, Braylon Edwards, 2002

Passing Yards

• 375, Tom Brady, 1998
• 328, Chad Henne, 2004
• 303, Drew Henson, 2000
• 278, John Navarre, 2003
• 267, Chad Henne, 2006

Passing Completions

• 31, Tom Brady, 1998
• 27, Chad Henne, 2004
• 25, Chad Henne, 2005
• 24, Bob Ptacek, 1958
• 23, John Navarre, 2002

As a review of the above reveals, QB Chad Henne's name already appears multiple times on the list. Hopefully, he can turn in another big performance this Saturday. As for Hart, Manningham, and Arrington, they are each capable of turning in a big performance that will go down in the record books. Big players have to play their best in the big games and a game does not get any bigger than the one being played this Saturday. None of the aforementioned players has been part of a Michigan team that has defeated Ohio State. (ed. note: Michigan's last win over OSU was in 2003). That legacy of futility vs. OSU can change this Saturday if they rise to the occasion and perform. Go Blue!

ESPN Classic alert

There is nothing better to get you ready for this Saturday's game than watching classic Michigan Football. ESPN Classic is replaying some of Michigan's greatest games from years' past. Some of the games you might want to set the TiVo for:

• 1995 Ohio State at Michigan game (Thurs., 11/15/07 @ 2:00-4:00 p.m.)
• 1997 Ohio State at Michigan game ( Fri., 11/16/07 @ 1:00-3:00 p.m.)
• 2006 Michigan at Ohio State game (Fri., 11/16/07 @ 3:00-5:00 p.m.)

There are a couple of other games as well including this year's Appalachian State debacle and the 1994 Colorado game but I am not going to bother listing the broadcast times for obvious reasons. Go Blue!

30 year flashback- 1977: Michigan-14 Ohio State-6

QB Rick Leach led the Wolverines to a victory over the Buckeyes thirty (30) years ago in a classic game during the "Ten Year War." Go Blue!

Bo's Lasting Lessons

As part of the Ohio State Game week festivities, I attended the U of M Club of Downriver's Beat Ohio State Bust. The featured speaker was Author John U. Bacon who recently had the book he co-wrote with Coach Schembechler published. The book is titled "Bo's Lasting Lessons". Bacon was a dynamic speaker and the audience was entranced by his stories. He is also an excellent writer and the book is a great read. Here is an excerpt from the book. Below, in the next two posts, are YouTube clips of a speech that Bacon gave before the book was released. The clips typify the presentation I witnessed tonight although he was actually more polished in his presentation tonight than he was back at that time. That is probably because he has honed his "stump speech" on his book tour much like a presidential candidate on the barnstorming circuit. Regardless, if you miss Bo (his passing occurred just about one year ago) you will like the old stories that Bacon recounts in the YouTube clips below.

As for the book, here are some additional excerpts that were published by The Detroit News during Ohio State game week:

• Setting the tone
• Getting somewhere
• Seasons to forget
• Bo's greatest player
• A coach to the end

Go Blue!

John U. Bacon: Bo's Lasting Lessons (Part 1)

John U. Bacon: Bo's Lasting Lessons (Part 2)

Monday Press Conference- Week Twelve

It is Ohio State Game Week and Coach Carr gave his thoughts at the Monday Press Conference while speaking on behalf of the players were Adam Kraus, Jake Long, Will Johnson, Jamar Adams, and Brandent Englemon. To get ready for the Michigan/Ohio State game, you can read up on the historic rivalry and/or you can watch the new HBO documentary which debuts tomorrow. Also, you can learn all the facts about this year's matchup by reading the Michigan Game Notes (.pdf; 54 pages). To get a look at the game from a Buckeye perspective, check out the Ohio State Game Notes (.pdf; 51 pages). Also, Ann Arbor needs to be prepared because the ESPN Gameday crew is rolling into town this Saturday to broadcast from A2. Lastly, Brian of MGoBlog (the Dean of the "M" Blogosphere) is "reporting" that Coach Carr will announce his retirement next week. Go Blue!

Run for the Roses: Big Two, little nine

There is the best and then there is the rest. The two best teams in the Big 10 Conference (Michigan and Ohio State, in that order) will meet this Saturday in their annual season ending showdown to once again decide the Conference champion. Once upon a time, the Big 10 was dubbed the "Big Two and little eight." Although the Conference added a team (Penn State) in the '90's, not much else has changed. The right to represent the Big 10 at the Rose Bowl Game still seems to annually be decided by who wins the Michigan/Ohio State game. That is, of course, once again the case in 2007 as the winner of this Saturday's Michigan/Ohio State game will be crowned the outright Big 10 Conference Champion and will (presumably) earn a berth in the January 1, 2008 Rose Bowl Game. Go Blue!

*Note: Photo of M Coach Schembechler and OSU Coach Hayes greeting each other from M/OSU rivalry site. The classic photo was taken during "The Ten Year War" which lasted from 1969-1978.

Wisconsin 37 Michigan 21

Playing without Mike Hart and playing with only the very limited services of Chad Henne (2 series), Michigan dropped a "meaningless" game to the Badgers of Wisconsin by the score of 37-21. Following are the game recap, boxscore, play-by-play chart (.pdf), player participation chart, postgame notes, and photos. Now Michigan can focus on The Game and winning the Big Ten Championship outright for a trip to The Rose Bowl. Go Blue!

Quick outs

A couple of quick outs:

• Your welcome to UMTailgate.COM as Webmaster Frank linked to me for linking to him in recognition of the awesomeness of his tailgate. I may have inadvertently frightened him, however, with my depth of background knowledge re: his tailgate. What he doesn't know is that my wife works with one of his tailgaters.
• For a hilarious analysis of Chad Henne's NFL prospects read The Angry T.
• Erin Andrews will be the ESPN sideline reporter for this Saturday's Michigan/Wisconsin game. This is the first time Ms. Andrews will grace the Michigan sidelines this season. She also recently did an online interview with the blog One More Dying Quail which led to an online interview with Extra Mustard at SI.com.

Go Blue!

Monday Press Conference- Week Eleven

Coach Carr reviewed the MSU game and previewed the Wisconsin game at today's Monday Press Conference. Speaking on behalf of the players were Chris Graham, Tim Jamison, Greg Mathews, Mike Hart, Terrance Taylor, and Chad Henne. Michigan travels on the road this week to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Badgers. You can scout out the Badgers by reading the 2007 Wisconsin Football Media Guide (.pdf). You can also prep for this week's game by reading the Michigan Game Notes (.pdf). Go Blue!

*Note: Photo of Coach Carr from the 11/3/07 game vs. MSU by DAVID GURALNICK/The Detroit News

Clutch Defensive Stops

Defensive Coordinator Ron English's defense rose to the occasion in the 4th quarter against MSU when it made stops on the final two series that MSU possessed the ball. After Michigan had cut the lead to 24-21 with just under 7 minutes to go in the game, the Wolverines needed a stop to get the ball back. The Wolverines' D stepped up and forced the Spartans to go three and out which gave Michigan the ball back with plenty of time remaining. Once the Wolverines pulled ahead 28-24 with under 2:30 to play in the game, the Michigan defense held once again. Although it yielded some yardage and a couple of first downs, the defense stiffened when it sacked MSU QB Brian Hoyer to put the Spartans in bad down and distance. On third and 18, Cornerback Morgan Trent made a spectacular play on the ball to deny a completion. That forced the Spartans into a desperation fourth and 18 situation which the Spartans failed to convert. The defensive members were the unsung heroes of the team that contributed mightily to the victory. Go Blue!

*Note: Photo of Morgan Trent (14) by DAVID GURALNICK/The Detroit News

Chad Henne TD Pass to Marrio Manningham to Beat msu

The video of the super catch that will go do in this rivalry's history as one of the most clutch plays ever made. Go Blue!

Time to reset the clocks

I hope that Sparty remembered to reset their clocks after Saturday's game. Even though the Spartans focused on "beating Michigan", they still were not able to finish the game. The new attitude did not seem to pay any dividends. The Spartans still wilted late in the game and squandered a ten (10) point lead with 7:40 to go in the game. That makes this year's squad just like previous versions. All the TALK about a new attitude, is just that- talk. The Spartans could not perform when it counted. Michigan came through in the clutch and that is why Michigan won. It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!!! Go Blue!

Mario's Super Catch from all angles

Mario Mannigham's spectacular grab of QB Chad Henne's 31-yard touchdown pass will be recorded as one of the most clutch plays ever made in the 100 game history of the intrastate rivalry between the two schools. Manningham's fabulous catch was preserved for posterity from all angles as photographers from every part of the field snapped shots of Mario's leap into history. Go Blue!

*Note: Top photo by TODD McINTURF/The Detroit News

*Note 2: Middle photo by JOHN T. GREILICK/The Detroit News

*Note 3: Bottom photo by DALE G. YOUNG/The Detroit News

Michigan 28 Michigan State 24

Playing in the 100th game between the intrastate rivals, Michigan dramatically came from behind to defeat the Spartans 28-24 before a packed house of 77,009 at Spartan Stadium. Following is the game recap, boxscore, player participation chart, postgame notes, and photos. Much analysis to follow when I'm done resetting my clocks. (Sparty, you better reset that countdown clock as well.) Go Blue!