jim harbaugh
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jehu chesson
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jake rudock
2016 citrus bowl

Michigan 41, Florida 7 Comment Count

Ace


[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.

Comments

SalvatoreQuattro

January 1st, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^

all you have to do is point to Jake Rudock.  Resilient, tough, and a battler.  The kid forever has my thanks and profound respect.He has taken a lot criticism in his college career, but he worked though it and left a winner.

Joined: 11/30/2010

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True Blue in CO

January 1st, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^

Amaizing how Michigan football has improved in the past 53 weeks under Our Harbaugh. It seems like our Oddessy from being a perennial Top 10 team is over. Our future looks bright. Go Blue!



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UMForLife

January 1st, 2016 at 5:15 PM ^

What a game and what a season! There were many surprises, but the biggest ones were QB and WRs. We never thought we would have a deep threat and there it was in the second half. The OL improvement in the bowl game is very noticeable. Our future is bright and looking forward to an awesome 2016, where we I expect M to beat both rivals.

THANK YOU HARBAUGH, RUDOCK and the SENIORS.

Can't wait for Spring Game.

Joined: 11/04/2013

MGoPoints: 63393

ryebreadboy

January 1st, 2016 at 5:20 PM ^

What a game.

Rudock is night and day compared to the player we saw in the Utah game.

Can't wait for next year. If O'Korn can be the guy we want him to be, this team will be dangerous.



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blue_n_VA

January 1st, 2016 at 5:22 PM ^

I was with the crowd criticizing Rudock early on. Boy did he ever step up. I'll eat my lemon now and will continue to be a fan of him. Good luck Jake. I hope you get a legitimate shot in the NFL. You deserve it.



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Erik_in_Dayton

January 1st, 2016 at 5:26 PM ^

I would have been okay with scraping by to an 8-5 season. What we saw from Rudock, Chesson, Clark/Stribling, and others were welcome surprises. Michigan isn't where we want them to be, but they're a hell of a lot closer than they were a year ago. I'm enjoying following the team more than I have in a long time.

Joined: 12/03/2008

MGoPoints: 59152

Maizenblueball

January 1st, 2016 at 5:26 PM ^

What a great way to finish the year for Harbaugh and Rudock! Blowing out a "vaunted SEC Defense" in the process is a great way to finish the year/start the new year. Let's keep this momentum going in recruiting!

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Joelesilver

January 1st, 2016 at 5:28 PM ^

Thank You Harbaugh, Jake Rudock, and the entire team. Such amazing heart and a wonderful season. So much excitement for the years to come. How many days until Spring Camp?

Joined: 08/03/2013

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M-Dog

January 1st, 2016 at 5:40 PM ^

I LOVE playing Florida in Florida on New Years Day.  They are just so welcoming to us.

3 and 0 and undefeated all time against Florida.  They are our bitch.

Not Vandy.  Not Kentucky.  Florida.

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257517

Michigan4Harbaugh

January 1st, 2016 at 5:47 PM ^

All Hail HARBAUGH!! All around excellent performance today in all facets!! What a progression that Rudock made from game 1 until today!!

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champswest

January 1st, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^

better than the one that finished the season. Don't know if that is a product of a few more weeks of practice under Harbaugh and staff or guys getting healthy, or both. But I like it and it bodes well for 2016.

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UM Indy

January 1st, 2016 at 6:05 PM ^

My buddy and I were texting during the game and tossed out a comparison that at first may seem crazy but I don't think it is actually. Rudock is playing very much like Brady did at the end of his UM career. Incredible accuracy, making all the throws and in complete command of the offense. No doubt he's worth a pick in the 6th round just like Brady was. Good luck Jake!



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JameyB22

January 1st, 2016 at 6:13 PM ^

Hell of a great season, next season we win the Big 10 and will go on to win the National Championship, 2016 Is #MaizeNBlue season to win It all! #GoBlue

Joined: 03/20/2015

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Hugh

January 1st, 2016 at 6:23 PM ^

Grant Perry looked like an entirely different player than the confused Freshman that we saw in the Utah game. I think he will be a star.

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ghostofhoke

January 1st, 2016 at 9:20 PM ^

Yeah I was not a believer in him most of the season. Seemed a little premature for him to get the looks he did most of the year. That was just immaturity. He showed some serious growth today. He'll be a legitimate weapon next year. I'm looking forward to see what he is capable of.



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Dr. Emil Shuffhausen

January 1st, 2016 at 6:58 PM ^

What a fantatstic way to wrap up this wonderful season. 

I was most impressed at how after the first quarter we knew we could out-tough them

and kick their asses the rest of the way.

 

Great Job all the way around,  so excited to see what recruits we pick up and I can't

wait until fall ball.

 

Go Blue!  And thanks again Jim Harbaugh for coming home.

Joined: 11/10/2013

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AlbanyBlue

January 1st, 2016 at 7:00 PM ^

What an enjoyable game to watch....a complete domination.

I especially like going for the long pass up 24-7 (or was it 31-7?) in the second half. I commented to my Dad that in the old days, Michigan would have sat on the lead, perhaps letting our opponent back in the game. Not any more!!

And seriously, what top recruit wouldn't want to play for this team, all other things being equal? JH was even showcasing players such as Houma for NFL scouts.

The quality of the Big Ten East, mostly that team in Columbus, is really the only roadblock. With apologies, the future's so bright, we gotta wear shades. 

Joined: 09/11/2010

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mgoblue98

January 1st, 2016 at 7:02 PM ^

that the defense was not good in the first half, but they were decent once Florida got near the red zone.  In the second half the defense was awesome!

It was great to see the running game do so well against a really great defense.  The O Line played pretty well, especially in pass protection.  Chesson destroyed Hargreaves. 

The best cover corner in college football is Jourdan Lewis, not Hargreaves or King at Iowa.

Next season can be really awesome if they can stay healthy and develop another QB. 

Go Blue!

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