Michigan Pre-Game Thread: Links, Analysis, Tweets, Videos, JUGS + More

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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Let's start it off right with Gary Russell up the sideline in 2005!!


Go Gophers!!
 



So much of this game will come down to Robinson's health. I can't see us beating them with a good Robinson in the backfield, but if Bellomy is forced to start everything goes topsy-turvy. I have no doubt Bellomy is a talented football player, but Michigan's entire offense is based around Denard, and when you try to fit Bellomy in, it's like square peg-round hole.

For Robinson's sake, I hope he's ok, but for our sake, I hope Hoke decides to play it safe against us :)
 

Hey, I clicked on this thread because the title said JUGS. So where are the JUGS?

Oh, sorry, I get it now. Never mind.
 


MrC said:
Hey, I clicked on this thread because the title said JUGS. So where are the JUGS?
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jug_(container)

http://mvictors.com/?p=3846

400px-Milk_jug_upright.jpg


image-thumb79.png


 


It seems odd, but we've only played Michigan twice at home since the "we coulda been a contenda" game of 2003.
Last time the Gophers beat Michigan at home - 1977 :(
 





After the beat down we got the last time we played Michigan, I really hope Kill is able to get these guys mentally ready for the challenge. I hope the guys do not get intimidated as soon as they see those Michigan helmets and mail it in the moment something goes bad. I do think that with the way Nelson is playing, we can certainly keep this game close. The real issue will be whether our receivers can get any separation. If not, it will be a long day.
 


GO4INLALALAND said:
After the beat down we got the last time we played Michigan, I really hope Kill is able to get these guys mentally ready for the challenge. I hope the guys do not get intimidated as soon as they see those Michigan helmets and mail it in the moment something goes bad. I do think that with the way Nelson is playing, we can certainly keep this game close. The real issue will be whether our receivers can get any separation. If not, it will be a long day.
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I would anticipate the Michigan Secondary putting up more of a fight than Purdue's did. With the loss to Nebraska, Michigan knows they have to win out to have any shot at getting to the Big Ten championship game so I don't think they will take us lightly. Going to need the offense to show up early like it did against Purdue and the defense will have to prove they have figured out how to stop the run assuming Robinson plays.
 





PiPress: Gophers football: Formidable foe awaits in Michigan QB Denard Robinson - if he's healthy

"That's a preparation nightmare," coach Jerry Kill said Sunday about Robinson. "He's a great player. I'll be glad when his (butt) is gone. There's nobody in the Big Ten that's more dynamic. (Nebraska quarterback) Taylor Martinez is explosive, but it's a different kind of explosiveness. There are not many that come around like that."

http://www.twincities.com/gophers/c...ball-formidable-foe-awaits-michigan-qb-denard

Go Gophers!!
 

Hartman: Nelson didn't like Wisconsin coaching situation

Freshman quarterback Philip Nelson said one of the reasons he enrolled at Minnesota rather than at Wisconsin is that he didn't believe the Badgers wanted him that badly.

Asked to explain his decision further, Nelson -- whose father, Pat, played for the Badgers and who grew up in the Madison area before moving to Mankato -- said: "Throughout the recruiting process, I think one of the things that I learned right away is that you can't really have favorites right off the bat. I think right away when I took a couple of visits to Wisconsin I realized that, 'Hey, maybe these guys don't really want me that much.'

"Plus on top of that, one of the biggest things I saw from that coaching staff was that [offensive coordinator] Paul Chryst and [offensive line coach] Bob Bostad, both of those guys after every single season were taking interviews and trying to get different jobs, and my dad, back in the day, he went through a coaching change between his sophomore and junior year and he got benched from the coaching change. He said it was one of the toughest things for a program, to go through a coaching change -- especially when it's kind of unfair like that."

Nelson said his dad told him that kind of situation was definitely a possibility at Wisconsin. Chryst left Bret Bielema's staff to become the head coach at Pittsburgh this year, and Bostad is now in the NFL as offensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/176198781.html?refer=y

Go Gophers!!
 

Updated: October 29th, 2012 3:51am

Breaking down the tape from the Gophers' victory over Purdueby Nate Sandell1500ESPN.com
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The Gophers understood the ramifications.

Without a win Saturday at home against the evenly matched Purdue Boilermakers, their losing streak would hit four games and hopes of reaching bowl eligibility would further shrink.

They responded to the circumstances with arguably their most lopsided Big Ten victory in coach Jerry Kill's tenure. The Gophers, behind four first half touchdowns, rumbled to a 44-7 lead before Purdue softened the score in the second half by bringing it to a 44-28 final.

The following is a breakdown of the Gophers' fifth victory and first of the Big Ten season, with input from a conversation Kill had with beat reporters Sunday.

Quarterbacks

On just his second try, true freshman Philip Nelson gave every indication that he has full command of the Gophers offense. One week after making his collegiate debut in a one-sided loss at Wisconsin, Nelson flourished in his first appearance at TCF Bank Stadium, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns - all of which came in the first half. The impressive poise he showed against the Badgers carried over to Saturday. This time it translated into points. Nelson and the offense overcame a rocky three-and-out first drive, which was answered by a Purdue touchdown, to score on their next seven possessions. Nelson rarely missed a pass in the first half, posting 17-of-19 completion rate by the break. After overthrowing Isaac Fruechte on his second attempt, Nelson completed 12 straight passes until a mistimed throw sailed past WR MarQueis Gray late in the first half. In that stretch, Nelson passed for 233 of his total yards through the air and all three touchdowns.

"I think that was what I was pleased with was that (Nelson) didn't seem to change his demeanor," Kill said. "In the first half he played about as well as you can have a quarterback play."

Unlike last week, Nelson had opportunities to throw deep, and the Gophers were rewarded in a big way. For much of the first half, Purdue's DBs were cheating down towards the box. The Gophers went after the openings. Nelson had four of his deep passes go for 30, 34, 28 and 63 yards. The latter of which came off a beautifully placed pass to WR A.J. Barker that resulted in a touchdown in the second quarter. Nelson also had a 21-yard pass play but it was created by Barker on a screen pass behind the line of scrimmage. He was 4-of-6 for 79 yards on play action. The offense did have its problems in the second half. A field goal ended up being their only points in the final 30 minutes. The Gophers backed off the pass as Nelson attempted just five throws. All five of those fell incomplete. A throw to Fruechte near the endzone on the Gophers' first possession of third quarter would have likely been a touchdown, but Nelson's pass went over Fruechte's head as the receiver made the mistake of turning too early. Nelson ran the ball nine times -- seven less carries than he had at Wisconsin -- for 37 yards. Kill said he was about to put backup Max Shortell in for several plays after Nelson absorbed a crushing hit from Purdue's star DT Kawann Short on a 33-yard pass to Gray in the first quarter that left the freshman dazed. But Short injured his ankle on the play, giving Nelson time to recover and stay in the game. Nelson finished 15-of-22 passing.

Running backs

The Gophers' run game went nowhere against Wisconsin. On Saturday, they slowly grinded out 221 rushing yards, bolstered by TB Donnell Kirkwood's career-high 134 yards (22 carries). The Gophers ran the ball 61 % of the time (41 of 67 plays), with the carries and rushing yards pretty much evenly split between halves (carries -- 20, 21; total yds -- 110, 102). Freshman TB Rodrick Williams Jr., in his third game, posted career highs in carries (9) and total yards (43). His ability to confront defenders and push through has made him a quality No. 2 option behind similarly built back Kirkwood. Saturday was a revival game for Kirkwood after an eight-yard outing at Wisconsin. He was efficient with the ball, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. When the Gophers switched their offensive mindset primarily to the run in the second half (23 of 28 plays were runs), Kirkwood handled the majority of the carries (15). Kirkwood and Williams were the only TBs used as freshman TB K.J. Maye was inserted as an inside receiver.

Wide receivers

Even with MarQueis Gray now at receiver, RS junior A.J. Barker remains the Gophers' go-to downfield threat, at least for now. Barker was Nelson's intended target five times on Saturday, and he did not miss on any of them, rolling to 135 yards - a career-high - and two touchdowns. It was his third 100-yard plus game of the season. On both his 38 and 68-yard touchdown plays, Barker got himself behind the Purdue CB to get into an open position for an easy catch. He also created a combined 28 yards on two screen passes behind the line of scrimmage. Barker would have likely had more, but he exited in the second quarter when he badly tweaked the back of his right ankle, near his Achilles, after he was awkwardly tripped up in the endzone on his second TD catch by a defender. Kill did not have an update on Barker's status on Sunday, but was blunt in saying that he is "worried about it." Kill ruled out that it was anymore than a severe sprain, though even that could sideline Barker for an extended period. Whether Barker is able to play next week against Michigan probably will not be determined until late in the week. Luckily for the Gophers, Gray is also a big time threat now that he has adjusted back to a receiving role. Nelson threw to Gray six times. The senior receiver came down with four catches for 53 yards, including an athletic 33-yard grab he made by putting on a late burst to separate him from the defender and catch up to the ball.

"MarQueis made (Nelson) look good on one, because he overthrew that one and Queis ran it down and made a great catch," Kill said. "That was probably his worst throw of the day, but MarQueis made it right. Good receivers will make a good quarterback. You have to have some guys that will make a play."

While Gray is still experiencing discomfort from a nagging left ankle injury, he is gradually having his playing time increased. He was in on 43 of the Gophers' 67 offensive plays -- eight more than he logged at Wisconsin. RS junior Derrick Engel, a transfer from Winona State, picked up his first career touchdown. Nelson found him wide-open after CB Frankie Williams was caught sneaking down towards the LBs. Engel completed the 34-yard play to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter, beginning the Gophers' offensive burst. Fruechte was more active than his seven yards on two catches show. But he had one pass float just out of his reach near the sideline, while on another in the third quarter he started slowing up too early, missing out on a potential touchdown.

Tight ends

Senior John Rabe was the only "U" TE to be targeted by Nelson. He recorded one catch, reeling in a quick dump pass for a two-yard gain. It was the smallest offensive output from the Gophers' TEs this season. Rabe, who was back on the stat sheet after a two-game absence, and freshman Lincoln Plsek were used more in the blocking game. On the Gophers' third drive, Plsek made an astute block on an incoming DB on the first play, freeing up Kirkwood for a 15-yard gain. That was followed two plays later by the Gophers' third touchdown of the game. Sophomore Drew Goodger did not play for the first time this season.

Offensive line

Continuity has been fleeting on the Gophers' O-line, which has been forced by injuries to undergo weekly changes. But the line turned out its strongest overall game of the season on Saturday, despite using its fifth different starting lineup -- LG Marek Lenkiewicz, LG Zac Epping, C Jon Christenson, RG Caleb Bak and RT Josh Campion. The Gophers were getting quality blocking up front that sustained their run game at an efficient rate. In two weeks, the line has gelled around Nelson. Aided by the freshman quarterback's fast release, the O-line kept him from being sacked for the second consecutive game.

"We're doing some things up front that allows our guys to be a little more aggressive, more inside, outside zone schemes, where they don't have to think as much," Kill said.
"We're trying to hit the ball quick in the run game. We're not running as much I-formation as we were. We're trying to hit things quicker to where we don't have to hold blocks as long."

Christenson, a RS freshman, shifted back over to the middle to start his first game at C, replacing RS junior Zach Mottla. Christenson became the third starting center used by the Gophers. After a solid outing, he may be there to stay for the remainder of the season as long as he stays healthy. Christenson was on the same page with Nelson all game, keeping his snaps under control. Lenkiewicz shared time at LG with sophomore Tommy Olson, who appeared in his first game since suffering a high ankle sprain five weeks ago. With starting LT Ed Olson sidelined for unknown amount of time with an ankle injury, Kill decided to move Tommy Olson to LT from his usual spot at LG to give the 281-pound Lenkiewicz, slightly undersized for the position, periodic relief.


Defensive line

The "U" defense finally received the offensive support it had been lacking in the Gophers' first three Big Ten games. It didn't start off that way. TB Akeem Shavers ripped off a 40 yard run on Purdue's second play and less than two minutes later the Boilermakers were in front 7-0. However, the shoddy opening defensive effort was forgotten as the Gophers shut the Boilermakers down for the remainder of the half, while the offense stacked its lead on each possession. Stopping the run has been a major sore spot. On Saturday, Purdue posted 183 rushing yards, but 120 of those came with the Gophers already up 34-7 at halftime. Shavers, Purdue's leading rusher, ran for only 38 yards after his initial 40-yard burst.

The defensive line rallied after looking porous in the last three games. Instead of constantly banging the ball inside, Purdue was dropping back in the pocket more than any of the Gophers' Big Ten opponents so far, giving the line a chance to increase pressure on the quarterback. RS freshman Thieren Cockran had his first career sack, while senior D.L. Wilhite padded his team-leading sack total (6.5) by knocking QB Caleb TerBush down for a loss of seven yards in the second quarter. With Cockran and Wilhite's sacks, the line had four players record tackles for losses (Ben Perry, -6 yards; Scott Ekpe -2 yds). TerBush, who was eventually pulled in the third quarter, hurried several bad throws - he completed only five of 18 throws -- because the Gophers were able frequently to get past the O-line and put hits on the QB. With a large lead intact, the line and the defense as a whole was tiring out in the third quarter as the "U" offense started to slow down. The Boilermakers broke through 21 unanswered points Purdue held possession for 11 minutes, 39 seconds in the third frame. As a result of both the line's energy level and score, DC Tracy Claeys went deep into his rotation, putting in RS junior Eric Jacques and freshman Alex Keith in spots. DT Roland Johnson, playing for the third game with a sore ankle, was productive in the limited time he was on the field - one of his two tackles came right at the line of scrimmage.

Linebackers

The LB corps wasn't close to flawless, but the unit was indeed improved after looking ragged and out-of-sync recently. Early on, the pressure the Gophers were putting in the middle of the box was working well as the LBs were collapsing in on the run. The unit's issues filling the right gaps were minimal, coming mostly in the second half. Hindered by an ankle injury, starting MLB Mike Rallis yielded the majority of his defensive snaps to RS junior Brendan Beal. Rallis played sporadically, but was unable to get the needed push off his ankle. OLB Aaron Hill shifted to MLB at times to give the Gophers another option. Hill took top billing at LB, with four of his five tackles coming on stops of two yards or less. Lamonte Edwards and James Manuel went out late in the game with hamstring strains. As of Sunday, Kill did not know the severity of the two injuries. Manuel tied with Hill for the most tackles among the LBs with five (three solo, two assisted). Senior WLB Keanon Cooper and Beal each had three. The entire defense had trouble adjusting in the second half when Purdue, with Robert Marve brought in at QB, put the bulk of its focus on short passes and runs to the edges. The Boilermakers never appeared to be a legitimate threat to get back into the game, but they had a long shot opportunity to do so on their first drive of the fourth quarter. A touchdown on that drive would have cut the lead to 44-28 with around six minutes left. The defense solidified again when it was needed to give the Gophers freedom to relax slightly in the stretch run of the fourth quarter.

Secondary

CB Michael Carter's breakout senior season reached a new high on Saturday. Carter tied Traye Simmons for the school record for pass breakups with six. Though his output in the first half would have probably been enough to solidify him as the game's defensive MVP, he put himself into "Big Ten Player of the Week" status with a stunning three-play series. On Purdue's first drive of the third quarter, TerBush was intent on trying to spark the offense through the air. He sent a pass to Gary Bush that Carter stepped in front of and got his hands on it for a near interception. One play later, TerBush went to Bush again. The result was the same as Carter knocked the ball away. To the surprise of onlookers, TerBush threw to Bush for a third straight time. Carter capitalized. Tracking the throw from the snap, Carter was there for the interception, which he took 43 yards in to the endzone He was helped on the play by two well-timed blocks by Hill and Ekpe.

"You'll never see a corner have three better plays than that," Kill said. "I don't think I've seen three plays back-to-back-to-back like that for a corner. It's highly unusual."

Saturday was the most active and productive the secondary has been since the non-conference portion of the season. Carter's interception was the Gophers' first defensive takeaway in Big Ten play. CB Troy Stoudermire had two potential interceptions locked up until one was eventually ruled incomplete and the other was negated by an offsides call on Wilhite. Stoudermire overtook the team lead in tackles with seven against Purdue (six solo, one assisted). Brock Vereen and Cedric Thompson started at S, with sophomore Derrick Wells limited due to a laceration in his right leg that has had him in and out of practice for two weeks. Wells was only in on 31 of Purdue's 77 snaps.

"Derrick is one tough sucker," Kill said. "We get it sewed up, it rips back up. We get it sewed up it rips back up. He's a tough kid, hasn't been able to practice a lot. He played good yesterday when he was able to play."

Vereen tied with Stoudermire with seven tackles on the day. Missed tackles were not as rampant of an issue as they have been, but they came up here and there. Thompson, who filled Wells' role as the additional defender brought down with the LBs, sorely missed bringing down Shavers on his 40-yard run in the first quarter. There were no defenders close to Danny Anthrop when he scored a ultimately meaningless touchdown in the fourth quarter on 25-yard pass from Purdue's third QB Rob Henry. The Gophers defense has to hope that what it did for three quarters on Saturday can be replicated in some fashion next week when Michigan arrives with its high-powered rush offense.

Specialists

K Jordan Wettstein, who had made just two of seven field goal attempts in a five-game stretch, responded with a trio of conversions on Saturday. Two of those came from 40 yards or more, including a season-high 44-yard attempt. His only miss was from 45 yards out in the fourth quarter, but at that point it was nothing more than casual attempt by the Gophers to further add to the lead. P Christian Eldred began the game with a shank off the left side of his foot that left the ball only 16 yards downfield. Purdue took full advantage of the prime field placement - the Gophers' 30-yard line - by scoring a touchdown on an efficient five play drive. Eldred's other two punts went for 48 and 30 yards, bringing his average to 31.3.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Breaking_down_the_tape_from_the_Gophers_victory_over_Purdue102912
 

GopherHole tweet: "Congrats to #Gophers CB Michael Carter who was named co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week! #Ski-U-Mah!"

Go Gophers!!
 




Does Michigan have a good tailback and the typical big and good offensive line? I'm hoping we can put the pressure on them to pass by somehow getting up early. Our defense against a passing attack is pretty darn good. Against a power running game...we've got work to do :0
 



Don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but Michigan is one of only 2 BigTen teams to have never played in TCF Bank Stadium. After Saturday, Indiana will be the only remaining team not to have visited the Bank.
 

gopherfield said:
Don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but Michigan is one of only 2 BigTen teams to have never played in TCF Bank Stadium. After Saturday, Indiana will be the only remaining team not to have visited the Bank.
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Interesting tidbit. Hopefully we'll make it a rude 1st appearance for them.

I can't even remember the last game we played IU, it's been so long, like '08 or something? And watch them become a legit threat starting next season when we finally play them again lol. And they still don't visit until 2014.
 

The Gophers played great against Purdue, clicking on all cylanders. Purdue clearly was not prepared for what hit them, and given the way the season has gone, they had little reason to be...against Michigan, the Gophers will not be so fortunate I am afraid. They will need to be prepared. Far different animal coming this Saturday.
 


Hoke updates Robinson's status, talks Minnesota: http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/10/live_updates_brady_hoke_update.html#incart_river

• That'll do it for Hoke. Robinson's status not exactly 100 percent, but he's not rule out or anything like that. We'll see how the week goes.

• Hoke continues to express how much respect he has for Minnesota coach Jerry Kill, clearly one of Hoke's favorite individuals in this business.

• Hoke says Frank Clark did practice Sunday, should be ready to play this week. He missed Saturday's game with an ankle injury.

• More Denard: Hoke says he can grip a football right now, could he play today if you had to go? "Close."

• Hoke says Michigan simply cannot run the football in the red zone right now, and that's frustrating. Adds that "Fitz ran hard, he took on (line)backers, he took on safeties. I was happy how he played. We didn't block."

• Hoke says Mario Ojemudia suffered an injury Saturday (won't disclose what). But does say "he should be fine."

• Hoke basically saying that if Denard Robinson can't practice this week, he likely won't play. His philosophy has just about always been that way, he says. Rarely any exceptions.

• Hoke says he and his medical staff are looking at preventative measures to protect Robinson's nerve situation -- maybe an arm sleeve, something. Not sure yet, though.

• Hoke says Gardner and Bellomy "will compete" for backup snaps behind Robinson, in case Robinson is injured. If Robinson can play, though, Gardner will remain at wide receiver.

• On Bellomy: Hoke says the offensive line/running backs need to do a better job of picking up blitzes, says that was not good Saturday. He says the experience Bellomy got in that game was very important -- good or bad.

• Hoke says Devin Gardner will get more snaps at quarterback this week due to Robinson's injury, as a precaution. He says he and Bellomy will both receive more reps this week.

• Hoke says Denard Robinson "should be fine." Hoke says he thinks Robinson will be able to practice at full-go this week.

• Hoke maintains that Michigan has to do a better job with everything on offense this week, notably the passing game. Says Minnesota is big for division's sake and for the "Little Brown Jug" trophy.
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