knapplc
International Man of Mystery
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.
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.
