35 minute read
STATEMENT
from 2020-11-18
16 — Wednesday, N statement An ode to the The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
cofeehouse crawl
BY GRACE TUCKER, STATEMENT COLUMNIST
I don’t consider myself a religious person, but I had the closest thing to a spiritual awakening when I first climbed up the olive steps leading to South Fourth Avenue’s most charming hideaway — a place with tingling espresso aromas, walls adorned with matchacolored greenery and a heavenly soundtrack of scholarly chatter and prickly indie tunes: Literati Coffee. It was my first semester of college, and per a self-made tradition, I had set aside every Wednesday afternoon before my Women’s Studies lecture to explore the abundance of coffee shops Ann Arbor had to offer.
Every Wednesday, one shop at a time. This week’s pick was a fancy-sounding place called Literati Coffee, tucked just above its sister storefront, Literati Bookstore.
I reached the top of the bookstore’s worn steps, only to turn the corner and discover a strikingly peaceful corner of campus I never even knew existed. The experience felt transcendent: I had crossed the threshold from a university town buzzing in the excitement of changing fall colors and an anticipated football season to the serene nirvana found just above Literati Bookstore. And so, I entered, perhaps floating a foot off the ground all the while.
True Literati enthusiasts will tell you that securing a window seat is a challenging yet noble task. The general makeup of the coffeehouse’s customer base consists of astutelooking millennials and pensive bibliophiles. So, inching your way to one of the store’s treasured window-hugging tables means shuffling through a sea of wool coats, plaidpatterned winter wear and finicky ceramic espresso cups. Yet, I suppose my spiritual awakening had ushered in a kind of serendipity, and so, upon crossing the divide from University-haze to Literati-nirvana, I had a glistening window seat waiting just for me.
With an iced, almond-milk latte — my goto order, sitting contently next to my Spanish coursebook — I was convinced I had found my own little slice of happiness on campus. I spent the afternoon catching up on classwork and humming along to my favorite playlist, blissfully content with the lingering taste of espresso that rested on my tongue.
Later in the afternoon, as if planted by a divine spirit or maybe even a romantic movie producer, a young man walking on the street below caught my eye contact and waved. I couldn’t help but feel elated by that small exchange — it was the purest little demonstration of love I had experienced since moving to Ann Arbor earlier that fall.
During my freshman year, leading up to and after my Literati discovery, I approached my coffeehouse crawl with a particular zeal. With weeks of scouting out Ann Arbor’s best coffee joints, starting with the everconvenient Espresso Royale then venturing to other shops sprinkled across downtown, I quickly discovered that my quest was about something more than coffee. It was in these varied spaces that I had some of my best hustled study sessions, feverishly outlining my next Spanish paper or studying for an upcoming statistics exam. More importantly, these spaces also allowed me to engage in mindful experiences: a lovely interaction with a friendly barista, spending a few minutes gazing at the colorful patrons passing in and out, or even sneaking pictures of the art that kissed the walls.
In this way, I think coffeehouses occupy a truly unique purpose somewhere between the frigid atmosphere of University academic buildings and the commercial craze of Ann Arbor’s retail and dining scene. These shops serve as a safe haven away from the busied streets of campus, offering a sacred kind of anonymity I began to really cherish. As a Residential College student part of intertwined living and academic communities, it became difficult to draw the boundary between work and play within East Quad Residence Hall, where the RC is housed. So, when I started to venture beyond East University Avenue and explore coffeehouses all across town, this ritual became my time to decompress and observe the culture of the city beyond my RC bubble.
Ultimately, one of the coffeehouse’s most impressive assets is its versatility. While I might frequent these shops to indulge my reclusive romantics, they also serve as a hub for social gathering and even political discussion. This beloved “coffeehouse culture,” actually dates back to the 16th century, when Oxford academics would gather in coffeehouses — hotly referred to as “Penny Universities” — and partake in the elitist, scholarly conversations.
London’s coffeehouse culture continued to grow in popularity into the 18th century as Londoners sought leisurely conversation, political debate and networking amid their stuffy work lives. With the distribution of newspapers becoming more widespread in the city, coffeehouses were soon positioned as hubs of printed news and up-in-coming intelligence. In 1675, King Charles II went as far as proclaiming the shutdown of all coffeehouses, stating they “produced very evil and dangerous effects,” and were a “disturbance of the peace and quiet realm.” However, his outcry proved ineffective: The people continued to gather, drink coffee and indulge in an café-bred sense of authenticity.
And they continue to gather today, just with more laptops and less top hats involved.
U-M students have utilized the city’s offering of coffeehouses in a myriad of ways, christening the coffeehouse space as a kind of library turned living room turned campus hub. LSA sophomore Nicole (Nori) Pham frequented the late Espresso Royale on South University Avenue for all sorts of reasons, from studying to drinks with friends to networking. I sat down with the fellow coffee lover (via virtual call) to discuss all things Ann Arbor coffee, wanting to hear how she chose to utilize these spaces.
Pham even became a regular with the baristas, which eventually earned her “large (drinks) even when I ordered a small. They were just super friendly.”
As a pre-Med student, Pham also valued the way Espresso Royale offered a space for professional pursuits.
Other coffeehouses, like Literati, can serve a different niche for students who, like me, are a sucker for the romantic nature of the space. Public Policy senior Miriam Chung, another member of the unofficial official Literati fan club, told me about her passion for the shop.
She reminisced on the same, divine Literati bookstore-to-coffeehouse threshold that I once crossed as a freshman.
“What (I) mainly miss about it, it’s that the most interesting people used to come into Literati — people watching provided a fantastic break from studying,” Chung said. “I loved how people from all ends of the spectrum of interests and book tastes would congregate together in that packed, teeny upstairs space.”
From the sleek, scholarly tables of Literati Coffee to the endearingly worn booths of Espresso Royale, University students are finding their own corners of solitude or happiness or community. And with this great variety of espresso-centered environments comes a need to differentiate between all that Ann Arbor “coffeehouse culture” has to offer: Are you team Literati? Espresso Royale? Vertex Coffee Roasters? RoosRoast? Lab? Sweetwaters?
As a freshman, I made the bold attempt to differentiate between all these spaces through a ranking built on the following criteria: the quality of their iced, almond-milk latte (my signature drink), the strength of their Wi-Fi and the amount and type of seating offered.
After extensive on-site study and coffeehouse scouting, I collected the following data: The Espresso Royale on South University had pretty average Wi-Fi but great seating if you could snag a booth upstairs. Comparatively, the Espresso Royale on State Street had an extremely finicky Wi-Fi signal but a plentiful offering of cushy booths, tables, and couches. Lab had minimal seating but is often championed as the best coffee on campus (personally, their roast is too strong for me).
Alas, with its insanely tasty lattes, reliable Wi-Fi signal, and overall serene atmosphere, I ultimately decided on Literati Coffee as the supreme coffeehouse on campus, and have been a proud member of team Literati ever since.
Perhaps via less formalized ranking systems, other students have secured their “goto” spots as well. Engineering sophomore Paul Balko has been frequenting Lab since he first visited on his tour of campus. Now, he says, “Lab is my favorite just because of the atmosphere and their big selection of fun, different lattes and house-made syrups.”
He, too, said he has has been able to differentiate between campus coffeehouses in ways that are, perhaps, more practical than mine. “To blatantly compare (Lab) to Espresso Royale, I think the coffee is higher quality. I never really liked Espresso Royale. My first impression of it was that the name was really bad.”
Whether the name was bad or not, the signature, yellow “Espresso Royale” slogans still remain emblazoned on their storefronts, like sad fossils from a pre-pandemic campus. And other coffee joints including Literati have joined Espresso Royale in a similarly tragic fate, closing their doors to adhere to Washtenaw County COVID-19 regulations. To coffeehouse enthusiasts or many U-M students, this news means a lot more than just grappling with a world where one can’t purchase an over-priced latte every day.
For students like Balko, closed coffeehouses means, “the loss of a convenient and multi-functional space.” And for Nori Pham, a boarded-up Espresso Royale means terminating an opportunity she once always had to decompress between classes and exchange niceties with friendly baristas. Ultimately, during a semester where students are already feeling the edge of virtual learning and struggling to stay motivated, the loss of the coffeehouse feels like another harsh blow against a version of college some of us already had a taste of.
As cheesy as it may sound, just searching for pictures of Literati Coffee’s interior to inform this article elicited a dull pang in my heart. I see these images and can almost feel like I’m there again climbing a flight of stairs toward a tucked-away nirvana as if Literati was placed there just for me — a wandering freshman from Indiana struggling to become acclimated in a new city on a new campus.
I know — or rather, I hope — that one day these spaces will be available once again, for other unknowing freshmen to discover and cherish and maybe even learn more about themselves in. Because, if done right, the coffeehouse crawl can be a truly magical thing.
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Sports Wednesday, November 18, 2020 — 17
Michigan handles Arizona State, 3-0, to sweep series Kent Johnson already looks the part
“Matt and Kent really have to the locker room. Beecher did JACK KINGSLEY some chemistry, and Jack does not return, and while Pearson said Daily Sports Writer with the line too, but those two he seemed fine after the game, his guys seem to have some special injury status is unknown.
Following an 8-1 win on chemistry with each other,” Wilson was called for Saturday in which the Michigan Michigan coach Mel Pearson a charging penalty, giving hockey team controlled play for said. “But I like how they play. Michigan a five-on-three and a nearly the entire game, it was fair They’re good with the puck, but golden opportunity to extend its to wonder if the Wolverines could I really like how hard and what lead to two, but Brady came up do it again. they’re doing and how smart with big save after big save for the
The Wolverines put those they’re playing without the puck.” Sun Devils. He robbed Beniers questions to bed almost as soon as The Wolverines spent little with a diving stop off a rebound the puck dropped Sunday night. time in their defensive zone. The and saved multiple one-timers
It only took two and a half only time Arizona State sustained from freshman forward Brendan minutes for the Wolverines to get possession in its offensive zone Brisson from point-blank range. on the board. After they opened play controlling the puck in the offensive zone, freshman forward MADELINE HINKLEY/ In his debut weekend with the Wolverines, freshman forward Kent Johnson racked up five points. Daily Thomas Bordeleau threw a soft backhand on net from the right circle. Sun Devils goaltender Cole a rink rat,” Michigan coach Mel throughout Michigan’s six Brady gave up a long rebound that JOSH TAUBMAN Pearson said. “He enjoys being man-advantage opportunities. freshman forward Kent Johnson Daily Sports Writer at the rink and works on his Playing at left wing, Johnson quickly deposited in the back of game a lot. He’s got very good spent most of the game on a the net. An emphatic scream echoed hands and a high hockey IQ.” line with another well-touted
No. 12 Michigan (2-0) throughout the mostly-empty The instant offensive freshman: Matthew Beniers. continued to dominate play in Yost Ice Arena. explosion should come as no The duo worked in lockstep the offensive zone, resulting in a Kent Johnson had glided into surprise. Johnson tallied 41 and generated several scoring 3-0 win over No. 15 Arizona State the offensive zone, picked up a goals and 60 assists last year in opportunities throughout (0-2). rebound that floated into the the British Columbia Hockey the game. At one moment in
“Everything’s executed slot and fired a puck into the League — the most in the league the second period, Johnson really well. Lots of skill,” junior goaltender Strauss Mann said. MADELINE HINKLEY/ Michigan moved to 2-0 with a 3-0 win over Arizona State on Sunday. Daily back of the net. Before the goalie could even by a wide margin. For most freshmen, the corralled the puck behind the net and threw a behind the “Every team gets a certain react, the freshman forward transition from juniors to the back pass to Beniers, who was amount of opportunities a game was following Johnson’s goal. The But despite not scoring on the was already heading to the college level can be difficult. sitting in front. Beniers’ shot but when you have as much skill Sun Devils challenged Mann with power-play, the Wolverines had corner, cheering in jubilation Even the most talented players was eventually blocked, but the as we have offensively and also on two shots while the Wolverines’ regained momentum and were in with his hands in the air. can face some growing pains as play showed the potential those the D end, it’s pretty likely to go in defensemen could not get the control the rest of the way. They “It was just pure joy,” they adjust to the physicality two have to be a special pairing the net.” puck out of the zone, until junior outshot the Sun Devils 47-17 on Johnson said. “It was just so and speed of the college game. all season.
The story for the Wolverines defenseman Nick Blankenburg the night. much fun to play with the guys.” But Johnson already looks a “I think we’ve got some was once again their freshmen. took a hooking penalty. Even though Michigan could Johnson’s first career goal step ahead of his competition. great chemistry,” Johnson said.
After Johnson tallied their But on the ensuing power play, not find the back of the net in the capped off a memorable debut As a projected top ten pick in “Definitely really nice to play first goal, he was crucial to Arizona State failed to attempt a second period, it spent much of weekend for the winger. After next year’s NHL draft, he’s with him.” their second. Over the final two shot. The Sun Devils constantly the frame on offense and outshot totaling four assists in the starting to prove that the hype Added Pearson: “They minutes of the first period, the line turned the puck over, spending Arizona State 16-3 in the period. season opener on Saturday is real. complement each other well. of Johnson, freshman forward nearly no time in the offensive Johnson and Beniers led the — where Michigan blew out “Obviously everything You got some size, you got some Matty Beniers and senior forward zone until too many men on the way, regularly on the ice for long Arizona State 8-1 — Johnson’s happens faster, and I won’t skill, you have some speed. Jack Becker was dominant on ice penalty negated the final offensive zone shifts. It wasn’t goal set the tone early as the have as many scoring chances Everything you’re looking for the forecheck and spent over a minute of their power play. until the third period that the Wolverines captured their as I did last year,” Johnson said. on a line.” minute controlling the puck in “My team in front of me played Wolverines scored again, when second win of the season, 3-0. “But I feel like I can just play my The Wolverines now turn the offensive zone to wear down really well, blocked shots,” Mann junior forward Jimmy Lambert Michigan looked like the game, and it’s really fun.” their attention to Thursday’s the Sun Devil defense. Eventually, said. “Especially today, you could converted on a power-play to seal stronger, faster team all Johnson was also expected matchup with Wisconsin. with five seconds left in the see that at the end.” the game. weekend, and Johnson was to be a boost to the Wolverines’ Johnson will hope to be a big period, Beniers found sophomore With Blankenburg’s penalty While the score didn’t reflect emblematic of that on Sunday. power play unit, which was part of the offense and find his forward Eric Ciccolini in the slot about to expire, Arizona State it, Michigan played nearly as He was flying around the ice middle-of-the-pack last season. way into the stat sheet again. from behind the net. Ciccolini defenseman Jacob Wilson laid a dominant of a game on Sunday as displaying flashy dangles, and He didn’t record any power “He’s a fun player, fun to made the most of the opportunity big hit into sophomore forward it did on Saturday, with its highly- was a constant scoring threat. play points on the weekend, watch,” Pearson said. “Probably and wristed a shot past Brady. Johnny Beecher, sending Beecher touted freshmen leading the way. “Kent’s a hockey player, he’s but featured prominently not fun to play against.”
Harbaugh’s message after blowout loss: ‘We’re not very good right now.’ Mira Shane aims to foster Michigan’s next generation in coaching role
message wasn’t to kick his more common negative ones THEO MACKIE team while they’re down. with drooped shoulders and
Managing Sports Editor It was to tell them to take silence. advantage of this adversity. “We came out flat, so just
When Jim Harbaugh spoke It’s a situation Michigan gotta continue changing with the media following didn’t expect to be in — its Big the energy,” Hill said. “Not Michigan’s 49-11 evisceration Ten title hopes, New Years’ keeping the same energy but at the hands of Wisconsin on Six Bowl hopes and more out changing the energy on the Saturday night, his message the window by week four — sideline in the game, come was accountability. but the Wolverines “still have out strong. That’s the biggest
“We were thoroughly beaten the opportunity to be the best key of this game, whoever has in every phase,” Harbaugh players we can be,” according the momentum first is gonna opened, still settling into his to Green. determine the outcome of this place at a lectern beneath “It’s a faith in each game.” Michigan Stadium. “Didn’t individual player and each It’s jarring to hear a really do anything well. And individual coach,” Harbaugh Michigan player say energy did not play good, did not said. “And collectively as a is key to the outcome of a coach good. “… Not a good place as a team … keep pushing. You’re gonna find a way. You’re looming game against Rutgers. In Harbaugh’s five years, the Former Michigan women’s lacrosse goalkeeper Mira Shane FILE PHOTO/Daily is returning to Ann Arbor as a volunteer assistant football team right now and gonna find out what works, Wolverines have outscored coach, following a season coaching at Harvard. that falls on me.” you’re gonna break through. I the Scarlet Knights, 256-37.
For Harbaugh, it was a think there’s so many athletes This year is different. On unique tone to match a unique that have realized greatness in the season, Rutgers has been my music,” Shane said. “I home turf, Shane dove in low point of his tenure. In athletic performance and in outscored by five fewer points HAYDEN GRIJNSZTEIN wouldn’t be the player that an attempt to make a save, past defeats, his lesson has sports, a lot of areas of life isn’t than Michigan has. Unlike For The Daily I had been without music. dislocating her shoulder been myopic. Michigan has perfection, it’s overcoming the Wolverines, the Scarlet I (knew that I) would have on the play. By this time, had bad games, showings adversity and obstacles. That’s Knights beat Michigan State. For four years, Mira Shane support staff and a coaching the Wolverines were losing where Harbaugh felt his own what we’re striving for.” Both schools have lost to was the best goaltender in staff that would see that by an insurmountable goal performance wasn’t up to And for a team filled with Indiana, but Rutgers did so by Michigan women’s lacrosse (music) was important to me. differential. snuff. underclassmen starters, one fewer point. history. And now, just 18 I had other facets to who I was With tears in her eyes —
But rarely has he taken a proving yourself for the future Still, Michigan is 81 spots months later, she’s making the as an athlete.” maybe due to her physical macro view of his team and — as a team and as individuals higher in ESPN’s SP+ rankings. return to Ann Arbor. Now, as a coach, Shane pain, maybe due to the admitted that the Wolverines — means something. It opened as a 10-point favorite Shane finished her career recognizes that relating to sadness of her college career simply aren’t very good. “I wanna lead (the players),” and a loss, even in Piscataway, as Michigan’s all-time leader the goalies and asking them ending — Shane was flooded
On Monday morning, that’s Harbaugh said. “I want them to would be somewhat shocking. in career victories, saves how they’re doing is just with the many memories the message he carried into hear my voice and understand But it’s imminently possible and save percentage. Now, as important as improving of her time at Michigan: meetings with his players. what the objectives are gonna in a way it never previously Shane is returning to her technical aspects of memories of making amazing
“We’re not very good this be each and every day.” has been. college town as a volunteer goalkeeping. saves on the field, of hanging year, as our record shows,” Right now, the first “Who knows what next assistant coach to help out the “Going from Harvard to out with the members of her Harbaugh said, according objective is changing the Saturday (holds),” fifth-year Wolverines’ goalkeepers. here, I’ve kinda taken the page a capella group, of advocating to junior cornerback Gemon energy surrounding this senior defensive tackle Carlo After spending last season of listening to my goalies,” for mental health awareness Green. team. It’s painfully clear — Kemp said Saturday. “We coaching at Harvard, Shane Shane said. “I think it goes across campus and of
Harbaugh wasn’t telling to Harbaugh, to his players, might be in a dogfight, we hopes to bring her “energy” back to that point about really speaking up for social justice his players anything they to anyone watching on TV might be winning by a lot, and “good vibes” to Michigan. trying to relate with whatever and opportunity for all. didn’t already know. On — that the Wolverines’ body might be losing by a lot.” Aside from simply helping the athlete is going through.” Mira Shane returns to Ann Monday, both Green and language Saturday night To avoid the third option, build enthusiasm on the field, At the end of the day, Arbor with years of playing sophomore safety Daxton Hill embodied a losing team. From Harbaugh knows his message Shane is looking forward to athletes walk away from the experience and a season of acknowledged that Michigan Joe Milton’s first interception needs to click. creating strong bonds with game with memories and coaching under her belt, and isn’t where it needs to be. on Michigan’s first offensive “Eventually (the objective) the goalkeepers, helping them feelings, not just the physical she’s ready to support her
“This is really my first snap, Harbaugh stood with is going to be Saturday, improve both on and off the skills. It’s something she athletes both on and off the (time), having a losing record his hands on his hips, staring winning that football game,” field. She also understands experienced first-hand during field. It was the support that and all that,” Green said. forward. His team reflected Harbaugh said. “Everything that her athletes have lives her collegiate playing career. made the difference for her “Even growing up in PeeWee I that energy, reacting to their that we can do by all means outside of their sport. In the last three minutes as a player. Now, it’s the same never had a losing record.” rare positive plays with necessary to put ourselves in a “Every other coach told of her final game, a NCAA support that will help shape
But the point of Harbaugh’s muted claps and to the far position to win.” me that I wasn’t able to do Tournament matchup on her Michigan women’s lacrosse.
18 — Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Sports The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Michigan’s road to this point started in 2017
Talk to people from not close to where it should be.” Jim Harbaugh’s Some of that is out of first Michigan Harbaugh’s control. The team, and you’ll pandemic hastened departures hear stories about a man that no for Thomas and receiver Nico longer seems Collins. Starting tackles Jalen to exist. Mayfield and Ryan Hayes, and
There’s starting defensive ends Kwity the four-hour Paye and Aidan Hutchinson, practices missed Saturday’s game with and the injuries. But the lack of ability submarine. to withstand such losses falls on There’s that Harbaugh’s shoulders. time he got So, too, for that matter, does stopped at ETHAN the bad body language — hung the door of SEARS heads and sullen looks — and the Mormon failure to react to adversity and Tabernacle the complete, utter mess we’ve Church in Utah for wearing seen for the last three weeks. cleats, and that time he gave a All of that is on Jim Harbaugh, speech from Shakespeare before and $8 million a year should buy the Ohio State game. You’ll MILES MACKLIN/Daily Michigan more than this. hear how he got so involved in Coach Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines fell to Wisconsin by a score of 49-11 at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, falling to 1-3 on the season. Here’s a challenge: Name drills that he pulled a hamstring three good things about the at practice, and staffers who Long were stalwart corners. “Not in a good place with the injury, Wisconsin made a living recruit depth — you’re going to Michigan football team right followed him from Stanford will Carlo Kemp, Chris Evans and execution, not in a good place off running jet sweeps and end- struggle. Simple as that. now. tell you about how he ran them Nick Eubanks are three of the adjusting and what we were arounds. And if the high-level talent you There’s Ronnie Bell, who off the racquetball court. team’s best players now. doing schematically. So not a “We didn’t set an edge all do recruit either leaves or fails to continues to defy any reasonable
It’s a picture of intensity, focus On signing day, Harbaugh good place as a football team night in that,” Harbaugh said. pan out (Aubrey Solomon, Drew expectation. Then there’s … well, and competitiveness — and a held an event at Hill Auditorium right now and that falls on me.” “And as I said, there’s things that Singleton and Luiji Vilain were punter Brad Robbins seems to be man who enjoys it all. It’s also a that featured Derek Jeter, Tom The bricks on Michigan’s road we weren’t containing.” three top-100 recruits in 2017, to doing a good job. picture that could sell to recruits. Brady, Ric Flair, Todd McShay, to a 1-3 record — to a perpetual That cornerback group that name a few), it’ll get even worse. Five days earlier, Harbaugh
Because back then, back when Lou Holtz, Mike Shanahan bottom that keeps falling out — struggled in perpetuity against Not every recruit will pan out. bristled when a reporter asked everyone assumed hype would and a veritable stable of other were laid in that 2017 recruiting Michigan State and Indiana? The But this isn’t good enough. about his lack of a contract crystallize into reality, Jim celebrities. Then a year later, he class. The stars from that group, highest-rated recruit Harbaugh The average upperclassman extension, and whether he wants Harbaugh recruited like he was signed a class that ranked even for the most part, are either gone, managed to get at the position in the Wolverines started on to be at Michigan over the long running a program that could higher, according to 247Sports. or have failed to live up to their 2018 was Myles Sims. He plays offense Saturday had a .8782 term. Those questions will keep compete with the Ohio States Never has that felt further potential, or both. And, after a for Georgia Tech now. The two composite score on 247Sports coming now, in waves. But if of the world. His 2016 class away than Saturday night, when disappointing 8-5 2017 season, four-stars Harbaugh got in 2017 — firmly in three-star range. Michigan keeps playing like this, featured the No. 1 player in the Harbaugh got to his Zoom press the hype that fueled Harbaugh’s — Ambry Thomas and Benjamin On defense, it was .8923 — just the question can’t be whether he country, Rashan Gary, a current conference after a blowout 49-11 recruiting fizzled out. St-Juste — aren’t with the barely above the four-star wants to be at Michigan over the NFL star in Devin Bush Jr., and loss to Wisconsin and was out of Michigan went from fifth to program anymore. threshold. long term. contributors up and down the positive things to say about his 22nd in the recruiting rankings, As much as the misery of Want to find where this It needs to be whether board. team. per 247Sports’ composite score. Michigan football in 2020 comes program’s struggles start? It’s Michigan wants him.
Ben Bredeson became a “We were thoroughly beaten The Wolverines didn’t take a down to failures in coaching, right there. You can trace a line captain. Mike Onwenu, Khaleke in every phase,” Harbaugh said. defensive tackle in 2018 and took execution and togetherness right straight through to the late Hudson, Sean McKeon and “Didn’t really do anything well. just three defensive ends. Lo now, this wasn’t especially hard hours of Saturday night, when Sears can be reached at Josh Metellus were multi-year And did not play good, did not and behold, on Saturday, with to see coming. If you don’t recruit Harbaugh sat in front of a Zoom searseth@umich.edu or on starters. Lavert Hill and David coach good. both their starting ends out with at a high level — and if you don’t camera and said, “Every part is Twitter @ethan_sears.
In lopsided loss, Michigan falls flat on Injuries aren’t an excuse, they’re an its face indictment
on the quarterback all season, but at rushing yards, and that was without ARIA GERSON least Paye was everywhere on the Groshek — its leading rusher Daily Sports Writer field. against the Illini. The Badgers’ top Fifth-year senior Carlo Kemp rusher Saturday was Jalen Berger, Three weeks before the Big (normally a defensive tackle) and a true freshman playing in his first Ten’s season began, Wisconsin lost junior Taylor Upshaw handled the college game ever. He had 87 yards. its starting quarterback. primary duties at defensive end. John Chenal, a fullback with three With all that’s happened since, They combined for seven tackles, career starts, had 71 yards. Danny it’s easy to forget. But Jack Coan, a one tackle for loss and one sack. Davis, normally a backup wide steady if unspectacular starter for As a comparison, Paye finished receiver, had 65. the Badgers in 2019, injured his foot with five tackles, a tackle for loss “If you’re not embarrassed in practice and was declared out and a quarterback hurry against with those numbers, then you indefinitely. His replacement was Indiana — a game he left early with shouldn’t be part of this fricking sophomore Graham Mertz, a four- an injury. game,” defensive line coach Shaun star recruit. In Wisconsin’s first “There’s a lot of room for Nua said on the Inside Michigan game, he lit up Illinois, completing improvement,” Upshaw said last Football radio show Monday all but one of his passes. Monday. “Obviously when you night. “I can’t sleep, can’t eat. It’s After that game, the Badgers have Aidan and Kwity, two guys just unacceptable. ... That is not took another hit — a COVID-19 you really rely on, go down, it’s Michigan football.” MILES MACKLIN/Daily outbreak that infected 12 players gonna affect the game, but I have But right now, it is Michigan A dejected Michigan team showed little fight in Saturday night’s 49-11 loss to No. 13 Wisconsin. and 10 staffers, including Mertz, his backup and coach Paul where things went sideways, fifth- defense surrendered 163 in a Chryst. While Mertz was back DANIEL DASH year senior captain Carlo Kemp lifeless garbage time showing. for Saturday’s game, several other Daily Sports Editor shrugged. Understandably, the results left starters had yet to be cleared, “Things just happened,” Kemp Harbaugh floored. including cornerback Rachad
Two weeks ago, the Michigan said. “Things played out like that.” “All things, thoroughly, (are) Wildgoose, running back Garrett football team reached its lowest Added Harbaugh: “We were not where they need to be in Groshek and defensive end Garrett point at the Big House in Jim thoroughly beaten in every phase. terms of execution,” Harbaugh Rand. Harbaugh’s six-year tenure with a Didn’t really do anything well. said. “So that starts with, as I said, Watching Wisconsin play shocking loss to three-touchdown And did not play good, did not starts with me, starts with our against Michigan, you couldn’t tell. underdog Michigan State. coach good. Not in a good place coaches, and also every person The final score was 49-11, a
It stooped even lower on with the execution, not in a good here. Understand what we’re beatdown in every sense of the Saturday night, this time to the place adjusting and what we were supposed to do and then going and word. Wisconsin was better at MILES MACKLIN/Daily tune of a 94-year record. For doing schematically. So not a good executing it. every position (except punter). Defensive end Taylor Upshaw tried to make up for key absences on Saturday. that, it has only its own lack of place as a football team right now “If somebody’s not executing Most notably, what both teams execution to blame. and that falls on me.” it, then why is that? Are we put on the field was a depleted confidence in the backups and football. With the kind of depth
The Wolverines were chased off The words echoed Harbaugh’s communicating, are we coaching version of their normal selves. The even the guys behind me so it’s the Badgers have, and the kind the their own field from the opening sentiment following last year’s trip it well enough? There’s nothing Badgers could make sure that didn’t just gonna have to be one of those Wolverines don’t, they barely had a kickoff. By the end of the second to Madison. After getting blown right now to say that an acceptable derail the game. The same couldn’t things where you have to step up.” chance. quarter, Michigan trailed No. out 35-14, he proclaimed Michigan job is being done right now. Players be said of Michigan. While Michigan’s issues go If Paye, Hayes and Mayfield are 13 Wisconsin, 28-0 — its largest was “outcoached and outplayed.” or coaches.” The Wolverines took the field beyond the injuries, it’s clear that able to return soon, the Wolverines halftime deficit in the history of The same words applied on Following Saturday night’s without both their starting tackles the loss of Hayes, Paye, Hutchinson will get a boost. But that boost will Michigan Stadium, which opened Saturday night. embarrassment, Michigan is 1-3 (Ryan Hayes and Jalen Mayfield) and Mayfield is really hurting it. mean little for a team that’s already in 1927. It only got worse as the The storyline leading up to for the first time since 1967. More and both their starting defensive That’s not to say it’s an excuse. 1-3. night went on, resulting in a 49-11 this game was whether or not specifically, it is 1-3 in Big Ten ends (Kwity Paye and Aidan Losing three of the best players on Wisconsin is a shining example loss. Badgers’ quarterback Graham play for the first time since 2014. Hutchinson, the latter of whom is your team all at the same time is bad of a team that has depth and knows
For much of the first half, Mertz would play after his Harbaugh’s predecessor, Brady out for the season) due to injuries. luck, but the way the Wolverines how to use it, the exact sort of team Harbaugh stood on the sideline, recent bout with COVID-19. As it Hoke, was fired after that season. Boy, was it obvious. have played without them is an equipped to do well in the COVIDbent over, hands on his hips. It turns out, that barely mattered. The next month could “There’s guys that, they came indictment of their depth. 19 era. Michigan used to be that was a far cry from the coach who Michigan seemingly folded in determine whether or not to Michigan cause they wanted Back in 2018, Michigan had kind of team, too, but now, it’s the triumphantly returned to Ann the first quarter, and by the end Harbaugh endures the same to play,” Michigan coach Jim Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich sort of team that throws things Arbor in 2015 and wore his heart of the night, its body language fate. He has the back half of a Harbaugh said Monday. “Some are at defensive end, both of whom are at the wall and prays something on his sleeve. spoke louder than the lopsided pandemic-shortened season to fix playing earlier than they thought in the NFL now. Both struggled sticks.
On the field, his players scoreboard. things, and at this point, it seems they would, and there’s been some with injuries at times that season, That’s not an excuse, it’s reality. appeared to do the same. The Playing for pride in the second the best place to start is in his own good play. Those are some of the but the Wolverines had Hutchinson It’s an indictment of coaching, Wolverines gained a mere one half, the Wolverines tarnished players’ heads. areas ... to build upon.” and Paye behind them to step in. development, recruiting, retention, yard of total offense in the first their only spark — a four-play “Right now, my concern level’s In other words, the replacements On the offensive line, players like all things a top Big Ten football quarter, and junior quarterback touchdown drive led by backup nowhere near worried or nervous need improvement. fifth-year senior Andrew Vastardis, team has to have. Joe Milton didn’t even complete quarterback Cade McNamara — or anything,” Kemp said. “… Am Without its anchors, the senior Chuck Filiaga and Hayes One thing is clear: The a pass to his own team until the with a running into the kicker I worried? No. We’ve shown in offensive line struggled to open up backed up stalwarts like Jon Wolverines are no longer a top Big Badgers led 28-0. Things weren’t penalty on fourth-and-five. The the last three weeks, even though holes for the running game. The Runyan, Ben Bredeson and Cesar Ten football team. much better on the defensive side ensuing dejection was apparent. what the outcome has not been Wolverines gained just 47 yards on Ruiz as recently as last year. This of the ball, as Wisconsin strolled With heads hanging low, the what we wanted at all, we’re still the ground. year, they’ve had to give starts to ____________________________ into the end zone with little Wolverines finished the fourth here.” On defense, the effect was true freshman Zak Zinter. Gerson can be reached at resistance on multiple occasions. quarter with zero yards of total Michigan is quickly learning equally catastrophic. Michigan as a On Saturday, Wisconsin had four amgerson@umich.edu or on
Asked to put his finger on offense. By contrast, their porous that showing up isn’t enough. whole has struggled to get pressure different players garner at least 50 Twitter @aria_gerson.
