NA-NA-NA, NA-NA-NA, HEY-HEY-HEY, Good-Bye! Wolverines 38, Irish 34

     The title of this article is the chorus phrase from the hit movie, "Remember the Titans".  I thought I'd sing a phrase for Irish fans, who thought the Irish football stats against the Nevada Wolfpack team warranted a victory against this weeks Wolverine team.  They weren't far off on their reasoning.  The Irish have a potent offense. But at the end of the day their defense could not keep the Wolverines at bay.

    Almost 300 of their total yards were gained in the first half by the Irish. Much of it on screen passes as they went in at the half-time 20-17 over Michigan who led by 11 prior to the half's ending.

    This was a great ball game. Big time plays by both teams. At the end of the day I think the mistakes of the Irish cost them the game. Even though the Irish controlled the possession and the yardage by the half, Michigan never gave up. As I said in my first article Michigan would have to play 4 quarters of football, which they did.

    In the second half the Wolverines changed some things on  defense that worked against the Irish and allowed them less than 30 yards on offense  in the 3rd quarter. Ouch. Most importantly the Wolverines went ahead with some very good drives.

    It was great to see Brandon Minor back in the game after overcoming an injury he gained over 100 yards on the ground, most in the second half! His 3rd quarter running set up a much needed TD in the early 3rd quarter. But the Irish would come back.  What a see-saw.

   Also Tate Forcier, the Michigan QB, despite a few mistakes including an INT in the 4th qtr, kept it together and didn't allow those mistakes to keep him from winning. Kudos has to go out to the offensive line who played well and allowed Michigan to play out its scheme.  What I loved was the Michigan offense gained momentum in the 3rd quarter and continue to work its magic in the fourth.

    As I said in the last article, I expect Clausen to throw for a lot of yards, he did. I expect him to throw for touchdowns, he did. Most of the Irish's leading 414 yards were from his passing game. They had 154 in their brutal ground attack. Most of that in the first half. It would not be enough. In the final analysis the Irish are a team who play exciting ball, put up a lot of yards, play with power and finesse, but can be beat.

   They beat themselves with key mistakes, like the step out of bounds on a short pass that went for a TD, and was called back. Or the failed field goal early in the first quarter.   In Tate Forcier's last drive he was 6-7 and threw for the final TD to Greg Matthews with only 11 seconds to go. That's football.

   A game of inches.  Next week Eastern Michigan comes to the Big House. Na-na-na, na-na-na, hey-hey-hey, good-bye!