The Shaw Fumble
I think the Shaw Fumble was the play that lost the game for us. I'm sure it was discussed during the Live Chat, but I couldn't join, so here's my question:
WTF?
No seriously, why was Shaw in? Just when we were getting some momentum, that 14 point swing off his fumble killed us. Where was McGuffie?
I'm not pointing fingers or picking on 17 year old kids, I just dont understand why McGuffie wasn't the man on that series.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:12 PM ^
October 4th, 2008 at 9:34 PM ^
October 5th, 2008 at 12:10 AM ^
October 5th, 2008 at 3:53 PM ^
While the ref announced #49, it was clear from replay this penalty was really called on Obi.....and it was a penalty.....he had good coverage, the guy was not going to make the play, but Obi lost patience and got physical with the receiver coming over his back.
Patience, young Obi, Patience.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:56 PM ^
I agree that the Shaw fumble (along with the BS pass interference call) was a killer. As for why he was in, well, McGuffie really hadn't been having any success since the first quarter, and Shaw made a couple of nice runs just before the fumble. He was reponsible for a lot of that offensive momentum on that drive.
Anyway, I'm not sure that the fumble was all Shaw's fault. It looked like a botched handoff.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:00 PM ^
October 4th, 2008 at 9:36 PM ^
Threet held on to the ball too long or tried to take it out at the last minute.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:44 PM ^
October 4th, 2008 at 9:57 PM ^
October 5th, 2008 at 12:02 AM ^
October 5th, 2008 at 12:20 AM ^
there were obviously SOOOOOOOOOO many things that went wrong well before that play. We had given up 21 unanswered points when that happened. The "drive" in question was all of 26 yards and we were still in our own territory. That may be the point at which the win technically became out of reach, but in no way was it close to being the play that lost the game.
I think as fans we kind of lose perspective when moving from "we're still in this" mode to being suddenly jarred into "it's over" and the play that occurs at that point becomes bigger than it actually is.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:08 AM ^
They need to learn how to lose and handle it. We need them to just throw away the last play and focus on the now. The reason we came back against the Badgers was because we got fired up in the locker room. When a bad play happens they need someone on the sideline to fire the team up. Without captains we have no one leading the team. We need leaders.
Losing Hart, Henne, and Long was huge in skills and leadership. Someone needs to step up. Threet has to be on of them. He needs to slap people in the hudle to focus on the next play, the one that will take the first step towards the endzone.
Someone please remind the players we are the leaders and the best.
October 5th, 2008 at 9:03 AM ^
Holy shit. We got our asses kicked. In every phase of the game. So a single play did not "lose" shit for us. I'd pick one of their 7 plays for over 40 yards, personally.
Shaw fumbled - McGuffie had not exactly been effective, so RR tried someone else. Whatever.
As far as Thompson, he was literally tackling the guy before the ball got their. When the "flag" light didn't go up on the screen immediately, I was shocked. It was one of the most obviousl PI's possible - I have no problem with the ref to call it from 20 yards away, because you'd have to be blind not to see it.
October 5th, 2008 at 9:06 AM ^
And if you think this team's problem is lack of captains, you need to learn something beyond what Mitch Albom may write. This team's problems:
1. Running a spread offense without the proper personell to run a spread offense.
2. A completely green offensive line.
3. A completely green QB.
4. A completely green receiving corps, with the exception of Mathews.
5. A relatively green LB corps.
But yeah, the problem is a lack of elected captains. Or "leadership". We're playing a shitload of kids that haven't played D-I football.
October 5th, 2008 at 9:40 AM ^
October 5th, 2008 at 11:23 AM ^
Michigan just gave up way too many big plays. You can't expect that offense to keep up with Illinois. It's not going to happen. Give Illinois some credit. Juice Williams has really improved. He hardly ever makes mistakes and he is really really tough to tackle. What are you going to do???
Look on the bright side. Once Michigan has a real "Duel Threet" QB this is where they are headed.
October 5th, 2008 at 3:51 PM ^
While his blocking was 'meh' compared to Minor and Moundros yesterday, he did have plays of 6 and 7 yards in the two immediate plays prior to the fumble.
I dont know who to blame there, but RR sure did give Shaw an earful when coming off the field....it was hard to see on replay, but it looked like Shaw made no attempt to really close his hands around the ball and as the RB, he should always assume he is getting it......thats just by arm chair diagnosis, but RichRod's reaction to Shaw speaks volumes about who he puts that fumble on.
The play did not cost of the game.....be perhaps best described as the final dagger or so.