Almost for UMASS, and Not Quite for Notre Dame

Well this weekend had it's fair share of great football. How bout that MSU game? And Michigan's was close than it should have been. Even the Lions made a comeback. It was another great weekend for football. So let the generic recaps commence!

We start things off with the Michigan Wolverines vs the Massachusetts Minutemen. FBS vs FCS, yes, but UMASS always puts up a good fight when playing FBS teams, but still an easily winnable game. Well Michigan came out clearly overlooking the Minutemen. Denard threw his first interception of the year and took his first sack. UMASS took advantage of the opportunities given to them, building a 17-7 lead with less than two minutes left in the half. But Michigan struck for a 64 yard touchdown on a wide receiver screen to Darryl Stonum. On UMASS's ensuing drive, Kovacks forced a fumble on what have been a first down play. Michigan then drives down the field and scores a touchdown to go up 21-17 at the half. Then the rest is unknown to me, this is when I went to get in line at Spartan Stadium, but here's what I do know... Michigan goes up 42-24, then is only up 42-30, gets a punt blocked, gives up a td, 42-37, and UMASS kicks the onside kick out of bounds. Michigan runs the clock.
Denard finished with another absurd stat day, Michael Shaw had three touchdowns, and a win is a win.

But it's obvious that the problem with Michigan is the defense. The line and linebackers are solid players. Mike Martin is the best tackle in the nation, and Craig Roh can be an end or a linebacker, pick your poison. But the secondary is one of the worst I've seen in the nation. Still can't decide who's is worse, Michigan's or State's... Well let me tell ya something... there aren't many defenses that can stop an attack like that, so they'll be fine...

Now we go to that thriller in East Lansing, and oh bessy was that a game or what? Came down to the wire... But let me just say, that it boggles me looking at what happened that Notre Dame didn't score more. At times it seemed like State couldn't do anything to even pretend to stop them. 31 is a big number, but honestly... it could have been more. We had an interception that was a gift from Dane Crist, but that's sports. But anyways, it was a well fought game on both sides. Both teams kept answering each other's scores. 7-0, then 7-7, then 14-7, then 14-14, then... 28-28. MSU had a golden opportunity to drive down and win the game with a minute thirty, but just proceeded to go backwards 20 yards... Notre Dame decided to just take it to OT. And that's when things got weird... State somehow, someway, held Notre Dame to a field goal. MSU ball 3rd and 5, and Cousins takes a sack. 4th and 11 and out comes the field goal unit. Perhaps there was a delay of game, but there's a "lag rule" which basically means the lag between back judge looking at the play clock to looking down at the snap. If it hasn't started yet, flag, if so, no flag. But anways, the snap is off and Bates, the holder, stands up and finds Charlie Gantt for the game winning score. A fake field goal in overtime... just when you thought you've seen it all...

On a side note and a twist of horrific irony, Coach Mark Dantonio had a heart attack after the game. All reports are that he's fine but please, keep him in your prayers.

And in short about the Motor City Kitties. They fell down big, made a huge rally, but fell short. Javid Best was amazing, Shaun Hill wasn't that bad, adn once again Calvin didn't exist til the 4th quarter. This year will not be our year, but just wait til next year...