The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL forward, getting knocked back for a tackle for loss only once this season (4.5 percent). Green, on the other hand, has been dropped behind the line of scrimmage on 14 of 82 attempts (17.0 percent). DUAL THREATS Cornerbacks Ray Taylor and Blake Countess combined for 13 passes broken up and 10 interceptions this season, proving their prowess in passing defense. However, they were also strong against the run. Among Taylor's 78 defensive stops (he had three on special teams), 34 came in the running game, or 43.6 percent. Countess, meanwhile, notched a tackle against the run on 38.1 percent of his 42 stops. BOWL GIFTS One of the perks of the postseason for college football teams is that the players come away with some complementary gifts, courtesy of the bowl game sponsors. For Michigan this season, participation in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl means each Wolverine player will get to make a visit to the gift suite where they can choose from a range of merchandise, and they will also take home a Fossil watch and an Ogio Cube backpack. to finish my career at ASU Stadium, where I finished my last high school game, is kind of a surreal feeling." Speaking of championships, Lewan attended the Big Ten championship contest in Indianapolis, where he was introduced as the winner of the lineman of the year award. Given the makeup of the crowd (Ohio State and Michigan State fans, predominately), Lewan wasn't stunned over the reaction to his introduction, although the intensity caught his attention. "It was just weird, because they announced Devin Funchess, and there was a generic boo," Lewan recalled. "I thought, all right, I'll just get a generic boo. I didn't even hear my name it was so damn loud. There were so many boos. I guess that's a good thing. I must be doing something right, if my rivals hate me. "It's a rivalry. Those are Michigan's two biggest rivals. Obviously, Notre Dame is done after next year. I would expect them to be upset with me being there. I wouldn't have it any other way." As for sitting and watching the Buckeyes and Spartans play it out for the championship, Lewan demonstrated his toughness by viewing throughout. "It was a good game," he said. "I had to be there. MSU played their heart out. I'm happy for them, but obviously I'd rather be in that game, rather than just watching that game. "I watched the whole game. It was a little hostile, but I stayed the whole time. I powered through."