2007 Michigan Wolverines football team
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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 will retire immediately after 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.
Preseason
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]
Schedule
The 2007 Wolverine schedule was ranked the 15th hardest in the country.[5] The home schedule was ranked as the 5th toughest.[6]
09/01/0712:00 p.m.Appalachian State*No. 5
BTNL 34-32 09/08/073:30 p.m.Oregon*
- Michigan Stadium
- Ann Arbor, MI
ABCL 39-7 09/15/073:30 p.m.Notre Dame*
- Michigan Stadium
- Ann Arbor, MI
ABCW 38-0 09/22/073:30 p.m.No. 10 Penn State
- Michigan Stadium
- Ann Arbor, MI
ABC (ESPN in Ohio)W 14-9 09/29/0712:00 p.m.at Northwestern
BTNW 28-16 10/06/0712:00 p.m.Eastern Michigan*
- Michigan Stadium
- Ann Arbor, MI
BTNW 33-22 10/13/0712:00 p.m.No. 21 Purdue
- Michigan Stadium
- Ann Arbor, MI
BTNW 48-21 10/20/078:00 p.m.at IllinoisNo. 25
ABCW 27-17 10/27/073:30 p.m.MinnesotaNo. 21
- Michigan Stadium
- Ann Arbor, MI
ESPN ClassicW 34-10 11/03/073:30 p.m.at Michigan StateNo. 14
ABCW 28-24 11/10/0712:00 p.m.at WisconsinNo. 13
ESPNL 37-21 11/17/0712:00 p.m.No. 7 Ohio StateNo. 23
- Michigan Stadium
- Ann Arbor, MI
ABCL 14-3 01/01/081:00 p.m.vs. No. 9 Florida*
Radio coverage for all games will be on the Michigan Sports Network, including WOMC in Detroit, as well as on Sirius Satellite Radio. [1]
Game notes
Appalachian State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State | 7 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 34 |
#5 Michigan | 14 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 32 |
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. 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.[8]
Oregon
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oregon | 11 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 39 |
Michigan | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
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.
Notre Dame
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notre Dame | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Michigan | 10 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 38 |
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]
Penn State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Penn State | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
Michigan | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Northwestern
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
Northwestern | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Eastern Michigan
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Michigan | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 22 |
Michigan | 10 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 33 |
Purdue
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purdue | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Michigan | 17 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 48 |
Illinois
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#25 Michigan | 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
Illinois | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
Minnesota
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
#21 Michigan | 0 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 34 |
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.
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.
Wisconsin
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#13 Michigan | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Wisconsin | 10 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 37 |
Ohio State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#7 Ohio State | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
#23 Michigan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Florida
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan | 0 | ||||
Florida | 0 |
Players
Depth chart
2007 Projected Starters
OFFENSE:
- QB - Chad Henne - SR
- HB - Mike Hart - SR
- FB - Tim North - JR
- WR1 - Mario Manningham - JR
- WR2 - Adrian Arrington - JR
- TE - Mike Massey - JR
- RT - Steve Schilling - FR
- RG - Alex Mitchell - JR
- C - Justin Boren - FR
- LG - Adam Kraus - SR
- LT - Jake Long - SR
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 - Johnny Sears - SO
- SS - Jamar Adams - SR
- FS - Michael Williams - FR
SPECIAL TEAMS:
- K - Bryan Wright - FR
- 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
Roster
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Fullback
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Awards
- Jamar Adams - Bednarik Award watchlist, Jim Thorpe Award watchlist, Lott Trophy watchlist
- Shawn Crable - Bednarik Award semifinalist, Butkus Award semifinalist, Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist, Lott Trophy watchlist
- Mike Hart - Maxwell Award semifinalist, Walter Camp Award watchlist, Doak Walker Award watchlist
- Chad Henne - Walter Camp Award watchlist, Maxwell Award watchlist, Manning Award watchlist, Davey O'Brien Award watchlist
- Adam Kraus - Outland Trophy watchlist
- Jake Long - Lombardi Award finalist, Outland Trophy watchlist
- Mario Manningham - Walter Camp Award watchlist, Maxwell Award watchlist
- Zoltan Mesko - Ray Guy Award watchlist
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
References
- ^ Bell, Scott (March 25 2007). "Butler, Germany and Richards no longer with football team". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
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(help) - ^ Bell, Scott (March 15 2007). "Arrington, Butler to miss practice, maybe games". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
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(help) - ^ Sabedra, Darren (August 17 2007). "Michigan transfer happy at Stanford". InsideBayArea.com. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
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(help) - ^ Carducci, David (June 28 2007). "Golden Flashes set to add Michigan transfer Mixon". RecordPub.com. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
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(help) - ^ Steve Megargee, Top 25 toughest schedules, SI.com/Rivals.com, June 21, 2007.
- ^ Steve Megargee. "Road to glory will be tough one for Seminoles". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
- ^ "Blocked field goal secures Appalachian State's upset of Michigan". ESPN. 2007-09-01.
- ^ "Attendance vs. Appalachian State". mgoblue. 2007-09-08.
- ^ a b "Ducks roll as Wolverines suffer worst loss since '68". ESPNU.com. The Disney Company. September 8 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
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(help) - ^ "Michigan, Irish set for rare game". SportingNews.com. September 15 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
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(help) - ^ "Henne listed as week-to-week after injury against Oregon". ESPN. September 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
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(help) - ^ "FreeStyle". CBS Sports. September 9, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
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(help) - ^ "Weis says there's good reason for Hart's victory pledge". ESPN. September 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
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(help) - ^ "Michigan has Hart, much more in rout of winless ND". ESPNU.com. The Disney Company. September 15 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
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