Observations on the Outback Bowl win, 38-30!

1-Michigan's offense really got the job done today. Navarre was 21 of 37 for 317 yards and 1 TD (no picks) plus 2 sacks; Perry ran for 4 TDs and received player of the game honors with 89 yards rushing in 28 attempts plus another 108 yards on 6 catches. We had only 107 yards net rushing in 37 attempts. We had 6 red zone opportunities for 38 points (our best of the season)! We were only successful in 3 of 15 attempts in 3rd down conversions, but the most important statistic was turnovers: we had none, Florida had 3. Ironically, we had more than 5 minutes time of possession advantage although Florida has outgained us 480 to 420 and has 15 more offensive plays.

2-Our defense was solid when they needed to be (bend, but not break). We started with Orr at Sam, Hobson at Mike, McClintock at Will and Stevens at Rush-DE. Hobson came on at the end with the pick, a critical sack and some real "heads up" play. Earnest Graham had 22 rushes for 120 yards including 2 TDs, Carthon had 48 yards on 5 attempts; Florida had 195 yards rushing on 45 attempts. Grossman was 21 of 41 for 325 yards with no picks and 4 sacks. He and Navarre were a great match, he shouldn't turn pro. Florida has 23 points in 4 red zone opportunities. Florida had 30 first downs to our 20, and converted on only 5 of 12 in 3rd down conversions. Jacobs had 6 catches for 76 yards to lead the Gators; Kight and Carthon had 3 catches each. I thought our DBs really did a nice job overall, hats off to Jackson, LeSueur, Markus Curry and Brandon Williams! We really had nice cover overall on an outstanding Florida passing game; this includes high praise for Jim Herrmann.

3-Our special teams did the job; we were really fortunate that Finley's blocked punt didn't hurt us. Nienberg started on kickoffs over Brabbs because of an injury during warm-ups and has done the job. Both teams forced the other into 8 punts. Each team had one field goal. Another important area where we won the game was on team discipline as demonstrated in penalties, we had only 3 penalties for 23 yards; excellent coaching contributes to this.

4-In the beginning of the game, they looked quicker, faster, stronger, tougher, better prepared and coached than us. Things changed, perhaps conditioning helped along with an excellent game plan. Our coaches seemed to know that we needed to utilize Perry rather than Askew in the passing attack with screens. We scored first and we scored last, and played a very well-disciplined game in between against an excellent opponent.

5-Wow! Thank goodness for the trick play with Bellamy running for 15 yards putting us in position for the TD was an outstanding call. Edwards had 4 catches for 109 yards; Joppru had 6 catches for 80 yards, but was silent for much of the second half (I'm sure due to great adjustments by the Gator defense). Askew was really silent with 2 runs for 8 yards and 2 catches for 6 yards; I'm sure he was a decoy much of the game.

6-What an entertaining game! I'm sure it is the best so far, and will probably end up as the best of the bowl season. The game had 7 lead changes, and nobody can argue about who should have won; no controversy with officials or whatever. It was a shootout with offensive play dominating. Big Ten is now 4-0 with Penn State about to make it 5-0. The SEC has no advantage in speed or quickness from the games I've seen. I'm confident Iowa will win as well! I don't think Ohio State will win though; Miami has too much firepower and the Bucks won't be able to come from behind because of their weak offense.

7-This was a really huge win for our football program! It will certainly help in the recruiting wars. It was especially big because we go out a winner, and avenge the huge SEC win last year when Tennessee lambasted us. We also still have a chance to finish in the Top Ten in all the polls.

8-A few player participation notes: Again, Stenavich started at Left Tackle allowing Pape to stay on the right side; Stenavich looked like he did a good job. Dudley was the first fullback in after Askew broke his hand before Sanderson; I don't know if Sanderson is still injured or not. Kashama was the first DE substitute. Avant played a lot behind Bellamy, but didn't catch any passes (I don't think any were thrown his way). Massey came in at DT, and Watson didn't play a down including in goal line situations. Massaquoi and Mingery came in at TE, and Dubuc didn't make it in except on special teams. Lentz didn't play a down behind Petruziello, but he did play on special teams. Jon Shaw didn't play at safety, but did on special teams.

9-Victor Hobson led the defense with 12 tackles, 2 for loss, one sack and the 42 yard interception return. Cato June, Jeremy LeSueur and Charles Drake each had 9 tackles. Julius Curry had 8 tackles and Larry Stevens 7. Alain Kashama had his best game as a Wolverine with 4 tackles-two for losses, a fumble recovery, a sack and a forced fumble. We had 11 tackles for loss, 8 pass break ups and 4 sacks.

10-Ben Joppru broke Jim Mandich's 1969 record for tight ends with 53 catches; of course, he played in two more games.

11-Lloyd Carr is now 76-23 as our head coach including 4 of 8 seasons with 10+ wins and a national championship. His bowl record is 5-3 with a 4-1 record against the SEC.

Observations on the Outback Bowl's first half, 21-16!

1-Michigan's offense looked terrible in the first 22 minutes or so, but is now coming on. Navarre is 12 of 20 for 170 yards and 1 TD plus 2 sacks; Perry has run for 2 TDs, but is 13 attempts for 25 yards. We have only 38 yards net rushing. We have a lot of drops and slips early. Florida has adjusted to the turf early, but we are now coming on. We have had 3 red zone opportunities for 21 points, not bad! We are only 2 of 9 on 3rd down. Ironically, we have more than 2 minutes time of possession advantage although Florida has outgained us 271 to 208 and has 9 more offensive plays.

2-Our defense had a solid 1st quarter, but now they look like they can't stop anyone. We started with Orr at Sam, Hobson at Mike, McClintock at Will and Stevens at Rush-DE. Hobson looks absolutely terrible; he got beat on the 51 yard pass play over the middle to the 2 by Carthon. He also looks terrible against the run. Earnest Graham has 13 rushes for 80 yards including 2 TDs, Carthon has 33 yards on 4 attempts; Florida has 120 yards rushing. Grossman is 8 of 21 for 150 yards with no picks and 2 sacks. Florida has 16 points in 3 red zone opportunities. Florida has 15 first downs to our 7, and is 2 of 6 on 3rd down conversions.

3-Our special teams have looked great up until Finley's two 8 yard punts, the last one blocked. Shazor drew a block in the back penalty and saved a touchback with a bat to the 2. Williams also made a nice tackle on punt coverage. Nienberg started on kickoffs over Brabbs because of an injury during warm-ups and has done the job. Mingery punted once and Finley 5 times.

4-In the beginning of the game, they looked quicker, faster, stronger, tougher, better prepared and coached than us. Now, things are changing, perhaps conditioning has helped. Turnovers have helped us immensely; they have two turnovers (fumbles) and we fumbled once, but didn't lose it.

5-Kashama is really looking good with one fumble recovery at the 2 and one forced fumble!

6-We must get our pass rush going! We have two sacks, but we really haven't rushed Grossman at all from our lineman nor from blitzes.