Payback for '97! Go Blue!
Michigan [#18] 45 - Nebraska [#16] 17
In the first quarter, Michigan had what appeared to be the advantage in mixing up the offense, including a couple of Robinson rushes and it was 10-0 after most of the quarter. Nebraska then woke up, and after a great long pass and a tip leading to an interception, it was 10-10 before we knew it. The rest of the half was hard fought but, Michigan really had the edge here. Nebraska has not shut down Robinson and Michigan's defense looked like they had figured out enough of Nebraska's offense to keep them at least partially bottled up. Martinez is still fast and versitale and there are plenty of backs and receivers to make plays.
Game on.
Michigan, Robinson in particular, had a good series and rushed into the end zone to make it 17-10 at the half. There were two more busted series at the end of the half but nothing important. Michigan seemed to have an edge and that was good enough.
The second half started with Nebraska taking the ball--but fumbling! Michigan had a chance to capitalize on it and did. The last play running in was awesome. It was 3rd and 1, Michigan sent two guys up to act like they were running up the middle and Denard hangs onto it and uses his speed to run around the end and more-or-less walked in. 24-10. So, the next goal is to keep Nebraska from scoring quickly. We did that, and then and then scored again! Toussaint this time. 31-10 with five minutes left in the third quarter!
The fourth quarter started with Michigan having to punt again but we got a roughing the kicker call that was arguable but, hey, we'll take it. We keep moving down the field. Michigan running mostly ground plays now, eating up the clock. But the trick is to score, too, which, we did. 38-17. Michigan then kicked off to Nebraska, and their receiver fumbled! Unfortunately, we could only capitalize enough to get into long field goal range, and then missed the field goal. Still okay, though, only 8:30 minutes left and still up by 21 points.
Nebraska looked like a sad, broken thing at this point. Two more plays and then they fumbled and Michigan scored again. Nebraska and Michigan each had another series with no scores, then Nebraska managed to get to the Michigan eight yard line and still couldn't score. That was it--three knees from Michigan and the game was over.
Michigan 45 Nebraska 17.
My Dad and I were talking about the team--both offense and defense have really done well under Brady Hoke and in one season, Michigan has stepped up and, at this point, has nine wins. The Rodriguez era was clearly an abberation. We've got a good shot at Ohio State next week and a top-tier bowl invitation is assured with nine wins at this point. A successful season. Go Blue!
In 1997, Michigan had an undefeated season, ranked #1 going into the bowl games and was ready to claim the national title by defeating Washington State. (It would be the last non-BCS and non-sponsored Rose Bowl, too.) One swapped vote in the Coaches poll forced Michigan to share the title with Nebraska. And now the Cornhuskers want to be in the Big Ten? Heh.The pre-game analysis of the game mentioned recommended formulas for each team: Michigan had to shut down Martinez's excellent option plays; Nebraska, basically, had to keep Robinson from running and force him to pass, which he's not that good at. The game was on ESPN, so I was able to watch it all.
In the first quarter, Michigan had what appeared to be the advantage in mixing up the offense, including a couple of Robinson rushes and it was 10-0 after most of the quarter. Nebraska then woke up, and after a great long pass and a tip leading to an interception, it was 10-10 before we knew it. The rest of the half was hard fought but, Michigan really had the edge here. Nebraska has not shut down Robinson and Michigan's defense looked like they had figured out enough of Nebraska's offense to keep them at least partially bottled up. Martinez is still fast and versitale and there are plenty of backs and receivers to make plays.
Game on.
Michigan, Robinson in particular, had a good series and rushed into the end zone to make it 17-10 at the half. There were two more busted series at the end of the half but nothing important. Michigan seemed to have an edge and that was good enough.
The second half started with Nebraska taking the ball--but fumbling! Michigan had a chance to capitalize on it and did. The last play running in was awesome. It was 3rd and 1, Michigan sent two guys up to act like they were running up the middle and Denard hangs onto it and uses his speed to run around the end and more-or-less walked in. 24-10. So, the next goal is to keep Nebraska from scoring quickly. We did that, and then and then scored again! Toussaint this time. 31-10 with five minutes left in the third quarter!
Gallon and Toussaint, by the way, are looking great, better and better every game. Toussaint, especially, is a joy to watch. Hemmingway was making good receptions, too, when Robinson threw his way. And, Robinson was looking good on the ground and throwing. I wish I knew more of the defensive line to give them credit, too, since they were stopping a lot of Nebraska's Martinez and they've been a serious part of this Michigan team this year. Our offense is not the greatest in the FBS but our defense has definitely made up for it and kept Michigan in the game more than once. Also, ESPN flashed a stat at that point that said that Nebraska hadn't managed to convert a third down yet.Nebraska had a good kick after failing to convert one of those third downs and Michigan was working from its five yard line. We couldn't do anything with it and Nebraska managed to reach the Michigan thirty after a so-so kick, then managed to score. 31-17. We caught the ball again and then a penalty stuck us back at the 14. Not good, again. The fourth quarter would begin and Nebraska only needs two scores, so Michigan had better score again.
The fourth quarter started with Michigan having to punt again but we got a roughing the kicker call that was arguable but, hey, we'll take it. We keep moving down the field. Michigan running mostly ground plays now, eating up the clock. But the trick is to score, too, which, we did. 38-17. Michigan then kicked off to Nebraska, and their receiver fumbled! Unfortunately, we could only capitalize enough to get into long field goal range, and then missed the field goal. Still okay, though, only 8:30 minutes left and still up by 21 points.
Nebraska looked like a sad, broken thing at this point. Two more plays and then they fumbled and Michigan scored again. Nebraska and Michigan each had another series with no scores, then Nebraska managed to get to the Michigan eight yard line and still couldn't score. That was it--three knees from Michigan and the game was over.
Michigan 45 Nebraska 17.
My Dad and I were talking about the team--both offense and defense have really done well under Brady Hoke and in one season, Michigan has stepped up and, at this point, has nine wins. The Rodriguez era was clearly an abberation. We've got a good shot at Ohio State next week and a top-tier bowl invitation is assured with nine wins at this point. A successful season. Go Blue!
Michigan State is unlikely to lose against Northwestern next week, they did win against Indiana this week, so State will likely take the Legends division. Should Michigan win against Ohio State, they could earn a BCS at-large berth, which would mean an even better bowl game in the post-season and assure Hoke's position. Penn State and Ohio State are playing as I write this and that will affect the outcome of the Leaders division. So, the Big Ten championship is up in the air at this point.