Michigan 2009 FOOTBALL Schedule/Results

Michigan 2009 Schedule/Results

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2009 Football Schedule and Results
____DATE____	___OPPONENT___	_RESULT/TIME_	RECORD/TICKETS
September 5	Western Michigan	WIN 31-7	1-0 (0-0)
September 12	No. 18 Notre Dame	WIN 38-34	2-0 (0-0)
September 19	Eastern Michigan	WIN 45-17	3-0 (0-0)
September 26	Indiana	WIN 36-33	4-0 (1-0)
October 3	at Michigan State	Lose 26-20 (OT)	4-1 (1-1)
October 10	at No. 12 Iowa	Lose 30-28	4-2 (1-2)
October 17	Delaware State	WIN 63-6	5-2 (1-2)
October 24	No. 13 Penn State	Lose 35-10	5-3 (1-3)
October 31	at Illinois	Lose 38-13	5-4 (1-4)
November 7	Purdue	Lose 38-36	5-5 (1-5)
November 14	at No. 20 Wisconsin	Lose 45-24	5-6 (1-6)
November 21	No. 11 Ohio State	Lose 21-10	5-7 (1-7)

Wolverines Drop Overtime Thriller at Michigan State

Oct. 3, 2009

Site: East Lansing, Mich. (Spartan Stadium)
Score: Michigan State 26, #22 Michigan 20 (OT)
Records: U-M (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten), Michigan State (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 78,629 (sellout)
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Oct. 10 -- at Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa), 7 p.m. CDT

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team (No.22 AP/No. 20 USA Today) completed a 14-point comeback to force overtime on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 3), but a U-M interception and subsequent Spartan touchdown in extra time led to a 26-20 Michigan State victory in Spartan Stadium. MSU maintains possession of the Paul Bunyan Trophy for consecutive seasons for the first time since 1967.

Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) led the offensive effort with 223 passing yards, going 17-for-32 with two touchdown passes and an interception. Sophomore wide receiver Darryl Stonum (Stafford, Texas/Dulles HS) was Forcier's main target with five catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Redshirt freshman Jordan Kovacs (Curtice, Ohio/Clay HS) posted a career- and team-high 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Senior/junior linebacker Obi Ezeh (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central HS) had 14 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Senior linebacker Stevie Brown (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East HS) gave Michigan an early scoring chance with an interception on the game's third play. He picked off a fluttering pass from Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins that was partially tipped by junior/sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen (Whitehall, Mich./Whitehall HS) and returned the ball 18 yards to the MSU 14-yard line. The Wolverines were unable to gain a first down and settled for a 36-yard field goal by fifth-year senior kicker Jason Olesnavage (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale HS).

MSU answered with a 17-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 10:02 of the opening stanza and scored the game's first touchdown on a Larry Caper one-yard run on fourth-and-goal. The Spartans gained 130 offensive yards on the drive and were penalized four times for 50 yards.

Michigan chipped away at the deficit as Olesnavage converted a 43-yard field goal at 4:43 of the second quarter. The 14-play, 67-yard scoring drive was aided by a key 41-yard pass from Forcier to sophomore tight end Kevin Koger (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer HS) on third-and-10 from U-M's eight-yard line. The Wolverines converted three third-down plays on the scoring drive.

Michigan State answered with a 26-yard field goal by Brett Swenson on the final play of the first half. The Spartans' 10-play drive covered 47 yards and was set up by a 36-yard kick return by Glenn Winston to the MSU 45-yard line.

Michigan State took advantage of excellent field position and a Brett Swenson 24-yard field goal at 6:09 of the third quarter. The Spartans took possession at U-M's 13-yard line after stopping fifth-year senior punter Zoltan Mesko (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg HS) on a fake punt. Senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) forced the Spartans field-goal attempt with a huge hit on a third-and-one play from U-M's four-yard line that lost one yard.

The Spartans increased their lead to 20-6 on a 15-yard touchdown run by Glenn Winston at 14:49 of the fourth quarter. MSU moved 70 yards in eight plays.

Michigan gained its best field position of the game at MSU's 46-yard line after Graham sacked Cousins and stripped him of the ball. Ezeh recovered the fumble. The Wolverines then moved inside the red zone, but Stonum was stripped of the ball at the MSU 10-yard line and the Spartans recovered.

The Wolverines made their largest offensive charge of the day in the final four minutes of regulation, scoring twice and forcing overtime. Michigan trimmed the deficit in half, 20-13, with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Forcier to Stonum with 4:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 68-yard scoring drive took 44 seconds and the scoring play came on a third-and-one play.

U-M's final drive of regulation began at the 2:53 mark from its own eight-yard line. After a nine-yard completion and 11-yard run from Forcier, MSU was charged with a 15-yard personal foul, giving U-M an automatic first down and pushing it to the 42-yard line. The rain again began to fall, with the wet grass proving difficult for the Wolverine offense. However, Forcier connected with Stonum for a 13-yard gain at the MSU 25 and just 21 seconds remaining. With eight seconds left on third and eight, Forcier took the snap and connected with sophomore/freshman wideout Roy Roundtree (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) in the end zone with just two seconds left. The drive consumed 92 yards on 12 plays and took 2:51.

MSU took over on its own 28 with just two seconds on the clock and took a two-yard team loss to send the game into overtime.

U-M opened the first overtime session from the MSU 25 and efficiently earned a first down, but a pass break up in the end zone led to an interception, giving the Spartans a shot at the victory. Their first snap was fumbled and dropped them back nine yards to the 34 for second and 19, but after a short pass play to make it third and eight, Larry Caper ran 23 yards to give MSU the win.

The Wolverines continue their road swing with a primetime matchup at Iowa, currently ranked No. 13 in the AP poll, next Saturday (Oct. 10) at Kinnick Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally by ESPN on ABC starting at 7 p.m. CDT.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423

Postgame Notes: Michigan State 26, #22 Michigan 20 (OT)

Oct. 3, 2009

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• Michigan is to 67-30-5 in the all-time series with Michigan State.

• Michigan is 5-1 in overtime games dating back to 1997. Its last overtime game was a 34-31 triple OT victory over the Spartans in Michigan Stadium in 2005.

• Sophomore wide receiver Darryl Stonum's 60-yard touchdown reception was the longest of his career and the team's second-longest passing play of the season (61-yard screen pass for a TD by Carlos Brown).

• Fifth-year senior kick Jason Olesnavage converted a career-best two field goals, connecting from 36 and 43 yards in the first half.

• Sophomore tight end Kevin Koger matched his career long with a 41-yard reception on team's second-quarter drive. It equaled his reception of the same yardage in last season's MSU game.

• Senior linebacker Stevie Brown collected his first interception of the season and the fourth of his career on the game's third play. He returned the pick 18 yard to MSU's 14-yard line to set up an eventual field goal.

• Junior/sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen picked up a sack for the second straight game and partially tipped a Kirk Cousins pass that led to Stevie Brown's interception. Van Bergen finished the game with five tackles and the sack.

• Senior/junior linebacker Obi Ezeh posted his ninth career double-digit tackle game.

• Junior cornerback Donovan Warren collected an interception for the second straight week. His third-quarter interception at the seven-yard line stopped an MSU scoring chance.

• Senior defensive end Brandon Graham picked up his first sack of the season and stripped Kirk Cousins on the play. Graham also made a key tackle for loss that forced an MSU field goal. Graham posted four tackles, a forced fumble, two TFLs and the sack on the day.

• Redshirt freshman J.T. Floyd made his first career start at cornerback. Floyd finished the contest with a career-high four tackles and one pass breakup.

• Michigan had a season-best 14-play scoring drive that consumed 5:08 in the second quarter.

• Kevin Grady, Brandon Graham, Brandon Minor and Mark Ortmann served as game captains against Michigan State.

• Michigan State dominated the clock all day. The Spartans held the ball for 22:40 compared to 7:20 for Michigan in the first half. In addition, the Spartans ran 40 offensive plays compared to 20 for the Wolverines in the opening half. On the day, Michigan had the ball for 20:14 compared to MSU's 39:46.

• Junior/sophomore fullback John McColgan switched to jersey number 49 from 43.

• Today's game was the 399th televised game in school history.

Loss #2 coming up this Saturday

And another Nov. 21

gdennis59 wrote:

And another Nov. 21

You skipped a few losses.

Minor's Two Scores Not Enough in U-M Loss at No. 12 Iowa

Oct. 10, 2009

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Site: Iowa City, Iowa (Kinnick Stadium)
Score: #12 Iowa 30, Michigan 28
Record: Michigan (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten), Iowa (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 70,585 (sellout)
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Oct. 17 -- vs. Delaware State (Michigan Stadium), 12:01 p.m.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa (No. 12 AP/No. 14 USA Today) remained unbeaten and eked out a 30-28 victory over the University of Michigan football team on Saturday night (Oct. 10) at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes extended the nation's second-longest winning streak to 10 games before a sold-out homecoming crowd against the Wolverines.

Senior superback Brandon Minor (Richmond, Va./Varina HS) carried the ball 22 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) completed eight-of-19 passes for 94 yards and rushed eight times for 26 yards. Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach HS) rushed nine times for 49 yards and one TD and completed three-of-four passes for 30 yards during the final two series of the game.

Redshirt freshman strong safety Jordan Kovacs (Curtice, Ohio/Clay HS) led the defensive effort with his second straight double-digit tackle performance. Kovacs posted 11 tackles and an assisted tackle for loss. Senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) posted a career-high nine tackle, 3.5 TFLs and two sacks.

Michigan gained an early 7-0 advantage as junior cornerback Donovan Warren (Long Beach, Calif./Polytechnic HS) intercepted quarterback Ricky Stanzi's first pass of the game, the second offensive play of the game, and returned it 40 yards for his first career touchdown. Warren corralled an interception for the third straight conference game.

Iowa caught Michigan in an all-out blitz and Stanzi tossed a short pass in the right flat to tight end Tony Moeaki, who raced 34 yards untouched for a touchdown and the 7-7 tie at 9:20 of the first quarter. The Hawkeyes scoring drive covered nine plays and 57 yards in 4:54. Iowa converted all three third-down plays, including the scoring play on third-and-12.

The Hawkeyes collected their first turnover of the game and converted it into three points as kicker Daniel Murray converted a 28-yard field goal for a 10-7 advantage. The Hawkeyes gained possession at the U-M 19-yard line after linebacker Jeremiha Hunter intercepted Forcier's first pass of the contest and returned it 16 yards. The Michigan defense halted the drive after four plays at the 12-yard line.

The Wolverines had a time-consuming 12-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a three-yard scoring run by Minor over left tackle. The rushing touchdown was the first yielded by the Hawkeyes in 33 quarters dating back to the Penn State game last year (Nov. 8, 2008). Minor had four carries for 20 yards on the drive, including his TD run. Forcier completed three passes for 35 yards and had a key nine-yard run on a fourth-and-four play from Iowa's 35-yard line.

Iowa took advantage of its second turnover of the game and cut the deficit to 14-13 as Murray split the uprights on a 41-yard field goal. The Hawkeyes moved 22 yards in five plays, but two incomplete passes ended the drive at Michigan's 24-yard line. Iowa gained excellent field position at U-M's 46-yard line after Forcier fumbled the ball and Hunter recovered.

Iowa then grabbed its first lead of the contest, 20-14, on a one-yard touchdown run by Brandon Wegher. The Hawkeyes had a pair of key third-down conversions on the drive, a 33-yard pass from Stanzi to Trey Stross and a 47-yard diving catch by Derrell Johnson-Koulianos that set up first-and-goal at the eight-yard line. Wegher capped the nine-play, 78-yard drive with the scoring run at 5:49 of the second stanza.

After forcing a three-and-out by the Wolverines on the opening possession of the second half, Iowa increased its lead to 23-14 on a 40-yard field goal by Murray. The Hawkeyes gained 52 rushing yards on four carries during the 63-yard, nine-play scoring drive. Tailback Adam Robinson carried three times with runs of 19, 15 and six yards.

Minor cut the deficit to 23-21 with his second rushing touchdown from one yard out. Nine of the 10 plays on the Wolverines' scoring drive came on the ground, with Minor carrying seven times for 43 yards. Sophomore superback Michael Shaw (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison HS) added a seven-yard run to the one-yard line to set up the Minor score.

Iowa gained its fourth turnover of the game, but Michigan's defense made a huge stop as senior linebacker Stevie Brown (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East HS) batted down a fourth-and-goal pass from Stanzi intended for Moeaki. The Wolverines muffed a Hawkeyes punt after a defensive stop and William Lowe recovered at the U-M 16.

The Hawkeyes pushed their lead to 30-21 as Stanzi found an open Moeaki for a 42-yard touchdown pass down the right hash. The one-play drive came after a 20-yard punt return from Colin Sandeman following a 61-yard punt by fifth-year senior Zoltan Mesko (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg HS) from the shadow of his end zone. Iowa held Michigan without a yard on its ensuing possession following the Wolverines' defensive stand.

Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach HS) scored on a three-yard run over right guard, trimming the deficit to 30-28 with 3:19 left in regulation. Robinson entered the game at the start of the drive and moved the Wolverines down the field for a touchdown on an 11-play, 59-yard drive. Robinson carried the ball eight times for 42 yards and completed both of his passes for 16 yards.

Michigan's defense stopped the Hawkeyes after missing on an onside kick attempt, but Iowa intercepted a Robinson pass with 46 seconds remaining to secure the victory.

Michigan looks to rebound from its current two-game losing streak, facing Delaware State next Saturday (Oct. 17) at Michigan Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally by the Big Ten Network starting at 12:01 p.m. EDT.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423

Wolverines Rush to Blowout Win Over Delaware State

Oct. 17, 2009
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Michigan 63, Delaware State 6
Record: Michigan (5-2), Delaware State (1-4)
Attendance: 106,304
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Oct. 24 -- vs. Penn State (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team scored on seven of its first eight possessions to boast a 49-3 halftime lead and accumulate a program-record 442 yards in the first half alone to beat Delaware State, 63-6, on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Michigan Stadium. Overall, the Maize and Blue amassed a single-game program-record 727 yards in the triumph.

The Wolverines' stifling defense limited the Hornets to two field goals and padded Michigan's lead with a touchdown midway through the first quarter. Freshman/sophomore linebacker Brandon Smith (New Brunswick, N.J./New Brunswick) blocked a punt and then tried to grab the loose ball, which squirted out of his hands toward the DSU goal line. Senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical) scooped up the bouncing football and ran two yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown. Graham also recorded two sacks and three tackles, including two for loss, in the win. Sophomore linebacker J.B. Fitzgerald (Princeton Junction, N.J./West Windsor Plainsboro) led the defense with five tackles, including one for loss.

Sophomore running back Michael Shaw (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) rushed for the game's first touchdown on a two-yard run at the left guard during Michigan's first drive. He ended the game with 73 yards on nine attempts.

Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach) took the majority of the snaps in the first half after freshman Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) led U-M's opening drive. Robinson carried the ball six times for 54 yards and one rushing touchdown and completed 3-of-4 passes with two touchdowns. His first pass of the game went to junior/sophomore slot receiver Kelvin Grady (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) for a 38-yard touchdown reception, marking Robinson's first career touchdown pass.

In total, five Wolverines earned their first career touchdowns, including Graham, Grady, junior tight end Martell Webb (Pontiac, Mich./Northern), freshman running back Vincent Smith (Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee) and sophomore/freshman running back Michael Cox (Dorchester, Mass./Avon Old Farms).

Smith logged a career-high 166 rushing yards on 17 carries, including a six-yard rush at the right end for a touchdown in the opening quarter. His 37-yard sprint early in the second quarter placed the Wolverines in the red zone, setting up Robinson's four-yard rushing touchdown.

With a 42-0 lead and 5:17 remaining in the first half, senior/junior quarterback Nick Sheridan (Saline, Mich./Saline) entered the game at quarterback. The Wolverines rode fifth-year running back Kevin Grady (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) into the end zone on the 83-yard drive. He carried the ball four times for 44 yards and broke a tackle before entering the end zone. Grady finished the day with 73 yards on eight carries.

The Hornets got on the board in their last series of the half with a 26-yard field goal. Neither team scored until the fourth quarter when Delaware State marched 76 yards down the field in 10 plays, chewing up 4:35 on the clock and adding to the Hornets' point totals with a field goal.

Sheridan went 7-for-9 for 88 yards to close out the first half and through the third quarter before senior/junior quarterback David Cone (Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro) entered the game for Michigan's first series of the fourth quarter. Cone completed a 21-yard pass to fifth-year wide receiver LaTerryal Savoy (Mamou, La./Mamou), placing Michigan near midfield. Cox dashed 57 yards along the right sideline for his first career touchdown on the following snap.

Cone led the Wolverines back to the end zone on the next drive, completing two passes for 33 yards to fifth-year senior slot receiver Ricky Reyes (Macomb, Mich./Dakota). Once again, Cone handed the ball off to Cox, who darted three yards into the end zone for the final score of the game. All in all, Cox posted two rushing touchdowns and 82 yards on 11 attempts.

Michigan remains at home next Saturday (Oct. 24) against Penn State at Michigan Stadium. The game will be televised by ABC/ESPN with the kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423

They beat Deleware State. They aren't even a good 1-AA team. Why bother scheduling them? I guess when Rich Rodriguez is your coach you take any victory you can get.

Wolverines Fall to No. 13 Penn State in Rain-Soaked Affair

Oct. 24, 2009
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #13 Penn State 35, Michigan 10
Record: U-M (5-3, 1-3 Big Ten), Penn State (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 110,377
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Oct. 31 -- at Illinois (Champaign, Ill.), 3:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team fell to No. 13 Penn State, 35-10, on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Michigan Stadium, giving the Nittany Lions their first victory in Ann Arbor since 1996. PSU controlled the game with 396 yards of offense and held the Wolverines to 250, one rushing touchdown and one field goal. Temperatures in the mid- to high 40s and 15-25 mile-per-hour wind with light rain made the ball and field slippery and led to numerous dropped passes and miscues.

Senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical) blocked a punt, assisted with a sack for a loss of eight yards and recorded seven tackles, including 3.5 for loss, in the contest. Junior/sophomore safety Mike Williams (Santa Yuez, Calif./St. Bonaventure) led the defensive effort with nine tackles and one pass break-up, while sophomore defensive tackle Mike Martin (Redford, Mich./Catholic Central) added eight tackles.

Senior superback Brandon Minor (Richmond, Va./Varina), who was rested last week in Michigan's win over Delaware State, led the offense in his return, rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Senior wide receiver Greg Mathews (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater) topped the receivers with seven receptions for 70 yards.

The Maize and Blue grabbed an early 7-0 lead, scoring the game's first touchdown to conclude an 11-play, 70-yard series that chewed up the first 3:49 of action. Sophomore slot receiver Martavious Odoms (Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee) collected a pass in the left flat from freshman quarterback Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch), who finished the game throwing 13-of-30 for 140 yards in the air. Odoms dodged one defender before another brought him down at Penn State's two-yard line. Minor battled into the end zone two snaps later for his fifth touchdown of the season. The score marked the first time this season that the Nittany Lions have allowed a rushing touchdown.

PSU wide receiver Graham Zug hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass for the equalizer in the Nittany Lions' first drive of the game. They took their first lead of the contest in their next series with a field goal late in the first quarter, capping a 48-yard drive to make the score 10-7.

Michigan's defense stalled Penn State in its following drive. Martin and freshman outside linebacker Craig Roh (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) teamed up to tackle PSU running back Brandon Beachum, who got caught behind the center, for a loss of five yards. Roh followed up that play by sacking Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark for a loss of four, forcing the Nittany Lions to punt.

A Michigan miscue on a snap resulting in a safety, combined with Penn State's 60-yard deep pass down the middle for a touchdown, gave PSU a 12-point lead with 4:26 remaining in the first half.

Michigan's last possession of the half started in great field position at PSU's 39 following a stellar punt return. Forcier snuck in a spot-on pass to Mathews for a gain of 19 yards, moving the Wolverines into the red zone. Minor then powered 13 yards down the field, allowing fifth-year senior placekicker Jason Olesnavage (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale) to connect on a 33-yard field goal. The teams headed to their respective locker rooms at half time with Penn State holding a 19-10 advantage.

The Nittany Lions opened the second half with a bang, padding their lead with another touchdown reception by Zug. Penn State went for the two-point conversion, but Michigan junior safety Troy Woolfolk (Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles) broke up the pass attempt.

At the 6:24 point of the third quarter, freshman quarterback Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach) fumbled the ball at the Michigan 22-yard line, putting Penn State in prime field position and the Nittany Lions capitalized, scoring a touchdown on their second snap of the drive to boost their lead to 32-10.

Neither team scored again until Penn State split the uprights on a 39-yard kick with 5:25 left in the game.

The Wolverines travel to Champaign, Ill., to face the Fighting Illini next Saturday (Oct. 31) at Memorial Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ABC on ESPN.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423

Michigan Relinquishes Early Lead, Loses at Illinois on Halloween

Oct. 31, 2009

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Site: Champaign, Ill. (Memorial Stadium)
Score: Illinois 38, Michigan 13
Record: Michigan (5-4, 1-4 Big Ten), Illinois (2-6, 1-5 Big Ten)
Attendance: 60,119
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Nov. 7 -- vs. Purdue (Michigan Stadium), 12:01 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The University of Illinois broke the game open following a goal-line stand in the third quarter and scored on four straight series to defeat the University of Michigan, 38-13, on Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31) at Memorial Stadium.

Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) completed 13-of-23 passes for 257 yards and added 24 yards on 11 carries but lost a pair of fumbles inside the Illinois' 20-yard line. Senior superback Carlos Brown (Franklin, Ga./Heard County HS) carried the ball 25 times for 94 yards and scored one touchdown, while redshirt freshman wideout Roy Roundtree (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison HS) led the receiving effort with four catches for 92 yards.

Defensively, the Wolverines were led by junior/sophomore safety Mike Williams (Santa Yuez, Calif./St. Bonaventure HS), who set his career high with 16 tackles, and junior/sophomore linebacker Kevin Leach (Kentwood, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS) added 11 tackles and one sack.

Illinois struck first on the game's opening possession, scoring on a three-yard run by Arrelious Benn around the right side on third down. The 12-play scoring drive covered 82 yards and consumed the 6:06. Quarterback Juice Williams completed all three passes for 29 yards and rushed four times for 40 yards, including a 27-yard run on the game's second play.

Michigan answered with a two-yard touchdown run by Brown at 3:39 of the opening stanza. The Wolverines marched 70 yards in 13 plays and took 5:15. Forcier completed all four passes for 36 yards, including a nine-yard pass to sophomore tight end Kevin Koger (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer HS) on third-and-two to keep the drive alive. Forcier added two rushes for eight yards and Brown shouldered the load with seven carries for 26 yards.

Michigan survived a fumbled punt that Illinois' Zach Becker recovered at the Wolverines' 41-yard line. The Illini moved 20 yards in five plays, but the drive stalled at the 21-yard line and kicker Matt Eller pushed the 38-yard field goal attempt wide left, keeping the score 7-7.

Michigan gained the lead, 10-7, following a 32-yard field goal by senior kicker Jason Olesnavage (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale HS) at 7:14 of the second quarter. The 10-play scoring drive covered 32 yards in 4:14. A key play on the drive came on a personal-foul facemask penalty on a third-down sack of Forcier.

Olesnavage converted a 42-yard field goal with 1:34 remaining in the first half to push the Wolverine lead to 13-7. U-M moved 30 yards in eight plays, but the drive stalled following a sack on third down. Michigan moved into Illinois territory on a 21-yard pass play from Forcier to junior/sophomore wide receiver Junior Hemingway (Conway, S.C./Conway HS) on the initial play.

Michigan took the opening possession of the second half and fell inches short of a touchdown and turned the ball over on downs. The Wolverines were unable to crack the zone on four straight running plays from the one-yard line as senior tailback Brandon Minor (Richmond, Va./Varina HS) -- following a review -- was ruled down short of the goal line on the fourth-down attempt. Michigan gained the first-and-goal situation at the one following a 76-yard pass from Forcier to Roundtree, who was tackled Terry Hawthorne at the one-yard line. The play was originally called a touchdown, but after official review it was overturned and Michigan was awarded a first-and-goal from the one-yard line.

The Illini grabbed the lead, 14-13, on a 70-yard run by tailback Mikel Leshoure at 8:58 of the third quarter. The 99-yard scoring drive covered six plays, with Leshoure gaining 80 yards on four carries. Juice Williams started the series with a two-yard carry and completed a 17-yard pass to Jeff Cumberland prior to the scoring run.

Illinois scored on its second straight drive and extended its lead to 21-13 on a two-yard TD pass from Williams to tight end London Davis. The four-play, 79-yard drive started with a 27-yard run by Leshoure and moved into Michigan territory on a 34-yard pass from Williams to Cumberland along the right sideline. The Illini gained a first-and-goal at the two-yard line on a pass interference penalty in the end zone.

Illinois grabbed a 28-13 lead with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter on a three-yard touchdown run by Williams. The Illini's six-play scoring drive covered 45 yards following a 24-yard punt that gave them possession at Michigan's 45-yard line. The key play on the drive was a 37-yard pass from Williams to wide receiver Chris James to the four-yard line.

The Illini scored on their fourth straight possession as Matt Eller connected on a 23-yard field goal at 9:21 of the fourth quarter. The 10-play, 74-yard drive consumed 5:26 and saw Illinois convert a third-and-12 play on a 28-yard scamper by Williams. The series started following a fumble by Forcier that was forced by Clay Nurse and recovered by Corey Liuget.

For the second straight drive, Michigan drove into the red zone but was unable to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs following an incomplete pass on fourth down. The Wolverines gained Illini territory on a 66-yard pass from Forcier to Hemingway.

Senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) blocked an Illinois punt at 3:49 of the fourth to give U-M possession at Illinois 15-yard line, but Forcier fumbled on the ensuing play and the ball was recovered by Ian Thomas. The Illini added a 79-yard TD run by Jason Ford to preserve their first conference win.

Michigan returns to Ann Arbor for a showdown with Purdue next Saturday (Nov. 7). The game against the Boilermakers will kick off at 12:01 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423

Michigan Stalls in Second Half, Falls to Purdue

Nov. 7, 2009
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Purdue 36, Michigan 34
Record: U-M (5-5, 1-5 Big Ten), Purdue (4-6, 3-3 Big Ten)
Attendance: 108,543
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Nov. 14 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), 11 a.m. CST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite senior running back Brandon Minor (Richmond, Va./Varina) rushing for 154 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore/freshman slot receiver Roy Roundtree (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) catching 10 passes for 126 yards, Purdue overcame a 24-10 second-half deficit to hand the University of Michigan football team a 38-36 defeat on Saturday (Nov. 7) at Michigan Stadium.

Minor had a career game against the Boilermakers, producing two-thirds of Michigan's rushing yards as he ran for 154 yards and tied a career best with three touchdowns on 19 carries. Just 48 seconds into the second quarter, Minor had already rushed 101 yards for his sixth career 100-yard game.

Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) completed 15-of-24 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown pass, adding 32 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Roundtree led Michigan in the air, collecting 10 passes for a career-high 126 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Darryl Stonum (Stafford, Texas/Dulles) recorded two lengthy kickoff returns (55 and 54 yards), setting up touchdown drives in both instances and setting the U-M season record for kickoff-return yardage in the process.

Senior linebacker Stevie Brown (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East) led Michigan's defensive efforts with nine tackles, including one for loss. Other notable Wolverines on defense included junior/sophomore safety Mike Williams (Santa Yuez, Calif./St. Bonaventure) with seven tackles, junior cornerback Donovan Warren (Long Beach, Calif./Polytechnic) with six tackles and an interception -- his fourth of the season -- and sophomore linebacker J.B. Fitzgerald (Princeton Junction, N.J./West Windsor Plainsboro) with five tackles, including two for loss.

Purdue took an early 7-0 lead on a 35-yard reception by running back Ralph Bolden 1:45 into the game, capping the Boilermakers' 80-yard opening drive.

Michigan responded with a touchdown of its own on the ensuing 81-yard drive. On a Michigan third-and-15, Roundtree and Purdue linebacker Jason Werner got their hands on Forcier's 26-yard pass down the middle, but Roundtree was able to wrestle the football away from Werner as they both fell to the turf to keep the series alive. Three snaps later, Minor started running left before cutting back and breaking multiple tackles to sprint 29 yards into the end zone. A crushing block by Roundtree opened up the right backfield, allowing Minor to leap over the goal line for a team-best sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

Senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical) snuck up behind the Purdue quarterback seven plays into the next series, bringing Joey Elliott down at the Michigan 25 and forcing the Boilermakers to settle for a 41-yard field goal to regain the lead, 10-7.

The Wolverines quickly responded, tacking on three points of their own to even the game at 10 points apiece. Stonum returned the subsequent kickoff for a career-high 55 yards, but Michigan was unable to get a touchdown in the six-play possession. Fifth-year senior placekicker Jason Olesnavage (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale) managed to split the uprights for a career-best 51-yard field goal.

A Michigan defender tipped Elliott's throw on Purdue's second-and-11, enabling junior/sophomore linebacker Kevin Leach (Kentwood, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central) to pick off the pass in Purdue's third drive of the quarter at the U-M 27-yard mark. On the first snap in the second quarter, Minor ran at the left guard and then charged 55 yards down the left sideline for a career-long run and his second touchdown of the contest.

After the Maize and Blue defense forced Purdue to punt, Michigan marched 92 yards down the field in eight plays. Forcier once again connected down the middle with a wide-open Roundtree, who broke from an attempted tackle for a 43-yard touchdown to extend Michigan's lead to 24-10, which stood heading into halftime.

Purdue cornerback Brandon King forced a fumble at the Michigan 19-yard line and the Boilermakers made sure to take advantage of the prime field position, scoring a 19-yard rushing touchdown by Bolden.

Stonum returned the following kickoff for 54 yards, placing the Wolverines at Purdue's 46. Six plays into the series, Forcier faked a handoff to Minor and then darted at the right guard, pushing past a Purdue defender for the touchdown. The kick attempt for the extra point sailed wide, leaving the score at 30-17.

The combined efforts of Elliott, Bolden and wide receiver Keith Smith pushed the Boilermakers 91 yards down the field, with Bolden recording his second rushing touchdown of the quarter to make it a 30-24 difference. Much to the surprise of the Maize and Blue, Purdue recovered an onside kick on the subsequent play to spot the Boilermakers at their own 46-yard line. Elliott then threw a 54-yard bomb to wide receiver Cortez Smith, giving Purdue a narrow 31-30 advantage late in the third quarter.

Michigan opened the fourth quarter with a 53-yard drive spanning 10 plays, but Olesnavage's 48-yard field goal attempt sailed wide of the left post. Purdue used the change in momentum to its advantage as Elliott dashed eight yards into the end zone, extending the Boilermakers' lead to 38-30.

The Wolverines had a glimmer of hope when junior/sophomore wide receiver Junior Hemingway (Conway, S.C./Conway) returned Purdue's punt 37 yards to the Boilermakers' 11. Three plays later, Minor bulldozed his way through the middle and into the end zone. The Maize and Blue went for the two-point conversion to take the lead but was unsuccessful and the score remained 38-36.

The Wolverines travel to Madison, Wis., next Saturday (Nov. 14) to face Wisconsin in their last road game of the regular season. The game is slated to start at 11 CST and will be televised by the Big Ten Network.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423

Michigan Drops Big Ten Contest at No. 21 Wisconsin

Nov. 14, 2009

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Site: Madison, Wis. (Camp Randall Stadium)
Score: #21 Wisconsin 45, Michigan 24
Record: U-M (5-6, 1-6 Big Ten), Wisconsin (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten)
Attendance: 80,540
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Nov. 21 -- vs. Ohio State (Michigan Stadium), Noon (TV: ABC)

Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) completed 20-of-26 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman slot receiver Roy Roundtree (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison HS) and freshman tailback Vincent Smith (Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee HS) led the receiving effort with seven catches each. Roundtree gained 56 yards and Smith 54 yards and both players caught TD passes from Forcier. Smith had eight carries for 38 yards.

Defensively, senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) led the defense with a career-best 11 tackles and five tackles for loss, including two sacks and a forced fumble that led to a defensive touchdown by junior/sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen (Whitehall, Mich./Whitehall HS) on a 14-yard fumble return. Redshirt freshman strong safety Jordan Kovacs (Curtice, Ohio/Clay HS) added 10 stops and sophomore defensive tackle Mike Martin (Redford, Mich./Catholic Central HS) posted a career-high 10 tackles and three TFLs.

Wisconsin took their opening possession and marched 80 yards in five plays to take a 7-0 lead. The scoring play came on a 22-yard pass from Tolzien to tight end Garrett Graham on a third-and-six play. The Badgers opened the drive with a 27-yard pass play to wide receiver Isaac Anderson and 15 yards were added on a roughing-the-passer call that moved the ball to Michigan's 38-yard line. Tolzien added a 12-yard run followed by a pair of two-yard runs by John Clay prior to the scoring play.

The Wolverines answered the Badgers' TD and knotted the score at 7-7 on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Forcier to Vincent Smith in the right flat. It was the first career receiving touchdown and reception for Smith. The Wolverines moved 74 yards in 11 plays, with Forcier completing all three passes for 53 yards. Michigan converted two third downs, first on a 14-yard run by Minor and the second on a 26-yard pass play from Forcier to Roundtree on third-and-24 from Wisconsin's 49-yard line.

Michigan gained excellent field possession at the Badgers' 37-yard line but was unable to capitalize. The Wolverines came up empty on a 19-yard field goal try as J.J. Watt blocked the attempt by fifth-year senior Jason Olesnavage (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale HS). The Wolverines had a first-and-goal but were unable to punch the ball into the end zone. Vincent Smith had an 18-yard catch and rushed twice for nine yards and senior tailback Brandon Minor (Richmond, Va./Varina) carried the ball three times for eight yards on the series.

The defense held firm again as redshirt freshman Jordan Kovacs (Curtice, Ohio/Clay HS) intercepted Tolzien's third-down pass at Wisconsin's 25-yard line with two seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Wolverines were unable to gain a first down but gained the lead, 10-7, on a 37-yard field goal by Olesnavage at 14:16 of the second stanza. The four-play, six-yard drive took 51 seconds.

The Badgers regained the lead, 14-10, on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Tolzein to wide receiver Nick Toon on an out-route in the right corner of the end zone. Wisconsin's scoring drive covered 75 yards in 14 plays and consumed 5:42. The Wolverines forced a punt but were flagged for roughing the punter to keep the Badgers' drive alive. Clay contributed five carries for 30 yards on the drive.

Michigan's defense came through with a scoring play as Van Bergen scooped up a fumble and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown. The play was set up when Graham sacked Tolzien and stripped him of the ball on third-and-10. Van Bergen scored his first career TD to give the Wolverines a 17-14 lead at 3:46 of the second quarter.

The Badgers answered and regained the halftime advantage, 21-17, on a one-yard run by Clay. Wisconsin gained Michigan territory at U-M's 26-yard line following a 36-yard pass from Tolzien to Toon. Tolzien found an open Graham for 23 yards on the very next play to set up a first-and-goal situation at the three-yard line. Clay gained two yards on the first play and barely crossed the goal line for the go-ahead score.

Wisconsin took the opening kickoff of the second half and pushed the lead to 28-17 on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Tolzien to Toon on third-and-10. The Badgers moved 80 yards in 10 plays, with Tolzien completing four-of-six passes for 68 yards. Clay started the drive with a 21-yard run and Toon grabbed three passes for 53 yards on the drive, including his second receiving TD of the game.

Michigan continued to fight back and answered the Badgers' score with a 10-yard TD pass from Forcier to Roundtree at 6:59 of the third quarter. Forcier completed all five passes for 49 yards on the eight-play, 60-yard drive and Vincent Smith gained 11 yards on the ground.

The Badgers regained the double-digit margin with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Tolzien to tight end Lance Kendricks at 2:08 of third stanza and pushed the lead to 42-24 with a one-yard keeper by Tolzien at 11:00 of the fourth quarter. Wisconsin added a 28-yard field goal by Philip Welch to finish the scoring.

The Wolverines will renew their annual series with Ohio State next Saturday (Nov. 21) at Michigan Stadium. The 106th battle between the Buckeyes and Wolverines will be broadcast nationally on ABC starting at noon EST.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423

Wolverines Fall to No. 9 Ohio State in Season Finale

Nov. 21, 2009
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #9 Ohio State 21, Michigan 10
Record: U-M (5-7, 1-7 Big Ten), Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 110,922
Next U-M Game: Season Completed

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team fell to Ohio State University (No. 9 AP/No. 8 USA Today), 21-10, on Saturday (Nov. 21) to close out the 2009 season at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines threw for 229 yards on the day, compared to OSU's 67, but the ground game and turnovers proved to be the difference as the Buckeyes ran for 251 yards and capitalized on five Wolverine miscues as Michigan had three opportunities to make it a one possession game late, but three U-M interceptions solidified the win for Ohio State.

Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) completed 23-of-38 attempts for 226 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions, while sophomore/freshman slot receiver Roy Roundtree (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) recorded his second 100-yard receiving game with nine catches for 116 yards. Senior/junior linebacker Jonas Mouton (Los Angeles, Calif./Venice) led the defense, tying his career high of 11 tackles and had an interception, which led to U-M's only touchdown of the afternoon.

Stopped near midfield on their first drive of the game, the Buckeyes got on the scoreboard first on a defensive touchdown at 10:44 in the first quarter. Scrambling near his goal line, Forcier was stripped of the ball and OSU defensive end Cameron Heyward recovered it in the end zone. The extra point was good, putting OSU in front 7-0.

Two series later, freshman quarterback Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach) jumpstarted the U-M offense with 12 yards on the ground to reach OSU territory. Forcier returned to the game and completed two passes to Roundtree for 31 total yards. U-M reached the OSU seven-yard line before the drive stalled, but fifth-year senior placekicker Jason Olesnavage (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale) pushed a 24-yard field goal wide right, leaving the score 7-0 in favor of Ohio State.

Michigan cut the deficit to 7-3 on an Olesnavage field goal from 46 yards out with 7:59 left in the second quarter. Over the 10-play, 50-yard drive, Forcier completed four passes for 42 yards, including a 22-yard pass over the middle to Roundtree.

Ohio State quickly responded with a touchdown on its ensuing possession to take a 14-3 lead with 5:22 remaining in the half. The Buckeyes required just six plays, all rushing attempts, to cover 80 yards. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor ran for 34 yards and tailback Brandon Saine rushed for 46 yards, 29 of which came on his touchdown scamper to the left pylon.

U-M's offense went three and out to open the second half, but the defense got the ball back when Mouton corralled a deflected pass near midfield for his second interception of the season.

The Wolverines capitalized on the turnover with their first touchdown of the game at the 10:05 mark. Faced with a third-and-five from the OSU 18-yard line, Forcier scrambled to his left, set his feet, and threw back to the right hash mark to freshman running back Vincent Smith (Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee), who broke a tackle and found pay dirt. Olesnavage hit the extra point to make it 14-10 OSU.

Ohio State marched downfield for a touchdown on its next drive to reestablish an 11-point advantage, 21-10, with 4:46 left in the third quarter. The Buckeyes covered 77 yards on the ground. The lone pass play came on third-and-goal from the 12-yard line when Pryor hit Dan Herron on a screen pass for a touchdown. Devin Barclay converted the extra point.

Michigan got a spark early in the fourth quarter as Roundtree caught a short pass from Forcier near the U-M 20-yard line and raced 43 yards to the OSU 40. Two plays later, however, a deep pass by Forcier was picked off by safety Kurt Coleman at the OSU six-yard line.

Four minutes later, Michigan reached the OSU 11-yard line only to be turned away when Forcier was intercepted by Devon Torrence at the goal line.

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423