the just released schedules were a flat-out statement that the B10 doesn't believe SOS will matter in playoff selection
Clark, Toussaint Out For Alabama
Filed under:
![Fitzgerald Toussaint Purdue v Michigan D7mJDURiHBXl[1]](http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Clark-Toussaint-Out-For-Alabama_B0A4/FitzgeraldToussaintPurduevMichiganD7mJDURiHBXl1.jpg "Fitzgerald Toussaint Purdue v Michigan D7mJDURiHBXl[1]")
![UMFB_SugarBowl_FrankClark-thumb-590x391-99369[1]](http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Clark-Toussaint-Out-For-Alabama_B0A4/UMFB_SugarBowl_FrankClark-thumb-590x391-993691.jpg "UMFB_SugarBowl_FrankClark-thumb-590x391-99369[1]")
Release:
Statement from Head Coach Brady Hoke on running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and defensive end Frank Clark:
"Fitzgerald Toussaint and Frank Clark have been suspended for one game and will not make the trip to Dallas for Saturday's game.
"The decision was not easy, but I feel it is in the best interest of this program and for these kids, and those always will be my priorities. We have choices every day, and you have to be accountable to this program, your teammates, your family and the University of Michigan.
"These are our sons. These are real lives, and I think too often many people forget that. It's not always just about football, or a football decision. It's about teaching life lessons, and if this helps these kids or someone else make a right decision later, then we've won. That is ultimately what we are here for, to help them grow and mature to become better sons, fathers, husbands and members of society.
"They are good young men who made poor choices, and we will continue to support them as members of our team and family."
Both will be back for Air Force. Thomas Rawls, Vincent Smith, and Dennis Norfleet(!) will have to pick up the slack at RB, with some possibility Stephen Hopkins will also get RB snaps. Black and Beyer will likely handle DE with some possibility Mario Ojemudia gets in as a rush specialist.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:48 PM | 
This is why we can be
This is why we can be
August 31st, 2012 at 12:49 PM |
Definitely the right thing to
Definitely the right thing to
Definitely the right thing to do, but without any other running threat, I think 'Bama can shut down Denard and our offense.
If Frank Clark is convicted, one game seems light for something so premeditated.
"I just hope Tressel doesn't fire me"
-Gordon Gee
August 31st, 2012 at 10:10 PM |
Moderated you by mistake
Moderated you by mistake
If Clark is convicted he won't be playing football for quite a while. Clark's situation is very different because he has yet to appear in court. I would expect that he won't be playing until his legal issues are resolved.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:49 PM |
I imagine that everyone who
I imagine that everyone who
I imagine that everyone who thought Hoke was gamesmanshipping all summer about this was probably right. Hoke had probably planned to suspend both of them for a while but hoped to have Alabama prepare for them anyway
Rudy watches inspirational movies about Shawn Hunwick
August 31st, 2012 at 12:50 PM |
Integrity
Integrity
Integrity, thy name is Hoke. And that clattering sound you heard was the sound of a bunch of people wearing red and green (plus a few "journalists") who had to drop the stones they were so eager to throw.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:50 PM |
Alright, so now I'm waiting
Alright, so now I'm waiting
Alright, so now I'm waiting for the press conference when someone asks when he made the decision, to which he replies he made it a while ago. Then, Drew Sharp will snidely ask Hoke why he didn't announce it earlier, to which Hoke will respond "Because it's none of your damn buisness" and stare down Drew Sharp. Drew Sharp will then poop his pants and leave the press conference room crying. I really really want this last part to happen.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:53 PM |
I fully expect a Drew Sharp
I fully expect a Drew Sharp
I fully expect a Drew Sharp column tomorrow arguing that Hoke never should have suspended Fitz and doesn't have what it takes to win. Being on both sides of an issue (or wrong) has never been a problem to him. He found a niche as the local antagonist, and why people take him seriously - or even assume that he believes what he says - is a mystery to me.
August 31st, 2012 at 5:20 PM |
Don't forget the follow up
Don't forget the follow up
When\If Clark is booted from the team (the team, the team) that Michigan is dumping players in order to make room for new 4*+ recruits
August 31st, 2012 at 5:55 PM |
False.
False.
I don't think Sharp poops.
All of his waste emerges through his written words. Perish the thought!
--------------------------------------------
"I cannot think of a better person to guide our university's athletic strategy than the inventor of The Noid."
August 31st, 2012 at 12:50 PM |
I like this decision and I
I like this decision and I
I like this decision and I love that statement. We have the right guy coaching. Hell, even if you believe that this is a mistake because it could cost us this game, this is the type of thing that could win us games later on by making Michigan more attractive to recruits' parents, preventing future incidents, avoiding negative publicity, etc.
As a sidenote, I hope those MSU trolls who came to the "Fitz is on the depth chart" thread to say that we're no different from MSU return for this one. We are different from MSU.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:03 PM |
Yes, the decision was
Yes, the decision was
Yes, the decision was definitely the correct one, but the press release was a masterpiece. And from everything we know about Hoke and the Michigan program right now, those words are sincere, too.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:50 PM |
hoping for
hoping for
hoping for a wally pip moment, at least in some form.
certainly sad not to see Fitz, but 100% expected this - it's the Michigan way after all.
I am not really Coach Schiano. -Coach Schiano on Mgoblog
August 31st, 2012 at 12:50 PM |
Yea regardless of what I keep
Yea regardless of what I keep
Yea regardless of what I keep hearing about how we'll be ok with Rawls and company, Fitz is no doubt our best rb. Chances of winning will always go down when you take the best player at a position off the field. I understand and respect the decision though.
If I say a duck can pull a truck, shut up and hook the sucka up!
August 31st, 2012 at 12:51 PM |
Doing the Right Thing
Doing the Right Thing
...that's the MICHIGAN DIFFERENCE.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:52 PM |
OK
OK
I would have been OK with Fitz missing a series or two, but I'm happy to see Brady Hoke send a message here.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:52 PM |
We're
We're
F'd
Wolverines_Are_Better
August 31st, 2012 at 1:49 PM |
The wolverine is the largest
The wolverine is the largest
The wolverine is the largest and strongest member of the mustelid family, which also includes the badger. The badger knows its place in the hierarchy. It won't go against the boss.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:52 PM |
Let's be honest, a badger is
Let's be honest, a badger is
Let's be honest, a badger is a poor man's wolverine, starting with the fact that wolverines are typically about twice the size of badgers. Pound for pound, no land animal is more ferocious than a wolverine.
If he's referring to the football team, there shouldn't be anything to be confused about. Don't make it too easy for us to make the spartan - intelligence joke.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:16 PM |
You're both good posters. I
You're both good posters. I
You're both good posters. I vote for the two of you to avoid a petty, stupid internet fight.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:42 PM |
Using big words doesn't make
Using big words doesn't make
Using big words doesn't make you smart. It just makes you look arrogant, ironic as it is.
I think he means that we're better. We, as in the Michigan Wolverines. At football, but not just at football. Not to sound condescending, but is that clear enough?
Whether or not you agree with it is your prerogative, but that's different than being confused as to what it means.
August 31st, 2012 at 3:06 PM |
I used irony, mostly as a
I used irony, mostly as a
I used irony, mostly as a joke, because it's a Michigan grad calling an MSU grad arrogant. Like rain on your wedding day, basically.
You're making a bigger deal out of this than is necessary. If I was on an MSU board and someone had a signature that read "Spartans are the best" or "No one beats MSU" or "Knibb High Football Rules!" I wouldn't be all like, "what exactly do you mean by that?"
He thinks we're better. It subjective, and it's his opinion.
August 31st, 2012 at 3:17 PM |
Now you're just being a dick
Now you're just being a dick
Now you're just being a dick - way overboard. You're a fine poster when you aren't trying to pick fights, but sometimes (like now) you do. You know exactly what his sig means, you just want to argue about it. But it's not going to be with me anymore.
August 31st, 2012 at 4:11 PM |
Only because I can't stand not having the last word
Only because I can't stand not having the last word
The poster said "We're F'ed." He didn't say he wished Hoke would have done anything different. He was simply expressing his frustration, and that doesn't conflict with his post. He could be saying, "Because we're better (by taking the high road here), we're F'ed."
It seemed to me that you simply wanted to argue about whether or not M was better, by saying that his signature "confused you."
August 31st, 2012 at 3:52 PM |
Well damn
Well damn
I thought irony meant made entirely of iron.
Follow me on Twitter @gfraley05
August 31st, 2012 at 3:25 PM |
Not to get all technical on you.
Not to get all technical on you.
Pound for pound, no land animal is more ferocious than a wolverine.
Aw jeez, I'm going to go all technical on you. Many folks believe that, pound for pound (gram for gram), the most ferocious land mammal is the shrew.
The most ferocious land animal pound for pound (milligram for milligram)? Maybe red ants? Hornets? Some bitter angry insect probably gets this title.
But I fully agree with your overall point - wolverines are 100% pure Colombian bad ass, and a regular old badger would not stand a chance against them in the wild. I imagine a wild encounter would go down as such:
- Badger - "What's up, wolverine - Imma kick your ass if you walk by my den again!"
- Wolverine - "Are you talking to me /looks over each shoulder, then back at the badger / ain't no other mustelid around here! YOU TALKING TO ME?!
- Badger - Shucks no. I wasn't talking to you. Here, take my sandwich, and come by any time!"
Also, shrews and red ants are really crappy mascots!
- "Of course I care about that stuff. To the point of irrationality. It will always be Michigan first, cancer second." Jim Mandich (RIP)
August 31st, 2012 at 4:23 PM |
The most ferocious land animal (milligram for milligram)
The most ferocious land animal (milligram for milligram)
is probably the malaria mosquito.
August 31st, 2012 at 4:54 PM |
I grudgingly disagree re: malaria mosquitos.
I grudgingly disagree re: malaria mosquitos.
(+1 to you Don, by the way.)
As I think about it, malaria mosquitos may be the most lethal, but I don't think they're so ferocious. Mosquitos are kind of cowards the way they fly away at the slightest threat. They're like the Roberta Flack of insects (or Fugees, depending on generation) - they're Killing Me Softly when they're killing me.
I know on the mg for mg measure I'm probably not picking the right animal, but the red ant and the hornet are total hardasses. I think we can all agree that red ants, hornets, and mosquitos are absolute dickheads (never invite any of them to a party, btw - terrible guests), but the red ants and hornets are just looking for a fight, and don't have much quit in them when "it's on".
Also (and I recognize Don did not say otherwise), a malaria mosquito would make a terrible college football mascot.
In conclusion, tomorrow's game can't come soon enough!
- "Of course I care about that stuff. To the point of irrationality. It will always be Michigan first, cancer second." Jim Mandich (RIP)
August 31st, 2012 at 5:24 PM |
Wouldn't that be
Wouldn't that be
Air animal?
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
August 31st, 2012 at 5:24 PM |
+1
+1
For "mustelid."
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
August 31st, 2012 at 6:06 PM |
(No subject)
(No subject)
--------------------------------------------
"I cannot think of a better person to guide our university's athletic strategy than the inventor of The Noid."
August 31st, 2012 at 5:38 PM |
Bad Move - mentioning Badgers
Bad Move - mentioning Badgers
around a Sparty fan.
Their fluky win in the regular season vs. the Badgers like totally proved that they were way better than the Badgers despite the fluky loss in the title game.
PS - No BCS! = No Fair!
August 31st, 2012 at 2:11 PM |
http://www.wildanimalfightclu
http://www.wildanimalfightclu
August 31st, 2012 at 12:52 PM |
Interesting second to last
Interesting second to last
Interesting second to last paragraph there. While I completely agree with the sentiment it still comes off a bit "holier than thou" I think. It's very true and I like the way he treats the players and runs the program, but after I finished reading it I thought to myself, "Wow, did I just get reprimanded?!"
August 31st, 2012 at 12:52 PM |
No surprise, the question is
No surprise, the question is
if Rawls has a good-great game will Fitz get his starting spot back anytime soon?
If an OSU fan divorces his wife are they still brother and sister?
August 31st, 2012 at 1:10 PM |
Their running styles are
Their running styles are
Their running styles are completely different, I'd bet they would both get a decent amount of carries until one becomes the predominant standout, most likely being Fitz. But there is nothing wrong with having two quality backs, even if Al wants a feature back for the most part.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:53 PM |
Bitter pill. Right call. Go
Bitter pill. Right call. Go
Bitter pill. Right call. Go blue.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:53 PM |
Adversity
Adversity
Adversity = Heisman?
August 31st, 2012 at 12:54 PM |
This, gentlemen, is integrity.
This, gentlemen, is integrity.
Never be ashamed of doing what is right.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:54 PM |
Great call, Coach Hoke. So
Great call, Coach Hoke. So
Great call, Coach Hoke. So glad you did not cave in. It will be interesting to see how many carries Justice Hayes gets, since Rawls may be dinged up. Up to the O-line now. We can still win.
"Football is happening at Michigan... we have that savoir faire." Dhani Jones
August 31st, 2012 at 12:54 PM |
I love The Fort. People were
I love The Fort. People were
I love The Fort. People were clamoring that the depth chart was an indiication that they wouldn't be suspended.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:55 PM |
Damn
Damn
That just killed the mood. It was definitely the right thing to do but it's still tough going into this game without those guys. What's up with Justice Hayes? He never gets mentioned anymore and I thought he was a little bigger than Vince and Norfleet, seems less like a plodder than Rawls also.
“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” ― Bo Schembechler
August 31st, 2012 at 1:25 PM |
Justice Hayes
Justice Hayes
Yeah I'm with you on Justice Hayes. Borges has been saying that Rawls, Smith and Hayes have all been getting a good chunk of carries in practice. To me it sounds like Hayes should see at least some action tomorrow.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:56 PM |
Poor Sparty. Their dream that
Poor Sparty. Their dream that
Poor Sparty. Their dream that UM would be just like them and come down to their level was crushed by this news.
Funny thread. Worm turns on Page 8:
http://michiganstate.247sports.com/Board/93/Color-me-shocked-Fitz-starti...
August 31st, 2012 at 5:26 PM |
This is my favorite
This is my favorite
This is my favorite spin:
This is the type of shit that makes the Press detest a coach. You have to be a little more forthright with stuff like this. He's stringing everyone along, that stuff was acceptable in the 80s, but today you need to be a little more open with the public.
Tom Izzo is one of the best at this, he's learned just to come out and say what he's thinking, it keeps everyone happier, and it's the right thing to do.
So clearly all of you WALVERINES applauding Hoke for this are WRONG. He was so darn RUDE to the media. And being nice to the media is the true mark of a great coach
Rudy watches inspirational movies about Shawn Hunwick
August 31st, 2012 at 5:29 PM |
Because Izzo was so public
Because Izzo was so public
When his players were being investigated for rape....
But I only got as far as the guy who made fun of MGoBlog and admitted trolling the thread. Proudly. I'm guessing he's an App toll, though he might have been metricmsu.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
August 31st, 2012 at 12:57 PM |
We can haz Norfleet? Nice!
We can haz Norfleet? Nice!
We can haz Norfleet? Nice!
"If you shoot me, you're liable to lose a lot of those humanitarian awards."
August 31st, 2012 at 12:57 PM |
It's baffling to me that so
It's baffling to me that so
It's baffling to me that so many people here thought the long will-he-or-won't-he period signaled that Fitz was going to play. Never in a million years was Hoke going to say, at the last second, "to hell with suspensions -- they're playing!" That would have looked awful. The decision to suspend these guys was obviously made long ago. Hoke was just trying to game Bama.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:58 PM |
My thoughts exactly
My thoughts exactly
Hoke wanted Alabama to have to prepare for Fitz and Clark so he waited this long. You nailed it that he was gaming Bama. I'm actually happier that he waited so long to say that they were suspended because it forced Saban to prepare for many different players.
August 31st, 2012 at 6:54 PM |
I Would Argue
I Would Argue
that he was trying to keep Fitz and Clark motivated through Fall camp. You don't game plan much for a RB, you game plan for a offensive system or scheme.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:58 PM |
Nice having the moral
Nice having the moral
Nice having the moral highground in college football.
This is why we can be arrogant. =)