2007 Michigan Wolverines football team

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2007 Michigan Wolverines football
Capital One Bowl vs. Florida, W 41-35
Conference Big Ten
Ranking
Coaches #19
AP #18
2007 Record 9-4 (6-2 Big Ten)
Head Coach Lloyd Carr
Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord
Offensive Scheme Multiple
Defensive Coordinator Ron English
Base Defense Multiple
Seasons
« 2006 2008 »

The 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team represents the University of Michigan in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's incoming head football coach is Rich Rodriguez and current head coach Lloyd Carr has retired immediately following the 2008 Capital One Bowl. The Wolverines play their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This was Carr's final season as Michigan head coach.

Contents

[edit] Preseason

After a Cinderella year in 2006, finishing 11-2 despite low expectations following a 7-5 season in 2005, everyone was expecting the Wolverines to build in their successes of 2006. With the losses of key defenders, such as Alan Branch and Lamarr Woodley, the defense had its work cut out for them, but fans were not worried. Michigan's preseason ranking was #5, and the Wolverines were expected to be contenders for the national championship game.

On March 25, Coach Lloyd Carr announced that TE Carson Butler, DE Eugene Germany, and DB Chris Richards had been dismissed for violations of team policy.[1]

Carr also had stated that WR Adrian Arrington had been suspended for the spring practice session due to a violation of team policy. Carr was uncertain about Arrington's future at Michigan. Adrian Arrington has since been reinstated as was TE Carson Butler after being cleared of charges stemming from a previous arrest.[2]

Backup QB Jason Forcier asked to be released from his scholarship to transfer to Stanford University,[3] and LB Cobrani Mixon was released from his scholarship to transfer to Kent State University.[4]

[edit] Schedule

The 2007 Wolverine schedule was ranked the 15th hardest in the country.[5] The home schedule was ranked as the 5th toughest.[6]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
09/01/07* 12:00 p.m. Appalachian State #5 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI BTN L 34-32 
09/08/07* 3:30 p.m. Oregon Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ABC L 39-7 
09/15/07* 3:30 p.m. Notre Dame Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ABC W 38-0 
09/22/07 3:30 p.m. #10 Penn State Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ABC (ESPN in Ohio) W 14-9 
09/29/07 12:00 p.m. at Northwestern Ryan Field • Evanston, IL BTN W 28-16 
10/06/07* 12:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI BTN W 33-22 
10/13/07† 12:00 p.m. #21 Purdue Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI BTN W 48-21 
10/20/07 8:00 p.m. at Illinois #25 Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL ABC W 27-17 
10/27/07 3:30 p.m. Minnesota #21 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ESPN Classic W 34-10 
11/03/07 3:30 p.m. at Michigan State #14 Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI ABC W 28-24 
11/10/07 12:00 p.m. at Wisconsin #13 Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI ESPN L 37-21 
11/17/07 12:00 p.m. #7 Ohio State #23 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI ABC L 14-3 
01/01/08* 1:00 p.m. vs. #9 Florida Citrus Bowl • Orlando, Florida (Capital One Bowl) ABC W 41-35 
*Non-Conference Game. †Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Radio coverage for all games will be on the Michigan Sports Network, including WOMC in Detroit, as well as on Sirius Satellite Radio. [1]

[edit] Game notes

[edit] Appalachian State

1 2 3 4 Total
Appalachian State 7 21 3 3 34
#5 Michigan 14 3 9 6 32
Main article: 2007 Appalachian State vs. Michigan football game
See also: 2007 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team

In the 34-32 loss, Michigan became the first team ever ranked in the AP Top 25 to lose to a Division I FCS team.[7] Late in the game, Appalachian's Corey Lynch blocked a potential game winning field goal with 6 seconds left to seal the win. The attendance for the game was 109,218[8]. Adding insult to injury, Michigan dropped out of the Top 25 in the next poll. This was first time in the history of the AP Poll that a team ranked in the Top 5 had fallen out of the poll as a result of a single game.


[edit] Oregon

1 2 3 4 Total
Oregon 11 21 7 0 39
Michigan 7 0 0 0 7
See also: 2007 Oregon Ducks football team

ESPN reported, "A week after getting stunned by Appalachian State, the Wolverines were handed their worst beating since before Bo Schembechler worked the sideline at the Big House. Dennis Dixon accounted for 368 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, helping the Ducks build a 25-point lead at halftime and cruise to an easy victory."[9] The 32–point defeat was Michigan's worst loss since losing 50–14 at Ohio State in 1968. The Wolverines started 0-2 for the first time since 1998 and the first time starting 0-2 on a homestead since 1959. "[9] Attendance for the game was 109,733.

[edit] Notre Dame

1 2 3 4 Total
Notre Dame 0 0 0 0 0
Michigan 10 21 7 0 38
See also: 2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

The Wolverines and The Fighting Irish met for the first time with both teams boasting an 0-2 record. Since both teams lost their final two games of the 2006 season, the loser of this game would have a five game losing streak.[10] Head coach Lloyd Carr faced many challenges, including the loss of his senior quarterback Chad Henne to a leg injury,[11] fans calling for his firing,[12] and his senior running back Mike Hart guaranteed a victory over the Irish.[13]

Michigan won 38–0, tying their largest-ever win over Notre Dame set during the 2003 season. For only the second time in school history, Notre Dame opened the season with three losses.[14]

[edit] Penn State

1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 3 3 3 9
Michigan 7 0 0 7 14
See also: 2007 Penn State Nittany Lions football team


[edit] Northwestern

1 2 3 4 Total
Michigan 7 0 7 14 28
Northwestern 10 6 0 0 16


[edit] Eastern Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total
Eastern Michigan 3 5 6 8 22
Michigan 10 6 17 0 33


[edit] Purdue

1 2 3 4 Total
Purdue 7 0 0 14 21
Michigan 17 14 3 14 48
See also: 2007 Purdue Boilermakers football team


[edit] Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total
#25 Michigan 3 14 0 10 27
Illinois 7 7 3 0 17
See also: 2007 Illinois Fighting Illini football team


[edit] Minnesota

1 2 3 4 Total
Minnesota 3 7 0 0 10
#21 Michigan 0 13 7 14 34
See also: 2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

Despite a slow start and two early turnovers, the Wolverines extended their win streak to seven without Chad Henne or Mike Hart. After a Minnesota field goal, Minnesota's Dominique Barber recovered one of Ryan Mallet's three fumbles and returned it for a touchdown. Despite that, the Wolverines held the Gophers to just 231 yards and 3 offensive points all game. Michigan's Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown both ran for over 100 yards, meaning up until this game Michigan has had a back go over 100 yards in every match up. Mario Manningham had his fourth straight 100+ yard game.

[edit] Michigan State

1 2 3 4 Total
#14 Michigan 7 7 0 14 28
Michigan State 3 0 7 14 24

Led by Chad Henne and his 4 touchdown tosses, Michigan defeated Michigan State 28-24. In the final minutes with Michigan trailing by a field goal, the team decided to turn it on. On a 3rd and 12, Michigan desperately needed a first down. Henne, with 3 touchdown passes thus far, threw the ball deep into the endzone giving Mario Manningham a leap ball touchdown putting Michigan up 28-24. On defense, the Wolverines got it done. Mixing up coverages, they sacked Michigan State for a 8 yard loss, the total yardage of the drive. The Wolverines got the ball back and finished off the game with a pair of Quarterback kneels.

[edit] Wisconsin

1 2 3 4 Total
#13 Michigan 7 0 0 14 21
Wisconsin 10 7 6 14 37
See also: 2007 Wisconsin Badgers football team


[edit] Ohio State

1 2 3 4 Total
#7 Ohio State 0 7 7 0 14
#23 Michigan 3 0 0 0 3
See also: 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team


[edit] Florida

1 2 3 4 Total
Michigan 7 14 7 13 41
#9 Florida 7 7 14 7 35
See also: 2007 Florida Gators football team

Chad Henne and Adrian Arrington set single-game career highs for passing and receiving yards, with 373 and 153, respectively, to lead the Wolverines to a 41-35 victory over the 12th-ranked Gators. The Wolverine defense managed to contain Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow with constant pressure and blitzing for most of the game, holding him to 154 passing yards and 57 rushing yards. Tebow did score 4 touchdowns however. The Wolverines overcame 4 turnovers, including 2 fumbles by Mike Hart, and a late 35-31 deficit to win their first bowl game in 4 seasons and the final game of Coach Lloyd Carr's career.

[edit] Players

[edit] Depth chart

2007 Projected Starters

OFFENSE:

DEFENSE:

  • DE – Tim Jamison – JR
  • DT – Will Johnson – JR
  • NT – Terrance Taylor – JR
  • DE – Brandon Graham – SO
  • OLB – Shawn Crable – SR
  • MLB – Obi Ezeh – SO
  • OLB – Chris Graham – SR
  • CB – Morgan Trent – JR
  • CB – Donovan Warren – FR
  • SS – Jamar Adams – SR
  • FS – Michael Williams – FR

SPECIAL TEAMS:

  • K – K.C. Lopata – JR
  • P – Zoltan Mesko – SO
  • PR – Greg Matthews – SO
  • KR – Brandon Minor – SO

Key Committed Freshman

  • 1. Ryan Mallett – QB
  • 2. Avery Horn – RB
  • 3. Vince Helmuth – FB
  • 4. Toney Clemons – WR
  • 5. J.R. Hemingway – WR
  • 6. Zion Babb – WR
  • 7. Martell Webb – TE
  • 8. David Molk – C
  • 9. Ryan Van Bergen – DE
  • 10. Renaldo Sagesse – DT
  • 11. Austin Panter – MLB
  • 12. Brandon Herron – SLB
  • 13. Marell Evans – WLB
  • 14. Michael Williams – S
  • 15. James Rogers – S
  • 16. Donovan Warren – CB
  • 17. Troy Woolfolk – CB

[edit] Roster

Wide Receiver
  • 13 Greg Mathews – Sophomore
  • 16 Adrian Arrington – Senior
  • 17 Toney Clemons – Freshman
  • 18 Antonio Bass – Junior
  • 18 Ben Wright – Senior
  • 21 Junior Hemingway – Freshman
  • 26 Wincey Courtbooth- " Sophomore"
  • 29 Jon Conover – Sophomore
  • 82 LaTerryal Savoy – Junior
  • 84 David Middleton – Sophomore
  • 86 Mario Manningham – Junior
Offensive Lineman
  • 50 David Molk – Freshman
  • 52 Stephen Schilling – Sophomore
  • 57 Zac Ciullo – Freshman
  • 57 Adam Kraus – 5th Senior
  • 60 David Moosman – Junior
  • 61 Patrick Lyall – Senior
  • 62 Tim McAvoy – Junior
  • 64 Grant DeBenedictis – Senior
  • 65 Justin Boren – Sophomore
  • 68 Bryant Nowicki – Sophomore
  • 69 Michael Ramirez – Sophomore
  • 70 Jeremy Ciulla – Senior
  • 71 Mark Ortmann – Junior
  • 72 Mark Huyge – Freshman
  • 73 Alex Mitchell – Senior
  • 75 Cory Zirbel – Junior
  • 77 Jake Long – 5th Senior
  • 79 Perry Dorrestein – Sophomore
  • 91 Tom Pomarico – Freshman
Tight End
  • 42 Chris McLaurin – Junior
  • 80 Martell Webb – Freshman
  • 81 Steve Watson – Freshman
  • 83 Mike Massey – Senior
  • 85 Carson Butler – Junior
  • 88 Andre Criswell – Junior
  • 96 Mike Therman – Sophomore
Quarterback
  • 7 Chad Henne – Senior
  • 8 Nick Sheridan – Sophomore
  • 10 Steven Threet – Freshman
  • 12 David Cone – Sophomore
  • 15 Ryan Mallett – Freshman
  
Running Back
  • 4 Brandon Minor – Sophomore
  • 20 Mike Hart – Senior
  • 23 Carlos Brown – Sophomore
  • 24 Kevin Grady – Junior
  • 34 Avery Horn – Freshman
  • 35 Jim Potempa – Freshman
  • 38 Mike Milano – Junior

Fullback

  • 32 Vince Helmuth – Freshman
  • 44 Mark Moundros – Sophomore
Defensive tackle
  • 62 Jon Saigh – Senior
  • 67 Terrance Taylor – Junior
  • 74 Brett Gallimore – Senior
  • 91 Marques Slocum – Sophomore
  • 93 Jason Kates – Sophomore
  • 94 John Ferrara – Sophomore
  • 95 Renaldo Sagesse – Freshman
  • 97 Will Johnson – Senior
Defensive End
  • 39 Will Heininger – Freshman
  • 53 Ryan Van Bergen – Freshman
  • 55 Brandon Graham – Sophomore
  • 89 Tim North – Junior
  • 90 Tim Jamison – Senior
  • 92 Greg Banks – Sophomore
  • 99 Adam Patterson – Sophomore
Defensive End
  • 59 Lawrence Perry – Freshman
Cornerback
  • 14 Morgan Trent – Senior
  • 27 Brandon Harrison – Junior
  • 35 Doug Dutch, Jr. – Senior
  • 6 Donovan Warren – Freshman
  • 29 Troy Woolfolk – Freshman
  • 27 Brandon Harrison – Junior
Defensive Back
  • 27 Shakir Edwards – Senior
  • 30 James Rogers II – Freshman
  • 40 Michael Williams – Freshman
  
Linebacker
  • 2 Shawn Crable – 5th Senior
  • 8 Jonas Mouton – Sophomore
  • 33 Marell Evans – Freshman
  • 37 Chris Graham – Senior
  • 45 Obi Ezeh – Sophomore
  • 46 Brandon Logan – Junior
  • 49 John Thompson – Senior
  • 50 Ohene Opong-Owusu – Junior
  • 51 Max Pollock – 5th Senior
  • 54 Austin Panter – Junior
  • 58 Brandon Herron – Freshman
  • 66 William Bostic – Sophomore
Safety
  • 3 Stevie Brown – Sophomore
  • 5 Charles Stewart – Senior
  • 9 Anton Campbell – 5th Senior
  • 14 Matt Hornaday – Junior
  • 22 Jamar Adams – Senior
  • 22 Doug Rogan – Freshman
  • 28 Jordan Reilly – Freshman
  • 31 Brandon Englemon – 5th Senior
  • 38 Artis Chambers – Freshman
Long Snapper
  • 28 Jordan Reilly – Freshman
  • 59 Sean Griffin – Senior
  • 63 Brendan Lopez – Freshman
Punter
  • 39 Ankit Kachhal – 5th Senior
  • 41 Zoltan Mesko – Junior
Place Kicker
  • 34 Jason Gingell – Senior
  • 43 Bryan Wright – Sophomore
  • 84 K. C. Lopata – Senior
  • 92 Jason Olesnavage – Junior
  • 99 Sam Buckman – Sophomore

[edit] Awards

[edit] Coaching staff

  • Lloyd Carr – Head Coach – 28 years at U-M (13 years as head coach)
  • Mike DeBord – Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends – 12 years
  • Ron English – Defensive Coordinator/Safeties – 5 years
  • Erik Campbell – Wide Receivers/Assistant Head Coach – 13 years
  • Fred Jackson – Running Backs/Associate Head Coach – 16 years
  • Scot Loeffler – Quarterbacks – 6 years
  • Andy Moeller – Offensive Line – 8 years
  • Steve Stripling – Defensive Line – 3 years
  • Steve Szabo – Linebackers – 2 years
  • Vance Bedford – Secondary – 1 year

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bell, Scott. "Butler, Germany and Richards no longer with football team", The Michigan Daily, March 25, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-10. 
  2. ^ Bell, Scott. "Arrington, Butler to miss practice, maybe games", The Michigan Daily, March 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-10. 
  3. ^ Sabedra, Darren. "Michigan transfer happy at Stanford", InsideBayArea.com, August 17, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-10. 
  4. ^ Carducci, David. "Golden Flashes set to add Michigan transfer Mixon", Record-Courier, June 28, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-10. 
  5. ^ Steve Megargee, Top 25 toughest schedules, SI.com/Rivals.com, June 21, 2007.
  6. ^ Steve Megargee. Road to glory will be tough one for Seminoles. Rivals.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
  7. ^ Blocked field goal secures Appalachian State's upset of Michigan. ESPN (2007-09-01).
  8. ^ Attendance vs. Appalachian State. mgoblue (2007-09-08).
  9. ^ a b "Ducks roll as Wolverines suffer worst loss since '68", ESPNU.com, The Disney Company, September 8, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-08. 
  10. ^ "Michigan, Irish set for rare game", SportingNews.com, September 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-15. 
  11. ^ "Henne listed as week-to-week after injury against Oregon", ESPN, September 10, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-11. 
  12. ^ "FreeStyle", CBS Sports, September 9, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-11. 
  13. ^ "Weis says there's good reason for Hart's victory pledge", ESPN, September 10, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-11. 
  14. ^ "Michigan has Hart, much more in rout of winless ND", ESPNU.com, The Disney Company, September 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-15.