GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE. MICHIGAN’S DEFENSE DOES
The numbers are ghastly enough. Michigan’s sitting at number one in total rushing defense, giving up a paltry 32.6 yards a game and bludgeoning opposing running backs and lines in the process. Stats aside, the anecdotal and visual evidence of their confirmed nastiness is accumulating.
First, the anecdotal:
Doctors haven’t cleared starter Anthony Morelli or backup Daryll Clark for full contact in practice after both quarterbacks sustained concussions when Penn State (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) lost last week to No. 2 Michigan.
And second, the visual. If Michigan wins the national title, this will be its enduring brand on the psyche of college footballdom:
The best college football photograph taken in recent history: flattened.
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1
Rich Eisen says:
Uh oh…you guys are in trouble…Brian’s been taking a lot of heat over at mgoblog for posting that picture not once, but twice. Apparently it’s classless to post a picture showing the result of a big hit in a college football game.
Me? I think the photo is amazing.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:29 am
2
NewAZTiger says:
Grrr, no photo here….
October 18th, 2006 at 9:38 am
3
Jeremy says:
But it was a vicious, deliberate, helmet-to-helmet late hit. And by “helmet-to-helmet” I mean “helmet-to-shoulder-pad.” And by “late” I mean “less than two tenths of a second after the ball was released.”
And yet there are PSU fans on their Rivals forums calling for assault & battery charges against Branch.
This defense is so much fun to watch, I wish we’d kick off at the start of both halves.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:41 am
4
PSUrob says:
PSU fan at the game (don’t remember most of it though). Sucks that Morelli got hurt and the Michigan D was that good, but I can appreciate the photo. Hate to say it, but that 1 picture pretty much sums up the game.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:46 am
5
Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart says:
All I ask is that they are able to replicate that with Troy Smith on Nov 18th. Sadly though, if they do, the fat-robots man crush will probably win the Heisman.
I also fear for the spinal cords of Ball State, Indiana, and Northwestern’s quarterbacks, every single one. I fully expect that their entire depth chart will be used in all three games.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:57 am
6
AUAlum says:
In PSU’s defense those helmets are distracting. Maybe Peter Kerasotis could write an article about how unfair they are.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:59 am
7
irishoutsider says:
Anthony Morelli can throw a football over those mountains.
If coach had put him in in the fourth quarter, they would have won state.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:59 am
8
The Contrarian says:
I don’t like to mix up sports here, but that photo reminded me of seeing former Philadelphia Flyer Eric Lindros lying in a crumpled mess on the ice at the Wachovia Center in Philly following a clean but brutal hit from former NJ Devils badass defenseman Scott Stevens (who also played linebacker on his HS football team in Canada) during the 2000 NHL playoffs.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:02 am
9
NoleinTexas says:
Man, Michigan’s defense but get half a chubby when Penn State comes on the schedule. One of the greatest hits I can remember was Charles Woodson (190 lbs, or so) leveling a Penn State tight end (240 lbs) in 1997. Hit him so hard, his future grandchildren felt it.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:03 am
10
Paternover says:
I was at the game. Mich’s D is simply lights out. It was pretty obvious that Penn State’s D needed to score to keep them in the game. It will be interesting to see if Mich can get by Tressel, Smith & Co. at the shoe.
And since we’re talking about whiney fans, lets keep in mind how mgoblog and others got their panties all wadded up over Paterno’s oh-so-offensive and controversial press conference statement about Henne:
“We tried to recruit him and, in fact, he had committed to us verbally and then he changed his mind, which he certainly was entitled to….I know he has had some critics there last year, but I am not sure where that criticism comes from because I looked at him last year as well as this year and he is a very intelligent, good athlete who is the kind of quarterback that can take a football team and carry it and he is doing that. I think he is an excellent quarterback.”
apparently its classless to mention that you tried to recruit an excellent QB and he decided to go elsewhere.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:07 am
11
notthequarterback says:
That pic gives me a special feeling in my Magic Johnson. I still don’t think the defense is as good as the ‘97 team (The DL of Steele, Williams, Renes might have met their match, but there was no Woodson on this year’s squad). It feels sick though, I don’t see us beating the machine that is tOSU. Those bastards play so hard under Cheaty, you’d think he has incriminating pictures of all of them.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:07 am
12
Russ says:
Nole in Texas, I remember that hit too, but it wasn’t Woodson. It was Daydrion Taylor, and the hit ended his career. Both players were unconcious. Biggest hit I have ever seen on a football field, and it totally changed the tone of that game.
YouTube has it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dGs0fALZ_8
October 18th, 2006 at 10:10 am
13
Jeremy says:
NoleinTexas — I think you’re referring to the hit that Dadrian Taylor put on the tight end. It ended both players’ careers.
It’s about 2:10 into this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAcnN6cYMR4
October 18th, 2006 at 10:12 am
14
Nick says:
The first thing he asked was if he completed the pass. Yes he did, got them out of the shadow of their goalposts.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:12 am
15
notthequarterback says:
Good lord, you sick bastards were all over that. A hat tip to both of you, fine gentlemen.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:14 am
16
DevilGrad says:
Chuck Norris wears a Michigan sweatshirt on fall Saturdays.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:15 am
17
Chris says:
The fact that it is a PSU player flattened out in this picture makes it more gooder.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:29 am
18
tbmd96 says:
If that happened in the Bengals/Bucs game last weekend, it would have been roughing the passer.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:32 am
19
Herringbone says:
I know that we have to proclaim UM defensive corps as the Monsters of the Midway now that it actually HAS a defense, but I am seeing more movement in Anthony Morrelli in that picture than I do when he is reading progressions…dare i say… he is very John Navarre-esque..
I guess what I am really trying to say is that tackling AM is like tackling an orange road construction barrel. However, the orange barrel is definitely more mobile.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:37 am
20
MSR says:
Contrarian,
You said something about “mixing up sports” and then referenced some guy named Lindros and the NJ Devils. I’m confused.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:37 am
21
Joe says:
Awesome photo. Reminds me of those great FSU defenses of the mid-90s playing until the “echo of the whistle.” Speaking of which here a photo of perhaps my favorite all time college football hit -
http://www.fsukxaz.com/Images/MarvinJones01.jpg
I believe Marvin Jones once said he would know he’d made the perfect hit when he saw a trauma chopper landing at midfield.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:47 am
22
Mosby says:
Any truth to the rumor that Morelli’s IQ actually increased following that hit?
October 18th, 2006 at 10:49 am
23
Chazz Reinhold says:
Greatest hit ever? How about Junior Rosegreen rocking Reggie Brown’s world in the 2004 Auburn/Georgia game. Everyone who was there thought Brown was dead.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:06 am
24
PSUgirl says:
I’m rooting for amnesia and that he forgets all of the “coaching” he gets from jayPa.
Not going to bellyache too much about it – helmet to helmet is usually a penalty – but who cares.
um played a decent game – PSU helped.
Lloyd paid us back for those 2 seconds – passing on 3rd down (with 0 PSU timeouts) – was BRILLIANT! (be sure to use that strategy in the shoe) unfortunately, the Lions didn’t take advantage.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:18 am
25
Chazz Reinhold says:
Linky on the Rosegreen hit for anyone feeling nostalgic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55d_pvNp634
October 18th, 2006 at 11:18 am
26
Orangeblood says:
Here’s a big hit by Tony Brackens on a kicker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zorwg3ZtGEg
I was at this game and remember hearing the crack of the helmet all the way up in the stands.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:25 am
27
Allaha says:
UM has a great defense, but I have a stats question. It can be misleading to simply look at opponents’ total yards, particularly rushing yards. Does anyone know if there are stats that one can access online that list not opponents’ total yards (and rushing yards) in absolute terms but as a percentage relative to averages against other teams? In other words, a stat that rather than saying UM opponents are averaging X total yards per game instead says that UM is holding opponents to only Y percent of their season average.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:28 am
28
Rich Eisen says:
PSUgirl-
If Breaston catches that pass that hit him in the hands (big if, but still), the game is over. Besides, Lloyd knew that Penn State’s offense was totally impotent (but for two fluky screen passes). The game was pretty much over either way.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:28 am
29
Theri Maa Bhanchod! says:
Thank you for posting that picture i can never see it enough. And the PSU fans who are crabbing about ‘helmet-to-helmet’, it wasn’t. It was a hard, clean hit, and the helmet hit morelli in the upper chest. jesus, it’s like these pussy qb’s need to have pillows on the ground behind them nowadays to make sure they don’t a boo-boo.
For as much grief as PSU fans give Michigan for the ills of the world (:02, Avant’s foot, etc etc), i like the Lions program. Hard working kids, always play tough and classic if not boring blue uni’s, in the beautful Pennsylvania mountains.
Now please God, let Mr. Branch stomp a mudhole in Troy Smith. Go Blue!
October 18th, 2006 at 11:42 am
30
Maize n Brew Dave says:
For best hit I’ve gotta go with Biscuit on Beuerlein.
Morelli knew it was coming. Beuerlein had no clue. He was out before he landed on the tarmac.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:43 am
31
RodBeck says:
Ah, very Bednarik/Gifford-esque:
http://plukphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/725036
But, they might just have a wee bit more trouble getting to Troy Smith, et al with the same effect.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:50 am
32
NoleinTexas says:
Oops, thank for the correction guys. Thought it was Woodson.
For Orson, I’ll just throw out Lawrence Wright v. Joey Kent.
In the first FSU game I ever saw in person, Marvin Jones and Michael Barrow had dueling de-soulers in the Orange Bowl in 92. I was in the upper deck and could hear both clearly.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:53 am
33
PSUgirl says:
Seriously, are you that arrogant that you can’t recognize and/or allow an act of humility? I could have gone all PSU cult member – (read with whiney high pitched voice, in your head) talking about the officiating, play calling, mean/ungracious michigan fans (who obviously never saw the big ten commercial about being a good sport – before, during and after – the game), and so on -
Yeah, you’re right Lloyd Carr is a masterful strategist – perhaps his plot these past years is to make tressel look omnipotent, and then bring out the “game” this year, to look all the more “special”. (I believe they have olympics for that)
if he runs the ball the game is over as well -
October 18th, 2006 at 11:55 am
34
AGS says:
RE: comment #10 by Paternover
The “whining”, as you refer to it, was not about Paterno mentioning people verbally committing to PSU and then signing elsewhere. It was about the hilarious JoePa hypocrasy, considering his current quarterback gave Pitt the backhand ON SIGNING DAY and signed with Penn State. So, apparently it’s ok in JoePa’s mind to shat on another school if you sign with PSU. THAT is what all the “whining” was about.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
35
Dave says:
I have already prayed to Jesus Claus for an early Christmas gift in the form of Troy Smith taking Morelli’s place in a new but very, very similar photo.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
36
Dave says:
Michigan D’s new motto: Turf sandwiches, bitches.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
37
Miami Bass War says:
“What’s your assignment?”
“Kill the quarterback. Hit the tight end so hard his girlfriend dies. Kill everyone.”
October 18th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
38
PeterKlima says:
That picture should really be put next to the other picture of Shawn Crable standing over Brady Quinn. Michigan fans know the picture. I can’t find it, but it definately makes the same statement: “flattened.”
October 18th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
39
Aerobab says:
Allaha: you can create any stat that you’d like (that’s the joy of numbers). In your question, if you take PSU’s -14 yards on the ground vs. UM and divide that by their season average ypg of 162…then that means UM held PSU to -8.64% of their season average. I don’t have the time to compile their entire schedule to date, but there’s a taste. Just pick up a math book and a calculator.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
40
Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart says:
I gave a rough look at the rushing defense stats earlier. I’m pretty sure you could take Michigan’s sack yards out, allow every other defense in the nation to keep theirs, and Michigan still ranks in the top 10 in rushing defense.
This makes me think a Michigan/WVU MNC game would be the absolutely hilarious. Michigan has been putting up those numbers by using seven men in the box for the majority of the time. Imagine if they brought another LB or S in for the majority of the plays. They could conceivably do that on a regular basis against WVU.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
41
QuietStorm says:
WE OWN…
PENN STATE!!!!!
October 18th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
42
Miller says:
That IS a great pic. Michigan is playing great football–and I say that as a dyed-in-the-wool Buckeye fan–but anyone who thinks they know the outcome to the 11/18 game is really on some very good medication. That one is going down to the wire, and whichever team wins will go to the championship game and show the nation just exactly how the Big 10 plays ball.
Oh, and FWIW, I watched the UM/PSU game all the way through, and Branch’s hit on Morelli couldn’t have been any cleaner.
Just don’t count on seeing the Troy Smith-o-bot in the same position, Wolverines
October 18th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
43
Run Up The Score says:
// Charles Woodson (190 lbs, or so) leveling a Penn State tight end (240 lbs) in 1997 //
That wasn’t Charles Woodson. I forget the Michigan player involved, but neither he or the PSU guy ever played again.
Also, I posted the Morelli / Branch play over at my site. If assault and battery charges should be brought, they should be against the five offensive linemen, whiffing tight end, two offensive line coaches, and the PSU offensive coordinators for not realizing that Morelli DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH GODDAMNED TIME TO THROW 20 YARD OUT PATTERNS.
My god, I just want to kill myself thinking about it.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
44
Russ says:
Re: 40, I just ran those numbers.
Officially, Michigan has allowed 228 yards on 166 carries in seven games, for an average of 1.37 per carry and 32.6 per game, both best in the nation.
But those totals include 24 sacks for -201 yards. Deducting the 24 carries but adding the 201 yards to the above totals means Michigan has allowed 429 yards on 142 carries this season, an average of 3.02 per carry and 61.3 yards per game.
The 61.3 ypg figure would place Michigan 4th in the nation even if everyone else got to keep their sack yardage.
Math bitches, math!
October 18th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
45
Paternover says:
WE OWN…
PENN STATE!!!!!*
*but we’re still paranoid and insecure about the ramblings of their 80-year-old coach!
October 18th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
46
Theri Maa Bhanchod! says:
Miller,
couldn’t have said it better myself re: the Game on 11/18, it’s going to be a humdinger/slobberknocker/whatever lame term I haven’t used yet. Though I hate Ohio St w/ a passion, gotta respect a D that has 9 new starters and is leading the nation in scoring D.
i’m fine w/ Troy Smith living after the game, but for catching the opening TD in 04, and last yr’s reverse aerial keep the drive alive grab, Anthony Gonzalez must receive vicious Brandon-Meriweather like cleat-in-nuts.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
47
RowdyRoddyPiper says:
Inre: AGS #34, I’m not quite sure how Paterno shat on Michigan in that statement. He was saying he recruited Henne, had a verbal and then he signed with Michigan, in fact he pointed out that he was entitled to change his mind. I don’t think he said anything negative about Henne and he didn’t say anything negative about Michigan. In fact he said that Michigan has a QB that Penn State would have liked to have. In fact, the “hipocrisy” which you refer to was precipitated by Henne changing his mind. Seriously. PSU thought they had Henne locked up so they turned Morelli down. Only when Henne changed his mind did PSU again recruit Morelli.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
48
Allaha says:
Aerobab: thanks, and I understand the concept of division. My question is not how to do the math but instead whether there is an existing online site that has already done the calculations. . . . BTW, while absolute numbers can be impressive (such as those put up by the UM defense), the more meaningful statistic would be the average of the (presumably negative) standard deviations from the mean of opponents’ total yards.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
49
Scott says:
PSUgirl -
If Michigan runs the ball on that last play, they probably don’t get the first down (PSU was expecting run). In that case, PSU still gets the ball back with about 1:00 to play (instead of the 1:44 they got). That’s enough time ofor a team to move the length of the field and score a TD. The pass was the right coaching call. Breaston was open. The pass hit him in the chest. It would have been a first down and the game would have been over, but he dropped the ball. It’s not like Henne heaved the ball to the end zone. Carr was looking to run up the score – he was trying to end the ball game and do so without subjecting PSU’s 3rd string QB to the same kind of abuse Morelli and Clark suffered.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
50
jonsi says:
Michigan’s run defense:
Player Season avg. vs. Mich.
Jackson-Garrison (Vandy) 65 2
Sneed (C. Mich.) 47 33
Walker (Notre Dame) 88 25
Hill (Wisc.) 141 54
Pinnix (Minn.) 92 91
Caulcrick (Mich. St.) 58 29
Hunt (Penn St.) 112 33
Keep in mind the season average includes their low totals against UM. The stat that matters is average against other teams not including UM. Add 15 or more for everyone except Pinnix.
Henne’s official position is that he never gave Penn State an actual verbal commitment. His commitment was along the lines of “I really like Penn State and am leaning towards you guys but am still talking to other schools.” Perhaps I am wrong about this, but I’m inclined to believe Chad.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:38 pm