Stories by Kevin Raftery
Kevin Raftery: Hoke’s Coach of the Year award goes well beyond the numbers
- Marissa McClain/Daily
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
Ladies and gentlemen, meet your 2011 Big Ten Coach of the Year: Brady Hoke. He was an Ohio-born boy who now perfectly depicts a Michigan man — a coach who players love and opponents can’t help but respect.
Robinson shines as Wolverines end seven-year drought
- Marissa McClain/Daily
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
When Denard Robinson smiles, chances are, Michigan fans can’t help but smile, too. But when Robinson smiles the way he did after a 40-34 victory over Ohio State — the Wolverines’ first in seven years — well, that’s a smile that Michigan fans have been waiting to see for what felt like an eternity.
From Bo to Brady: How one victory against the Buckeyes can change everything
- Illustration by Arjun Mahanti
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
Right from the start, I set a single goal for those men. Beat Ohio State. From 1969 to 2011, the foundation for Michigan coaches' legacies has remained the same — it starts with The Game.
Kevin Raftery: Doubt no more
- Marissa McClain/Daily
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
His No. 32 white throwback jersey covered in grass stains and dirt, Jordan Kovacs stood in a trailer home outside Spartan Stadium. He was beaten and bruised, trying to put the Michigan football team’s fourth straight loss to the rival Spartans into words.
• GAME COVER: Michigan shucks Cornhuskers 45-17
• ANALYSIS: The Game overshadows big win
• ANALYSIS: Special teams blunders break Nebraska's spirit in loss
• NOTEBOOK: Robinson has best game of second half
Defensive maturity, discipline will be tested against crafty Cornhuskers
- Jean Puskar/AP
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
This past week, the No. 20 Michigan football team’s defense has been presented with a very unusual challenge while preparing to compete against No. 17 Nebraska.
Notebook: Robinson's fumbling issues addressed, Hoke plays quarterback
- Marissa McClain/Daily
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
According to Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges, there was one way the Michigan football team could have “screwed it up” against Illinois last Saturday — by fumbling the ball.
Toussaint's career-high 192 yards lead Michigan in 31-14 win
- Marissa McClain/Daily
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
CHAMPAIGN — The Fighting Illini sure didn’t look like the conference’s best rush defense, as sophomore running back Fitzgerald Toussaint rushed for a career-high 192 yards en route to a 31-14 Michigan victory.
Breakdown: In a defensive battle, turnovers, special teams will be huge in Champaign
- Alden Reiss/Daily
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
Once 6-0 and standing at the top of the conference standings, Illinois has now lost three in a row and is in desperate need of a win. No. 22 Michigan, coming off a tough road loss to Iowa, is hoping to prove it can win on the road against a formidable Big Ten opponent.
Notebook: Hopkins embracing new role as fullback
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
Trailing Notre Dame, 24-7, at the start of the fourth quarter, Stephen Hopkins lined up in the I-formation behind junior quarterback Denard Robinson, as senior running back Michael Shaw ran in motion. The Wolverines needed half a yard — it was obvious whom the ball was going to.
Notebook: Battered and bruised, offensive line persists without Barnum
BY KEVIN RAFTERY
IOWA CITY — While the Michigan football team battled Iowa on Saturday, Ricky Barnum sat at home in Ann Arbor. Barnum, the regular starter at left guard, has dealt with injuries to both ankles this season and wasn’t healthy enough to go against the Hawkeyes.
