The Blackshirts

[knapplc]

There is nothing better than watching an aggressive, attacking, havoc-wreaking defense imposing their will on an opponent. It's all the sweeter when it's a storied program like Michigan, at their house, in front of the largest crowd in all of college football, and we're picked to lose.

 

The Blackshirts were absolutely essential to any chance of success this team had today. With a young quarterback still learning the speed of the game at this level, the call went out to the defense - today, you must lead the way.

 

 

 

 

And the Blackshirts answered that call.

 

 

 

 

Michigan's stats tell some of the story:

13 first downs. None on the ground. One via penalty. No rushing first downs.

 

Rushing? There was none of that. Michigan finished with -21 yards rushing.

 

196 yards passing on an 18-of-27 day from Devin Gardner, but all game long Gardner was running for his life.

 

Michigan earned a total of 175 net yards from scrimmage today.

 

That's only seven total yards more than they earned against Sparty. In East Lansing.

 

Devin Gardner was sacked seven times. Did I mention he was running for his life? A week past Halloween, Gardner probably looked at Randy Gregory and saw the Grim Reaper. Gregory accounted for four of Nebraska's seven sacks against the Wolverines, none perhaps more important than the tackle for loss on Michigan's last drive, where on a designed roll-out, Gardner found his receivers covered and his path blocked by Jason Ankrah, bulling his way through two blockers.

 

As Gardner reversed his field he was set for a big gain - the Nebraska defensive line and a linebacker were all at the line or in the Michigan backfield, leaving the entire backside of the play open, and there was a lot of green.

 

But there, also, was Randy Gregory, playing aggressive but disciplined football, cutting off that side, even eschewing the opportunity to try and make a big play by attacking upfield after Gardner. Had Gregory gone for the immediate kill the only thing between Michigan and a sure first down - if not a TD - was Stanley Jean-Baptiste, streaking in from his coverage position.

 

But Gregory held his position, didn't try to attack through two blockers, and allowed the play to come to him. Gardner outran his blockers to the outside and then - and only then - did Gregory attack.

 

Boom. Sacked. No first down, less than a minute to play, fourth down and five, all because at the end of the play Randy Gregory did his job. That was a team sack, but Gregory finished it off, and finished it well.

 

Ankrah caused Gardner to panic. The Tackles held the line against a run upfield. The secondary was in blanket coverage. And after everyone did their job, Randy Gregory finished it off.

 

 

That is Blackshirt defense. That play was a microcosm of that game, and - perhaps - a sign of greatness to come. This defense has the pieces. They lack experience. But they do not lack skill.

 

No Michigan player rushed for more than 20 yards. As a team, ignoring the negative rushing yardage, Michigan would have gained a total of 46 yards on 36 carries. Factoring in the lost yardage, it was 21 yards.

 

21 yards in the red, that is.

 

Nine Blackshirts had tackles for loss in this game. Four different Blackshirts had sacks.

 

When the offense struggled, the Blackshirts stepped up. It wasn't always pretty all the time, but there's no complaints about the result, especially in the final drive, fourth quarter, crunch time, when everyone is gassed, the crowd is wild, and the game is on the line.

 

When the final bell rang, one side answered.

 

And the Blackshirts led the way.

 

 

 

 

 

Bring on Sparty.

[Warrior10]

I like the: Not 1 rushing first down part!

[Mavric]

No Michigan player rushed for more than 20 yards. As a team, ignoring the negative rushing yardage, Michigan would have gained a total of 46 yards on 36 carries. Factoring in the lost yardage, it was 21 yards.

 

21 yards in the red, that is.

Nice work.

 

In addition, the longest Michigan run on the day was seven yards. Solid - maybe even shades of spectacular - all day long.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

[Karsaire]

Really longing to see Gregory tear somebody apart and then THROW THE BONES! Need to see more of it

[JJ Husker]

The defense stepped up big time today. I am so glad the coaches unleashed some guys and sent pressure. Hopefully thay have turned some kind of corner here and the aggressiveness is here to stay. Great job blackshirts.

[Huskerzoo]

Looked beautiful all game. They got the screen going from that stack formation early in the second half, but good adjustments by the d. So happy I was at the game.

[lilred]

So is it safe to assume that we'll see the blackshirts back in practice? And that Gregory will be one of them?

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Awesome job, keep it up against Sparty....................stay focused! Every game matters fellas!

[Abdullah the Butcher]

Why are defensive stats in the NCAA hidden? Espn doesn't post them in the box scores, where can you find updated individual stats?

[Mavric]

Why are defensive stats in the NCAA hidden? Espn doesn't post them in the box scores, where can you find updated individual stats?

Not sure why they don't have them. I usually go to Fox Sports or NCAA.com.

[I am I]

One could tell by the first or second drive the Blackshirts were dialed in.

Cutting off the edge, engaging and blitzing, upfield, and actually tackling well.

 

It came down to making a stop after a turnover, much like last week, and at least giving the offense a chance.

 

Like Knapplc said, a total team effort, spearheaded by the 'Shirts.

[alexhortdog95]

Good game, but let's be cautious, folks. It was against a not so good Michigan team. I don't see scUM winning too many more games the way they play (loose term in this regard) offensively. IN fact, that's what they do - play offensively. It's hard on the eyes to see Gardner drop back every time, knowing the poor guy is going to end up on his back. They're a really, really bad team right now.

 

If they beat Sparty, then I'll consider them having moved on.

[NUance]

There is nothing better than watching an aggressive, attacking, havoc-wreaking defense imposing their will on an opponent. It's all the sweeter when it's a storied program like Michigan, at their house, in front of the largest crowd in all of college football, and we're picked to lose.

 

The Blackshirts were absolutely essential to any chance of success this team had today. With a young quarterback still learning the speed of the game at this level, the call went out to the defense - today, you must lead the way.

 

 

 

 

And the Blackshirts answered that call.

 

 

 

 

Michigan's stats tell some of the story:

13 first downs. None on the ground. One via penalty. No rushing first downs.

 

Rushing? There was none of that. Michigan finished with -21 yards rushing.

 

196 yards passing on an 18-of-27 day from Devin Gardner, but all game long Gardner was running for his life.

 

Michigan earned a total of 175 net yards from scrimmage today.

 

That's only seven total yards more than they earned against Sparty. In East Lansing.

 

Devin Gardner was sacked seven times. Did I mention he was running for his life? A week past Halloween, Gardner probably looked at Randy Gregory and saw the Grim Reaper. Gregory accounted for four of Nebraska's seven sacks against the Wolverines, none perhaps more important than the tackle for loss on Michigan's last drive, where on a designed roll-out, Gardner found his receivers covered and his path blocked by Jason Ankrah, bulling his way through two blockers.

 

As Gardner reversed his field he was set for a big gain - the Nebraska defensive line and a linebacker were all at the line or in the Michigan backfield, leaving the entire backside of the play open, and there was a lot of green.

 

But there, also, was Randy Gregory, playing aggressive but disciplined football, cutting off that side, even eschewing the opportunity to try and make a big play by attacking upfield after Gardner. Had Gregory gone for the immediate kill the only thing between Michigan and a sure first down - if not a TD - was Stanley Jean-Baptiste, streaking in from his coverage position.

 

But Gregory held his position, didn't try to attack through two blockers, and allowed the play to come to him. Gardner outran his blockers to the outside and then - and only then - did Gregory attack.

 

Boom. Sacked. No first down, less than a minute to play, fourth down and five, all because at the end of the play Randy Gregory did his job. That was a team sack, but Gregory finished it off, and finished it well.

 

Ankrah caused Gardner to panic. The Tackles held the line against a run upfield. The secondary was in blanket coverage. And after everyone did their job, Randy Gregory finished it off.

 

 

That is Blackshirt defense. That play was a microcosm of that game, and - perhaps - a sign of greatness to come. This defense has the pieces. They lack experience. But they do not lack skill.

 

No Michigan player rushed for more than 20 yards. As a team, ignoring the negative rushing yardage, Michigan would have gained a total of 46 yards on 36 carries. Factoring in the lost yardage, it was 21 yards.

 

21 yards in the red, that is.

 

Nine Blackshirts had tackles for loss in this game. Four different Blackshirts had sacks.

 

When the offense struggled, the Blackshirts stepped up. It wasn't always pretty all the time, but there's no complaints about the result, especially in the final drive, fourth quarter, crunch time, when everyone is gassed, the crowd is wild, and the game is on the line.

 

When the final bell rang, one side answered.

 

And the Blackshirts led the way.

 

 

 

 

 

Bring on Sparty.

Wow, Knapp, just wow. You've had a lot of great posts on this board. This may be my favorite. The way your phrasing flows is amazing. You could be a sportswriter.

 

 

 

/ Or perhaps it's the alcohol in me. And still basking in the glow of a huge Husker win. Anyway, +1