17 E. Mich at 45 TSUN (final)

[jwinslow]

Forcier one-hands the ball in traffic once... spins back into traffic, keeps holding it out there one-handed, spins around and fumbles. Huge break for UM to recover fumble, or EMU would have the ball inside teh 20.

UM comes up a yard short on 3rd down. Going to punt it away.

EMU apparently content to let the clock wind down. and be within a TD. That'll do it for halftime unless Ron English gets crazy.

 

[NFBuck]

There's no denying scUM's improvements on offense, but their defense is actually worse than last year when you factor in that the O is actually keeping them off the field and they still get gashed...even by a bad team. When they start facing teams with a legit run threat, they're gonna get creamed.

 

[Jake]

Go Hurons!

 

[jwinslow]

UM receives, pounding the rock and throwing underneath. Very dangerous pass into the flats flew out of bounds.

Forcier goes downfield, PI not called. 3rd down, Forcier staring downfield, gets eaten up by an outside blitz.

EMU nearly blocks the punt, but takes a roll all the way to the 10.

 

[jwinslow]

Mike Williams (who blew the goal line TD D in the first half)... got abused by a pretty mediocre spin move by EMU's RB. Fans assumed it wasn't possible, but he's a definite downgrade from Harrison/Brown at this point.

3 & out, Brandon Smith somehow misses the blocked punt. UM ball at the 50.

 

[jwinslow]

UM playing very tentative. Outside run stuffed, read option keeper by tate outside was tentative, minor gain. Big TE Martell Webb hears footsteps and drops the pass before he gets walloped.

Punt to the 9. Zoltan doing well.

EMU goes 3and out, stuffed on 3rd & short by a stacked box. punt coming.

 

[jwinslow]

Denard Robinson coming in with Tate struggling. The last time he came in, their offensive dominance came to a screeching halt. It should be interesting to see what they do here, and whether they ask Denard to make more throws from the pocket, like on that INT.

 

[jwinslow]

Scratch that, bad rumor. still tate.

 

[NFBuck]

I think we're seeing the "real" um here today. The offense is obviously better, but we're seeing some signs of frosh struggles and the defense is just putrid. They'll win a couple they probably shouldn't including (arguably) last week, but they'll probably end up dropping a couple they (arguably) shouldn't.

They're moving in the right direction offensively, but there's still a lot of work to be done on the other side of the ball.

 

[NFBuck]

Wow, this game is on par with last weeks Toledo-COlorado tilt for defensive futility.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Fuck Michigan.

 

[jwinslow]

I'm curious whether JB Fitzgerald sticks around. His redshirt was burned last year doing almost nothing and he's still not contributing now despite very poor LB play & an suspension created opening filled by a walkon (and not well).

If he transfers now, he can start for 2 seasons. If he stays, he stands on the sidelines for 3 years before he sniffs the field.


Graham loses backside contain again on the rollout, but EMU bails them out with a dropped catch.

 

[jwinslow]

Ezeh comes in untouched on the blitz, ball is caught by the DT off the tip. UM ball at the 25ish.

Tate throws the ball away (grounding?) amidst big pressure, and is not getting up after the hit.

This is the reason RR offered Newsome first, and it's not because Kevin could throw the football (he' can't).

 

[jwinslow]

Forcier with 68 yds passing, 5 yds rushing so far today... and he's played all but one drive. Denardin now..., handoff up the gut for 9 yds.

Will they play Tate again? That's twice he has been reeling on the ground.

Denard QB draw to the house. 38-17. game over (not that it was ever in doubt).

 

[NFBuck]

Will they play Tate again? That's twice he has been reeling on the ground.

It's just beginning. Wait until more physical Big Ten defenses start taking their shots. I have little doubt he'll end up missing 2-3 games.