Michigan 35, Oregon State 7
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The English language often comes up short in describing certain difficult-to-describe feelings. To capture the collective sentiment of Michigan fans after this game, I need to reference a story about bat flips in Korea:
You probably didn't know the term shiwonhada, but you knew the feeling this afternoon, whether it came over you after the wild sequence to end the first half or when Michigan imposed their will on Oregon State in the second. Every successful De'Veon Smith power run went down easy; every three-and-out met with a content "ahhhhhh."
Early on, another adopted word came to mind: schadenfreude, as rival fans watched with glee while Oregon State ripped off 136 first-quarter yards and Michigan couldn't get much going.
Then the offensive line started ripping open holes the likes of which Michigan hasn't seen against a Power 5 opponent in years. De'Veon Smith hit those holes and then hit the back seven even harder, finishing with a punishing 126 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries while establishing himself as this team's lead back. The passing game barely needed to exist.
Asked about his thoughts during the game, Smith said, "I want the ball more. Give me the ball more." He got stronger as the game went on, as did the offensive line. While Oregon State's defensive front isn't as good as Utah's, there's no question the team got better this week, and it was most apparent in the run game.
Eric Upchurch/MGoBlog
Or, possibly, the defense, which ceded two—two!—yards in the final three quarters.
"The mindset is score points on offense, stop them on defense," said Chris Wormley, who looked unblockable on his way to three TFLs and a sack. Wormley and Co. held up their end of that simple bargain. After having trouble with dual-threat freshman Seth Collins in the first quarter, they adjusted and dominated, generating constant pressure and eventually forcing an ill-fated switch to backup QB Marcus McMaryion, who could do no better.
To add to the good feelings, the game turned on a special teams play—in favor of Michigan. The Wolverines looked all set to take a 10-7 lead into the locker room when the Beavers appeared to pin them on their own two-yard line with 1:29 left in the half; Michigan was down to a lone timeout after burning one before the play to prevent an illegal substition penalty. The officials flagged OSU for an illegal formation, however, and on the re-kick the snap cleared the punter's head and bounced all the way down to OSU's three—a 95-yard flip in field position.
Three plays later, Smith rumbled off tackle to the right, and Michigan went into the locker room up 17-7. OSU's second-half drives went for four, three, three, three, and three plays, all ending in punts. Michigan's final drive of consequence nearly matched OSU's entire second-half play count, covering 73 yards in 14 plays—all but one of them runs, culminating in a two-yard score for Derrick Green.
The concerns after this game are minor. Jake Rudock didn't have a great outing, losing a fumble when the line didn't adjust to an overload blitz and a rusher came free and throwing a pick when he stared down Jake Butt, but he was otherwise steady and had a couple potential big plays taken away by either missed calls or poor adjustments by the receivers. Jourdan Lewis left the game with an apparent head injury following a hard fall after a great pass breakup and spent the second half in street clothes. While any long-term absence for him would be hard to handle, Michigan should be able to deal if he can't go against UNLV next weekend.
"I'm glad we won the football game. The happiest thing would be that," said Jim Harbaugh after his triumphant debut coaching at Michigan Stadium.
With Harbaugh stalking the sideline in front of a packed Big House, the maize on the home jerseys back to maize, running backs powering through downfield tackles, and the defense ruthlessly battering their opponent into submission, it was impossible to take in this game and not feel that—for the moment, at least—all is well, and the future is bright.
Shiwonhada. I can get used to this.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^
I think that and the progress by Smith just speaks to how good of a coaching staff we have. They weren't flawless by any means, but they played much better.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:25 PM ^
They played a lot better. Braden is too tall for guard or has to play lower....he made improvement today.
I will be honest though...his big time pancake was against a safety. And on the big run...he tripped and just fell in front of the defender.
But still, IMPROVEMENT. We'll take it.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:54 PM ^
Yeah, that was hilarious... as was their collective inability to understand what was FBS vs. FCS, advent of an FBS playoff notwithstanding.... Ugh...
September 12th, 2015 at 5:18 PM ^
Although I got a little nervous when we went for it on 4th down and the crowd was cheering as if we scored a TD. Harbaugh was frantically trying to quiet them down.
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September 12th, 2015 at 5:27 PM ^
And the stadium was FULL at kickoff...that was the first thing I noticed. I always look at the top 10 rows of the student section. If they're full, everything else is full.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:34 PM ^
It's the first home game of the Harbaugh era, the first victory and the first time they won a game the way they should in a long time. I realize traffic and all but stay and support Harbaugh and the team.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:52 PM ^
We didn't want to leave. Watching the players run over to the student section in celebration was so nice to see again.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:22 PM ^
Most helmet stickers... (my top performers of the game)
- Chris Wormley
- De'Veon Smith
- Willie Henry
Just mailing labels... (not their best outing)
- Graham Glasgow
- Channing Stribling
- Grant Perry
Block M-oments... (top moments)
- Aneurysm of Leadership
- De'Veon going BEAST MODE
- Peppers going grim reaper
September 12th, 2015 at 5:38 PM ^
And pink slips to all the REFS
September 12th, 2015 at 5:40 PM ^
WTF is this - Braden with ALL OF THE STICKErs.
-Chris S.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:29 PM ^
What was the last time you saw a Michigan team run the ball successfully when the other team knew they were running? Refreshing.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:41 PM ^
Yeah, that's what jumped out at me. It's one thing to beat a team with a balanced offense, but very rarely have I seen us just run over ANYBODY like that.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:37 PM ^
September 12th, 2015 at 5:41 PM ^
Oregon State scored first, then Michigan reeled off 34 straight unanswered points to win the game 34-7 (oops on an extra point). Just an interesting coincidence....
September 12th, 2015 at 5:42 PM ^
I see the daily competition coming through in both of these games. These kids run through every play to the whistle. Great game, without that first drive I think OSU had 60 yards total after that. Go Blue!
September 12th, 2015 at 5:44 PM ^
I started thinking at the beginning of the 4th quarter that this may be the best staff top to bottom in college football. The improvement in development from last season, the progression from last week and today's adjustments from kick off to the final play. Top shelf.
September 12th, 2015 at 8:13 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 5:46 PM ^
Beyond the play on the field, the stadium experience was night and day. There wasn't a single advertisement on the video boards that was trying to get us to have our weddings at the Big House or download an app or join the Victors Club or some such. We were asked to go to the field hockey and volleyball games, that's it.
The pregame hype video was spectacular, I need to find it online. Chills.
Sponsors were much harder to find. Pom poms were unbranded. There wasn't even an ABC Sports banner hanging on the wall that I could see.
The band now has a hype video. They played a heck of a lot more between snaps and series. Even the volume on the scoreboard speakers was down pretty significantly -- which was an issue because it was hard (at least where I sit under the press box) to hear the referee's penalty calls.
At halftime, the "This is no longer Dave Brandon's Michigan Experience" vibe lost all pretense at subtlety when the band started spelling out things like "TRADITION" and "YOST."
It was the least monetized I've felt at a Michigan game in many years. Then they started running the ball up the middle out of an I formation and holding the opponent to 1/11 on third downs.
It was glorious.
September 12th, 2015 at 6:02 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 6:03 PM ^
Thank you for this information. Would you consider starting a new thread on this for those who attended the game? I really appreciate this information and would have loved to be at the game.
September 12th, 2015 at 6:29 PM ^
September 13th, 2015 at 2:42 AM ^
Noted and duly appreciated the reduction of advertising, but didn't notice much of a drop-off on RAWK. We were treated to Whitesnake and Quiet Riot, but no Journey, which I've come to associate very strongly with my Big House experience. Seriously, Quiet Riot?
All that said, the "environment" benefits most when Michigan is winning. That kinda game environment I could get used to. Again.
September 13th, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^
It was the least monetized I've felt at a Michigan game in many years.
That you would make an insightful statement like that, and that we all would know what it means and how much of a good thing it is . . . is a little bit scary.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:47 PM ^
I scared my cat with my hootin' and hollerin' at the TV.
In other words, a good game!
September 12th, 2015 at 5:49 PM ^
So did you start writing this 10 days ago when you learn-ed a new word? Cool.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:55 PM ^
There seemed a real lack of panic, regarding both coaches and players. A real change from recent years. When things started off badly, our guys kept their composure. Great win!
September 12th, 2015 at 5:57 PM ^
No muppets for Harbaugh's first win?
September 13th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
No Muppets for beating Oregon State at home.
This is work.
September 12th, 2015 at 5:57 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 5:57 PM ^
Nice article Ace. Feels good.
September 12th, 2015 at 7:31 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 6:18 PM ^
Was I just not paying attention, or did Desmond Morgan not play in the first half?
I said to the wife more than once in the first half that I did not see him.
September 12th, 2015 at 6:25 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 6:22 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 6:31 PM ^
September 12th, 2015 at 6:59 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 6:32 PM ^
September 12th, 2015 at 8:11 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 6:34 PM ^
While I don't know with regard to the O line, I'd say there were some genuinely good moments that bode well, even on offense. The two-point conversion, for example. Very fine QB play on that one.
Michigan was supposed to dominate, and it did. Enjoy the feeling.
September 12th, 2015 at 10:48 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 11:11 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 11:12 PM ^
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September 13th, 2015 at 12:15 AM ^
You also ignore several missed calls that Oregon State benefitted from.
Yes, the botched punt was helpful. Even Harbaugh said that it was a fortunate play. But that play had no impact on UM outscoring Oregon State 18-0 in the 2nd half or UM holding Oregon State to 2 yards after the first quarter.
Your analysis is quite bad. It's as if you didn't watch the game.
September 12th, 2015 at 6:22 PM ^
September 12th, 2015 at 6:41 PM ^
September 12th, 2015 at 8:56 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 11:13 PM ^
September 12th, 2015 at 6:55 PM ^
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September 12th, 2015 at 7:04 PM ^
GO BLUE.
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