Gerald Ford
Michigan Football will host Illinois on Saturday afternoon. Kick off is scheduled for 3:35 and the game will be televised on ABC/ESPN. For the game preview click here: Michigan Football Game Preview vs Illinois for the Extra Points read on.
Michigan will honor Gerald Ford on Saturday. The 38th President of the United States, Ford was also a standout on the gridiron for Michigan. His #48 jersey will be unretired, assigned to a current player and forever be known as a Michigan Football Legend.
Gerald Ford was an integral member of Big Ten and national championship teams in 1932 and 1933. Ford was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1934.
Jordan Kovacs needs 3 tackles to become the 15th player and first defensive back in school history to join the 300 tackle club. Will he achieve that feat while wearing the #48 jersey? He seems like a perfect fit for that honor.
Denard Robinson leads the Big Ten in rushing and total offense. He ranks 4th and 19th nationally in those same categories.
Devin Gardner has a touchdown reception in 4 of Michigan’s 5 games this year. He has hauled in 13 receptions for a team high 226 yards.
Sophomore linebacker Jake Ryan is second on the team with 31 tackles. He leads the team in tackles for loss with 4 and is tied for the team-high with 3 pass break ups.
Sophomore cornerback Raymon Taylor has started the last 3 games. He now has 16 tackles and is tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions. Taylor also has a fumble recovery.
ESPNs accuscore projects Michigan to win this game 38-17. Teamrankings.com has Michigan winning 36-13 and numberFire has U-M pulling out a 37-13 victory.
Will Hagerup would be leading the nation in punting (49.2) but only has 12 attempts (needs 18). Hagerup has boomed a 62 yard punt this season and blasted a 57 yarder last week. Matt Wile has punted 4 times as he is Michigan’s short-range punter.
Michigan ranks 19th nationally and 2nd in the Big Ten in total defense.
Michigan ranks first in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation in pass defense, allowing only 155.0 yards per game through the air.
Patrick Omameh received his All State Good Works Award, the video here is worth watching
The 20 point threshold: Michigan is 14-0 in the Brady Hoke era when they score 20 points or more. They are 0-4 when they don’t score 20.
Michigan Basketball Update: Check out our Video from Media Day: Who will break a backboard first Jordan Morgan or Mitch McGary
Michigan has rushed for over 150 yards in each of the last four games, including a season-high 304 yards against Purdue last week.
Through 5 games, freshman running back Dennis Norfleet has 461 yards on kick returns which is the 11th best single season total in school history.
For his efforts against Purdue last week, Denard Robinson was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for a record-tying 9th time.
Robinson needs 576 rushing yards to move past Pat White and become the NCAA’s career rushing leader among quarterbacks. He currently ranks 4th behind White, Brad Smith and Colin Kaepernick.
Thomas Gordon leads Michigan with 32 tackles and has intercepted a pass in each of the last two games.
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