Minnesota 30, Michigan 14
Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog
“We’re not going to talk about injuries and I might as well bring that out now. And some of that is because you can say something about something and then you’re wrong. Everybody heals a little differently, and the other thing is for our kids. I want to make sure we’re doing a good job protecting them.” — Brady Hoke, 9/17/14
Regardless of how you felt about the on-field performance, what Brady Hoke did in putting an almost certainly concussed Shane Morris back on the field was reprehensible and, if you believe the first job of a head coach is to protect his own players, worthy of a firing. The fact that Hoke let Morris stay on the field as long as he did in the first place—when Morris, at one point, waved at the sideline while needing a lineman's support to stand—was awful enough; to ask Morris to re-enter that game was beyond the pale.
A national television audience just saw every reason why they shouldn't send their football players to Michigan.
An ornery crowd filtered in slowly, with the "attendance" of 102,926 such an obvious farce much of the crowd booed when it was announced. Booing, in fact, was a theme on the day. It started early, when a couple inside running plays netted little. When Minnesota entered the tunnel with a 10-7 halftime lead, the boos rained down again.
By the time Morris lost a third-quarter fumble when he simply dropped the ball in the pocket—the press box announcer flatly stated "fumble not forced by anyone on Minnesota," afterward—the student section had moved on from boos to chants of "Fire Brandon." For the uninitiated, that would be in reference to Dave Brandon, Michigan's embattled athletic director.
Fuller
The first half proved competitive, at least, if not at all interesting. Michigan punted on their first three drives, Minnesota on their opening four; provided stellar field position by the defense, the Wolverine offense tallied their first red zone trip and touchdown against a Power 5 team this season on a nifty ten-yard scamper by De'Veon Smith. The Gophers answered just two minutes later, however, with a ten-yard scoring run of their own when quarterback Mitch Leidner ran untouched around the corner off an inside run fake.
Minnesota added greatly to the fan unrest when they marched 92 yards in 2:17 to end the half with a Ryan Santoso field goal. Then the floodgates opened in the third quarter. Minnesota forced Michigan to punt from deep in their own territory, allowing the Gophers to "drive" eight yards in seven plays for another Santoso field goal, putting them up 13-10. Two plays later, Theiran Cockran tipped a Morris pass to the flat, and it fluttered right to Gopher LB De'Vondre Campbell, who brought it back 30 yards for an easy touchdown.
After the Morris fumble on the very next drive, Leidner ended a five-play drive with a little flip-pass to Maxx Williams for a one-yard score. What had been a 10-7 game just 4:32 earlier morphed into an ugly 27-7 blowout. When Morris was finally pulled, Devin Gardner entered the game and immediately engineered a touchdown drive, capping it off with a three-yard run, defiantly standing as two defenders collided with him upon entering the end zone. During that drive, Gardner lost his helmet for a play, necessitating either a timeout be called or a backup enter. While Russell Bellomy also grabbed his helmet, Morris went in.
On what would ultimately be Michigan's last drive, another woeful three-and-out (their seventh of the game) from the shadow of their own end zone, Devin Funchess also went down injured, and left the field with a noticeable limp. When the game mercifully ended shortly after Michigan punted, still technically down just two scores on the scoreboard, Funchess and his teammates limped to the locker room; Morris left the field on the back of a cart.
"I didn't see that. I can only answer for me," said Hoke, when asked if he noticed Morris looking wobbly on his feet.
If that's the best you've got, Brady, it's best if you let someone else protect the players.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:45 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:02 PM ^
Hoke: I think this team can still win the championship. I really do.
— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) September 27, 2014
September 27th, 2014 at 8:05 PM ^
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September 27th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^
This man is delusional. Maybe he is talking about a Hotdog eating championship?
September 27th, 2014 at 8:30 PM ^
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September 27th, 2014 at 8:36 PM ^
For the record, Hoke left the Black Knight in the game.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:03 PM ^
My 6 Year old Daughter knew he was playing hurt, Fire Hoke!
September 27th, 2014 at 8:05 PM ^
This was quite possibly the most bizarre and utterly lackluster Michigan performance I've ever watched - although there were a few games under RR which were similarly awful.
I thought Morris had looked good at times and was anxious to see how he would do with a chance to start. But he obviously wasn't ready. And the conservative playcalling seemed to concede this fact. I'm left with a several questions:
1. Why leave him in the game when it was obvious after the first 2-3 series that the Michigan offense couldn't produce with Morris at QB? Was it sheer stubbornness?
2. Why not pull Morris when he was limping? I'm not sure about a concussion but he was obviously limping. Was Hoke just oblivious to the possible injury?
3. How can the team be so bad with their talent level and two of the best coordinators in college?
4. Has Hoke just given up?
Hoke deserves a chance to explain what happened. But he seems so clueless about so much that I don't think ignorance is an adequate excuse at this point.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^
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September 27th, 2014 at 8:05 PM ^
but I'm burning my "Fergodsakes" shirt after tonight. There will no longer be any part of my Michigan fandom that associates with Brady Hoke.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^
I believe the This Will Be A Good Football Team shirts are going to be in stock soon.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:20 PM ^
Last week, I said I felt bad for Hoke. I no longer feel that way. When you're so incompetent as to put your own players at risk, well, fuck you and get the fuck out of town. God damn it I am pissed right now.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^
The Czar is killing his own people. Peaceful protestors.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:08 PM ^
Morris collapsing into a lineman's arms (braden?) was ON THE SCOREBOARD. Everyone saw it apparently except the coaches.
I was seriously almost crying in the stands. This kid, on what probably started out as the greatest day of his life, was left out there injured and probably concussed to the attacking wolves, and then when he stayed in there were loud boos, and when he came off loud cheers, which he most likely assumed were directed at him. THEY WERE DEFINITELY NOT. I was horrified. I have never been horrified in that stadium for something like that before. It was a total collapse and dereliction of responsibility. IT WAS ON THE SCOREBOARD.
Meanwhile, the band and PA system were clearly being instructed to not leave any possible silence for people to boo at. And when Morris was finally removed, they were taking their sweet time and had no seeming concern for anything at all.
This was just a horrifying experience. I thought last week was the low point. before that I thought the bowl game was the low point. Before that I thought the Nebraska game was the low point. It can't possibly get any worse, right? It is patently obvious that these players are leaving their guts on the field in the first half and being abandoned. I just hope that their confidence isn't shot, especially Morris. I was a Hoke supporter until today because despite the results on the field, he is a decent man and recruits well and has the right attitude for college coaching. But after today I just don't know what to think.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:42 PM ^
Let's keep it simple. Hoke seems to be a nice guy. Probably a great next door neighbor type, but he is a HORRIBLE HEAD COACH. How may more horrific performances do we need to suffer through. This is getting out of hand!!!
September 28th, 2014 at 7:37 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:08 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:10 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:12 PM ^
Regents need to force resignations of Hoke and Brandon.
Rather than coaching candidates, I am more interested in AD candidates.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:21 PM ^
We love to talk about doing things "the right way." We have a coach that claims to love his school and his players.
And then he risks the health of an unpaid teenager out of, what? Stubbornness? Ego? Some misguided love of Bo-style "toughness"?
That was a lower moment than The Horror. I am disgusted. I am embarrassed that that man is leading this program. I knew he was fired after last week. This week I want him fired tomorrow.
What year is it? Has nobody on his staff heard of a concussion? Is there no medical protocol? That was shocking, stunning, sickening.
Fire him for abdication of responsibility to protect the student-athletes entrusted to his care. Make Mattison the interim and then figure out what the hell to do. Brady Hoke is not fit to lead this program.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:13 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:13 PM ^
Nussmeier at one point waved frantically for Shane to stay down so the ref would call time out and make him leave the game. Morris - too much of a tough guy - wouldn't do it.
Hoke is a liar if he said he didn't see it - he was standing only a few feet away.
Hoke is also a horse's ass. He made sure that an un-ready 19 year old got the crap kicked out of himself. His demeanor on the sidelines said, "you idiots wanted him, so now you got him. you're getting what you deserved." I truly believe that Hoke set up the fans and Morris....
I am a 6 year season ticket holder. The remaining three games are going on Stubhub tonight.
Michigan under Hoke is just plain bad. My Ohio State friends even feel bad for me.
September 28th, 2014 at 3:35 AM ^
The remaining three games are going on Stubhub tonight.
Who's going to buy them, Maryland fans?
September 27th, 2014 at 8:14 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:14 PM ^
1. Morris was waving to the sideline indicating that he did NOT want to come out of the game. (Though he was not fit to play, he just wanted to tough it out but he needs to learn that at that point you are only hurting the team trying to be a hero).
2. Bellomy was going to go in for a snap after Devin lost his lid but could not find a helmet that fit so Shane had to hustle back out there, probably should have called a timeout here).
The coaching staff should be blamed for leaving Shane in for too long, not for the fourth quarter situation, but for the third quarter when Shane first started limping/wasn't getting the job done. I think that this game was a clear indicator that Hoke is in over his head here.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:14 PM ^
Nussmeier at one point waved frantically for Shane to stay down so the ref would call time out and make him leave the game. Morris - too much of a tough guy - wouldn't do it.
Hoke is a liar if he said he didn't see it - he was standing only a few feet away.
Hoke is also a horse's ass. He made sure that an un-ready 19 year old got the crap kicked out of himself. His demeanor on the sidelines said, "you idiots wanted him, so now you got him. you're getting what you deserved." I truly believe that Hoke set up the fans and Morris....
I am a 6 year season ticket holder. The remaining three games are going on Stubhub tonight.
Michigan under Hoke is just plain bad. My Ohio State friends even feel bad for me.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:18 PM ^
I was there for Michigan-Minnesota 1986. I was also there for the CO game in 1994. I remember heartbreaking games against ND in 1980 and 1990, and was there to see us kick off against the rocket twice.
This was the worst. The worst I've ever seen.
I convinced my daugher (a freshman, who isn't really into sports) to see the game because "it would be great to see us carry the Jug off the field." How sorry I am. She texted me in the third quarter: "Do you think we can still win?" I said, "of course we can. It's Minnesota." Later she texted, "can you hear the "fire Brandon" chant on the TV?"
I was firmly in the "give it time" camp. Empty cabinet and all that. I'm not there any more. I know this group often is divided by the "old school" group--fair enough. I am an "old school" guy. But I often ask myself about the future of the program: "What would Bo do?" I think Bo would have had enough today.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^
hoke didn't realize shane was hurt because since he has been coach every qb at michigan has been limping or hobbled. its the norm around here
September 27th, 2014 at 8:20 PM ^
is worse than the rodriguez 3-9 team, and it's not even really that close. at least you could see what they were trying to do on that team and it was a question of the talent fitting the scheme. this team, the talent does fit the scheme, and it's still a goddamn tire fire. worse, they don't look like they even give a shit.
if i never the phrase "michigan man" again it will be too fucking soon. burn 'em all.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:55 PM ^
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September 27th, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^
It was a question of the "talent" fitting the scheme. You forgot the quotes.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:01 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:22 PM ^
He's getting fired at the end of the season unless the incredible happens and we somehow win out. Given that that is absolutely NOT going to happen, what benefit is there to letting him stay? Just fire him.
September 27th, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 11:11 PM ^
Then Brady can tell the department to keep it. Or Brandon can pay it out of pocket. Since they both love the program so goddamn much.
September 28th, 2014 at 6:59 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:22 PM ^
Well, at least there's going to be no more QB controversy. Morris is not ready to play at Michigan. Sheridan was better than that outing.
Of course, I'm sure someone will ask for Speight to start.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:23 PM ^
How could Hoke possibly say he didn't see it? I was in the student section, and yes, Morris was saying he could stay in, but he almost fell over. Us students (the ones who stayed that long) were screaming and booing to take him out because we were all scared for the guy. He was clearly in no shape to play.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:45 PM ^
His job is to the student body and if our coaches aren't protecting the student athletes they need to be fired even if the AD won't do it.
So Hoke can burn a TO to punt the football, but not to protect a player. What a POS move.
September 27th, 2014 at 8:26 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 8:28 PM ^
Hoke was kind of a question mark with regard to his competence as a HC and whether he could really direct a winning program at this level.. Well theres no question now, even optimistic supporters will have problems with whats going on now. 4-5 star kids looking lousy against a mediocre Minnesota team says it all. Obviously Michigans only play here now is to fire Brandon and Hoke. Designate Mattison maybe as an interim HC and start the search for a permanent HC. It will a signal to the fans, players and prospective players that there is hope, not Hoke, in their future!!
September 27th, 2014 at 8:28 PM ^
RR's teams were bad. But their offense was at least interesting at times (okay, some of the time, but not often).
This team is bad and it is BORING. Not a little boring....they are 'way friggin boring to watch.
September 27th, 2014 at 9:09 PM ^
If today's game proved anything at all it was that RRod, who builds winning teams everywhere he goes but here, was NOT the problem. The problem was, and continues to be, a completely dysfunctional AD that is out of touch with reality and stupidly contemptuous of anything not tied to Bo.
It's over, we are a shit show, and it's time we stop blaming anyone but ourselves. We are getting what we deserve.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:06 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 11:58 PM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 3:39 AM ^
Denard.
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