Michigan 41, Florida 7
[File photo: Patrick Barron/MGoBlog]
Through the first half of the season Jake Rudock looked more like a liability than a solution at quarterback.
That felt like a distant memory as Rudock picked apart the vaunted Florida secondary, becoming the second Michigan quarterback (John Navarre) to surpass 3,000 single-season passing yards in the process. Rudock connected on 20/31 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns and looked like a completley different player from the one that threw three picks at Utah to open the season.
Even with Jabrill Peppers sidelined due to a hand injury, Michigan looked like a team peaking in bowl season and ready to carry that momentum into 2016. De'Veon Smith, perhaps unencumbered by the turf toe he'd dealt with all season, had some extra pep in his step; more importantly, he knew where to take that step, showing much-improved vision on his way to a 109-yard afternoon.
The O-line stymied a Florida pass rush that ranked among the best in the country. Jehu Chesson repeatedly won one-on-one battles with balleyhooed cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, a projected top-ten NFL draft pick, including a hitch-and-go touchdown that broke the game open. Grant Perry emerged with a couple big grabs and his first career score. If Rudock can be satisfactorily replaced, all the pieces are there for the offense to break out in 2016.
The defense, meanwhile, limited an overmatched Gators offense to 262 yards. Florida couldn't hit a big play—their longest gain went for 27 yards—and didn't have a means to stay ahead of the chains outside of a few scattered scrambles by quarterback Treon Harris, who had to deal with plenty of pressure from Michigan's front four. When Harris lost his composure, the Wolverines took advantage, most notably on a Jarrod Wilson interception in the end zone with the Gators threatening to answer Chesson's long TD.
The special teams battle hardly came into play, but Michigan won that, too. Channing Stribling intercepted the holder's pitch when Florida faked a field goal on their opening drive; long after the game had been decided, a cavalcade stuffed a fake punt in the backfield.
Rudock teared up in the televised interview following his final collegiate game. Jim Harbaugh is done working his magic with Rudock, who guided a limited team to ten wins in their first year in a new system. When this team reconvenes in the spring, most of the talent from today's blowout will be back, and if Harbaugh has coaxed similar improvement from the other quarterbacks on the roster, they'll be poised for a run at the playoff.
January 1st, 2016 at 4:57 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 7:09 PM ^
I've never been more excited for our future than tonight. I for one am truly thankful for one Jake Rudock. We will all look back at his play in this season one day and recognize how he streamlined the building of the Jim Harbaugh dynasty era! God speed in all you do Mr. Rudock. Go Blue yesterday and Go Blue FOREVER!!
January 1st, 2016 at 4:59 PM ^
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January 1st, 2016 at 4:58 PM ^
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January 1st, 2016 at 5:00 PM ^
What a game! Offense, Defense, great coaching. Sound play, consistent enegy, aggressive defense, aggressive offense. Running and passing. Solid blocking. Seniors playing well. Domination and grew as the game continued.
What am I missing?
This was about as perfect of a game as could be imagined.
THIS IS MICHIGAN FOOTBALL AND WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF THIS IN YEARS TO COME.
I already can't wait until Sept. 2016
January 1st, 2016 at 5:00 PM ^
every way. Go Blue!
January 1st, 2016 at 6:49 PM ^
^^^^^THIS^^^^^ MANY TIMES THIS!!!
I fully expected to win this game - it honestly never crossed my mind we could lose. And generally whenever I've ever felt that way things go painfully awry! ;-D
That's the life of a Michigan fan (outside of 1997 of course - and to some extent 1985, where we lost only once on a last second FG, in a cold & windy rain on the road, and finished AP #2.) And even in '97 we got punked by the Damn coaches!
I read Brian's Citrus preview saying to myself, "Huh?! I guess Florida could win - but I don't see it..." I mean he made a solid case for how strong their defense was. But I just didn't think there was any way they could score on us, not enough to outscore us anyway.
But 41-7?!?!
That I did not see!
Congrats to JH, the coaches, and the team for a really pretty great season, and looking forward to an incredible future!
Happy New Year indeed!
January 2nd, 2016 at 12:20 AM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:02 PM ^
I hope for 16 wins in 2016.
January 1st, 2016 at 7:21 PM ^
I pity the fool that tries to beat us next year.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:04 PM ^
but when Jake started losing it, I did too.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:18 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 10:10 PM ^
In search of Harbaugh: the Gator Whisperer.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:02 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:03 PM ^
What an awesome game!
Everyone chipped in today
But one stood out: "Dad"
January 1st, 2016 at 5:05 PM ^
She did "dad" stand out? Not sure I understand but I want to.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:09 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:03 PM ^
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January 1st, 2016 at 6:58 PM ^
Really? Navarre?! I think he just threw a LOT of passes in '03, and had Braylon, Breaston & Avant.
My memory of him will always by getting sacked 9 times like a Damn statue vs USC - that and having an impossible number of passes batted down at the line for a guy who was like 6'6' or so.
BUT - he did beat Tressel & osu, one of only 2 times we've done it since Tressel took that F*n job, so there is that... AND the incredible Friday night comeback in the MetroDome, one of my favorite games ever! Even caught a TD in the comeback!
January 1st, 2016 at 7:31 PM ^
He also had an absolutely atrocious performance at home in Tressel's first game against Michigan back in '01. Navarre went 21-of-47 for 206 yards with a fumble and four interceptions en route to a 26-20 defeat, a loss which validated Tressel's "guarantee" and basically got the ball rolling on the juggernaut that Ohio State continues to be to this day.
January 1st, 2016 at 8:43 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 10:13 PM ^
on the roster? Jason Kapsner didn't come back for his final season. He could have been on the 2001 team.
January 1st, 2016 at 10:16 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:03 PM ^
Great to see the Harbaugh Offense start to take shape. Hope we get a good QB next year and look forward to more of the same.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:06 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^
Nope, not going to mention it. Not going to mention that 41 points was the same score Michigan had for this same game against this same opponent eight years ago.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:43 PM ^
Only this time that opponenet only got 7 to put up against our 41.
January 1st, 2016 at 10:29 PM ^
To be fair this Florida team didn't have a Heisman trophy winning quarteback.
January 1st, 2016 at 10:38 PM ^
But after winning the Heisman, that quarterback hasn't done so much.
/save the "he won more playoff games than Stafford/Lions" bit - diffrent thread.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:08 PM ^
While it was for only one season, Jake Rudock will always have a special place in this Wolverine Fan's heart. He was the right man, at the right place, at the right time. A terrific young man that has unimagined success, whatever his endeavor, awaiting his future.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:46 PM ^
And rightly so. Every Sunday he suits up will be a testament to why a high school QB should come to Michigan if he wants to play in the NFL
January 1st, 2016 at 7:03 PM ^
And I think Doc Rudock will accomplish even more!
January 1st, 2016 at 5:10 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:16 PM ^
well done
January 2nd, 2016 at 8:13 PM ^
Good find - amazing synchronicity.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:10 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 8:49 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:39 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:50 PM ^
still a thing?
January 1st, 2016 at 6:00 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:39 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 5:35 PM ^
January 1st, 2016 at 6:52 PM ^
third time what's been brought up?
January 1st, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^
BUT...I don't want to be THAT guy. This was an impressive, much welcomed, all-around ESS EEE SEE ass-whipping. Congrats to the players and coaches on a great season!
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