The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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������ michigan football ������ michigan football No. 21 Jerseys Now Feature Desmond Howard Patch Howard was honored with a ceremony prior to the kickoff of the Michigan versus Notre Dame game on Sept. 10. H anded a microphone, a chance to speak to a record crowd of 114,804 in attendance at the first night game in Michigan Stadium history, former great Desmond Howard welled up with emotion. Howard was honored prior to the Sept. 10 meeting with Notre Dame for his induction into the 2011 College Football Hall of Fame. But there was much more in store for him that night ��� the 1991 Heisman Trophy winner also became the first ���Michigan Legend.��� Howard���s name will adorn a patch forever sewn onto the No. 21 jersey, while a special area of Schembechler Hall will be created to honor Howard. Additionally, locker stalls at Schembechler and inside Michigan Stadium will be customized to reflect Howard���s presence. Moments after Howard���s speech, fifth-year senior wide receiver Junior Hemingway would emerge in the stadium tunnel wearing the patch on his right lapel, but not until a wardrobe change took place before kickoff. ���[Equipment manager] Jon Falk just said to me, ���When you come back up from warm-ups, make sure you come to me so I can change your jersey,������ Hemingway relayed. Photo by per kjeldsen ���I���m thinking, ���Change my jersey? For what?��� I didn���t know the reason, and he wouldn���t tell me. And then he showed it to me, and I���m like, ���Oh, cool.������ Hemingway, who spoke to Howard before the game, made the legend proud, pulling in three receptions for 165 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown pass. He also had a 77-yard catch-and-run that set up the Wolverines��� second score. Freshman cornerback Raymon Taylor was also wearing the No. 21 jersey that night (and against Eastern Michigan a week later), but did not sport the Desmond Howard patch. He changed to No. 6 Sept. 20. Going forward, head coach Brady Hoke said it is likely U-M will bestow that number only on a wide receiver. ���There will be a process to that decision,��� he said. Michigan athletics director David Brandon doesn���t have a timetable on adding the next ���Michigan Legend��� ��� it won���t be this year ��� but there will be another, and probably another after that, and after that. ���Legends come to us as a result of who they are and what they���ve done, and when we feel it is appropriate we will honor someone in the most important way we honor football players,��� he said. ���This is going to be the ultimate recognition. They are going to be few and far between. ���We will definitely do it again. We may have situations where some of the jerseys we���ve retired ����� there may be decisions made by the heirs where they prefer to go in the direction we���ve gone with Desmond because, frankly, it���s a much more visible honor. ���The standard is very, very high as evidenced by Desmond, and the kind of player he was, and the kind of person he was, and the job he did in the classroom, and all the recognition he received for being an exceptional football player, the way he���s supported the university and represented us in the 20 years he���s been gone. All those factors led us to honor him in the way that we did. ���And that will be the same kind of standard we���re looking for in the future.��� Freshmen Stepping Up For Wolverines In 2009, seven high-profile recruits, including four-star quarterback Tate Forcier and five-star defensive tackle William Campbell, enrolled early, intent on making an impact as freshmen. In 2011, just one player, cornerback Gregg Brown, made it to campus for spring practice, which is an invaluable tool for rookies looking for playing time in the first year. But that hasn���t stopped several newcomers from making instant contributions. Running back Thomas Rawls: When Rawls first started competing during fall camp, the coaches were instantly impressed. Running backs ��� 2011 Schedule Date Opponent Result/Time Sept. 3 Western Michigan W, 34-10 Sept. 10 Notre Dame W, 35-31 Sept. 17 Eastern Michigan W, 31-3 Sept. 24 San Diego State W, 28-7 Oct. 1 Minnesota Noon Oct. 8 At Northwestern 7 p.m. Oct. 15 At Michigan State TBA Oct. 22 Bye Oct. 29 Purdue Noon Nov. 5 At Iowa TBA Nov. 12 At Illinois TBA Nov. 19 Nebraska TBA Nov. 26 Ohio State TBA October 2011��� ������ the wolverine��� 43