Michigan 29 Minnesota 26
A wall.
Michigan had their hands on it all game, and it kept slipping through their fingers. Peppers dropped a pick-six after jumping a WR screen. Dymonte Thomas and Jarrod Wilson both dropped interceptions they had two hands on (Dymonte’s was then caught by a Gopher). Jourdan Lewis and Jeremy Clark probably could have grabbed a pair of Leidner ducks they played with Connor Cook-level respect. Thomas also let a perfect Blake O’Neill punt bounce through his hands for a touchback. Each time the Gophers capitalized.
For its part, Minnesota held on like men who don’t know what they’d do with their lives if they couldn’t run around in goofy armor for a chance to win some painted old pottery. On 4th and 5 on Minnesota’s last drive, K.J. Maye had one inch to catch a slant against perhaps the best cornerback in the country, and didn’t drop it. Neither did his receiver mate Drew Wolitarsky, who on the ensuing 2nd down beat Channing Stribling with a double move and hauled in a pass at the 1 inch line.
With the clock running Mitch Leidner moved his pieces around to set up a winning TD, but the Michigan defense chased him out of his pocket. That left 2 seconds for either a field goal attempt to force overtime, or a play to win. An average team against an average defense should get that QB sneak 9 times out of 10. But Minnesota was no average offense; they had a true freshman at center and other replacements all around him. And Michigan was no average defense. For one, Ryan Glasgow was the guy right over the ball. For two, D.J. Durkin was making the calls.
Harbaugh says Durking called the QB sneak, team rolled the dice and built a wall.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) November 1, 2015
Glasgow won the battle he’d won all game, the rest of Michigan’s goal line defense closed around him, and together they grasped the life out the old rival. For that they get to hold the Jug again.
While the Minnesotasphere will spend the next week replaying final scenarios (and the choice to play for a field goal at the end of the first half), Michigan fans will try to unpack all of the misfortunes and misplays that almost made the Little Brown Jug miss the flight home from its year abroad.
So much about Michigan has changed since then that it’s hard to remember this is still a team put together by Brady Hoke and held together by Harbaugh’s ingenuity. You can’t blame the old coach for everything, but Michigan’s recent history was all over this game.
Those weren’t all bad things. The interior defensive line was its magnificent self. Jourdan Lewis was. Chesson dropped one earlier but held onto his horizontal touchdown, and Darboh’s hands made sure it was 3 points, not 1, that Minnesota needed from our 1.
Hoke also left Jabrill Peppers, who, finally, was the answer one too many of Michigan’s questions. Need an athletic nickel to neutralize the spread? Peppers. Need a strong safety? Peppers. Cornerback. Kick returner. Punt returner. Running back. Slot receiver. Quarterback?
So yeah, this week we’re going to talk about the Morris-or-bust plan, because early in the third quarter Jake Rudock went to slide, and a defender tried to separate his head from his shoulders. It was the third time (the second was earlier in this game) this season he was clearly targeted with no call.
With Michigan down 23-21 at this point Harbaugh inserted Wilton Speight, whose play was about what you expect out of Wilton Speight. He did finally get his feet under him on the final drive, with his last two passes of the game the touchdown to Chesson and the two-point conversion to Darboh. Let that be the final word on wither Shane Morris.
(Rudock was on the sideline trying to throw after being examined and just about everyone noted Michigan informed the press it was a shoulder injury rather than, you know, making it a thing.)
Desmond Morgan did not have a good game, giving up a long run when he got out of his lane, getting caught too far inside on a long wheel route, letting Brandon Lingen sneak behind him for a long pass at the beginning of the 4th quarter, and letting Rodney Smith shuck him to give up a crucial 3rd and 17.
That and the dodgy score and the Halloween candy had Michigan perilously close to vomiting up a Hoke game in 2015. But they ultimately held it down, and the feeling will pass with time.
November 1st, 2015 at 1:12 AM ^
After the Oregon State game, Harbaugh said that Morris was the backup QB but that it would be disrespectful to put him out there (burning his redshirt) in a game that had been decided. Seth alludes to it toward the end of the post, but either Harbaugh was lying or Speight has won the job. And, considering that Wilton Speight has now had one successful 40-yard drive in his football career, I expect it to be Morris who transfers at the end of the season (or who finishes his degree at Michigan while taking garbage time snaps, if he so chooses).
So, I wanted to give kudos to Coach Harbaugh for preserving Shane's eligibility, even knowing that said extra year probably won't be at Michigan and could even be against Michigan. Playing this season is not in Shane Morris's best interest, and it's clear after tonight that Harbaugh is only keeping him on the travel roster in case of injuries to both Rudock and Speight. I like having a coach with character.
November 1st, 2015 at 1:43 AM ^
I think there's both very little chance Shane is ever Michigan's starting QB and that we ever have to face him.
He will likely transfer to a lower division school that doesn't require him to sit another year. So unless we've got Grand Valley or Eastern Illinois on our schedule we're probably safe.
November 1st, 2015 at 1:27 AM ^
That's possible too, of course, but I'm sure he thinks he can still compete at the I-A level, and a school might give him a chance given that he'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
November 1st, 2015 at 9:06 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^
If he transfers to a FBS school, he will have to sit out another year, and will therefore have only 1 year of eligibility remaining. In order to keep 2 years, he would have to transfer down.
In other words...if he transfers to a FBS school,
2013 - play (true Freshman)
2014 - play (true Sophomore)
2015 - sit (redshirt season)
2016 - sit (transfer season)
2017 - play (5th year Senior)
November 1st, 2015 at 1:34 AM ^
That's not to say Morris would've otherwise played, or that Wilton Speight wasn't the clearcut #2 QB.
But to assume Shane is so far down the totem pole, to the point that it's a seemingly foregone conclusion he'll transfer after this season or next, is unjustified.
November 1st, 2015 at 3:16 AM ^
Harbaugh would be willing to blow this or any other game just to preserve Shane's redshirt.
I think Shane is close to Speight for #2 at best.
November 1st, 2015 at 4:55 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 7:38 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 8:31 AM ^
Paragraphs?
November 1st, 2015 at 10:01 AM ^
If Rudock is a no-go then I bet we see a real competition for the spot this week.
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November 1st, 2015 at 1:17 AM ^
This was not the same Gophers. Coach Kill just had to retire out of nowhere. The Gophers wanted this game. They played their hearts out. Our team played flat but to say it wasn't a tough hard fought game (and some of the flat play due to the good play and luck of the Gophers) would not be true. We were very lucky to be able to have a shot at the end of the game. That goal line stand was just awesome. Bottom line I think many of us would say ... Miracle loss ...... Miracle win ... back to back. I am glad luck was on our side tonight.
It was an important win and the team we played tonight was no cream puff. They wanted that win very very badly.
Next ..... glad that one is over !
November 1st, 2015 at 8:10 AM ^
I get what you're saying but I think the boys pulled it out despite NOT having luck on our side. I counted 3 potential INT's that passed right through our hands and then Jake gets knocked out without a targeting call.
We overcame major adversity in this game.
November 1st, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
I totally agree. I meant we got some luck at the very end with the last 16 seconds or so with all the odd play calling at the end and them not kicking to tie it and such. I felt it (luck) swung a little our way finally after they had a lot of luck (with what you said) all game.
It's just a big .. sheeeeeeeew..... ahhh we won type of thing. =)
November 1st, 2015 at 1:18 AM ^
I mean, seriously, what the fucking fuck.
Fucking patty cake that does nothing IS targeting, try to separate our quarterback's head from his shoulders, NOT targeting.
I just want to focus on we get the jug and forget everything else that could have gone wrong there but didn't, but this targeting madness, what the hell.
November 1st, 2015 at 6:33 AM ^
That sure looked like targeting and the vicious variety. Shame on Blackledge and Nessler for not even mentioning it. After his helmet was launched I kept looking for the flag. That rule is far too subjective sometimes and also far too literal at others. They need to eliminate it as they just cannot get it right and the penalty is just too harsh with the ejection.
November 1st, 2015 at 8:01 AM ^
When I first saw it, I thought the first guy came in helmet first but Eudock wasn't down and didn't get hit high hit enough. Second guy didn't come in helmet first but Rudock seemed defenseless by then.
Operable part to me is that the rule says that "when in question, it is a foul."
I didn't think it a violation until I actually read the rule. It's more a question of defenselessness and intent. You don't actually need to use the helmet.
http://www.afca.com/article/article.php?id=2342
November 1st, 2015 at 12:45 PM ^
Look at the replay. The second guy lowered his head to insure helmet-to-helmet contact. He easily could have (and had time) to make sure he had minimal contact with Rudock and, instead, attempted to decapitate him when he was clearly defenseless. The second he sees Rudock starting to slide, he has to be looking for a way to avoid any unnecessary contact.
Compare this to when the ref threw a flag when a leg of one of our players brushed (at most) the Minnesota QB. The flag was picked up, but at least someone thought that barely touching a QB by a player obviously trying to avoid contact might be enough to justify a penalty.
November 1st, 2015 at 1:18 AM ^
GO 3.
November 1st, 2015 at 1:44 AM ^
With Michigan down 23-21 at this point Harbaugh inserted Wilton Speight, whose play was about what you expect out of Wilton Speight.Is this a joke? Speight won the game. He was 3-3 for 30 yards and a touchdown with under 5 minutes to go on the road in his first real action of his career. Then he added a nails 2PT conversion that allowed us to stuff Minnesota at the goal line instead of lose on a chip shot field goal. Speight killed it tonight.
November 1st, 2015 at 1:00 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 1:54 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 7:51 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 9:41 AM ^
"remember a time in recent history when an M backup [QB] did that." You and the rest of us remember Russell Bellomy and Shane Morris entering a game and pitching INCs and INTs and M ending up on the short end of the score. Neither you nor the rest of us remember a coaching staff evaluating and developing QB talent to the point that a backup QB could enter a game and still win it.
I'm probably still basking in the afterglow, but 'ol Wilton's rifle-shot TD pass to Jehu was about as good a throw as any Jake made all evening. And Wilton's presence of mind to flip to ball to an open Amara for the 2-pointer was a great play as well. Even if Jake isn't ready to go this Saturday, M should still be in pretty good hands. I mean, Jake's 13-21-1 for 140 yards and 1 TD isn't all that high a bar. I'd still like to see Jake start, but if he doesn't it's not the end of the world.
And by the way, barring absolute catastrophe, does anyone else agree that Shane Morris might have already played his last down for Michigan?
November 1st, 2015 at 8:45 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^
I think we're too shell shocked by the last couple years to remember what competent backup QB play is supposed to look like.
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November 1st, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 1:02 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 1:53 AM ^
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November 1st, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^
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November 1st, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^
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November 1st, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 1:11 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 1:46 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 1:49 AM ^
You're not wrong, but you're also not doing yourself any favors after the "refs are the reason Michigan lost to MSU" post either. I feel for you, because you open yourself up to criticism when you tell the truth like this... Just be thankful you're expressing the truth to a widely Michigan-oriented audience.
November 1st, 2015 at 1:20 AM ^
Just before he starts to slide, the outside defender who was coming in at his waist shifts down and hits with his helmet on Jake's left upper arm. That shoves his head right in to the helmet/neck of the inside defender (#99), who is running with his head up.
Bolden got ejected for less than that, but I wouldn't have called targeting on either of these hits. (The helmet to the chin strike is a different story.)
November 1st, 2015 at 6:24 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 8:08 AM ^
I didn't appreciate the congratulatory low five from the two defensive players while they looked down at an injured and helmetless Rudock.
November 1st, 2015 at 8:54 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 9:27 AM ^
Between that and the Cockran hit from last year, I have no lingering sympathies for them not winning one for Jerry the week that Flip Saunders died.
November 1st, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 10:56 PM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
There's nothing about this that looks like targetting.
November 1st, 2015 at 3:10 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 3:19 AM ^
Bottom line is that we played poorly and missed out on most of the 50/50 situations... but found a way to win. To some extent, yes it does matter *how* you found a way to win as this certainly wasn't pretty. But even more important is that you do find a way. These are 18-22 year old kids and they're not going to be a well-oiled death machine every week. Every team gets outplayed by a generally worse opponent at least once per season. But again, we found a way to win that we wouldn't have managed with the previous coaching staff is games against non-Northwestern opponents.
November 1st, 2015 at 4:44 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 6:01 AM ^
Your list of near picks is missing the one I thought was complete: Peppers pick 6 that wasnt.
Its incredible to me that UM played with so many errors and just plain bad luck, while the Gophers were nearly error free while catching every break, yet not only did Michigan win, but stayed in the game throughout.
November 1st, 2015 at 7:39 AM ^
November 1st, 2015 at 9:35 AM ^
On Peppers near pick six in the second half it looked like the receiver got just enough of the ball to break it loose. That being said, it was a great read and great explosion to get into position to do that.
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