Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part IV

Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Posted at 12:00pm — 10/15/2014

Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part IV

But one non-statistical story stands out, that of Devin Gardner. It is true he had another horrible, goosed toss to a defensive lineman that out jumped his expectations. This mistake created a path to Penn State’s lone touchdown. Given that, it would be absurd not to admire what Devin did for the team. Saturday was not a statistical marvel for the

Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsMichigan quarterback, but it really was a lesson in focus of purpose, playing for a cause, and playing for the mantle of Michigan. One has to wonder if students will march and protest the safety of Devin Gardner, whose ankle is probably not very healthy. Doubtful if Gardner would participate in the opportunity for more complaining by the young and non-so-knowledgeable.

Gardner is destined to do very well within his career scope in sociology. He will have the advantage of starting his career with an advanced degree. Gardner does not fall apart due to failure, a trait some find irritating. He is resilient and may times has discarded his sometimes-hesitant style to compete at his best in difficult situations. There is no doubt here that he came back into the game for the team, not himself. Byron Lefwich would have been proud.

This next paragraph deals with the strange, good, and curious aspects of the game and Michigan football program. First off, what is the true status of Shane Morris, supposedly he was cleared, so was it the ankle or Michigan simply does not want the grief that would be associated with playing Shane? Second, nice job again to the punt return team.

Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shane Morris (7) on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsFor the second week in a row the fake was sniffed out and once again Mike McCray is making a case for acquiring playing time via special team performance. That play was significant. Third, again congratulations go to Matt Wile, who has now appeared to have settled into his placekicking role. Fourth, just how many secret injuries does Michigan really have?

In closing, let us look at some player quotations and associated comments as detailed by MGoBlue. There is meaning and the comments offer a clear perception. The first comment involves two Wolverines that have endured hard times, some by bad decisions,

Frank Clark and Will Hagerup.

“Basically, it was a lot of stuff within the team,” Clark said. “But it was just basically saying, ‘We came to Michigan for a reason. We didn’t come to Michigan to lose. We didn’t come to Michigan to get booed by our fans. We came to play hard, play hard every down — no matter what you’re playing, special teams.’

“He’s a punter. This is a punter writing a letter. You’d expect it to be a quarterback or a defensive player.”

Or possibly even Clark himself?

“No,” said Clark, who was chuckling. “I didn’t even think about it. It spoke a lot of words and (showed) how far Will came as a player and, most importantly, as a man.”

Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines players celebrate with the student section after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Michigan 18-13. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsThe second comment by Clark was quoted thusly: “It felt good to finally finish the game,” Clark said. “We’ve been through a lot of scrutiny as a team, these last three weeks, especially as a defense. It just felt good. Against our last opponent (Rutgers), we weren’t able to finish the game after the game was put on our back.”

This sounds like accurate analysis and not excuses.

Clark and Hagerup could have been discarded, but both are now in position to become Michigan graduates and start down the path to productive adult lives. There are two players, and several parents that probably realize that coaches produce more than wins and loses, they produce life lessons and must make difficult, critical choices that can influence and entire lifetime.

Two weeks from now, Michigan travels to Spartyland, where no welcome signs are visible, and no feeling of welcome is implied, either explicitly or implicitly.

Saturday’s trip yielded another foliage changing of the Hocking Hills and miles and miles of the state bird of Ohio, the orange barrel. I have no idea how this species multiplies so fast.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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