The Wolverine

December 2016

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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DECEMBER 2016 THE WOLVERINE 39   MICHIGAN FOOTBALL provided a number of big hits. "[The coaches] preach that a lot to us, that you've got to do both," Craw- ford said. "Especially if you want to go to the next level — you've got do both. "I feel like it's a strength. Basically, I know a lot of high school coaches preach if you want to see the field early freshman year, you've got to be able to block. You can't just go out there and run routes. I definitely took that into account." But he's also starting to get more looks from his quarterbacks. Craw- ford only registered three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown through 10 games — and two of those grabs, including a diving stab and his touch- down from 18 yards out, came in the Maryland win. He's shown great hands in practice, however, and is be- coming more comfortable at Michigan each day. The fans were still around in full force during the fourth quarter against the Terps, when he caught his first touchdown pass. "It's a special experience coming from high school. This is definitely a much different environment, espe- cially here at Michigan," he said. "The crowd is always packed, at any game, and they stay around. They're not just leaving. "I'm trying to get more [touch- downs] … not trying to be selfish, but trying to get more. Hopefully it's the first of many." MICHIGAN SAYS 'NO' TO FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS The Big Ten is moving to Friday night football in the first two months of the season next fall, but it will be do- ing it without Michigan. U-M told the conference "no thanks" when it comes to changing from Saturday contests, and the Big Ten obliged. The league will feature six Friday night games in 2017, according to con- ference Commissioner Jim Delany, and he later announced them: Fri., Sept. 1: Washington at Rutgers Fri., Sept. 1: Utah State at Wisconsin Fri., Sept. 8: Ohio at Purdue Fri., Sept. 29: Nebraska at Illinois Fri., Oct. 13: Northwestern at Mary- land Fri., Oct. 27: Michigan State at North- western Delany had already told The Chicago Tribune he was reluctant to schedule Friday games for schools with the big- gest seating capacities, though Michi- gan refused to play on Friday either at home or on the road. Ohio State and Penn State are among those that have also chosen to opt out, U-M insisting on "consistency of presentation" for traditional kickoffs on Saturday. "Michigan is not scheduled to ap- pear in any Friday night football games. We fully support the Big Ten's scheduling decisions as well as confer- ence peers who are able to play on Friday nights," Michigan director of athletics Warde Manuel said in a state- ment. "With our large fan base, Michi- gan fans and alumni travel significant distances to attend games, making Sat- urdays our preferred day for all foot- ball games." The conference received some push- back from fans and high school coaches who would be forced to choose be- tween prep and college games. The Big Ten decided to go forward, regardless. "We have thought a lot about this," Big Ten senior associate commissioner for television administration Mark Rudner told BTN.com. "They rep- resent about six percent of the total home games that we will have in any year over the next six years. We think it is a great opportunity for significant exposure and more favorable use of national platforms for football." It just won't include Michigan. ❏ MISCELLANEOUS NOTES • Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison wasn't surprised to look up and see redshirt sophomore linebacker Jabrill Peppers scooping up a fumble and bolting away 85-plus yards with it in the Wolverines' 32-23 win at Michigan State. "That's Jabrill," Mattison said. "He's a special player. You see him practice like that and a lot of guys see that. He'll intercept the ball, and he'll take off running. You look and [think], 'Whoa, where did that come from?' That's just the way he plays." • Peppers waves off talk about the Heisman Trophy these days. He's not focused on it at all, with the Wolverines in the heat of the battle for the Big Ten champion- ship and more, he contended. "Personally, I feel as though it's an offensive award," Peppers said. "I just want to play the best ball I can play to help my team get as many wins as we possibly can. If accolades follow, then accolades follow. My main concern is to get a W on Saturdays." • Senior tight end Jake Butt became the top tight end in receiving yardage in Michigan history with his 76-yard effort against Maryland, giving him 1,521 for his career. His total sat at 1,560 after 10 games in 2016 and he also now holds the tight end receptions record with 130, but Butt noted he's not ready to slow up. "It's hard to even take in at such a historical program like this, to be up there as the No. 1 guy," he said. "I want to get the touchdowns [record] now, too. "I just want to give credit to my teammates more than anything. It's a collective effort. It's not a one-man record. The O-line, the receivers, the running backs, the coaches, the defense, special teams — it's not a one-man job, so credit to those guys." • Butt also likes the unselfishness of Michigan's offense at this point. The football gets spread around to a host of skilled performers, and he's all for that. "The great thing about this offense and this team is, everybody is unselfish," Butt said. "When we drop back and look to pass the ball or look to run the ball, it's not a one-dimensional offense, where we're trying to let one person dominate the game. "Everybody understands that. Nobody is going to be complaining if no balls come their way or they don't get opportunities. Right now, we've got a great thing going, and we're winning games." Rookie Kekoa Crawford has just three rushes and a trio of receptions through 10 games, but has provided a boost with his blocking. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN

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