Wolverines rushing attack powered by unsung heroes
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News
Ann Arbor -- Brandon Minor could've played, but Carlos Brown was not medically cleared, and in the end, Michigan gained 461 rushing yards and six touchdowns without their senior tailbacks.
"Vincent (Smith) and Mike Shaw were the two guys we wanted to get a lot of reps," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said after the game. "We planned on getting Kevin Grady some reps, as well."
Mission accomplished.
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Smith, a freshman, had 17 carries and 166 yards and scored on a 6-yard run in the first quarter of the Wolverines' 63-6 blowout of Delaware State on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. He averaged 9.8 yards a carry.
"I was well-prepared," Smith said. "It felt good. I got a little winded at first because I wasn't used to those types of carries."
Shaw, a sophomore, had 73 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, and Grady, who has been playing at fullback, had eight carries for 73 yards, including a touchdown.
"I love running the football," Grady said, who likened running the ball again to getting on a bicycle. "To have a chance to get back there and run the ball was amazing. I had a lot of fun."
But wait, there's more
Redshirt freshman Michael Cox scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and had 82 yards on 11 carries. Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson had six carries for 54 yards and scored a touchdown.
Michigan's 461 rushing yards were the most since a 480-yard performance against Iowa on Oct. 3, 1992.
Rodriguez said Minor, who has struggled this season with a high ankle sprain, could've played if needed. Minor was in uniform, but Rodriguez elected to rest Minor to have him ready for next week's game against Penn State.
Brown, who missed the Iowa game last Saturday because of a concussion suffered earlier that week in practice, still had a lingering headache.
"Hopefully that will be cleared up by Monday's practice," Rodriguez said.
Forcier starts, but ...
Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier started for the Wolverines and played only one series, directing a 45-yard touchdown drive. Forcier, who suffered a concussion toward the end of the Iowa game and was limited early this week in practice, went 2-for-2 for 39 yards, including a 25-yard pass to Martavious Odoms.
Rodriguez said he considered sitting Forcier completely for Delaware State, but Forcier practiced well and was full-go last Wednesday and Thursday.
"He needs some reps -- he's still a freshman," Rodriguez said. "We were planning on playing him a few series. But the first series went well and Denard (Robinson) scored with the second series. After that we said, 'Tate, no use taking a chance.'"
Michigan played five quarterbacks, including redshirt freshman Jack Kennedy.
Robinson entered the game with 10:34 left in the first quarter. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for one in the first half.
Nick Sheridan and David Cone also played.
First time for Graham
Defensive end Brandon Graham had two sacks against Delaware State, but his big moment came in the end zone in the first quarter.
Graham scored for the first time in his college career after recovering a blocked punt and returning it two yards for a touchdown with 7:07 left in the first quarter. Brandon Smith blocked the punt.
"It felt good," Graham said. "I haven't scored since my junior year in high school (at Detroit Crockett)."
Graham returned an interception in a state playoff game.
Smith made the touchdown a possibility for Graham, however.
"He kind of scooped it over there and then it bounced right in my hands, so I took off," Graham said.
Molk update
Starting center David Molk has missed the last four games because of a broken foot, but he could be back for the Penn State game Saturday.
"We're hoping," Rodriguez said. "He did a little bit last week in practice, took a few reps, nothing in full pads."
Position change
Junior receiver James Rogers moved to cornerback last week, Rodriguez said, at his own request. Rogers had one tackle against Delaware State.
"He came to me a week or two ago and (said), 'Listen, if I can help,'" Rodriguez said. "We thought this was a good week to try him. We'll see how he did on film."
Double-whammy
This will amount to a two-loss weekend for the Hornets.
According to Paul Dodson, Delaware State sports information director, the Hornets, who had to forfeit a MEAC game against North Carolina A&T because of a scheduling conflict the same day as the Michigan game, actually will be hit Sunday with the A&T loss.
So the Hornets leave Ann Arbor with a 1-4 record -- but more than a half-million dollars richer from the Michigan Stadium payday -- that will officially become 1-5 on Sunday.
Dodson said there were 85 Delaware State fans at the game to see the Hornets play before a crowd of 106,304.
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News
Ann Arbor -- Brandon Minor could've played, but Carlos Brown was not medically cleared, and in the end, Michigan gained 461 rushing yards and six touchdowns without their senior tailbacks.
"Vincent (Smith) and Mike Shaw were the two guys we wanted to get a lot of reps," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said after the game. "We planned on getting Kevin Grady some reps, as well."
Mission accomplished.
Advertisement
Smith, a freshman, had 17 carries and 166 yards and scored on a 6-yard run in the first quarter of the Wolverines' 63-6 blowout of Delaware State on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. He averaged 9.8 yards a carry.
"I was well-prepared," Smith said. "It felt good. I got a little winded at first because I wasn't used to those types of carries."
Shaw, a sophomore, had 73 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, and Grady, who has been playing at fullback, had eight carries for 73 yards, including a touchdown.
"I love running the football," Grady said, who likened running the ball again to getting on a bicycle. "To have a chance to get back there and run the ball was amazing. I had a lot of fun."
But wait, there's more
Redshirt freshman Michael Cox scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and had 82 yards on 11 carries. Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson had six carries for 54 yards and scored a touchdown.
Michigan's 461 rushing yards were the most since a 480-yard performance against Iowa on Oct. 3, 1992.
Rodriguez said Minor, who has struggled this season with a high ankle sprain, could've played if needed. Minor was in uniform, but Rodriguez elected to rest Minor to have him ready for next week's game against Penn State.
Brown, who missed the Iowa game last Saturday because of a concussion suffered earlier that week in practice, still had a lingering headache.
"Hopefully that will be cleared up by Monday's practice," Rodriguez said.
Forcier starts, but ...
Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier started for the Wolverines and played only one series, directing a 45-yard touchdown drive. Forcier, who suffered a concussion toward the end of the Iowa game and was limited early this week in practice, went 2-for-2 for 39 yards, including a 25-yard pass to Martavious Odoms.
Rodriguez said he considered sitting Forcier completely for Delaware State, but Forcier practiced well and was full-go last Wednesday and Thursday.
"He needs some reps -- he's still a freshman," Rodriguez said. "We were planning on playing him a few series. But the first series went well and Denard (Robinson) scored with the second series. After that we said, 'Tate, no use taking a chance.'"
Michigan played five quarterbacks, including redshirt freshman Jack Kennedy.
Robinson entered the game with 10:34 left in the first quarter. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for one in the first half.
Nick Sheridan and David Cone also played.
First time for Graham
Defensive end Brandon Graham had two sacks against Delaware State, but his big moment came in the end zone in the first quarter.
Graham scored for the first time in his college career after recovering a blocked punt and returning it two yards for a touchdown with 7:07 left in the first quarter. Brandon Smith blocked the punt.
"It felt good," Graham said. "I haven't scored since my junior year in high school (at Detroit Crockett)."
Graham returned an interception in a state playoff game.
Smith made the touchdown a possibility for Graham, however.
"He kind of scooped it over there and then it bounced right in my hands, so I took off," Graham said.
Molk update
Starting center David Molk has missed the last four games because of a broken foot, but he could be back for the Penn State game Saturday.
"We're hoping," Rodriguez said. "He did a little bit last week in practice, took a few reps, nothing in full pads."
Position change
Junior receiver James Rogers moved to cornerback last week, Rodriguez said, at his own request. Rogers had one tackle against Delaware State.
"He came to me a week or two ago and (said), 'Listen, if I can help,'" Rodriguez said. "We thought this was a good week to try him. We'll see how he did on film."
Double-whammy
This will amount to a two-loss weekend for the Hornets.
According to Paul Dodson, Delaware State sports information director, the Hornets, who had to forfeit a MEAC game against North Carolina A&T because of a scheduling conflict the same day as the Michigan game, actually will be hit Sunday with the A&T loss.
So the Hornets leave Ann Arbor with a 1-4 record -- but more than a half-million dollars richer from the Michigan Stadium payday -- that will officially become 1-5 on Sunday.
Dodson said there were 85 Delaware State fans at the game to see the Hornets play before a crowd of 106,304.
