Tag: Michigan

Sep 23, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) celebrates his rushing touchdown with Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) during the third quarter of their game against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium.

Ohio State climbs to No. 4 in Top 25 after win at Notre Dame

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State moved up in — and Colorado moved out of — the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, released Sunday.

The Buckeyes (4-0) climbed two spots to No. 4 following their thrilling, final-second 17-14 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday.

Deion Sanders’ previously undefeated Buffaloes (3-1), who entered this weekend’s action ranked No. 19 last week, fell out of the Top 25 after being drubbed by then-No. 10 Oregon.

The Ducks moved up one spot to No. 9 after the win.

Georgia remained in the top spot and captured 55 first-place votes. The remaining eight votes were spread among five other 4-0 teams in the Top 10. No. 2 Michigan (one vote), No. 3 Texas (two), Ohio State (one), No. 5 Florida State (three) and No. 7 Washington (one) each garnered a first-place vote.

Six teams had not received first-place votes in a regular-season poll since Nov. 1, 2015.

Rounding out the Top 10 were No. 6 Penn State, No. 8 Southern California, Oregon and No. 10 Utah. Each of those teams are also 4-0.

With their loss to Ohio State, Notre Dame (4-1) dropped two spots to No. 11.

Alabama (3-1) rose a spot to No. 12 after defeating Ole Miss. The Rebels plummeted five spots to No. 20 after a 24-10 loss to Alabama.

Also dropping five places to No. 19 was Oregon State, which lost 38-35 to Washington State. The Cougars rose five places to No. 16 with the win.

Moving in to the Top 25 were a trio of 4-0 teams — No. 23 Missouri, No. 24 Kansas and No. 25 Fresno State.

Missouri is ranked for the first time since 2019. Kansas is ranked in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008-09.

Joining Colorado in falling from the rankings were UCLA and Iowa.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches as J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before they take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic Ncaa Fiesta Bowl Game

No. 2 Michigan welcomes back Jim Harbaugh, Rutgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 2 Michigan welcomes Jim Harbaugh back to the sideline for its Big Ten opener against Rutgers in a battle of unbeaten teams Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Harbaugh has completed a school-imposed three-game suspension for NCAA recruiting violations. The Wolverines (3-0) tore through their nonconference slate during the ban, beating East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green by a combined 96-16, all at home.

Harbaugh said Monday that watching Michigan’s games through a different lens, away from the sideline, has inspired him to “implement some new things” for the program.

“Really so much to unpack there. From other coaches stepping up, other staff stepping up, other players stepping up, just the amount of leadership bonds that were necessary, were created, all the tremendous positives that came from that,” Harbaugh said.

One task for Harbaugh this week is to help J.J. McCarthy course-correct. He tossed three interceptions in 13 attempts in the 31-6 win over Bowling Green. One interception came in the end zone.

McCarthy said after the game he would take the interceptions “on the chin.”

“Whether it’s a great throw or an interception, I’m always going to move on and stay in the present moment, no matter what it is,” McCarthy said. “It just didn’t go well after the first one and I just gotta watch the film and see what I can do better.”

The Wolverines rank second in FBS in total defense (222.3 yards per game) and first in scoring defense (5.33 ppg). But their first Power 5 opponent of the season is sure to present their toughest test to date.

Rutgers (3-0) leaned on running back Kyle Monangai, who has 357 rushing yards (tied for sixth in the country) and five rushing touchdowns (tied for fourth) as the program’s emerging star. He racked up 165 yards two weeks ago against Temple before adding 143 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s 35-16 win over Virginia Tech.

That earned Monangai Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors, making him the first Rutgers player to win that award since 2014.

“Oftentimes, running backs can get away just by being naturally talented guys, and he is naturally talented,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Monday. “But he’s worked very hard to understand run schemes, understand pass protections and, most importantly, understand defenses.

“So I think he’s now what I would call a guy who is in that final quarter of his development here, and those are the guys that we need.”

Rutgers also brings a top-10 scoring defense (10 ppg) to the table.

Schiano said Michigan has “absolutely no weaknesses” and feels the Wolverines have the best offensive and defensive lines in the country.

Michigan also has an answer to Monangai in the form of Blake Corum, who’s off to another hot start this season. He has scored six rushing touchdowns, tied for second in the country, and gained 254 rushing yards while backfield mate Donovan Edwards has taken more of a complementary role.

Rutgers’ first Big Ten win as a member of the conference came against the Wolverines in October 2014, a 26-24 home triumph in coach Brady Hoke’s last season at Michigan.

The Wolverines have won the eight meetings since, though that included a 48-42 triple-overtime thriller in 2020 and a 20-13 squeaker in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh reacts to a play during his team's game against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022.

Suspension over, Jim Harbaugh returns to Michigan sideline

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A merry-go round of Michigan assistant coaches step aside this week with head coach Jim Harbaugh reinstated from the university-imposed suspension to start the 2023 season.

The No. 2-ranked Wolverines (3-0) open Big Ten play Saturday in Ann Arbor against Rutgers with Harbaugh on the sideline and calling offensive plays, which should ease some of the communication and substitution errors that muddied spots in their first three games.

“I’m super excited to have coach Harbaugh back. You best believe he’s fired up, too,” running back Blake Corum said. “It’s going to be exciting going back down the tunnel with Coach Harbaugh, having him on the sidelines. I’m amped up. I’m fired up. … It’s going to mean something to have Coach Harbaugh back on the sidelines.”

Harbaugh said the absence “made me a better coach,” but he said there are new guardrails in place to prevent him from being suspended again. The NCAA could still levy punishment for alleged recruiting violations and what their investigators called “misleading” responses from Harbaugh.

In his absence, four different assistant coaches assumed head-coaching responsibilities: defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, special teams coach Jay Harbaugh and running backs coach Mike Hart.

Harbaugh returns on the heels of quarterback J.J. McCarthy throwing three interceptions in the Wolverines’ 31-6 victory over Bowling Green.

“It’s when you don’t have the right foot discipline, eye discipline, or footwork and then the bad things happen,” Harbaugh said. “Now it’s seared into your brain. You learn more from the mistakes. I think the same as it was in coaching, it is in playing.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Roydell Williams (5) is tackled by South Florida Bulls safety Logan Berryhill (37) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama falls to No. 13, Texas jumps to No. 3 in poll

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama fell out of the top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25 poll on Sunday for the first time since Sept. 27, 2015.

The Crimson Tide (2-1) dropped three spots to No. 13 after posting a lackluster 17-3 victory over South Florida.

Georgia (3-0) remained the nation’s No. 1 team and received 57 of the 63 first-place votes. Michigan (3-0) was still second and received two first-place votes.

No. 3 Texas (3-0) pocketed three first-place votes and flipped spots with Florida State (3-0), which fell one spot to No. 4 following its 31-29 victory over Boston College. The Seminoles received the other first-place vote.

Southern California (3-0) remained at No. 5, while fellow unbeatens Ohio State (3-0), Penn State (3-0), Washington (3-0) and Notre Dame (4-0) stayed at their respective positions from Nos. 6-9. Oregon (3-0) moved up three spots to round out the top 10.

Utah (3-0) ascended one spot to No. 11 while LSU (2-1) jumped up two slots to No. 12 following its 41-14 rout of Mississippi State.

Oregon State (3-0) moved up two slots to No. 14 after posting a 26-9 win over San Diego State, and Ole Miss (3-0) also ascended two spots with a 48-23 victory over Georgia Tech.

Oklahoma (3-0), North Carolina (3-0) and Duke (3-0) each moved up three spots to clock in respectively at Nos. 16-18, followed by Colorado (3-0).

Miami (3-0), Washington State (3-0) and UCLA (3-0) were ranked Nos. 20-22, respectively.

Tennessee (2-1) dropped 12 spots to No. 23 following its 29-16 loss to Florida.

Iowa (3-0) was listed at No. 24, followed by the Gators.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Corum, No. 2 Michigan handle Bowling Green

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Blake Corum rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and No. 2 Michigan endured a mistake-prone first half before beating Bowling Green 31-6 Saturday night in Ann Arbor, Mich.

J.J. McCarthy went 8-for-13 passing for 143 yards for Michigan (3-0). He completed touchdown passes to Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson but also tossed three interceptions.

The Michigan defense held Bowling Green (1-2) to 205 total yards, tallying three sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Mike Sainristil had a sack and two tackles for loss for the Wolverines, who have allowed just 16 points through three games.

Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak was a late scratch with a calf injury. Camden Orth started but left with an unspecified injury in the second quarter, and Hayden Timosciek took over, making his college debut.

Orth and Timosciek combined to complete 14 of 21 passes for 124 yards. Timosciek threw two interceptions.

Bowling Green linebacker Demetrius Hardamon suffered a serious injury making a tackle in the third quarter. He was carted off on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital.

Corum’s 54-yard run on the Wolverines’ first play on offense set them up to strike first. Corum did the honors from 4 yards out for a 7-0 lead at the 10:44 mark of the quarter.

The Wolverines nearly doubled their lead on the next drive, but McCarthy’s pass intended for Wilson in the end zone was picked off by Jalen Huskey for a touchback. Bowling Green turned that into a 12-play, 62-yard drive ending in Alan Anaya’s 36-yard field goal with 14:13 left in the half.

Bowling Green kicked the ensuing kickoff short and Max Bredeson fumbled the return. The Falcons recovered but only managed another Anaya field goal, this time from 42 yards, making it 7-6.

Michigan made it three straight turnovers when McCarthy’s deep pass was intercepted by Jordan Oladokun. But the Wolverines forced a punt and McCarthy hit Wilson for a 33-yard strike with 4:15 left, resulting in a 14-6 halftime lead.

On the first play of the third quarter, Timosciek backpedaled and floated a pass that defensive tackle Kris Jenkins snagged and returned to the 2. Corum reached the end zone on the next play.

Jaylen Harrell stripped Timosciek on the next drive, leading to a 42-yard field goal by James Turner and a 24-6 Michigan lead.

On their next possession, the Wolverines pulled off a flea flicker and Johnson juggled the catch away from his defender before securing it for a 50-yard touchdown with 6:28 left in the third.

Avi McGary had the third Bowling Green interception of McCarthy.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) tries to block a kick in the first half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Bowling Green LB Demetrius Hardamon carted off field in Ann Arbor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bowling Green senior linebacker Demetrius Hardamon suffered a serious injury during Saturday night’s game against No. 2 Michigan.

Hardamon tackled Michigan’s Colston Loveland and stayed on the ground motionless after the play. Trainers strapped Hardamon onto a board in order to move him onto a cart to leave the field.

Hardamon waved to the crowd as he was transported off the field.

Hardamon has played for the Falcons since 2020. He made three tackles Saturday night in the game in Ann Arbor, Mich.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands off to running back Blake Corum (2) in the first half against the East Carolina Pirates at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 Michigan continues coaching carousel against UNLV

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Second-ranked Michigan went with one acting head coach during its season-opening victory over East Carolina.

This time, running backs coach Mike Hart and special-teams coach Jay Harbaugh will share the duties when the Wolverines (1-0) face UNLV on Saturday afternoon at Ann Arbor, Mich.

Coach Jim Harbaugh is serving the second contest of a three-game suspension for NCAA recruiting violations. The first contest went just fine with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter running the team during a 30-3 victory over the visiting Pirates last week.

Jay Harbaugh, the 34-year-old son of the coach, will handle the first-half coaching duties. Hart, 37, a former Michigan star running back, will run the team in the second half.

“For coach Harbaugh to trust me to be head coach for a half is a great honor,” Hart said Monday.

Jay Harbaugh also has embraced the shared role.

“Mike and I have great conversations,” Jay Harbaugh said. “We’ve already had some thus far, just about a vision for how things look at this point, aggressiveness, situations, that kind of thing.”

The Wolverines will have offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore back in the fold. He also was serving a suspension in the East Carolina game for NCAA recruiting violations.

The absences of Jim Harbaugh and Moore didn’t affect Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who completed 26 of 30 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. McCarthy’s 86.7 completion percentage is the second highest in Wolverines history behind the 90.9 turned in by Elvis Grbac (20 of 22) against Notre Dame on Sept. 14, 1991.

Star running back Blake Corum had 73 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown in his first game since undergoing major knee surgery nine months ago. Corum rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 TDs last season.

“We’re a complete team,” Corum said after the win. “If we need to run the ball, we’ll run it. If we need to pass, we’ll pass. There’s no, ‘They can’t pass the ball.’ We’re a complete team — and that’s what we do in practice.”

UNLV (1-0) won its first game under new coach Barry Odom as it routed visiting Bryant 44-14.

Odom, who coached Missouri from 2016-19, is attempting to pump life into a program that has notched just one winning record over the past 22 seasons.

He’s well aware the Wolverines are a major challenge for this team.

“Our motivation is to play our best and to be the best versions of what we can be,” Odom said. “And then we want to go play at a high level and take the opportunity we have in front of us and go make the most of it.

“Obviously, we have got a lot of respect for our opponent. It’ll be a great atmosphere to play in. I’m happy for our student-athletes to be in that environment.”

Junior-college transfer Jacob De Jesus had a 96-yard kickoff return but didn’t score as he was stopped at the Bryant 2-yard line. The return was the fourth longest in school history.

Rebels starter Doug Brumfield completed 11 of 18 passes but had just 86 yards and threw an interception.

“I take full ownership on that,” Brumfield said. “The offense goes as I go, and as a captain and quarterback, it’s my job to push the offense to the level we want to be at. We definitely did some good things out there, but there’s for sure some room to improve.”

Michigan won the lone previous meeting against UNLV, 28-7 in 2015 during Jim Harbaugh’s first season as coach.

–Field Level Media

Jul 27, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh bangs gavel for player rev shares

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh repeated a rallying cry for players to be paid as conference revenues climb with billion-dollar network agreements.

Harbaugh championed publicly at Big Ten media days for players to be counted when profit discussions come up, as they have with the conference expanding to welcome USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington in the past year. The Big Ten begins a new rights deal with FOX, NBC and CBS that is reportedly worth $7 billion over seven years.

“We all should be about diversity, equity and inclusion,” Harbaugh said Monday in a monologue to open his press conference regarding preparation for the season opener Saturday.

“I’m calling for a system that is fair, equitable and benefits all involved. Don’t exclude the student-athletes from the profits. My opinion, you can’t say you’re about diversity, equity and inclusion, if you aren’t willing to include the student-athletes in revenue sharing.

“We have to try to make it work, we have to try to make it better and right now. The current status quo is unacceptable and won’t survive. In my opinion, we capitalize on the talent, we should pay the talent for their contributions to the bottom line.”

Harbaugh will serve a university-imposed three-game suspension to start the season while the NCAA continues to mull how to handle allegations of recruiting violations and asserts the Michigan coach intentionally misled investigators during the process.

He said his goal Monday was not to distract from his suspension or dismiss the Week 1 game with East Carolina, but to spark “constructive conversation” around the role players play in the financial windfall for college football.

“I want them to be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” Harbaugh said. “What I don’t understand is how the NCAA, television networks, conferences, universities and coaches can continue to pull in millions, and in some cases billions, of dollars in revenue off the efforts of college student-athletes across the country without providing enough opportunity to share in the ever-increasing revenues.”

–Field Level Media

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, pictured during Michigan's 2022 season opener.

Michigan to rotate gameday coaches in Jim Harbaugh’s 3-game absence

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan plans to rotate multiple assistants in the gameday head coaching role during Jim Harbaugh’s three-game suspension to begin the 2023 season.

The suspension covers three nonconference home games against East Carolina (Sept. 2), UNLV (Sept. 9) and Bowling Green (Sept. 16).

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will have gameday duties against East Carolina. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who is also the offensive line coach, was given head coaching duties against Bowling Green.

Moore will also split those coaching responsibilities against UNLV with special teams coach Jay Harbaugh in the first half. A third coach, run game coordinator and running backs coach Mike Hart, will team with Moore in the second half of the game against the Rebels.

“I’m certain that all will be impressed with the four coaches’ ability to direct and manage the game,” Jim Harbaugh said Thursday in a school-issued statement. “It’s been well documented that we have a very talented coaching staff and I believe that all 10 assistant coaches will be head coaches in the near future. They are all capable of leading a team at an elite level. I know that everyone will handle their responsibilities and help our players to be the best version of themselves on and off the field this fall and beyond.”

The Wolverines self-imposed a suspension as punishment for alleged NCAA recruiting violations and misleading investigators about the particulars involved. While Harbaugh denies he lied to investigators, claiming he didn’t recall specific details, athletic director Warde Manuel said Monday that Michigan levied the suspension “in an attempt to further” the NCAA investigative process.

Harbaugh is set to return for Michigan’s Big Ten opener Sept. 23 against visiting Rutgers.

“While the ongoing NCAA matter continues through the NCAA process, (the suspension) announcement is our way of addressing mistakes that our department has agreed to in an attempt to further that process,” Manuel said. “We will continue to support coach Harbaugh, his staff and our outstanding student-athletes. Per the NCAA’s guidelines, we cannot comment further until the matter is resolved.”

–Field Level Media

Apr 1, 2023; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Michigan suspending Jim Harbaugh three games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan is self-imposing a three-game suspension for football coach Jim Harbaugh to begin this season, multiple outlets reported Monday.

The school is expected to make an announcement on Monday, per the reports.

The suspension would cover three nonconference home games against East Carolina (Sept. 2), UNLV (Sept. 9) and Bowling Green (Sept. 16).

Harbaugh, 59, reportedly reached a deal with the NCAA earlier this summer on a four-game suspension as punishment for recruiting violations and for providing alleged misleading information surrounding those allegations.

Harbaugh has denied that he lied to investigators, claiming he didn’t recall details they were requesting around meetings with recruits.

The Wolverines were 13-1 last season and played in the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year, falling to TCU in the national semifinal game on Dec. 31.

–Field Level Media