2011 Michigan Wolverines football team
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team represents the University of Michigan
during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. The Wolverines play in the Legends Division of the Big Ten Conference
and play their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan
, which hosted its first ever night game against Notre Dame this year. In conjunction with the game, Michigan wore a special throwback jersey. The team is led by head coach Brady Hoke
, who is coaching his first season, following the dismissal of previous head coach Rich Rodriguez
. Michigan achieved bowl eligibility following its week six victory against Northwestern, marking its best start to a season since 2006
.
, the Wolverines became bowl eligible for the first time since 2007
and faced the Mississippi State Bulldogs
in the Gator Bowl
, which they lost 52–14. The Wolverines had an excellent season offensively, with QB Denard Robinson
setting several individual records, and finished the season ranked 8th nationally in total offense. In stark contrast, however, the Wolverines had an awful year defensively and finished 110th in total defense. As a result of this, coupled with his failure to defeat rivals Michigan State and Ohio State in three straight seasons, head coach Rich Rodriguez was officially fired on January 5. Athletic Director David Brandon
announced a national coaching search immediately following Rodriguez's firing. Brady Hoke was hired as Rodriguez's replacement on January 11. Hoke's hire triggered speculation that QB Denard Robinson would transfer, as it was believed that Hoke would run a pro-style offense with Michigan's new offensive coordinator
Al Borges
, but Robinson announced one day after Hoke's hiring that he would return to Michigan for the 2011 season. On defense, Michigan hired defensive coordinator
Greg Mattison
from the Baltimore Ravens
. Mattison had previously been Michigan's defensive coordinator for the 1995
and 1996
seasons.
On January 20, QB Tate Forcier
announced that he was officially leaving the team, ending speculation that he would leave following being declared ineligible for the Gator Bowl. He eventually joined the San Jose State Spartans
. On March 23, starting S Ray Vinopal, citing personal reasons, decided to leave the team and transfer to Pittsburgh
. On April 22, CB
Cullen Christian announced that he would also leave the team, and also decided to transfer to Pittsburgh. On May 24, WR
D.J. Williamson also announced that he was leaving the team, but did not name a team to which he would transfer. On August 7, Hoke announced that Darryl Stonum (the second leading receiver in 2010) was suspended and would be redshirted
due to drunken driving related violations. Additionally, due to an unspecified team rules violations punter Will Hagerup (who had been suspended for one game in 2010) was suspended for the first four games, while wide receiver Terrence Robinson was suspended for the first game. On August 22, incoming OG Tony Posada announced that he was leaving the program due to unspecified reasons. His departure was followed one day later by WR Je'Ron Stokes, who later decided to go to Bowling Green
, and three days later by incoming TE Chris Barnett. On August 28, the team named TE
Kevin Koger, DT Mike Martin, and C
Molk as its season captains.
Michigan returned seventeen out of twenty-two starters—ten on offense and seven on defense. In addition to Vinopal, Michigan was forced to replace starters OG
Stephen Schilling
, LB
Jonas Mouton
, CB James Rogers, and DT Greg Banks, as well as back-up LB Obi Ezeh
, who was a former starter for the Wolverines. Other 2010 Wolverines in NFL training camps included Martell Webb and Perry Dorrestein. A total of 26 Wolverine former student-athletes were on opening day 53-man NFL active rosters.
was listed on the John Mackey Award
watch list for tight end
s, redshirt
junior Roy Roundtree
was listed on the Fred Biletnikoff Award
watch list for wide receiver
s, senior Mike Martin
was listed on the Bednarik Trophy watch list for the best defensive player in the country, Ryan Van Bergen
was listed on the Ted Hendricks Award
watch list for the nation's best defensive end, and Denard Robinson was listed on the Maxwell Award
watch list for the best offensive player in the nation. Denard Robinson was also listed on the Davey O'Brien Award
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's best quarterback, the Walter Camp Award
watch list, which is awarded to the best college player as judged by a combination of head coaches and sports information directors, the Paul Hornung Award
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's most versatile player, and the Manning Award
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's best quarterback by the Allstate Sugar Bowl
committee. In addition, Martin and fifth-year senior David Molk
were listed on both the Outland Trophy
list, which goes to the nation's top interior lineman, and the Lombardi Award
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's top lineman. Molk was also named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, which is awarded to the nation's top center.
was named a national quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy
. Kovacs was named as one of 10 semifinalists for the 2011 Burlsworth Trophy
on November 22. Defensive coordinator
Greg Mattison
was selected as one of five finalists for the 2011 Broyles Award
.
, Fifth-year senior center Molk earned the inaugural Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award and was named first team All-Big Ten by the coaches and second team by the media. Senior defensive tackle Martin was a second-team selection by both the coaches and the media. Junior quarterback Robinson earned second-team honors from the media and redshirt
sophomore offensive tackle Taylor Lewan
was selected to the second-team by the coaches. The following players were also honorable mention All-Big Ten selections: Kenny Demens
(coaches/media), J.T. Floyd (coaches/media), Kevin Koger
(coaches/media), Fitzgerald Toussaint
(coaches/media), Ryan Van Bergen
(coaches/media), Junior Hemingway
(coaches), Kovacs (media), and Craig Roh
(media). 4th-year junior Kovacs was named the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient for the Michigan program. Hoke swept the Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, earning the Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year, as selected by conference coaches, and the Dave McClain Coach of the Year, as picked by the media.
for another five years with WWJ
in Detroit becoming their new flagship station. Radio coverage for all games will be broadcast statewide on The Michigan Wolverines Football Network, and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The radio announcers are Frank Beckmann with play-by-play, Jim Brandstatter
with color commentary, and Doug Karsch
with sideline reports
.
In the opening game of the season, Michigan hosted the Western Michigan Broncos. The teams last met in 2009, which Michigan won 31–7.
Western scored the only points of the first quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Antoin Scriven. Michigan answered with three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter: a 1-yard run by Fitzgerald Toussaint
, a 94-yard interception return by Brandon Herron (the longest interception return for a touchdown in Michigan program history), then another touchdown by Fitzgerald Toussaint, this time on a 2-yard run. The final touchdown's extra point attempt was blocked. Western scored their final points of the game with a 36-yard field goal by John Potter just before halftime. After the break, Michigan added to their lead with two more touchdowns: first a 28-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery from Herron, and later a 44-yard run by Michael Shaw
(the longest touchdown run of his career). After two rain delays in the third quarter, the game was finally stopped due to thunderstorms in the area and Michigan was awarded the win. This was the first Michigan football game to be ended due to weather before all 60 minutes were played. The 1902 Rose Bowl
game (Michigan against Stanford) was stopped with 8 minutes to go at the request of the Stanford team, who were losing 49-0.
Jordan Kovacs
led the defense with a forced fumble
that was returned for a touchdown, two quarterback sacks and ten tackles
. Herron became the first Michigan player to post two defensive touchdowns, and the first since Tom Harmon
to have two return
touchdowns of any kind in a game. In recognition of their efforts, Herron was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, National Defensive Performer of Week 1 and National Linebacker Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards (CFPA), and he earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors by College Sports Madness. He was also nominated for Defensive Performance of the Year by Intersport. Meanwhile, Kovacs was named the Lott Trophy
's IMPACT Player of the Week. The temperature on the field at kickoff was over 137°F, and by the end of the game it had dropped to 84°F, a difference of 53°F. This was the second game in Michigan Stadium history that featured a weather delay, with the first coming in 2006
, when Michigan faced Central Michigan
. The NCAA
originally vacated the statistics for this game because three quarters were not completed, but reversed course after Michigan completed its regular season and allowed the statistics to count.
Following its opener against Western Michigan, Michigan renewed its rivalry with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In the first night game in Michigan Stadium
history, both teams wore "throwback-style" jerseys. Michigan's jerseys did not entirely match any worn in team history; however, they incorporated "design elements from different eras of Michigan football." During the previous meeting, Denard Robinson set a school record for total yardage in a single game at 502 yards, as Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28–24 in a wild affair. Due to the significance of the game, ESPN announced on August 5 that College GameDay would be held in Ann Arbor for the first time since November 17, 2007, when Michigan hosted Ohio State, which was Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr
's final regular season game before he retired. At the game, Michigan football great Desmond Howard
, the 1991 Heisman Trophy
winner, was honored in recognition of his recent induction into the College Football Hall of Fame
. A 1991 consensus All-American, Howard became the first receiver in history to lead the Big Ten Conference in scoring, and he set or tied five NCAA records and 12 single-season Michigan records during his senior year. Charles Woodson
was also honored. A C-47 conducted the pre-game flyover and two parachuters from the 101st Airborne Division
entered the stadium at halftime.
Notre Dame started the scoring with two consecutive touchdowns in the first quarter, with the first coming from a 7-yard catch by Theo Riddick, and and the second from a 4-yard run by Cierre Wood
. Michigan's only points of the first half came on a 43-yard reception by Junior Hemingway
in the second quarter. Notre Dame answered with a 38-yard field goal by David Ruffer just before halftime to put them up 17–7. The only points of the third quarter were when Notre Dame's T. J. Jones caught a 15-yard touchdown pass. In the fourth quarter Michigan rallied from behind, scoring three consecutive touchdowns: first a 1-yard run by Denard Robinson after Stephen Hopkins fumbled at the goal line, then a 47-yard catch by Jeremy Gallon
, then a 21-yard catch by Vincent Smith
to give them their first lead of the game. This did not last long, as Notre Dame's Theo Riddick then scored his second touchdown of the game less than a minute later on a 29-yard catch. Michigan received the ball on its 20-yard line with 30 seconds remaining, driving 80 yards in 28 seconds with Roy Roundtree scoring the game winning touchdown with two seconds left in the game.
Michigan's 17-point comeback against Notre Dame tied for the third-biggest comeback in U-M history and tied for the second-biggest comeback at Michigan Stadium. The game's announced crowd of 114,804 set the all-time attendance record for a football game—college or NFL
—and broke the Michigan Stadium attendance record. The previous Michigan Stadium record was 113,411, established at the 2010 "Big Chill at the Big House" ice hockey game. In recognition of his performance during the game, the Big Ten named Denard Robinson its Offensive Player of the Week, while the Davey O'Brien Award named him its Quarterback of the Week. He was also named Rivals.com
's Big Ten and National Player of the Week and was nominated for the Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week, which he won by fan vote. The team was recognized as the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of Week.
Following its clash with Notre Dame, Michigan met their neighbors from Ypsilanti
when they hosted the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Michigan won the previous meeting between the two schools in 2009 45–17.
Neither team scored in the first quarter. Eastern scored their only points of the game early in the second quarter with a 21 yard field goal by Kody Fulkerson. Michigan answered with four consecutive touchdowns: first a 9 yard catch by Kevin Koger, then an 11 yard run by Denard Robinson. After halftime, Michigan scored on a 1 yard run by Fitzgerald Toussaint, then on a 19 yard catch by Drew Dileo. The final points of the game came on the sole scoring drive of the fourth quarter, a 21 yard field goal by Brendan Gibbons.
The Wolverines improved to 10-0 in all-time series against Eastern Michigan and are 29–1 all-time against teams from the Mid-American Conference, while Brady Hoke improved his record against Eastern Michigan to 5–2. Eastern Michigan's three points are the fewest points allowed by Michigan in four seasons, dating back to a 38-0 shutout against Notre Dame on Sept. 15, 2007. The Wolverines also held Eastern Michigan to 29 passing yards -- the lowest total for a U-M opponent since Rice recorded 15 passing yards on Sept. 11, 1999. Denard Robinson's 198 yards rushing was the third-greatest rushing yardage at that point of his career, trailing only efforts against Notre Dame (258 yards, Sept. 11, 2010) and Indiana (217 yards, Oct. 2, 2010). It was surpassed by his 200 yard effort against San Diego State. His 52-yard run early in the second quarter was his longest at that point of the season, which was eclipsed by a 53-yard run against San Diego State. His rushing touchdown was the 21st rushing touchdown of his career, giving him sole possession of the 16th spot among Michigan's all-time leaders in the category. Following the game, he needed three more to reach the 15th position, currently shared by Lawrence Ricks
(24, 1979-82) and Tim Biakabutuka
(24, 1993-95). He inched closer to the second spot among the Big Ten Conference's career leaders in rushing yards by a quarterback, and needed 152 yards to reach the second spot, which was then held by Illinois' Isiah Williams
(2,557, 2006-09).
In its final game of non-conference play, Michigan hosted the San Diego State Aztecs. This meeting was the first between the two schools since 2004, and came nine months after Brady Hoke left San Diego State for Michigan. During the previous meeting, Michigan escaped a potential upset by San Diego State, winning 24–21.
Michigan's Denard Robinson scored all three touchdowns in the first half: a 5-yard run, and then a 53-yard run in the first quarter, and then in the second quarter on a 1-yard run. In the third quarter, San Diego State scored their only points of the game with a 16-yard catch by Colin Lockett following a Stephen Hopkins fumble. In the fourth quarter, Michigan sealed its victory with a 7-yard run by Vincent Smith.
QB Denard Robinson set or broke several records. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 93 yards and carried the ball 21 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns. It was Robinson's third career 200-yard rushing game and matched his career best for rushing touchdowns. Robinson is one of only three Wolverine players to register three or more 200-yard rushing games in program history. Mike Hart (2004-07) owns the record with five, while Ron Johnson (1966-68) also boasts three 200-yard games. Robinson also boasts three straight 100-yard rushing games and 12 in his career. He was—at this point in the season—tied with Chris Perry (2000-03) in the 10th spot among Michigan's career 100-yard game leaders. It was Robinson's seventh career game with multiple rushing touchdowns and his first since scoring two against Wisconsin last season (Nov. 20, 2010). He previously rushed for three touchdowns last season at Penn State (Oct. 30, 2010). Robinson upped his career rushing touchdowns to 24 and moved into a three-way tie for 15th among Michigan's all-time leaders in the category. He shared the spot with Lawrence Ricks
(1979-82) and Tim Biakabutuka
(1993-95). Robinson also moved to sixth career total offensive yards (5,887) and 13th in career rushing yards (2,605). He now ranks among Michigan's top 15 leaders in all major career offensive records. Robinson passed Illinois' Isiah Williams
(2,557, 2006-09) to move into the second spot among the Big Ten Conference's career leaders in rushing yards by a quarterback. At this point in the season, he needed 1,290 yards to reach the top spot, currently held by Indiana's Antwaan Randle El
(3,895, 1998-2001). Robinson earned Big Ten Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week recognition.
In its first game of the Big Ten season, Michigan hosted the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan won the previous meeting between the two schools in 2008 29–6.
Michigan dominated in all aspects of the game. In the first quarter Vincent Smith ran in a 3-yard touchdown, which was followed by a Denard Robinson 9-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter Drew Dileo caught a 17-yard pass from Vincent Smith, which was followed by a Vincent Smith 28-yard touchdown reception, his second TD of the game. Next came a 25-yard field goal by Brendan Gibbons. Just before halftime, Kevin Koger caught an 18-yard pass for a TD. After the break, Fitzgerald Touissant ran in a 1-yard TD. Next came two more field goals from Gibbons: first from 32 yards, then in the fourth quarter from 38 yards. Michigan capped off their blowout victory when Courtney Avery picked up a Minnesota fumble and ran it back 83 yards for a touchdown.
It was Michigan's first shutout of a Big Ten opponent since a 20–0 win at Penn State on October 6, 2001, and its first shutout of any opponent since a 38–0 win against Notre Dame on September 15, 2007. The 58-0 win over the Golden Gophers was Michigan's largest margin of victory over Minnesota in the series' history. The previous best was 51 (58-7) in 1993. The game also marked Michigan's largest margin of victory over any opponent since a 69-0 victory over Northwestern in October 1975. (Michigan also defeated Indiana by an identical 58-0 score in October 2000.) Vincent Smith became the first running back in FBS to pass for a touchdown and have touchdowns rushing and receiving since C.J. Spiller on November 14, 2009, against North Carolina State. He is the fifth Big ten player to do so since 1996 and the first since Mike Kafka
, who accomplished the feat for Northwestern on September 19, 2009. Michigan outgained Minnesota 580 to 177. Minnesota's total yardage was the lowest allowed by Michigan since the game against Minnesota in 2008. Michigan rushed for 363 yards of offense, its third straight game of rushing for more than 300 yards. This is the first time this has occurred since the 1987 season
.
After the battle for the Little Brown Jug, Michigan traveled to Evanston, Illinois for the first time since 2007 to play the Northwestern Wildcats. During the previous meeting between the schools in 2008, Northwestern won 21–14.
Michigan scored first on a 9-yard reception by Steve Watsdon. Northwestern replied with a 15-yard TD run by Kain Colter
, and then too the lead on a 7-yard run by Treyvon Green. In the second quarter, Michigan's Jeremy Gallon caught a 25-yard TD reception. The Wildcats responded with a 2-yard TD run by Adonis Smith, and scored their final points of the game with a 20-yard field goal by Jeff Budzien. Michigan dominated the second half with four unanswered touchdowns. In the third quarter, Denard Robinson scored on a 2-yard run, then Devin Gardner scored on a 1-yard run. In the fourth quarter, Michael Shaw scored on a 2-yard run, and Denard Robinson capped the victory with 5-yard run.
Michigan's 541 yard offensive performance was the second straight week the offense gained more than yards of offense, and was the second highest total of the season, only followed by the previous week's total of 581 yards against Minnesota. Denard Robinson's 337 yards of passing were one yard shy of his career high; he threw for 338 yards against Notre Dame on Sept. 10, 2011. Michigan started a season 6-0 for the first time since 2006. At this point in the season, Michigan has scored 114 second-half points, while opponents have only scored 21. From the second quarter on, Michigan has outscored opponents 193–40. Jordan Kovacs had two solo tackles for a loss, both on fourth down. Following the game, Michigan has outscored its opponents 62–7 in the fourth quarter. Brady Hoke's 6–0 start is the first 6–0 start by a first-year Michigan coach since Bennie Oosterbaan
did so in 1948
.
After its game against Northwestern, Michigan traveled to East Lansing to battle their in-state rival, the Michigan State Spartans, for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Michigan was searching for its first win against Michigan State since 2007. Michigan State won the previous meeting 34–17. The Wolverines wore legacy road uniforms for the game with Michigan State. It was the first time that U-M wore all white road uniforms since the 1976 Orange Bowl
against Oklahoma. Michigan State also wore special alternate uniforms colored dark green, bronze and black.
The first half was relatively quiet, with each team only scoring one touchdown in the first quarter. Michigan's Denard Robinson ran in one from 15 yards out, with Michigan State responding with a 1-yard TD run by Edwin Baker. After halftime, State's Kirk Cousins
threw a 10-yard TD pass to Keshawn Martin to take the lead. The Spartans added more points with another TD catch by Martin, this one from 13 yards out. In the fourth quarter, Michigan scored their only points of the second half with a 34-yard TD catch and run by Roy Roundtree. State sealed their victory with a 39-yard interception return TD by Isiah Lewis, handing Michigan their first loss of the season.
This game was Michigan's first game against a ranked opponent this season. Michigan's record against Michigan State in the overall series dropped to 68–35–2, while its record in games involving the Paul Bunyan Trophy dropped to 35–23–2. Denard Robinson's passing performance put him over 4,000 yards in his career, the 10th Michigan quarterback to do so, and his rushing performance moved him past Tim Biakabutuka for 10th place. Punter Will Hagerup placed four of his seven punts inside Michigan State's 20-yard line, and three of those inside the 15-yard line. The victory was Michigan State's fourth in a row against Michigan, the first time Michigan State had done this since a streak between 1959 and 1962.
Following its trip to East Lansing and its bye week
, Michigan hosted the Purdue Boilermakers for its homecoming game. During the previous meeting between the two schools, Michigan defeated Purdue 27–16 in a turnover filled game caused by heavy rain. The game ball was delivered via jet pack
, as Michigan's homecoming theme for the year was space.
Purdue scored its only points of the first half when Caleb TerBush
threw a 48-yard TD pass to Gary Bush. Michigan dominated the game following the Purdue score. The Wolverines responded to Purdue's touchdown with a touchdown of their own, a 2-yard run by Denard Robinson, which was its fifth consecutive opening drive TD. In the second quarter, Michigan scored a safety when Mike Martin tackled Caleb TerBush in the end zone. A few minutes later, Michigan's Brendan Gibbons kicked a 37-yard field goal. Michigan added more points with a 2-yard TD run by Fitzgerald Toussaint. The final score of the first half was a 22-yard Michigan field goal with no time left on the clock. After the intermission, Michigan scored the only points of the third quarter when Firtzgerald Toussaint scored his second TD of the game, this time on a 59-yard rush. The teams traded scores in the final quarter. First Michigan's Michael Shaw ran in a TD from 37 yards out, which was followed by Purdue's Robert Marve
throwing a 19-yard TD pass to O.J. Ross. With the win, Michigan's record against Purdue improved to 43–14.
Junior quarterback Denard Robinson completed 9-of-14 passes for 170 yards and carried the ball 15 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. He scored his 29th career rushing touchdown on a two-yard run midway through the first quarter. Robinson moved to ninth place among Michigan's all-time leaders in the category, where he is tied with Butch Woolfolk
(1978-81). Robinson has scored at least one rushing touchdown in seven straight games. Fitzgerald Toussaint recorded career highs in carries (20) and rushing yards (170) and matched a career best with two rushing touchdowns. Toussaint's second touchdown—a 59-yard rush in the third quarter—was the longest rush for a touchdown of his career, but missed his overall career long by two yards (61 yards vs. Bowling Green, September 25, 2010). The Apollo 15
flight crew, which consisted of all Michigan graduates, was honored during the first quarter.
After its homecoming game against Purdue, Michigan traveled to Iowa City to meet the Iowa Hawkeyes. During the previous meeting, Iowa won 38–28.
Iowa scored first with a 4-yard touchdown run by Marcus Coker
. Michigan responded with a 5-yard touchdown catch by Fitzgerald Toussaint, their only point of the first half; however, the extra point was botched due to a bad snap. In the second quarter, Iowa's Brad Herman caught a 1-yard pass from James Vandenberg for a touchdown. Iowa's Mike Meyer then kicked a 42-yard field goal to add to the Hawkeye's lead. After halftime, Michigan's Brendan Gibbons scored the only points of the 3rd quarter with a 32-yard field goal. Iowa then scored its only points of the second half when Marcus Coker scored his 2nd TD of the day, this time with a 13-yard rush. Michigan responded with a 7-yard touchdown catch by Kevin Koger.
Junior Hemingway cracked the top 20 on U-M's career receiving yards list. Hemingway had 64 yards on five catches today to pass Adrian Arrington and take over 20th place with 1,453 career yards. Fitzgerald Toussaint made his first career touchdown reception on just the third catch of his career. Denard Robinson moved to ninth place all-time on the U-M career rushing yards list, with his then total of 2,933 yards surpassing Gordon Bell's total of 2,900 yards.
Following its trip to Iowa, Michigan flew to Champaign to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The previous meeting between the two schools featured the highest combined scoring game in Michigan Stadium history, with Michigan prevailing 67–65 in triple overtime.
Michigan dominated the game, but the score did not reflect this until after halftime. Michigan scored on its opening drive via a Denard Robinson 9-yard TD run, which was set up via a 65-yard Fitzgerald Toussaint run into the Illinois red zone. Michigan added another touchdown in the second quarter on a Denard Robinson 2-yard run; however, it failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities, with Denard Robinson being stuffed on 4th and 1 from the Ilinois 1 and Brendan Gibbons missing a 38-yard field goal. Michigan's defense held Illinois to 30 total yards in the first half. In the third quarter, Gibbons made a 27-yard field goal, but Illinois responded with a Nathan Scheelhaase
1-yard run. In the fourth quarter, Michigan's next offensive drive sputtered and Illinois' offense returned to the field, only to see J.T. Floyd intercept a Scheelhasse pass and return it into Illinois territory. Shortly thereafter, Devin Gardner
threw a 27-yard TD pass to Martavious Odoms
, returning Michigan's lead to 17. Illinois responded with a 1-yard TD run by Jason Ford, but following a failed onside kick, Toussaint ran 27 yards for a touchdown, which was the final score of the game. Michigan's defense held Illinois' offense to 37 rushing yards and 214 yards of total offense.
Denard Robinson moved into 13th place on the NCAA's all time rushing list among quarterbacks, passing Dan LeFevour
and Tim Tebow
with his 30 rushing yards. Toussaint's 192 rushing yards set a new career high, surpassing his 170-yard performance against Purdue earlier in the season. Ryan Van Bergen was named the Big Ten's Co-Defensive Player of the Week in recognition of his performance.
After the game against Illinois, Michigan hosted the newest member of the Big Ten Conference, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in what was Nebraska's first visit to Michigan Stadium since 1962. It was the first meeting between the two teams since the 2005 Alamo Bowl
, which Nebraska won 32–28. In celebration of Military Appreciation Day
, Michigan held a card stunt and had a flyover of four F-16s prior to kickoff, and the team wore an American flag patch on their jerseys. Michigan also honored former head coach Lloyd Carr
at the game.
Michigan took an early lead when Jeremy Gallon caught a 6-yard touchdown pass and then added 3 more points when Brendan Gibbons kicked a 42-yard field goal. Nebraska got on the board late in the first quarter when Brandon Kinnie caught a 54-yard pass from Taylor Martinez
. In the second quarter, each team scored once. First the Cornhuskers' Brett Maher kicked a 51-yard field goal, which was followed by Michigan's Denard Robinson running in a touchdown from 14 yards out. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Nebraska's Kenny Bell fumbled the ball on the return and Michigan recovered. This led to a Denard Robinson 1-yard touchdown run. Later, the Wolverines' Fitzgerald Toussaint ran in a touchdown from 1-yard out. Nebraska then scored its only points of the second half when Ameer Abdullah rushed 3 yards for a touchdown. In the final quarter, Michigan added to its large lead when Martavious Odoms caught a 38-yard pass for a touchdown. The Wolverines capped their blowout victory when Fitzgerald Toussaint scored his second touchdown of the game, this time on a 31-yard rush.
Michigan was 8-for-18 on third-down conversions against Nebraska. The Wolverine defense held Nebraska's offense to just 3-of-13 conversions on third down, while Michigan was a perfect 5-for-5 in red-zone opportunities in the win. Michigan had possession for 41:13 in the win over Nebraska. The Wolverines ran 80 total plays during the game against the Cornhuskers. In the first half, the Wolverines doubled the number of plays the Cornhuskers ran, 42-21. Denard Robinson accounted for more yards (263) than the entire Nebraska team (260). Josh Furman's blocked punt in the third quarter was the first Michigan blocked punt since the 2009 season
, when Brandon Graham blocked a punt against Illinois. Michigan improved to 4-2-1 in the all-time series against Nebraska. Denard Robinson was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week in recognition of his performance.
To end the regular season, Michigan hosted a battle with its arch-rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in the 108th meeting between the two schools. Ohio State won the previous meeting 37–7, but later vacated the win as part of its self imposed sanctions after it was discovered that five players had received improper benefits and had played while ineligible. This was the first time both schools meet with new head coaches since 1929, when Harry Kipke
became the head coach at Michigan and Sam Willaman
became the head coach at Ohio State.
Ohio State started the scoring in the first quarter when Corey Brown caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Miller
. Michigan tied it up when Denard Robinson ran in a 41-yard touchdown, and took the lead when Ohio State's Mike Adams
committed a holding
penalty in the end zone for a safety. Michigan added to its lead when Junior Hemmingway caught a 26-yard pass for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Ohio State's Drew Basil completed a 45-yard field goal. The Buckeyes took the lead when Braxton Miller ran in a TD from 19 yards out. Michigan pulled ahead again when Denard Robinson scored his second rushing touchdown, this time from 6 yards out. Ohio State took the lead back when DeVier Posey
caught a 43-yard touchdown pass. After the intermission, Michigan's Martavious Odoms scored the only points of the third quarter when he caught a 20-yard touchdown pass. In the final quarter—following a muffed punt by Michigan's Will Hagerup in the previous quarter—Ohio State's Drew Basil kicked his second field goal of the game, this one from 21 yards out. Michigan responded when Kevin Koger scored a TD with a 4 yard catch. Ohio State scored their final points when Daniel Herron
ran in a TD from 4 yards out. Michigan scored the final points with a 43-yard Brendan Gibbons field goal, which was a career-long, and sealed its victory when Courtney Avery intercepted a Braxton Miller pass with 39 seconds remaining.
The victory was Michigan's first victory over Ohio State since 2003
. This season was Michigan's first undefeated season at home since 2006
, along with its first ever eight win season at home. With the win, Brady Hoke became the second Michigan head coach to win 10 games in his first season, with the first being Fielding Yost
. Denard Robinson became the first Michigan player in the modern era to score two rushing and two passing touchdown in the same game.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, play of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level, began on Thursday, September 1, 2011...
. The Wolverines play in the Legends Division of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
and play their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
, which hosted its first ever night game against Notre Dame this year. In conjunction with the game, Michigan wore a special throwback jersey. The team is led by head coach Brady Hoke
Brady Hoke
Brady Hoke is the head football coach at the University of Michigan. He is in his first season. He grew up in Ohio and attended Ball State University where he played linebacker from 1977 to 1980...
, who is coaching his first season, following the dismissal of previous head coach Rich Rodriguez
Rich Rodriguez
Richard A. "Rich" Rodriguez is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University , Glenville State College , West Virginia University , and the University...
. Michigan achieved bowl eligibility following its week six victory against Northwestern, marking its best start to a season since 2006
2006 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2006 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines came into the season with lower expectations than many Michigan teams of the previous few seasons, ranked #14...
.
Preseason
In 20102010 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2010 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Michigan played its home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan and competed in the Big Ten Conference. The season was the first since the renovation of...
, the Wolverines became bowl eligible for the first time since 2007
2007 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2007 college football season. This was Lloyd Carr's final season as Michigan head coach. The 2007 season began with a stunning loss to Appalachian State, but the Wolverines won eight straight games after...
and faced the Mississippi State Bulldogs
2010 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
The 2010 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University during the 2010 college football season. Mississippi State has been a member of the Southeastern Conference since the league's inception in 1932, and has participated in that conference's Western Division...
in the Gator Bowl
2011 Gator Bowl
The 2011 Gator Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten and Mississippi State Bulldogs of the SEC, and was played on January 1, 2011 , at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. It was the sixty sixth edition of the bowl game and was...
, which they lost 52–14. The Wolverines had an excellent season offensively, with QB Denard Robinson
Denard Robinson
Denard Xavier Robinson , nicknamed Shoelace, is an American football player who is playing his junior season for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team. He started at quarterback in all 13 games for the Michigan Wolverines football team in 2010...
setting several individual records, and finished the season ranked 8th nationally in total offense. In stark contrast, however, the Wolverines had an awful year defensively and finished 110th in total defense. As a result of this, coupled with his failure to defeat rivals Michigan State and Ohio State in three straight seasons, head coach Rich Rodriguez was officially fired on January 5. Athletic Director David Brandon
David Brandon
David A. Brandon is the director of intercollegiate athletics for the University of Michigan. He was formerly chairman of the board, chief executive officer, and manager of Domino's Pizza. He is also a former regent of the University of Michigan. Brandon took over Domino's in March 1999 when...
announced a national coaching search immediately following Rodriguez's firing. Brady Hoke was hired as Rodriguez's replacement on January 11. Hoke's hire triggered speculation that QB Denard Robinson would transfer, as it was believed that Hoke would run a pro-style offense with Michigan's new offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Al Borges
Al Borges
Alan Borges is an American college football coach and the offensive coordinator of the University of Michigan football team. Borges is known for quarterback development having mentored Cade McNown and Jason Campbell, both first round NFL draft picks...
, but Robinson announced one day after Hoke's hiring that he would return to Michigan for the 2011 season. On defense, Michigan hired defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Greg Mattison
Greg Mattison
Greg Mattison is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He is the current defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan football team....
from the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. Mattison had previously been Michigan's defensive coordinator for the 1995
1995 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1995 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1995 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr...
and 1996
1996 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1996 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1996 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. That year Michigan Wolverines football competed in the Big Ten Conference in...
seasons.
On January 20, QB Tate Forcier
Tate Forcier
Robert Patrick "Tate" Forcier is an American college football quarterback. He was a starting quarterback for the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team ahead of Denard Robinson and Robinson's back up for the 2010 Michigan Wolverines football team before leaving the program in January 2011...
announced that he was officially leaving the team, ending speculation that he would leave following being declared ineligible for the Gator Bowl. He eventually joined the San Jose State Spartans
San José State Spartans Football
The San Jose State Spartans represent San Jose State University and the Silicon Valley in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The Spartans play all home games in Spartan Stadium, which offers a seating capacity of over 30,000...
. On March 23, starting S Ray Vinopal, citing personal reasons, decided to leave the team and transfer to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
. On April 22, CB
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Cullen Christian announced that he would also leave the team, and also decided to transfer to Pittsburgh. On May 24, WR
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
D.J. Williamson also announced that he was leaving the team, but did not name a team to which he would transfer. On August 7, Hoke announced that Darryl Stonum (the second leading receiver in 2010) was suspended and would be redshirted
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
due to drunken driving related violations. Additionally, due to an unspecified team rules violations punter Will Hagerup (who had been suspended for one game in 2010) was suspended for the first four games, while wide receiver Terrence Robinson was suspended for the first game. On August 22, incoming OG Tony Posada announced that he was leaving the program due to unspecified reasons. His departure was followed one day later by WR Je'Ron Stokes, who later decided to go to Bowling Green
Bowling Green Falcons football
The Bowling Green Falcons football team is the interscholastic football team at Bowling Green State University. Bowling Green competes as a member of the Mid-American Conference in the East Division. The Falcons have won ten conference championships....
, and three days later by incoming TE Chris Barnett. On August 28, the team named TE
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Kevin Koger, DT Mike Martin, and C
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Molk as its season captains.
Michigan returned seventeen out of twenty-two starters—ten on offense and seven on defense. In addition to Vinopal, Michigan was forced to replace starters OG
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
Stephen Schilling
Stephen Schilling
Stephen Dana Schilling is an American football offensive guard for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was included on the 2009 preseason watchlist for the Lombardi Award...
, LB
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Jonas Mouton
Jonas Mouton
-College career:He redshirted in 2006 and made his career debut on September 15, 2007 against Notre Dame. On January 1, 2008, in the Capital One Bowl against Florida he made a 20-yard kickoff return....
, CB James Rogers, and DT Greg Banks, as well as back-up LB Obi Ezeh
Obi Ezeh
Obi Pius Ezeh is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was included on both the 2009 midseason and the 2009 preseason watchlist for the Butkus Award. He is the active Michigan Wolverines football career leader in tackles.In high school, he played running back on offense...
, who was a former starter for the Wolverines. Other 2010 Wolverines in NFL training camps included Martell Webb and Perry Dorrestein. A total of 26 Wolverine former student-athletes were on opening day 53-man NFL active rosters.
Position key
| Back | B | Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
C | Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
CB | Defensive back Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... |
DB | |||
| Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E | |||
| Fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback... |
FB | Guard Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... |
G | Halfback Halfback (American football) A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive... |
HB | Kicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
K | |||
| Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
LB | |||
| Long snapper Long snapper In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible.... |
LS | Punter | P | Punt returner Punt returner Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while... |
PR | Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
QB | |||
| Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
RB | Safety | S | Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
TE | Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
WR |
Recruits
Preseason award watch lists
Michigan began the season with six players listed on prominent watch lists. Senior Kevin KogerKevin Koger
Kevin Jamaal Koger is an American football tight end for the Michigan Wolverines. He was a 2011 All-Big Ten honorable mention.-High school career:...
was listed on the John Mackey Award
John Mackey Award
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
watch list for tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
s, redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
junior Roy Roundtree
Roy Roundtree
-College:Roundtree redshirted for the 2008 season. He made his college debut on September 5, 2009 against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium as a slot receiver. That year he roomed with Trotwood teammates Shaw and Moore. He had just two receptions in the first eight games of the...
was listed on the Fred Biletnikoff Award
Fred Biletnikoff Award
The Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
watch list for wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
s, senior Mike Martin
Mike Martin (defensive lineman)
-University of Michigan:Martin had been a fan of Michigan football since childhood and gave his oral commitment to head coach Lloyd Carr during an official visit in 2007. When Carr retired after the 2007 season, Martin withdrew his oral commitment and was heavily recruited by both Notre Dame and...
was listed on the Bednarik Trophy watch list for the best defensive player in the country, Ryan Van Bergen
Ryan Van Bergen
-College:Made one start as a redshirt freshman for the 2008 Wolverines on October 11 against . Following the 2008 season, Michigan had to replace three starting senior co-captain defensive linemen: Terrance Taylor, Tim Jamison and Will Johnson....
was listed on the Ted Hendricks Award
Ted Hendricks Award
The Ted Hendricks Award is given annually to college football's top defensive end. The award is named after Ted Hendricks, who is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is presented by his own 501 foundation, called the Ted Hendricks...
watch list for the nation's best defensive end, and Denard Robinson was listed on the Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
watch list for the best offensive player in the nation. Denard Robinson was also listed on the Davey O'Brien Award
Davey O'Brien Award
The Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's best quarterback, the Walter Camp Award
Walter Camp Award
The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
watch list, which is awarded to the best college player as judged by a combination of head coaches and sports information directors, the Paul Hornung Award
Paul Hornung Award
The Paul Hornung Award is a college football award that was created in January 2010 by the Louisville Sports Commission with the support of Paul Hornung, a native and resident of Louisville, Kentucky and member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's most versatile player, and the Manning Award
Manning Award
The Manning Award has been presented annually since 2004 to the collegiate American football quarterback adjudged by the Sugar Bowl Committee to be the best in the United States...
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's best quarterback by the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
committee. In addition, Martin and fifth-year senior David Molk
David Molk
David Molk is an American football center who is playing his redshirt senior season for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team. For the 2011 season, he began the year on the Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award & Rimington Trophy watch lists...
were listed on both the Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
list, which goes to the nation's top interior lineman, and the Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
watch list, which is awarded to the nation's top lineman. Molk was also named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, which is awarded to the nation's top center.
Midseason Award lists
Hoke was named to the midseason watchlist for the Bear Bryant Award; Robinson was named a national semifinalist for the O'Brien Award; and Jordan KovacsJordan Kovacs
Jordan David Kovacs is an American football safety who is playing his redshirt junior season in 2011 for the Michigan Wolverines football team...
was named a national quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy
Lott Trophy
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
. Kovacs was named as one of 10 semifinalists for the 2011 Burlsworth Trophy
Burlsworth Trophy
The Burlsworth Trophy is an award given annually by the Rotary Club of Springdale, Arkansas to the most outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.-Eponym:...
on November 22. Defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Greg Mattison
Greg Mattison
Greg Mattison is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He is the current defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan football team....
was selected as one of five finalists for the 2011 Broyles Award
Broyles Award
The Broyles Award is an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. First awarded in 1996, it was named after former University of Arkansas men's athletic director Frank Broyles...
.
Conference honors
Following the 2011 Big Ten Conference football season2011 Big Ten Conference football season
The 2011 Big Ten Conference football season is the 116th and current season for the Big Ten. The conference started its season on Saturday, September 3, as each of the conference’s teams began their respective 2011 season of NCAA Division I FBS competition...
, Fifth-year senior center Molk earned the inaugural Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award and was named first team All-Big Ten by the coaches and second team by the media. Senior defensive tackle Martin was a second-team selection by both the coaches and the media. Junior quarterback Robinson earned second-team honors from the media and redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
sophomore offensive tackle Taylor Lewan
Taylor Lewan
-2009 season:Taylor Lewan enrolled in Michigan's School of Kinesiology and redshirted his freshman season.-2010 season:Although Lewan did not play in the 2010 season opener, appeared in 11 games, including nine as a starter, during the 2010 season...
was selected to the second-team by the coaches. The following players were also honorable mention All-Big Ten selections: Kenny Demens
Kenny Demens
-College:Demens saw action as a true freshman in three games under first-year head coach Rich Rodriguez for the 2008 Wolverines.Demens became a started in the October 16 game against Iowa, and by the end of the season he recorded 10 tackles or more four times...
(coaches/media), J.T. Floyd (coaches/media), Kevin Koger
Kevin Koger
Kevin Jamaal Koger is an American football tight end for the Michigan Wolverines. He was a 2011 All-Big Ten honorable mention.-High school career:...
(coaches/media), Fitzgerald Toussaint
Fitzgerald Toussaint
Fitzgerald Toussaint is an American football running back. He is currently the starting running back for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team. He was a 2011 All-Big Ten honorable mention.-Early years:...
(coaches/media), Ryan Van Bergen
Ryan Van Bergen
-College:Made one start as a redshirt freshman for the 2008 Wolverines on October 11 against . Following the 2008 season, Michigan had to replace three starting senior co-captain defensive linemen: Terrance Taylor, Tim Jamison and Will Johnson....
(coaches/media), Junior Hemingway
Junior Hemingway
-College:As a true freshman for the 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team, he appeared in 10 games, but did not make his first start until September 22 against Penn State. His first receptions came during the October 6 game against Eastern Michigan when he recorded 3 catches for 33 yards. He...
(coaches), Kovacs (media), and Craig Roh
Craig Roh
Craig Robert Roh is an American football player from Scottsdale, Arizona. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona for the 2008-2009 academic year and received the 2009 Scholar-Athlete Award from the College Football Hall of Fame...
(media). 4th-year junior Kovacs was named the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient for the Michigan program. Hoke swept the Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, earning the Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year, as selected by conference coaches, and the Dave McClain Coach of the Year, as picked by the media.
Rankings
Schedule
The schedule is as follows:Radio
On August 8, 2011 the University of Michigan announced that it was extending its contract with CBS RadioCBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
for another five years with WWJ
WWJ (AM)
WWJ is Detroit, Michigan's only 24-hour all-news radio station. Broadcasting at 950 kHz, the station is owned and operated by CBS Corporation subsidiary CBS Radio. The station first went on the air on August 20, 1920 with the call sign 8MK...
in Detroit becoming their new flagship station. Radio coverage for all games will be broadcast statewide on The Michigan Wolverines Football Network, and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The radio announcers are Frank Beckmann with play-by-play, Jim Brandstatter
Jim Brandstatter
Jim Brandstatter is an award-winning American sportscaster based in Southeastern Michigan. He is currently the radio color commentator for the Detroit Lions and Michigan Wolverines football teams. Brandstatter is also a sports television show host and radio show host; both shows are about Michigan...
with color commentary, and Doug Karsch
Doug Karsch
Douglas Allen Karsch, III is an American talk radio show host and Michigan Wolverines sports reporter based in Detroit, Michigan.-Education and early career:...
with sideline reports
Sideline reporter
A sideline reporter, also known as a field reporter, courtside reporter , clubhouse reporter or dugout reporter , rinkside reporter or inside-the-glass reporter , on-court reporter , hole reporter , or boundary rider , is a member of the...
.
vs. Western Michigan
- Sources:
In the opening game of the season, Michigan hosted the Western Michigan Broncos. The teams last met in 2009, which Michigan won 31–7.
Western scored the only points of the first quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Antoin Scriven. Michigan answered with three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter: a 1-yard run by Fitzgerald Toussaint
Fitzgerald Toussaint
Fitzgerald Toussaint is an American football running back. He is currently the starting running back for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team. He was a 2011 All-Big Ten honorable mention.-Early years:...
, a 94-yard interception return by Brandon Herron (the longest interception return for a touchdown in Michigan program history), then another touchdown by Fitzgerald Toussaint, this time on a 2-yard run. The final touchdown's extra point attempt was blocked. Western scored their final points of the game with a 36-yard field goal by John Potter just before halftime. After the break, Michigan added to their lead with two more touchdowns: first a 28-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery from Herron, and later a 44-yard run by Michael Shaw
Michael Shaw (American football)
Michael Shaw is an American football running back for the Michigan Wolverines football team.Shaw was raised and played high school football in Trotwood, Ohio. He played high school football with Roy Roundtree at Trotwood-Madison High School where his coach was longtime National Football League...
(the longest touchdown run of his career). After two rain delays in the third quarter, the game was finally stopped due to thunderstorms in the area and Michigan was awarded the win. This was the first Michigan football game to be ended due to weather before all 60 minutes were played. The 1902 Rose Bowl
1902 Rose Bowl
Originally titled the "Tournament East-West football game," what is now known as the Rose Bowl Game was first played on January 1, 1902 in Pasadena, California, starting the tradition of New Year's Day bowl games.The inaugural game featured Fielding H...
game (Michigan against Stanford) was stopped with 8 minutes to go at the request of the Stanford team, who were losing 49-0.
Jordan Kovacs
Jordan Kovacs
Jordan David Kovacs is an American football safety who is playing his redshirt junior season in 2011 for the Michigan Wolverines football team...
led the defense with a forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
that was returned for a touchdown, two quarterback sacks and ten tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
. Herron became the first Michigan player to post two defensive touchdowns, and the first since Tom Harmon
Tom Harmon
Thomas Dudley Harmon was a star player in American college football, a sports broadcaster, and patriarch of a family of American actors...
to have two return
Return yards
Return yards is an American football and Canadian football statistical measure that takes several forms. In American and Canadian football, progress is measured by advancing the football towards the opposing team's Goal line...
touchdowns of any kind in a game. In recognition of their efforts, Herron was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, National Defensive Performer of Week 1 and National Linebacker Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards (CFPA), and he earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors by College Sports Madness. He was also nominated for Defensive Performance of the Year by Intersport. Meanwhile, Kovacs was named the Lott Trophy
Lott Trophy
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
's IMPACT Player of the Week. The temperature on the field at kickoff was over 137°F, and by the end of the game it had dropped to 84°F, a difference of 53°F. This was the second game in Michigan Stadium history that featured a weather delay, with the first coming in 2006
2006 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2006 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines came into the season with lower expectations than many Michigan teams of the previous few seasons, ranked #14...
, when Michigan faced Central Michigan
Central Michigan Chippewas football
The Central Michigan Chippewas football team is a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University. They are a top 25 program in terms of all-time winning percentage and top five amongst all teams from non-BCS automatic qualifying conferences...
. The NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
originally vacated the statistics for this game because three quarters were not completed, but reversed course after Michigan completed its regular season and allowed the statistics to count.
vs. Notre Dame
- Sources:
Following its opener against Western Michigan, Michigan renewed its rivalry with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In the first night game in Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
history, both teams wore "throwback-style" jerseys. Michigan's jerseys did not entirely match any worn in team history; however, they incorporated "design elements from different eras of Michigan football." During the previous meeting, Denard Robinson set a school record for total yardage in a single game at 502 yards, as Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28–24 in a wild affair. Due to the significance of the game, ESPN announced on August 5 that College GameDay would be held in Ann Arbor for the first time since November 17, 2007, when Michigan hosted Ohio State, which was Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr
Lloyd Carr
Lloyd H. Carr is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 1995 through the 2007 season. Under Carr, the Wolverines compiled a record of 122–40 and won or shared five Big Ten Conference titles...
's final regular season game before he retired. At the game, Michigan football great Desmond Howard
Desmond Howard
Desmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
, the 1991 Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner, was honored in recognition of his recent induction into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
. A 1991 consensus All-American, Howard became the first receiver in history to lead the Big Ten Conference in scoring, and he set or tied five NCAA records and 12 single-season Michigan records during his senior year. Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
was also honored. A C-47 conducted the pre-game flyover and two parachuters from the 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
entered the stadium at halftime.
Notre Dame started the scoring with two consecutive touchdowns in the first quarter, with the first coming from a 7-yard catch by Theo Riddick, and and the second from a 4-yard run by Cierre Wood
Cierre Wood
Cierre Marcelle Wood is an American football running back. He currently attends the University of Notre Dame. He is a listed as a junior, but he will still have 2 years of eligibility after the season....
. Michigan's only points of the first half came on a 43-yard reception by Junior Hemingway
Junior Hemingway
-College:As a true freshman for the 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team, he appeared in 10 games, but did not make his first start until September 22 against Penn State. His first receptions came during the October 6 game against Eastern Michigan when he recorded 3 catches for 33 yards. He...
in the second quarter. Notre Dame answered with a 38-yard field goal by David Ruffer just before halftime to put them up 17–7. The only points of the third quarter were when Notre Dame's T. J. Jones caught a 15-yard touchdown pass. In the fourth quarter Michigan rallied from behind, scoring three consecutive touchdowns: first a 1-yard run by Denard Robinson after Stephen Hopkins fumbled at the goal line, then a 47-yard catch by Jeremy Gallon
Jeremy Gallon
Jeremy Jermaine Gallon is an American football wide receiver and return specialist, who is currently playing his redshirt sophomore season for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team.-Early years:...
, then a 21-yard catch by Vincent Smith
Vincent Smith (American football)
Vincent Smith is an American football running back and return specialist, who is currently playing his junior season for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team.-Early years:...
to give them their first lead of the game. This did not last long, as Notre Dame's Theo Riddick then scored his second touchdown of the game less than a minute later on a 29-yard catch. Michigan received the ball on its 20-yard line with 30 seconds remaining, driving 80 yards in 28 seconds with Roy Roundtree scoring the game winning touchdown with two seconds left in the game.
Michigan's 17-point comeback against Notre Dame tied for the third-biggest comeback in U-M history and tied for the second-biggest comeback at Michigan Stadium. The game's announced crowd of 114,804 set the all-time attendance record for a football game—college or NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
—and broke the Michigan Stadium attendance record. The previous Michigan Stadium record was 113,411, established at the 2010 "Big Chill at the Big House" ice hockey game. In recognition of his performance during the game, the Big Ten named Denard Robinson its Offensive Player of the Week, while the Davey O'Brien Award named him its Quarterback of the Week. He was also named Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
's Big Ten and National Player of the Week and was nominated for the Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week, which he won by fan vote. The team was recognized as the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of Week.
vs. Eastern Michigan
- Sources:
Following its clash with Notre Dame, Michigan met their neighbors from Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,362. The city is bounded to the north by the Charter Township of Superior and on the west, south, and east by the Charter Township of Ypsilanti...
when they hosted the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Michigan won the previous meeting between the two schools in 2009 45–17.
Neither team scored in the first quarter. Eastern scored their only points of the game early in the second quarter with a 21 yard field goal by Kody Fulkerson. Michigan answered with four consecutive touchdowns: first a 9 yard catch by Kevin Koger, then an 11 yard run by Denard Robinson. After halftime, Michigan scored on a 1 yard run by Fitzgerald Toussaint, then on a 19 yard catch by Drew Dileo. The final points of the game came on the sole scoring drive of the fourth quarter, a 21 yard field goal by Brendan Gibbons.
The Wolverines improved to 10-0 in all-time series against Eastern Michigan and are 29–1 all-time against teams from the Mid-American Conference, while Brady Hoke improved his record against Eastern Michigan to 5–2. Eastern Michigan's three points are the fewest points allowed by Michigan in four seasons, dating back to a 38-0 shutout against Notre Dame on Sept. 15, 2007. The Wolverines also held Eastern Michigan to 29 passing yards -- the lowest total for a U-M opponent since Rice recorded 15 passing yards on Sept. 11, 1999. Denard Robinson's 198 yards rushing was the third-greatest rushing yardage at that point of his career, trailing only efforts against Notre Dame (258 yards, Sept. 11, 2010) and Indiana (217 yards, Oct. 2, 2010). It was surpassed by his 200 yard effort against San Diego State. His 52-yard run early in the second quarter was his longest at that point of the season, which was eclipsed by a 53-yard run against San Diego State. His rushing touchdown was the 21st rushing touchdown of his career, giving him sole possession of the 16th spot among Michigan's all-time leaders in the category. Following the game, he needed three more to reach the 15th position, currently shared by Lawrence Ricks
Lawrence Ricks
Lawrence Tallmagde Ricks is a former American football professional running back and kick returner who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. Ricks had been a star running back for the Michigan Wolverines...
(24, 1979-82) and Tim Biakabutuka
Tim Biakabutuka
Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka is a former American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL from 1996 to 2001.-College career at Michigan:...
(24, 1993-95). He inched closer to the second spot among the Big Ten Conference's career leaders in rushing yards by a quarterback, and needed 152 yards to reach the second spot, which was then held by Illinois' Isiah Williams
Isiah Williams
Isiah John "Juice" Williams is an American football quarterback who is currently signed to the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League. He was undrafted in 2010...
(2,557, 2006-09).
vs. San Diego State
- Sources:
In its final game of non-conference play, Michigan hosted the San Diego State Aztecs. This meeting was the first between the two schools since 2004, and came nine months after Brady Hoke left San Diego State for Michigan. During the previous meeting, Michigan escaped a potential upset by San Diego State, winning 24–21.
Michigan's Denard Robinson scored all three touchdowns in the first half: a 5-yard run, and then a 53-yard run in the first quarter, and then in the second quarter on a 1-yard run. In the third quarter, San Diego State scored their only points of the game with a 16-yard catch by Colin Lockett following a Stephen Hopkins fumble. In the fourth quarter, Michigan sealed its victory with a 7-yard run by Vincent Smith.
QB Denard Robinson set or broke several records. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 93 yards and carried the ball 21 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns. It was Robinson's third career 200-yard rushing game and matched his career best for rushing touchdowns. Robinson is one of only three Wolverine players to register three or more 200-yard rushing games in program history. Mike Hart (2004-07) owns the record with five, while Ron Johnson (1966-68) also boasts three 200-yard games. Robinson also boasts three straight 100-yard rushing games and 12 in his career. He was—at this point in the season—tied with Chris Perry (2000-03) in the 10th spot among Michigan's career 100-yard game leaders. It was Robinson's seventh career game with multiple rushing touchdowns and his first since scoring two against Wisconsin last season (Nov. 20, 2010). He previously rushed for three touchdowns last season at Penn State (Oct. 30, 2010). Robinson upped his career rushing touchdowns to 24 and moved into a three-way tie for 15th among Michigan's all-time leaders in the category. He shared the spot with Lawrence Ricks
Lawrence Ricks
Lawrence Tallmagde Ricks is a former American football professional running back and kick returner who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. Ricks had been a star running back for the Michigan Wolverines...
(1979-82) and Tim Biakabutuka
Tim Biakabutuka
Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka is a former American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL from 1996 to 2001.-College career at Michigan:...
(1993-95). Robinson also moved to sixth career total offensive yards (5,887) and 13th in career rushing yards (2,605). He now ranks among Michigan's top 15 leaders in all major career offensive records. Robinson passed Illinois' Isiah Williams
Isiah Williams
Isiah John "Juice" Williams is an American football quarterback who is currently signed to the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League. He was undrafted in 2010...
(2,557, 2006-09) to move into the second spot among the Big Ten Conference's career leaders in rushing yards by a quarterback. At this point in the season, he needed 1,290 yards to reach the top spot, currently held by Indiana's Antwaan Randle El
Antwaan Randle El
Antwaan Randle El is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He attended Indiana University, after turning down a Major League Baseball draft selection by the Chicago Cubs in 1997...
(3,895, 1998-2001). Robinson earned Big Ten Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week recognition.
vs. Minnesota
- Sources:
In its first game of the Big Ten season, Michigan hosted the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan won the previous meeting between the two schools in 2008 29–6.
Michigan dominated in all aspects of the game. In the first quarter Vincent Smith ran in a 3-yard touchdown, which was followed by a Denard Robinson 9-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter Drew Dileo caught a 17-yard pass from Vincent Smith, which was followed by a Vincent Smith 28-yard touchdown reception, his second TD of the game. Next came a 25-yard field goal by Brendan Gibbons. Just before halftime, Kevin Koger caught an 18-yard pass for a TD. After the break, Fitzgerald Touissant ran in a 1-yard TD. Next came two more field goals from Gibbons: first from 32 yards, then in the fourth quarter from 38 yards. Michigan capped off their blowout victory when Courtney Avery picked up a Minnesota fumble and ran it back 83 yards for a touchdown.
It was Michigan's first shutout of a Big Ten opponent since a 20–0 win at Penn State on October 6, 2001, and its first shutout of any opponent since a 38–0 win against Notre Dame on September 15, 2007. The 58-0 win over the Golden Gophers was Michigan's largest margin of victory over Minnesota in the series' history. The previous best was 51 (58-7) in 1993. The game also marked Michigan's largest margin of victory over any opponent since a 69-0 victory over Northwestern in October 1975. (Michigan also defeated Indiana by an identical 58-0 score in October 2000.) Vincent Smith became the first running back in FBS to pass for a touchdown and have touchdowns rushing and receiving since C.J. Spiller on November 14, 2009, against North Carolina State. He is the fifth Big ten player to do so since 1996 and the first since Mike Kafka
Mike Kafka
Michael John "Mike" Kafka is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwestern.Kafka attended St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago,...
, who accomplished the feat for Northwestern on September 19, 2009. Michigan outgained Minnesota 580 to 177. Minnesota's total yardage was the lowest allowed by Michigan since the game against Minnesota in 2008. Michigan rushed for 363 yards of offense, its third straight game of rushing for more than 300 yards. This is the first time this has occurred since the 1987 season
1987 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1987 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
.
at Northwestern
- Sources:
After the battle for the Little Brown Jug, Michigan traveled to Evanston, Illinois for the first time since 2007 to play the Northwestern Wildcats. During the previous meeting between the schools in 2008, Northwestern won 21–14.
Michigan scored first on a 9-yard reception by Steve Watsdon. Northwestern replied with a 15-yard TD run by Kain Colter
Kain Colter
Theodis Kain Colter is an American football quarterback for the Northwestern Wildcats of Northwestern University.-High school career:As a high school senior at Cherry Creek High School, Colter was rated as a three-star quarterback prospect by Rivals.com....
, and then too the lead on a 7-yard run by Treyvon Green. In the second quarter, Michigan's Jeremy Gallon caught a 25-yard TD reception. The Wildcats responded with a 2-yard TD run by Adonis Smith, and scored their final points of the game with a 20-yard field goal by Jeff Budzien. Michigan dominated the second half with four unanswered touchdowns. In the third quarter, Denard Robinson scored on a 2-yard run, then Devin Gardner scored on a 1-yard run. In the fourth quarter, Michael Shaw scored on a 2-yard run, and Denard Robinson capped the victory with 5-yard run.
Michigan's 541 yard offensive performance was the second straight week the offense gained more than yards of offense, and was the second highest total of the season, only followed by the previous week's total of 581 yards against Minnesota. Denard Robinson's 337 yards of passing were one yard shy of his career high; he threw for 338 yards against Notre Dame on Sept. 10, 2011. Michigan started a season 6-0 for the first time since 2006. At this point in the season, Michigan has scored 114 second-half points, while opponents have only scored 21. From the second quarter on, Michigan has outscored opponents 193–40. Jordan Kovacs had two solo tackles for a loss, both on fourth down. Following the game, Michigan has outscored its opponents 62–7 in the fourth quarter. Brady Hoke's 6–0 start is the first 6–0 start by a first-year Michigan coach since Bennie Oosterbaan
Bennie Oosterbaan
Benjamin Gaylord "Bennie" Oosterbaan was a three-time first team All-American football end for the Michigan Wolverines football team, two-time All-American basketball player for the basketball team and an All-Big Ten Conference baseball player for the baseball team...
did so in 1948
1948 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan during the 1948 college football season. The team's head coach was Bennie Oosterbaan. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium.-Schedule:...
.
at Michigan State
- Sources:
After its game against Northwestern, Michigan traveled to East Lansing to battle their in-state rival, the Michigan State Spartans, for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Michigan was searching for its first win against Michigan State since 2007. Michigan State won the previous meeting 34–17. The Wolverines wore legacy road uniforms for the game with Michigan State. It was the first time that U-M wore all white road uniforms since the 1976 Orange Bowl
1976 Orange Bowl
The 1976 Orange Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1976. The Oklahoma Sooners, champions of the Big Eight Conference, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, second-place finishers in the Big Ten Conference, 14–6....
against Oklahoma. Michigan State also wore special alternate uniforms colored dark green, bronze and black.
The first half was relatively quiet, with each team only scoring one touchdown in the first quarter. Michigan's Denard Robinson ran in one from 15 yards out, with Michigan State responding with a 1-yard TD run by Edwin Baker. After halftime, State's Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins
-College career:In 2007, newly hired Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio recruited Cousins to play for the Spartans. Cousins was redshirted for the 2007 season. In 2008, he spent the season as the back up quarterback to Brian Hoyer. He played in five games passing for a total of 310 yards and...
threw a 10-yard TD pass to Keshawn Martin to take the lead. The Spartans added more points with another TD catch by Martin, this one from 13 yards out. In the fourth quarter, Michigan scored their only points of the second half with a 34-yard TD catch and run by Roy Roundtree. State sealed their victory with a 39-yard interception return TD by Isiah Lewis, handing Michigan their first loss of the season.
This game was Michigan's first game against a ranked opponent this season. Michigan's record against Michigan State in the overall series dropped to 68–35–2, while its record in games involving the Paul Bunyan Trophy dropped to 35–23–2. Denard Robinson's passing performance put him over 4,000 yards in his career, the 10th Michigan quarterback to do so, and his rushing performance moved him past Tim Biakabutuka for 10th place. Punter Will Hagerup placed four of his seven punts inside Michigan State's 20-yard line, and three of those inside the 15-yard line. The victory was Michigan State's fourth in a row against Michigan, the first time Michigan State had done this since a streak between 1959 and 1962.
vs. Purdue
- Sources:
Following its trip to East Lansing and its bye week
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
, Michigan hosted the Purdue Boilermakers for its homecoming game. During the previous meeting between the two schools, Michigan defeated Purdue 27–16 in a turnover filled game caused by heavy rain. The game ball was delivered via jet pack
Jet pack
Jet pack, rocket belt, rocket pack, and similar names are various types of devices, usually worn on the back, that are propelled by jets of escaping gases so as to allow a single user to fly....
, as Michigan's homecoming theme for the year was space.
Purdue scored its only points of the first half when Caleb TerBush
Caleb TerBush
Caleb Stephen TerBush is an American football player who currently plays quarterback for the Purdue Boilermakers, and is in his 4th season with the program....
threw a 48-yard TD pass to Gary Bush. Michigan dominated the game following the Purdue score. The Wolverines responded to Purdue's touchdown with a touchdown of their own, a 2-yard run by Denard Robinson, which was its fifth consecutive opening drive TD. In the second quarter, Michigan scored a safety when Mike Martin tackled Caleb TerBush in the end zone. A few minutes later, Michigan's Brendan Gibbons kicked a 37-yard field goal. Michigan added more points with a 2-yard TD run by Fitzgerald Toussaint. The final score of the first half was a 22-yard Michigan field goal with no time left on the clock. After the intermission, Michigan scored the only points of the third quarter when Firtzgerald Toussaint scored his second TD of the game, this time on a 59-yard rush. The teams traded scores in the final quarter. First Michigan's Michael Shaw ran in a TD from 37 yards out, which was followed by Purdue's Robert Marve
Robert Marve
Robert Edward Marve is a quarterback for the Purdue Boilermakers. He was previously a member of the Miami Hurricanes football team from 2007 to 2008.-Early years:...
throwing a 19-yard TD pass to O.J. Ross. With the win, Michigan's record against Purdue improved to 43–14.
Junior quarterback Denard Robinson completed 9-of-14 passes for 170 yards and carried the ball 15 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. He scored his 29th career rushing touchdown on a two-yard run midway through the first quarter. Robinson moved to ninth place among Michigan's all-time leaders in the category, where he is tied with Butch Woolfolk
Butch Woolfolk
Harold E. "Butch" Woolfolk is a former American football running back and kick returner who played in college for the University of Michigan and in the National Football League for the New York Giants , Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions . Woolfolk attended Westfield Senior High School in...
(1978-81). Robinson has scored at least one rushing touchdown in seven straight games. Fitzgerald Toussaint recorded career highs in carries (20) and rushing yards (170) and matched a career best with two rushing touchdowns. Toussaint's second touchdown—a 59-yard rush in the third quarter—was the longest rush for a touchdown of his career, but missed his overall career long by two yards (61 yards vs. Bowling Green, September 25, 2010). The Apollo 15
Apollo 15
Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission in the American Apollo space program, the fourth to land on the Moon and the eighth successful manned mission. It was the first of what were termed "J missions", long duration stays on the Moon with a greater focus on science than had been possible on previous...
flight crew, which consisted of all Michigan graduates, was honored during the first quarter.
at Iowa
- Sources:
After its homecoming game against Purdue, Michigan traveled to Iowa City to meet the Iowa Hawkeyes. During the previous meeting, Iowa won 38–28.
Iowa scored first with a 4-yard touchdown run by Marcus Coker
Marcus Coker
Marcus Coker is an American football running back for the Iowa Hawkeyes.-Early years:Coker attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. As a senior he rushed 165 times for 1,698 yards with 23 touchdowns....
. Michigan responded with a 5-yard touchdown catch by Fitzgerald Toussaint, their only point of the first half; however, the extra point was botched due to a bad snap. In the second quarter, Iowa's Brad Herman caught a 1-yard pass from James Vandenberg for a touchdown. Iowa's Mike Meyer then kicked a 42-yard field goal to add to the Hawkeye's lead. After halftime, Michigan's Brendan Gibbons scored the only points of the 3rd quarter with a 32-yard field goal. Iowa then scored its only points of the second half when Marcus Coker scored his 2nd TD of the day, this time with a 13-yard rush. Michigan responded with a 7-yard touchdown catch by Kevin Koger.
Junior Hemingway cracked the top 20 on U-M's career receiving yards list. Hemingway had 64 yards on five catches today to pass Adrian Arrington and take over 20th place with 1,453 career yards. Fitzgerald Toussaint made his first career touchdown reception on just the third catch of his career. Denard Robinson moved to ninth place all-time on the U-M career rushing yards list, with his then total of 2,933 yards surpassing Gordon Bell's total of 2,900 yards.
at Illinois
- Sources:
Following its trip to Iowa, Michigan flew to Champaign to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The previous meeting between the two schools featured the highest combined scoring game in Michigan Stadium history, with Michigan prevailing 67–65 in triple overtime.
Michigan dominated the game, but the score did not reflect this until after halftime. Michigan scored on its opening drive via a Denard Robinson 9-yard TD run, which was set up via a 65-yard Fitzgerald Toussaint run into the Illinois red zone. Michigan added another touchdown in the second quarter on a Denard Robinson 2-yard run; however, it failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities, with Denard Robinson being stuffed on 4th and 1 from the Ilinois 1 and Brendan Gibbons missing a 38-yard field goal. Michigan's defense held Illinois to 30 total yards in the first half. In the third quarter, Gibbons made a 27-yard field goal, but Illinois responded with a Nathan Scheelhaase
Nathan Scheelhaase
Nathan Scheelhaase is an American football quarterback at the University of Illinois. While playing at Rockhurst High School, he won the 2008 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year.-High school career:...
1-yard run. In the fourth quarter, Michigan's next offensive drive sputtered and Illinois' offense returned to the field, only to see J.T. Floyd intercept a Scheelhasse pass and return it into Illinois territory. Shortly thereafter, Devin Gardner
Devin Gardner
Devin Gardner is an American football quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines football team. During the fall of 2009, he was rated as the No. 1 high school quarterback in the United States by Rivals.com and the No. 5 quarterback by ESPNU...
threw a 27-yard TD pass to Martavious Odoms
Martavious Odoms
Martavious Rashhud Odoms is an American football wide receiver playing his senior season in 2011 for the Michigan Wolverines football team. Martavious established the Michigan record for receptions by a freshman for the 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team and was the Big Ten Conference leader...
, returning Michigan's lead to 17. Illinois responded with a 1-yard TD run by Jason Ford, but following a failed onside kick, Toussaint ran 27 yards for a touchdown, which was the final score of the game. Michigan's defense held Illinois' offense to 37 rushing yards and 214 yards of total offense.
Denard Robinson moved into 13th place on the NCAA's all time rushing list among quarterbacks, passing Dan LeFevour
Dan LeFevour
Dan LeFevour is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Central Michigan University...
and Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
with his 30 rushing yards. Toussaint's 192 rushing yards set a new career high, surpassing his 170-yard performance against Purdue earlier in the season. Ryan Van Bergen was named the Big Ten's Co-Defensive Player of the Week in recognition of his performance.
vs. Nebraska
- Sources:
After the game against Illinois, Michigan hosted the newest member of the Big Ten Conference, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in what was Nebraska's first visit to Michigan Stadium since 1962. It was the first meeting between the two teams since the 2005 Alamo Bowl
2005 Alamo Bowl
The 2005 Alamo Bowl was a college football bowl game held on December 28, 2005 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It was the 13th Alamo Bowl. The Nebraska Cornhuskers, second place finishers in the Big 12 Conference's North Division, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, third placed finishers...
, which Nebraska won 32–28. In celebration of Military Appreciation Day
Military Appreciation Day
Military Appreciation Day is a formal or informal term used to describe any event intended to express appreciation for men and women currently in military service...
, Michigan held a card stunt and had a flyover of four F-16s prior to kickoff, and the team wore an American flag patch on their jerseys. Michigan also honored former head coach Lloyd Carr
Lloyd Carr
Lloyd H. Carr is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 1995 through the 2007 season. Under Carr, the Wolverines compiled a record of 122–40 and won or shared five Big Ten Conference titles...
at the game.
Michigan took an early lead when Jeremy Gallon caught a 6-yard touchdown pass and then added 3 more points when Brendan Gibbons kicked a 42-yard field goal. Nebraska got on the board late in the first quarter when Brandon Kinnie caught a 54-yard pass from Taylor Martinez
Taylor Martinez
Taylor Martinez is an American football quarterback who plays for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.-High school career:Martinez played his senior year of high school football at Centennial High School in Corona, California, where he was a teammate of Vontaze Burfict...
. In the second quarter, each team scored once. First the Cornhuskers' Brett Maher kicked a 51-yard field goal, which was followed by Michigan's Denard Robinson running in a touchdown from 14 yards out. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Nebraska's Kenny Bell fumbled the ball on the return and Michigan recovered. This led to a Denard Robinson 1-yard touchdown run. Later, the Wolverines' Fitzgerald Toussaint ran in a touchdown from 1-yard out. Nebraska then scored its only points of the second half when Ameer Abdullah rushed 3 yards for a touchdown. In the final quarter, Michigan added to its large lead when Martavious Odoms caught a 38-yard pass for a touchdown. The Wolverines capped their blowout victory when Fitzgerald Toussaint scored his second touchdown of the game, this time on a 31-yard rush.
Michigan was 8-for-18 on third-down conversions against Nebraska. The Wolverine defense held Nebraska's offense to just 3-of-13 conversions on third down, while Michigan was a perfect 5-for-5 in red-zone opportunities in the win. Michigan had possession for 41:13 in the win over Nebraska. The Wolverines ran 80 total plays during the game against the Cornhuskers. In the first half, the Wolverines doubled the number of plays the Cornhuskers ran, 42-21. Denard Robinson accounted for more yards (263) than the entire Nebraska team (260). Josh Furman's blocked punt in the third quarter was the first Michigan blocked punt since the 2009 season
2009 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2009 college football season. They played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan and competed in the Big Ten Conference...
, when Brandon Graham blocked a punt against Illinois. Michigan improved to 4-2-1 in the all-time series against Nebraska. Denard Robinson was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week in recognition of his performance.
vs. Ohio State
- Sources:
To end the regular season, Michigan hosted a battle with its arch-rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in the 108th meeting between the two schools. Ohio State won the previous meeting 37–7, but later vacated the win as part of its self imposed sanctions after it was discovered that five players had received improper benefits and had played while ineligible. This was the first time both schools meet with new head coaches since 1929, when Harry Kipke
Harry G. Kipke
Harry George Kipke was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. He was the head football coach at Michigan State College in 1928 and at the University of Michigan from 1929–1937, compiling a career record of 49–30–5...
became the head coach at Michigan and Sam Willaman
Sam Willaman
Samuel Stienneck Willaman was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Iowa State University , Ohio State University , and Western Reserve University , compliling a career college football record of 47–26–9...
became the head coach at Ohio State.
Ohio State started the scoring in the first quarter when Corey Brown caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Miller
Braxton Miller
Braxton Miller is an American football player who currently plays quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes.-High school career:Miller went to Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. While there, he was named Mr. Football Award Finalist, and also competed in the UnderArmour All-American Game. He...
. Michigan tied it up when Denard Robinson ran in a 41-yard touchdown, and took the lead when Ohio State's Mike Adams
Mike Adams (offensive tackle)
Mike Adams is an American football offensive lineman. He currently attends The Ohio State University in his senior year. Adams is considered to be one of the best offensive tackles of his class....
committed a holding
Holding (American football)
In gridiron football, holding is the illegal restraining of another player who is not in possession of the ball. Holding is banned in most football leagues because it does not allow fair play of the game and increases the risk for injury....
penalty in the end zone for a safety. Michigan added to its lead when Junior Hemmingway caught a 26-yard pass for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Ohio State's Drew Basil completed a 45-yard field goal. The Buckeyes took the lead when Braxton Miller ran in a TD from 19 yards out. Michigan pulled ahead again when Denard Robinson scored his second rushing touchdown, this time from 6 yards out. Ohio State took the lead back when DeVier Posey
DeVier Posey
DeVier Posey is an American college football wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Posey attended La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio...
caught a 43-yard touchdown pass. After the intermission, Michigan's Martavious Odoms scored the only points of the third quarter when he caught a 20-yard touchdown pass. In the final quarter—following a muffed punt by Michigan's Will Hagerup in the previous quarter—Ohio State's Drew Basil kicked his second field goal of the game, this one from 21 yards out. Michigan responded when Kevin Koger scored a TD with a 4 yard catch. Ohio State scored their final points when Daniel Herron
Daniel Herron
Daniel "Boom" Herron is a senior running back at Ohio State University. Herron played football at Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, OH. Herron was recruited by Jim Tressel. Herron's dad is a preacher...
ran in a TD from 4 yards out. Michigan scored the final points with a 43-yard Brendan Gibbons field goal, which was a career-long, and sealed its victory when Courtney Avery intercepted a Braxton Miller pass with 39 seconds remaining.
The victory was Michigan's first victory over Ohio State since 2003
2003 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2003 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2003 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team won the first of its back to back Big Ten Championships...
. This season was Michigan's first undefeated season at home since 2006
2006 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2006 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines came into the season with lower expectations than many Michigan teams of the previous few seasons, ranked #14...
, along with its first ever eight win season at home. With the win, Brady Hoke became the second Michigan head coach to win 10 games in his first season, with the first being Fielding Yost
Fielding Yost
Fielding Harris Yost was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Ohio Wesleyan University , the University of Nebraska–Lincoln , the University of Kansas , Stanford University , San Jose State University , and the University...
. Denard Robinson became the first Michigan player in the modern era to score two rushing and two passing touchdown in the same game.