Michigan vs. Nebraska Awards

Michigan vs. Nebraska Awards


November 21, 2011
Jeremy Gallon hauls in a touchdown pass
(image via Rivals)



Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Jeremy Gallon/Martavious Odoms.  Gallon isn’t exactly DeSean Jackson with the football in his hands, but he sure does have a way of gaining extra yards in the open field.  Whenever he catches the ball, I expect at least a couple people to miss tackles.  Odoms, on the other hand, just plays with a reckless energy that I’m going to miss next year.  He’s finally getting some more time, and it’s nice to see him playing more as he finishes out his career.  His 38-yard touchdown reception was a dagger.

Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . Michael Shaw.  Shaw has the speed to get outside, but Michigan has had a hard time sealing the edge this season.  Shaw is more of a straight-ahead runner, and I don’t think he’s being used properly right now, because he doesn’t have great vision.  I was in support of playing him more early in the season, but as Al Borges seems to go away from the I-formation as the season wears on, Shaw’s talents are a bit superfluous.

Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . nobody.  The defense is operating at a high level right now.  There’s no need to mess with success.

Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . nobody.  See above.

Play of the game . . . Terrence Robinson’s forced fumble on the opening kick of the second half, which was recovered by Courtney Avery.  Robinson has barely played on offense this season, but he has made his presence his known on special teams.  With Michigan clinging to a 17-10 lead coming out of halftime, this particular play must have made Nebraska thing that it just wasn’t their day.  The offense scored a touchdown to make it 24-10 and the game was essentially over.

MVP of the game . . . Fitzgerald Toussaint.  Toussaint had 29 carries for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns.  On a day when the offensive line struggled to create holes in the running game, Toussaint made positive plays on snaps that looked to be doomed.  I often talk about explosive plays in the running game, and Toussaint now has at least one 20+ yard rush in 6 out of 13 career games, including his 31-yard touchdown against the Cornhuskers.  Toussaint now has 891 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season.

3 comments

  1. Comments: 21385
    gobluetwo
    Nov 21, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    I absolutely love watching Fitz Toussaint run. He is so patient, picks his spots so well, has that burst, and has exceptional "jump cuts" as Urban Meyer so oft repeated.

  2. Comments: 21385
    Anonymous
    Nov 21, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Ditto on Fitz. He is a very good RB. Remember, according to Rivals, he was the #8 RB in his class and the 239th player in the country. That ain't bad. The thing that kept him back over the past few years were the injuries. I am hoping he manages to stay healthy next year. When at full health, he is a very good RB. He has very good instincts, can make super quick cuts, and has that extra gear when he breaks out into the open (he was a track guy in high school).

  3. Comments: 21385
    Lankownia
    Nov 21, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    His "talents are a bit superfluous" is a very nice way of putting it.

    TRob always seems to regularly be the first man down the field on coverage units. Nice to see him make an impact play. Hope there's room for him to return next year.

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