One Frame At A Time: Penn State Comment Count

Ace

"I've been thinking a lot about this over the last four, five, six weeks," Harbaugh said after No. 4 Michigan's win. "Because I am the football coach doesn't mean I can dictate to people what they believe. I support our guys. I think this is something, it's not going away, it's gonna keep happening."

Jim Harbaugh didn't know ahead of time about the pregame display of unity and strength by members of the football team, but hearing his postgame comments, it's clear his players have his full support. That became even more important yesterday, when racist propaganda was posted around campus, prompting a denouncement of the fliers from the University and a protest at the Fishbowl.

I know how our readers feel about getting politics mixed with their sports, so I'll keep this brief, though as Harbaugh said, this isn't something that's going away. As a human being, I was horrified to see what appeared on campus yesterday; as a Michigan grad, I could not be more proud of the actions and statements from the players, the support and response from the program, and the swift action taken by many on campus. I hope we can all agree that hate has no home at U-M. For far more nuanced thoughts on this, I strongly encourage you to read these pieces by MTV News's Jane Coaston, a Michigan grad, and SBNation's Spencer Hall.

And now, let's see that ref take a football to the face again.

[Hit THE JUMP for the Penn State game in GIFs.]

As always, click the links/stills to open each GIF in a lightbox, and don't forget to vote for your favorite at the end of the post.

HONORABLE MENTION

Harbaugh sigh of relief.
Harbaugh fist pump.
Harbaugh can't even.
Harbaugh working the JUGS machine.
Harbaugh disputes spot.
Don Brown is mildly peeved.
Don Brown teaching with aggression.
De'Veon Smith TD.
Fake Peppers jet, Smith rampage.
Jourdan Lewis nukes fourth-down screen.
Higdon TD.
Wormley's first-drive sack.
Saquon Barkley's day, basically.
Darboh YAC, part one.
Darboh YAC, part two.
Chris Evans draw.
Delano Hill impressive open-field tackle.
LaVert Hill's late fumble recovery.
Khalid Hill meets pylon cam.
Hill's TD plunge.
McCray interception.
Very effective Peppers blitz.
Perry hurdles cord.
Stribling fade PBU.
Dancing Yip-Yips.
Asiasi touchdown.
McCray/Hurst TFL.
Winovich sack.

10. Jammin'

I haven't featured a MMB GIF yet this year, and I love the way this one comes to life.

9. Quick Burst

I was very impressed viewing this live when I thought Maurice Hurst had simply worked his way around the center. Then BryMac pointed out he'd also looped around the guard.

I be like dang.

8. Business Decision

Ow. Good thing Jourdan Lewis has a sense of humor.

Big Toe's big hit wasn't the only blow Lewis absorbed on Saturday—he also took some friendly fire celebrating Mike McCray's interception.

Can't blame Peppers for that one.

7. Timing Is Everything

The still is great on its own; the GIF adds another level when Malik Golden sees the scoreboard and, should you choose to interpret it this way, sheepishly puts his hand down.

6. Punt Returns Are Events Now

I mean, good lord, the acceleration by Peppers.

As many people pointed out on Twitter, Devin Bush Jr. laid a thunderous block to clean up pursuit, and another blocker I couldn't identify actually had a two-for-one.

You're going to have a good time with Peppers in the open field and a pile of prone defenders in his wake.

5. Jumpman-Worthy Celebration

Be like Mike, they said.

Mo Hurst listened.

4. Wiltnard Speightinson

This whole sequence is delightful for a host of reasons, not the least of which is Devin Asiasi sending a defensive back into orbit as Speight dives for the sticks.

3. In The Face

Point-first, too. For the second time: ow.

2. Penn State's Offense, The GIF

I could watch this all day. So could Trace McSorley and Mike Gesicki, by the looks of it.

FRAMES OF THE GAME: THIS GUY

Jim Harbaugh's reaction to James Franklin kicking a 21-yard field goal down 28-0—after a timeout, no less—is so pitch-perfect it required two GIFs. Part one:

Part deux:

In a beautiful moment, ESPN's scoreboard chyron changed PSU's score to 3 as James Franklin was writing something in his notebook. Or, perhaps, he was not writing at all. This next GIF, inspired by a chat with Brian—so, you know, blame him for this—is a reference to The Big Lebowski and not safe for both work and those with more delicate sensibilities. What I'm saying is it contains a sketch of a comically oversized penis. You have been forewarned.

It had to be done.

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Comments

MinWhisky

September 28th, 2016 at 12:26 PM ^

Who said anything about Harbaugh forcing other players to join in?

My point was it's not the time or place or in keeping with team unity and respect for your fellow team mates to engage in a personal manner that is divisive.

If you agree with permitting players to raise their fists, then I'm sure you would allow players to pray before the game, right?

Harbaughs Left Elbow

September 28th, 2016 at 2:59 PM ^

That's my point. Players should be allowed to pray. Players should be allowed to not pray, stand or kneel, place their hand over their heart or raise their fist. It doesn't matter. It's a personal choice that doesn't effect anyone else's freedom. I disagree with your assertion that this is a selfish or divisve act. It's only divisive if you think that a team must operate by one set of values and all share the same opinion.

DarkWolverine

September 28th, 2016 at 11:15 AM ^

Mostly Agree
Players should behave as part of the team for team activities. They have plenty of opportunities as students to lead or participate in commenting on social issues. Not sure how coach would react if the entire team demonstrated or if players choose a number of social issues to demonstrate their support. So, is it OK for groups of 7-10 players each doing something different to support police, not support police, support military, not support military, support gay rights, not support gay rights, etc.?



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Tex_Ind_Blue

September 28th, 2016 at 12:23 PM ^

So, is it OK for groups of 7-10 players each doing something different to support police, not support police, support military, not support military, support gay rights, not support gay rights, etc.?

 

Why not? Isn't that what US is, a mishmash of different groups of people? All pulling for the same team (country/flag/anthem) but still free to do what they feel/like to express? 

Tex_Ind_Blue

September 28th, 2016 at 7:09 PM ^

I would have to disagree on this. They didn't threaten others holding different views to convert to their views. They didn't harm others holding different views. 

So, to me it is acceptable the way they raised their voices. You may think otherwise, and that's fine too. 

This raises a different question. Does this display make you (not exactly you) uncomfortable, angry, irritated? Why? Please try to answer without invoking the flag/country/military. I think those are easy cop-outs. 

MinWhisky

September 28th, 2016 at 8:04 PM ^

Several UofM players openly supported Kaepernick whose stated position is as follows:

"I'm not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

and who says the following about police officers:

"...people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

So, hell yes, I'm angry and upset with those who support those type of racist, ignorant views.  More imporatantly, I'm even more critical of a coach who sees nothing wrong with allowing a few of his players, in uniform, to support such rhetoric. 

 

 

Rufus X

September 28th, 2016 at 2:44 PM ^

Just because 99% of the population is offended by something, as we all are by the signs posted on campus, does not mean it can be censored by the government (or University). I don't understand why Ace or anyone else would be afraid of some moron posting flyers leading to the downfall of our beloved Michigan. Get a grip people. It's just stupid people showing their stupidity.

kehnonymous

September 28th, 2016 at 2:53 PM ^

...is that you generally feel a more personal stake with college teams because they are inextricably tied to your school and the players (excepting grad transfers play 4 years exclusively at your school and none other - Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant are increasingly rarer commodities in today's free agent era.

One of the benefits and pitfalls of today's blog-centric social media driven news cycle is that we get to know the athletes that wear maize and blue (or garnet and gold or purple and silver, etc) as people outside of the uniform.  Back in my day most of us non-athletes had minimal interaction with the scholarship athletes and that carried with it a pretty shitty inclination to aggregate them all as dumb jock lunkheads.  I certainly figured that to be the case.

I couldn't be more wrong.  I'm super proud of Khalid Hill, JD, Mike McCray and the kids on both today's team and of previous Wolverines like Denard, Devin, Vincent Smith and RVB.  I'm proud of how they've represented my university on and off the field and they've only cemented my fandom.  I have no problem admitting that - in addition to having a better 40 meter time - these kids have shown 10x more poise and grace that I did at their age.