Final Denard stats and discussion

19-22, 186 yards, 1 TD

29 carries, 197 yards, 1 TD

I heard two reoccurring comments during the day. 1) Denard running the Spread against UConn looked like Madden 200whatever when you would put Mike Vick at quarterback and just run him around because his speed level was set at 99. 2) "I can't believe Denard can throw the ball so accurately. He could barely complete a pass last year." Denard not only throws a better spiral than Forcier, he worked a hell of a lot harder this offseason to learn the intricacies of the Spread and to learn where his receivers should receive the ball.

People may be urging restraint in getting excited about Denard and Michigan football ("he'll get hurt", "defenses will adapt", "it's just UConn"), but I will never, ever urge restraint. We wait all year for this and then when something bat-shit crazy awesome happens, you want me to be restrained? I had to sit through two years of ill-fitting players struggling to get first downs and now I have a rocket jet propelled race car obliterating decent defenses - Damn right I'm going to get excited.

Denard Links

Robinson "dazzled"...(Rittenberg)

Robinson runs Spread to perfection...(Freep)...plus a quote from Coach Rodriguez - "His decision-making, both in the run and pass game, was really good," Rodriguez said. "He is going to keep getting better. This is his first start."

Rich Rodriguez wants Denard to carry the ball less, but he also thinks Denard will get tougher...(Entire presser from MGo...And a GREAT quote from Denard about the UConn players trying to take his shoes off at the bottom of the pile)

Mgo Liveblog...from the FIRST five minutes of the game...

jesus christ he's fast

I heart Denard

Wow he is running so much better than last year

zoom, zoom, zoom

Its hard to believe this is Michigan.

the ball gets snapped, then there's this blur, and then all of a sudden they're spotting the ball 15 yards down the field