All Things SkunkBear

[IrishLax]

I was at the game today. I had a Michigan fan follow me around trying to "kick my ass" and another Michigan fan kick me out of his tailgate "for petting his dog." What kind of disease are these people? May they lose every game from now until the end of time, or at least until they stop playing football.

Were you sporting ND or MSU gear?

 

[Irish2155]

Pot meet kettle:

Michigan Player(s) plant spear in Spartan Stadium during pre-game | mgoblog

Still funny, Sparty?

Were you sporting ND or MSU gear?

You all bitch about a porn star, I'd have to wash myself if I was close to that stadium.

 

[phork]

Michigan did run for 65 yards today. Thats like 90 better than last year. #improvement.

 

[MNIrishman]

Were you sporting ND or MSU gear?

Well, MSU and OSU. I was trying to meet people and wanted to stand out. So I can understand why the blue fans would be angry (I mean, besides the fact that they and their team are awful). But I didn't expect violence. I mean, seriously, this dude was like a bull seeing red. Followed me around for a long time and a lot bigger than me.

 

[Cackalacky]

Michigan coach Brady Hoke has issued an apology to Michigan State for his players planting a stake in the Spartan Stadium turf before Saturday's 35-11 loss.

In a statement released by the school, Hoke said he spoke with Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio on Sunday morning to apologize for the display, calling it "poor sportsmanship."

Hoke said that during the Wolverines' Friday night meeting, the team was presented with a tent stake as part of a motivational speech about staying committed and together in a tough environment.

"The stake was brought into our locker room as a visual reminder," Hoke said, "and one of our team leaders chose to take it out on the field. As the leader of our football program, I take full responsibility for the actions of our team. We believe in displaying a high level of respect at the University of Michigan and unfortunately that was not reflected by this action prior to kickoff."

Michigan State noticed and took umbrage at the stake-planting. Rather than take a knee with a 17-point lead in the final minute, the Spartans tacked on another touchdown on a Jeremy Langford run.

"It just felt like we needed to put a stake in them at that point," Dantonio said in his postgame news conference.

The Spartans have often felt disrespected in this in-state rivalry, especially since then-Michigan tailback Mike Hart referred to them as "Little Brother" after a 2007 Wolverines win. Since then, Michigan State has won six of the past seven meetings.

"I can only be diplomatic for so long," Dantonio said Saturday evening. "The little brother stuff, all the disrespect, it didn't have to go in that direction.

"We try to handle ourselves with composure. That doesn't come from a coach. It comes from the program. Throwing the stake down in our backyard out here and coming out there like they're all that. That got shoved up ... It got shoved in the last minute and a half."

Hoke said Saturday that he wasn't sure exactly what happened with the stake-planting incident. In his Sunday statement, he said he told Dantonio that "we meant no disrespect to his team."

LOL. Dantanio.... I like him.

 

[phork]

I'd take Dantonio as a coach any day. You can just tell how much he relishes pushing Michigans shit in.

 

[Rack Em]

Least shocking thing from that article: Brady Hoke didn't know what was going on.

That guy's excuse is "I didn't know" every single freaking time. He must be the most clueless fucker in the whole state. That would not fly at 95% of schools but meatchicken's PR department is so bad that it doesn't even stop him. Seriously, I wouldn't let him pick up a phone without prepping him first and having someone else in the room.

 

[phork]

Hoke should not do interviews. Period.

 

[IrishLion]

I can't be the only one that finds it funny that Dantonio was so offended by the 'planting something in our turf' thing, right?

 

[Cackalacky]

I can't be the only one that finds it funny that Dantonio was so offended by the 'planting something in our turf' thing, right?

That was John L Smith's team though right?

 

[FLDomer]

I can't be the only one that finds it funny that Dantonio was so offended by the 'planting something in our turf' thing, right?

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. As much as I like to see Michigan St. embarrass scum, Dantonio and Narduzzi are such whiney twats.

 

[IrishLax]

I can't be the only one that finds it funny that Dantonio was so offended by the 'planting something in our turf' thing, right?

Haha I think we were all thinking it...

Though to be fair, the Sparty flag planting predated Dantonio.

 

[IrishLion]

That was John L Smith's team though right?

Though to be fair, the Sparty flag planting predated Dantonio.

As a UC fan, I should have known this. BK replaced Dantonio at UC in 2007.

I guess I'll retract my butthurt.

 

[Cackalacky]

As a UC fan, I should have known this. BK replaced Dantonio at UC in 2007.

I guess I'll retract my butthurt.

No its fine. Sparty is being butthurt but as Dantonio said, it comes from the program. I really like Dantonio. The man had a heart attack on the field and called a ballsy play to beat us. Total Street cred AFAIAC, but I will absolutely never forget this:

 

[IrishLion]

No its fine. Sparty is being butthurt but as Dantonio said, it comes from the program. I really like Dantonio. The man had a heart attack on the field and called a ballsy play to beat us. Total Street cred AFAIAC, but I will absolutely never forget this:

I was going to post that picture but couldn't find it!

One of my favorites.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I watched a little bit of that game. I can't believe what petunias the entire Michigan team has become over the course of the season. No hitting on defense. You could always count on that. Gardner and Fuchness act like all they are trying to do is get out of the game alive. "Here you want me to drop the ball? Go ahead, take it!"

And the truth be told, I wasn't very impressed with MSU this year either. Oh, my goodness. What a couple of meatsquads!

 

[connor_in]

Speilman was funny with his constant "almost" commentary on Michigan

 

[ulukinatme]

Yeah, it's hard not to like Dantonio. He got a lucky sucker punch on us with the fake field goal in 2010, and yeah the refs clearly missed the clock and the fact their blocker tackled two of our guys, but hell...we've gone 3-1 against MSU under Kelly in an era when they're a very, very good team. Hard to be upset about that.

 

[nd1989]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. As much as I like to see Michigan St. embarrass scum, Dantonio and Narduzzi are such whiney twats.

I agree. Surprised more isn't made of this.

It wasn't a "spear" like Dantonio said on Saturday. It was a 7 inch tent stake. Bolden held it with his fist and drove it two inches into the turf. Seriously, Mark, you're whining about this? this somehow offended you?

I think there's way too much sensitivity here. I think he needs to grow up a little....

 

[Grahambo]

I'm a D'Antonio fan.

 

[ulukinatme]

What if....by some twist of fate, Michigan couldn't afford to fire Hoke and pay his buyout because of lost revenues in ticket sales/merchandise/etc. Doubtful, since this is Michigan we're talking about and not a MAC school (Well, they are on that trajectory on the field anyway). That would be excellent.

 

[dublinirish]

What if....by some twist of fate, Michigan couldn't afford to fire Hoke and pay his buyout because of lost revenues in ticket sales/merchandise/etc. Doubtful, since this is Michigan we're talking about and not a MAC school (Well, they are on that trajectory on the field anyway). That would be excellent.

they can definitely afford it. If there is one thing Brandon can do its bring in revenue.

 

[ulukinatme]

they can definitely afford it. If there is one thing Brandon can do its hire a buffoon for a coach and give away tickets with the purchase of a Coke.

FIFY

 

[phork]

I am sure UM boosters are lined up out the door to pay the buyout. Don't be surprised if he is around one more year though. Until they find the right guy I say he isn't out of there yet.

And then there is posted by Dave Brandon 11 Months ago (Copy & Pasted to preserve evidence):

MGOBLUE.COM Brandon's Blog: Hoke is the Right Leader for Michigan Football - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site

University of Michigan director of athletics Dave Brandon will regularly offer his view on a variety of topics related to U-M and intercollegiate sports. All his posts, along with links to related content, will be available on his page, mgoblue.com/brandon, and he is also on Twitter at @DaveBrandonAD.

Brady Hoke is our coach and will be leading our football program well into the future. There is no question about it. Brady has done a great job rebuilding the program and reshaping the culture to the level it was under coaches Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr. Anyone making efforts to stir up a coaching controversy at Michigan is ill-informed and is likely promoting a personal agenda that is not in the best interest of Michigan Football.

We don't make excuses at Michigan when we fail to reach our goals, and we never will. We recognize areas we need to address and improve -- and we will. We also know how to hold people accountable for the roles and responsibilities they have as part of the privilege for being a part of Michigan Football -- and we will. However, it is valuable to occasionally step back from the disappointment and frustration that occurs when things don't go as well as expected and consider a few facts that may help put things into proper perspective.

Is our program where we want to be? No. We want to consistently compete for championships. That is the expectation at Michigan and that has been Brady's stated expectation from day one. When we don't meet those expectations there's disappointment -- and that starts with Brady, the coaches, players and everyone else that represents our football program. If you saw how hard everyone inside Schembechler Hall works every day, you would understand why they are disappointed. They pour their lives into developing these young people to prepare them to compete at the highest level and consistently win.

Many don't remember that Alabama finished fourth in its division during Nick Saban's fourth year with the Crimson Tide. At present, Alabama seems to be doing pretty well!! Stanford had 4-8, 5-7 and 8-5 records under Jim Harbaugh before reaching its current string of consecutive BCS appearances. This shows that it takes time for the right leader to build a consistent winner. We have the right leader, and despite the fact we have lost three very close games (and WE ARE ALL feeling the pain that comes from it!) the consistency will come. There have been speed bumps along the way and unforeseen obstacles that have hindered our progress this season, but the resiliency of this team has been remarkable.

Our coaches are recruiting nationally from New Jersey to California, from Michigan to Florida, and continue to bring in the type of young men that can compete on the field and in the classroom at the University of Michigan. The depth that this program needs to be a consistent winner is coming, but it doesn't happen overnight or in one or two recruiting classes. It takes time and probably a little more time than we all anticipated. However, the only threat to our continued success in recruiting is the same old, tired tactic being used by some who wish to see us fail -- to try and scare young recruits into believing that our coach "is on the hot seat" -- which simply isn't true. In fact, this is the same guy that was Big Ten and national coach of the year two seasons ago.

Brady inherited a team during his first season that had many juniors and seniors who played key roles in previous years. The senior class was recruited by Coach Carr and had some terrific talent that had simply been underperforming. We only had one freshman crack the depth chart on the offensive and defensive lines during that Sugar Bowl winning season. Right now, this year's team is counting on 11 freshmen or redshirt freshmen in the trenches. Not to make excuses, but to point out the obvious, this shows how much we are investing in young talent that will make huge contributions to our future success.

I'm really proud of how the players have bought into the new direction. Our coaches are changing schemes, and that requires a different recruiting philosophy and asking current student-athletes to adapt to a different style than previous years. The transformation and improvement of our defense under the leadership of coach Greg Mattison has been outstanding. Our coaches have worked hard to blend and develop schemes that bridge the gap between what was previously done and what they ultimately hope to run on both sides of the ball.

I have seen firsthand what Brady and his coaching staff are doing to make this program better. It takes time and sometimes patience by all of us before we can build the consistent winner that meets our expectations. I can assure you that our student-athletes are working hard every day to get better on the field, in the classroom and in the community. That hasn't changed at any point during the season; this group is fighting through obstacles. I know and see the drive that Brady, his coaches and players have to win -- and win for Michigan.

We recognize what makes Michigan so special is the passion and enthusiasm that our fans have for the team. However, those individuals who are spreading inaccurate rumors and saying inappropriate things about our coaches, players and recruits don't know what's happening inside Schembechler Hall or on that practice field. They are only trying to hurt the program and the progress our coaches and student-athletes are fighting to make on Saturdays. Sometimes that progress takes a little bit longer than we all like, but we know the long-term success that it's going to bring.

The 2013 season is far from over! We have two more big games to play, and we should all be looking forward to the opportunities they represent for our program. It is important and exciting for our young team to have the opportunity to experience an additional 15 practices, heal up some injuries, and compete in a bowl game at this stage in their career. And, for our seniors, these last two opportunities to play for Michigan are very special.

I know that Brady Hoke will finish his career at Michigan as one of the most successful coaches in our program's storied history. And, thanks to our many loyal fans and supporters who will be along for the ride because they care so much about Michigan Football for all of the right reasons!

Happy Thanksgiving and Go Blue!

 

[clashmore_jon]

here's a fun read: Profiles In Cronyism: Brady Hoke | mgoblog

2007 post on mgoblog about what a piece of crap Hoke is. Everyone agrees, then they talk about how wrong then were, then they agree again.

 

[IrishLion]

here's a fun read: Profiles In Cronyism: Brady Hoke | mgoblog

2007 post on mgoblog about what a piece of crap Hoke is. Everyone agrees, then they talk about how wrong then were, then they agree again.

Hahahaha that's amazing. Such a confusion of jumbled hate/love/back-to-hate, widely mixed dates between comments and everything.

 

[MNIrishman]

here's a fun read: Profiles In Cronyism: Brady Hoke | mgoblog

2007 post on mgoblog about what a piece of crap Hoke is. Everyone agrees, then they talk about how wrong then were, then they agree again.

That's a great find! I enjoy how much they had the doublethink going on on 2011 vs. when this article was written and now. Hoke is a mediocre at best coach. That's been pretty obvious for a while (apparently, since at least 2007...)

 

[Old Man Mike]

I am of great respect for Dantonio. Dantonio was the one HC to call out Urban Meyer when Meyer criticized all the other B1G coaches for lack of recruiting and upgrade efforts. Dantonio was possibly the only one who flamed Meyer for underhanded recruiting attempts to flip conference rivals' recruits at the last moments [this SEC-style behavior was not typical of B1G culture previously]. Dantonio was the only one who interrupted a Michigan presentation at a B1G conference, which was blatantly a UM recruiting ploy FAR out-of-line for the topic being discussed. Dantonio has been by far the most gracious opposing Coach when talking about ND and how much MSU owes us historically.

The issue isn't the "size" of any stake driven into the home turf, it's the symbolic act of disrespect to the homeland --- which every competitive person, even Hoke, understands. You don't sit idly by and submissively accept a violation of your turf. There was once a wiseass NFL receiver who, when he'd score, would run out and put the ball down at the midfield of the opponents' house. Any NFL defense looking at this disrespect would get angry, but the first few times it took different teams by surprise, not anticipating such an asshole act. By about the fourth away game rendition, the clown scored again, and ran out to place the ball at the Dallas midfield. Dallas' strong safety sprinted after him and leveled him, standing proudly defiant and basically staring at the opponent bench saying "Bring it on, bastards."

One of the few times that I stood and cheered for Dallas. And, I'll cheer Dantonio too, as he is a tough warrior who will defend his team's house.

 

[clashmore_jon]

That's a great find! I enjoy how much they had the doublethink going on on 2011 vs. when this article was written and now. Hoke is a mediocre at best coach. That's been pretty obvious for a while (apparently, since at least 2007...)

i cant take credit for finding it. it was posted on The Internet's Tailgate , which is a pretty fun place to go for college football news and conversation.

 

[MNIrishman]

I am of great respect for Dantonio. Dantonio was the one HC to call out Urban Meyer when Meyer criticized all the other B1G coaches for lack of recruiting and upgrade efforts. Dantonio was possibly the only one who flamed Meyer for underhanded recruiting attempts to flip conference rivals' recruits at the last moments [this SEC-style behavior was not typical of B1G culture previously]. Dantonio was the only one who interrupted a Michigan presentation at a B1G conference, which was blatantly a UM recruiting ploy FAR out-of-line for the topic being discussed. Dantonio has been by far the most gracious opposing Coach when talking about ND and how much MSU owes us historically.

The issue isn't the "size" of any stake driven into the home turf, it's the symbolic act of disrespect to the homeland --- which every competitive person, even Hoke, understands. You don't sit idly by and submissively accept a violation of your turf. There was once a wiseass NFL receiver who, when he'd score, would run out and put the ball down at the midfield of the opponents' house. Any NFL defense looking at this disrespect would get angry, but the first few times it took different teams by surprise, not anticipating such an asshole act. By about the fourth away game rendition, the clown scored again, and ran out to place the ball at the Dallas midfield. Dallas' strong safety sprinted after him and leveled him, standing proudly defiant and basically staring at the opponent bench saying "Bring it on, bastards."

One of the few times that I stood and cheered for Dallas. And, I'll cheer Dantonio too, as he is a tough warrior who will defend his team's house.

I enjoy the fact that Dantonio refuses to bow down to the powers that be in the B1G. He didn't listen to Urban's bitching and moaning about the conference, he just went and whooped some Buckeye behind. He beats Michigan to a pulp every year. He does all this without a ton of star power. It's awesome to see, even if I'm not an MSU fan.