Akron vs Michigan Final Play

[Dr Z]

Let's see how this works, I made an 10 frame animated gif of the last play, it's 1.3 MB, so it may take some time to load for you.

Three interesting things to watch IMO.

1. How the line (and RB) handle the protection from the blitz. (Cable Zero Train was the Defensive call)

2. The rub play of the receivers at the bottom of the formation. Given time, I believe this play works.

3. The way D'Orazio tried his best to get off the line.

[akzipper]

Dillard (88 at very bottom) would have had a sure TD! Cut inside and the DB lost him.

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks, Doctor. Good work.

It's a little bit hard to tell on the above gif, but watching the game on tv, it sure looked like D'Orazio was held on the final play.

After watching the replay (DVR) a handful of times, it really looks like KP was throwing the ball to a space in the back of the end zone, where D'Orazio should have been, were he not held @ the line.

Also, you can clearly see D'Orazio complaining to the official following the play.

Idk, it's Michigan's house & they paid us $1 million to show up & play. I don't think we could/should expect to get that call.

But still...

[Blue & Gold]

I see this is already being discussed in "The Michigan Game Thread."

[Dr Z]

I see this is already being discussed in "The Michigan Game Thread."

B&G, this thread was intended for people that wanted to discuss the play, as opposed to just "blaming" the refs for the outcome. The thread you mentioned seems to be focused on the refs. I had hoped that fans would enjoy discussing football in this thread rather than officiating.

For reference. From an officials instructor

A DB/defensive player may contact a receiver before the ball is in the air if to ward off a block/protect himself from the block. The contact must cease when the receiver occupies the same yard line as the DB or passes him - no further contact may take place as the contact would not be for the purpose of warding off a block. If the contact by the DB is solely for the purpose of causing the receiver to go off his route, there may be a foul if the contact is unnecessary or their is a hold, otherwise it is legal. There is no 5 yard "chuck" rule as in the NFL. The incidental contact or light bumping as the route is being run may not be a foul if the bumping is dose not interfere with the route or cause interference - if it does, it is considered illegal contact.

[skip-zip]

Dillard breaking to the inside was a sure TD, if time had allowed.

[Dr Z]

Dillard breaking to the inside was a sure TD, if time had allowed.

I agree. It surprises me that nobody has commented on the blitz pickup responsibilities. I guess its easier just to say "the refs screwed us."

[Blue & Gold]

Yeah, gotta give a lot of credit to Michigan there. They really did blow that play up.

[Dr Z]

Yeah, gotta give a lot of credit to Michigan there. They really did blow that play up.

What do you think would have happened if the RB slid over and picked up the pressure in the middle? Knowing the play was designed to go left.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I agree. It surprises me that nobody has commented on the blitz pickup responsibilities. I guess its easier just to say "the refs screwed us."

With only 1 RB in the backfield, a roll-out would have been nice. Pohl obviously didn't see it coming. The play was 0.5 seconds too long developing to be successful. The difference between being "Appalachian State"..."Valparaiso"..."Boise State"...and being a 4-point font footnote.

We had our chance. Sucks to lose, but we persevere. I am Thinking Bigger this week.

[Zipgrad01]

What do you think would have happened if the RB slid over and picked up the pressure in the middle? Knowing the play was designed to go left.

Those are some of the growing pains that you have with a young quarterback. Hopefully, in the future he recognizes where the pressure is coming from and clues in his running back to make sure he sees it too.

[skip-zip]

Those are some of the growing pains that you have with a young quarterback. Hopefully, in the future he recognizes where the pressure is coming from and clues in his running back to make sure he sees it too.

He wouldn't have necessarily known that he was going to get blitzed, and therefore can't tell his running back who to block before the play starts. That would have been up to the running back to recognize, if the play called for him to stay in and block. But, what the QB should have recognized immediately is that there was a void in the direction of where the blitzer was coming from, in which case Dillard coming underneath should have been the obvious target. This is why I think that Zach, breaking free to the back of the end zone may have been his intended target on that play from the get go.

[Hilltopper]

I like Dillard, he had about 3 dropped passes at that point in the game. The right choice was to throw to D'Orazio

[LZIp]

if the left guard could have held his block for at least a second instead of falling down, we would have won.

[Hilltopper]

if the left guard could have held his block for at least a second instead of falling down, we would have won.

It wasn't Brumbaugh #75 who wiffed, it was the center Switzer #67.

[LZIp]

It wasn't Brumbaugh #75 who wiffed, it was the center Switzer #67.

Good catch.

I really need to stop thinking about this game. As a positive, it has already helped our program some at least in interest. Heard scouts from 3 different NFL teams were in the field house yesterday and an influx of players planning to transfer have sent letters to the coaching staff.

also from GT's latest article.

A UA official said that the Zips’ performance at Michigan Stadium had an impact on ticket sales, giving them a significant bump on Monday.

[Dave in Green]

... an influx of players planning to transfer have sent letters to the coaching staff. ...

That could be the single most valuable result from the brief burst of publicity for coming so close to upsetting UM. The Zips now have a quality coaching staff and a steadily improving influx of quality players. At some point you reach critical mass, start winning regularly and become a destination for coaches, players and fans.

[Dr Z]

Found out last night from a reliable source, that this play was designed to go to #11.

Finally somebody beat this crappy UM team.

[LZIp]

Found out last night from a reliable source, that this play was designed to go to #11.

Finally somebody beat this crappy UM team.

That was Michigan's second loss in three games. They also lost to PSU