Michigan Friday: Get's a Kick Start to the Holiday

What are the 2 things Michigan and Boise State have in common?  They were both just kicks away from being in the Rose Bowl.  Ok, Michigan was much more then 3 points from a BCS game, but it sounds good doesn't it?

The two things are; they both have high powered offenses and both programs really needs a kicker next year.  Well, it seems Michigan has grabbed Boise State's plans for next year by getting California place kicker Matt Goudis to change his verbal commit from Boise to Michigan. 

Matt was selected as the first team place kicker in his league and is rated two stars by Rivals and 3 stars by Rivals.  Chris Sailer a kicking expert rates Matt has the #2 kicker in the entire 2011 class (the photo punting above is also from Chris's site).  Here is his write up:  Matt is simply an outstanding all around kicker.  He has a huge leg, makes FG's with ease off the ground, and kickoffs with the best of them.  Mentally he is very strong showing great maturity to kick at the next level.  Can also punt.  Has all the tools to dominate the D1 level.  Definite scholarship pick.

This is an important pick up for the Wolverines for the 2011 class.  Michigan wasn't planning to offer a kicker this year but it became a very important need during the season.  As you know by now this 2011 class is filling up fast.   Michigan now has 14 verbals commitments which leaves only 6 spots left.

In the past week, Michigan has landed an Army All American DB, an instate LB, and now a kicker.  Antonio's Kinard the 2010 LB that worked hard at Hargrave Military to become eligible is still a question mark if he will be part of this class or not.   A couple things to consider regarding Antonio:  Are there any issues with him coming from a prep school (usually not - but you never know - It's difficult for junior college transfers to get into Michigan but coming from a prep school seems less problematic)?  If he enrolls in January, Michigan could use a 2010 (if they have any left) or a 2011 scholarship.  Michigan had plenty of extra scholarships available in the 2010 class but did the coaching staff give those out to walk on's?  If they do have a 2010 left that would probably be good news for Mr. Kinard.    


Below is a 54 yard field goal and Matt kicking the ball out of the stadium on a kick-off.

UMass Post Game

photo courtesy of John T. Greilick / The Detroit News

So how did that go?  Did you feel like the Toledo game or maybe even the App. State game again.  I sure had flash backs and that uneven feeling in my stomach.  The Wolverines didn't show up today.  This clearly is on the coaches.  Greg Robinson and whoever coaches the special teams failed miserably today.    RR also failed on that second to last drive on the third down and 1 call when Smith is tackled for a two yard loss.  A drive with points ends the game and UMass hadn't stopped the Michigan offense in the second half.  The punt was blocked and UMass scored soon after. 

With that said, let's get to the cheers and jeers.

Cheers:

• Michigan won the game and scored 42 points
• Mike Shaw went over 100 yards and 3 TD's 
• Darryl Stomun had a good day receiving with 2 TD's

Honorable mention goes to Jordan Kovacs.  He had a pick and a strip.  He also had a pretty big MA on a touchdown. (could have been Mouton's fault)

Jeers:

• Michigan Special Teams are a mess. The kickoff return is the only unit that is somewhat playing effectively.  The kicking game is terrible.  The kickoffs are short line drives and I'm not sure if we could make a 20 yard field goal from the middle of the field.   Punting is not much better with the blocked punt almost costing Michigan the game.  The punt return was a comedy of errors.
• Greg Robinson:  When Michigan plays an FCS team you would expect that Michigan has better talent then the other team.  Michigan needed to man up on the WR and stop the run.  UMass ate up the zone most of the day and the Michigan rush hardly ever pressured the passer.
• UConn lost to Temple.  That win now doesn't look so good.
• Mistakes all over the field:  Missed coverages, penalties, fumbles after interception, dropped snaps, block punt, and so on.
• Not getting time for the backups.  The starters had to play the entire game.
• The linebackers had a pretty poor day
• Way too many missed tackles

I could go on, but it's too depressing.  A win is a win for this team as much as it feels like a loss.  A couple of things to take from this game.  Michigan has a long way to go on defense.  Michigan might have been a bit lucky in it's first two games on defense (UConn is not that good and ND had 2 back up QB's and a starter probably playing with a concussion). 

Not being able to kick field goals will cost Michigan a win this year.  They have to find someone to put the ball through the up rights.  The kickoffs have to have some hang time.  I'm not sure what is going on with that unit. 

I know the Michigan coaches didn't want to introduce anything new on offense for this game, but success is not measured by not showing your future opponents something and getting Denard less hits.   If there was a line on this game (estimated at 21-28 points for Michigan) it wouldn't have been close.   UMass also has given every team Michigan plays a blue print on how to score points on Robinson's defense.

If you want to take a positive from this game, a win is a win and maybe this will be a wake up call for Bowling Green next weekend.  Right now the trip to Indiana is much more in doubt then it was 24 hours ago.