Observations on the win over Western Michigan, 31-7!

Western Michigan Rewind

Player Participation
1--Western Michigan won the second half, but Michigan wins the game. The Wolverines come up with 7 points on 3 red zones while the Broncos earn two red zones, but score zero points. Michigan gets 7 points off 3 Bronco turnovers, and don't let Western Michigan score on the only Wolverine miscue.

2--Tate Forcier finished with 13 of 20 for 179 yards and 3 TDs plus 11 runs for 37 yards. Denard Robinson ran for 74 yards including a  43 yard TD; he was 2 of 4 for 18 yards in the air.  Hemingway had 5 catches for 103 yards, 2 TDs including a 44 yarder. Koger caught 3 for 32 yards and a TD.

3--Carlos Brown gained 54 yards in 10 carries; Michigan finished with 242 yards in net rushing in 50 attempts with no turnovers.

4--Offense earned 24 first downs, 439 net yards in 78 plays with 8 of 19 in 3rd and 4th down conversions and a 8:30 time of possession advantage. Pritchard led the Bronco defense with 11 tackles and a forced fumble on Carlos Brown that Steve Schilling recovered. Offensive line gave up zero sacks!!!

5--Defense was solid! We held the Broncos to 301 net yards with only 38 yards in net rushing.Tim Hiller was 22 of 38 for 259 yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions and 2 sacks. Juan Nunez had 7 catches for 161 yards including the 73 yard TD. Obi Ezeh had 8 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 pass break up and a forced fumble to lead the defense. Donovan Warren had 7 tackles and a pass break up, but also took two pass interference calls along with a personal foul penalty. Stevie Brown and Jonas Mouton had 6 tackles each. Brandon Herron had 5 tackles, a pass break upand a fumble recovery. Captain Brandon Graham had several hurries, but finished with no sacks, one tackle and a pass break up. Cissoko got an interception and 4 tackles. Craig Roh got 4 tackles including a  sack. Mike Martin had 3 tackles including a sack. Troy Wolfolk had 4 tackles, but was burned for a 73 yard second half bomb for a TD. Defensive performance was excellent, but the safety play definitely needs to improve for sure.

6--Special teams looked excellent! Mesko punted 5 times for a 47.2 yard average including a 66 yarder for a touchback, one punt was downed inside the 20. Our flyers are getting downfield well on punt coverage with great hand time by Mesko. Olesnavage nailed a 45 yard field goal, and Bryan Wright had 6 kickoffs for 66.5 yards and a touchback. Mathews returned 2 punts for 16 yards. Punt and kickoff coverage was good.

7--Don't know about injuries, but Moundros, Mathews, Cissoko and Hemingway all went out at one time or another. I don't think Moundros returned after his knee injury early in the game on kickoff coverage in the second kickoff. Floyd played a lot in the second half, and one could see a significant drop off in coverage between Cissoko and Floyd.

8--Notre Dame is coming off a big win over Nevada, and will be poised to win in Ann Arbor with Jimmy Clausen & company. We will have to be at our best, and show significant improvement from this opening win if we are to prevail on September 12.

Observations on the first half with the Broncos, 31-0!!!

1--Redemption year is underway!!! Michigan starts great with several big plays for TDs and converts its only red zone for 7 points while the Broncos come up empty on their only red zone just prior to the half.

2--Tate Forcier gets the start, and was 8 of 13 for 127 yards and 3 TDs plus 9 runs for 33 yards. Denard Robinson comes in and fumbles, but picks it up and runs 43 yards for a TD; he finished the half 2 of 3 for 18 yards and 5 rushes for 57 yards. Hemingway comes up with 4 catches for 91 yards, 2 TDs including a 44 yarder. Koger also caught a TD.

3--Carlos Brown starts with the injury to Brandon Minor, and gains 40 yards in 7 carries. Michigan finished the first half with 144 yards in net rushing in 24 attempts with no turnovers.

4--Offense earns 14 first downs, 289 net yards in 40 plays with 3 of 7 in 3rd down conversions and a 2:30 time of possession advantage.

5--Defense was great under Greg Robinson holding the Broncos to 5 "3 and outs," and didn't let them cross midfield until 1:32 to go in the first half. On their first 7 possessions, Western Michigan earned 25 yards, and finished the half with 79 net yards and 5 first downs. Obi Ezeh had 6 tackles, Cissoko got an interception and Roh got a sack. Broncos were 2 of 10 in 3rd down conversions.

6--Special teams looked excellent! Olesnavage nailed a 45 yard field goal, and Mesko punted twice for a 45.5 yard average. Punt and kickoff coverage were good. Bryan Wright got a touchback in 6 kickoffs. Mathews
returned 2 punts for 13 yards.

7--Moundros went out with a leg issue and Mathews went out with an arm issue. Other than that, it has been a pretty perfect start to the year. Craig Roh started over Brandon Herron at the Quick Linebacker-OLB Spinner position.

Spring/Summer Leading Up to the Western Michigan game

Friday Walk Through

Coach Rod Press Conference September 2

Coach Rod Press Conference August 31

First "Official" Depth Chart-Monday, August 31

Beanie Bowl

Letters from Camp

The Lighter Side of Camp

Senior Dinner

Coach Rod on August 23

Full Scrimmage on August 22: 125 Plays

Coach Rod Press Conference on August 18

Coach Rod Press Conference on August 14

Coach Rod Press Conference Video on August 12

Dinner with the Coaches

1st Practice in Pads

1st Day of Practice Video

Coach Rod Discusses Personnel and Scheduling

Coach Rod's Facebook Photos

Big Ten Football Media Day 2009

Coach Rod on the Big Ten Network

Tony McGee Video on Fall Practice

Practice Start Days for Big Ten

Big Ten Meeting July 27&28: Mark Ortmann, Stevie Brown and Zoltan Mesko

Michigan's Projected Starters in Photographs

Michigan Fan Day

Fan Day Pictures

Detroit Free Press Photos of Fan Day

Detroit News Pictures of Media Day

Family Picnic Day

Coach Rod anticipates a better 2nd Season