Michigan Wolverines @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Recap

I have three words to say, “What a game!” But, what did you really expect between these two storied NCAA programs? I do recall myself predicting the final score and Michigan pulling through in this battle to the end. Call it luck. No reason to call me “The Swami” yet… that is still Chris Berman’s job until next week.

Is it another fluke of a season ahead of the Michigan Wolverines? Tate Forcier led Michigan to clutch victory in the final seconds against Notre Dame last year; Michigan went 5-0 and then dropped off the charts faster than a rock falling out of the sky. Once again I emphasize that this season is different. You don’t have to believe me, but after all was my predicted score correct? Call it luck, call it organized, call it strategic, call it an impressive performance, call it what you want, but it is still a big victory (for Michigan and me).

The game looked bleak off the start as Notre Dame Quarterback Dayne Crist marched the Fighting Irish down the field effortlessly leading to a touchdown run by Crist. But, in the pile up of pounding the pigskin into the endzone, Crist injured himself. Crist did not play the rest of the first half due to blurring sight out of his right eye. Thankfully, Crist is fine and did not suffer a concussion. He experienced an ocular migraine which involves losing sight in one eye for approximately an hour or two.

Then came the man every single college football analyst is talking about, Michigan sophomore quarterback, Denard Robinson. Denard Robinson stunned the football world yet again with his unfathomable running skills and self-produced offense that college football has not seen in quite a long time, if ever. An 87-yard TD run, a 31-yard TD pass to Roy Roundtree, and capping the record setting day with a 2-yard TD run to win the football game was the perfect ending for Robinson. 502 yards of total offense came from the man they call Shoelace. This gives him a two game total of 885 yards of total offense. On top of the record-breaking day (most rushing yards by a Michigan quarterback in a game…again), Denard looked calm in the heat of the moment and proved to the world he means business.

Denard propelled himself to the top of everyone’s Heisman trophy candidacy. He is single handedly restoring respect to the Michigan Wolverines football program and making Coach Rich Rodriguez look successful on the field for the first time in his three years in Ann Arbor.

Unfortunately, the defense only impressed when Notre Dame had backup quarterbacks, Nate Montana and Tommy Rees in the game. Rees did not last long (a pick on his first attempted pass) and Montana, who looks to only play at Notre Dame because of his old man, did nothing of real significance. But, whenever Dayne Crist commanded his Irish, the Wolverines were scrambling defensively. The defense must continue to improve on this now #20 in the Coaches’ poll team.

That’s right Michigan is ranked #20! Sounds like last year, I know. But, I will convince everyone that Michigan can compete on the field and so long as Denard puts up historic numbers, the Wolverines will be a difficult team to match up with defensively. A little bit of pressure comes off of Rich Rodriguez, too. A 2-0 start and what should be a comfortable road to 5-0 (Massachusetts, Bowling Green, and Indiana) have Rich Rod a little more relaxed.

So enjoy the big time victory Michigan, but do not lose sight of the road ahead because we all know Michigan can falter (Appalachian State, etc…). Do not get too caught up in the Denard Robinson for Heisman campaign, but continue to enjoy this young star grow. He can show off his skills in the Big House this Saturday against Massachusetts.

Go Blue!

By: Lee Schechter
Big Ten Fans Michigan Wolverines Correspondent