The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
fect season alive. Like he did then, Griese turned the tide at the Bust, allowing the 18 seniors to be rightfully honored and thanked for their efforts. "We didn't meet the expectations, but we honor these men because they moved the program forward," Hoke said. "These next few weeks are going to be something special because we get one more chance as Team 134 to take the field, and we look forward to it … a chance to wear that winged helmet one more time because all of us that have played and all of you who wore that winged helmet before know that it doesn't get any better. No matter how many years you go on and play at the next level, it doesn't get any better. "We thank them for their efforts and the struggles that they have been through. Confucius once said this about good leaders, and it can also be said about good football players: 'Our greatest glory is not never falling, but rising every time we fall.' And these guys did that this year. The effort that we had from them on a daily basis, I don't know if I've had a team that worked like they did. "We honor them for what they have done and what they will continue to do. Eighteen young men who were good leaders, good football players, and we are very proud to call them Michigan Men." The seniors will have one final opportunity to impact their legacy. Like the 2007 team that carried Carr off on their shoulders, the Wolverines can put a triumphant exclamation on their careers at U-M. They could also go out like the 2005 team, which went 7-4 in the regular season and fell to Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl. The difference between elation and disenchantment is razor thin, but after losing four games by 11 total points — 43-40 to Penn State, 17-13 to Nebraska, 24-21 to Iowa and 42-41 to Ohio State (in addition to a 29-6 loss to Michigan State) — Michigan is eager for a hard-fought win. "We understand that we have to execute," Hoke said. "We understand that when the time comes, we have to do our jobs, as coaches and as players, to make sure that we execute. "These seniors' legacy won't be of going to the Rose Bowl. But their legacy will be of the lessons taught, good and bad, so that their teammates, coming back to play for the greatest university in this country, will understand." A night that threatened to be cheerless became something greater, a thank you to the seniors, a challenge to the underclassmen and a hope that the 2013 team will one day be remembered as the start of something special — maybe even a championship. "The thing that made me jump out of my seat rooting for you guys was not the big plays and the touchdowns, but when I see you give great effort," Griese closed. "When I see you play with passion and play for each other that's what gets me fired up. That's the essence of being a Michigan football player. "When you get your 'M' rings, that's what the ring means to me … I played for the guy next to me. If we can do that, we'll be in pretty good shape." ❏