The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Chad Henne with 1,938 passing yards, running back Mike Hart with 1,361 rushing yards and 84 points scored, and wide receiver Mario Manningham with 1,174 receiving yards. Hart also won the team's most valuable player award. Offensive tackle Jake Long was a consensus All-American. Four Michigan players received first-team honors on the 2007 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Jake Long (Coaches-1, Media-1); Chad Henne (Coaches-1); Mario Manningham (Coaches-1, Media-1); and guard Adam Kraus (Coaches-1, Media-1).
After finishing 2006 11–2 and in contention for the national championship game, many were expecting the Wolverines to build on their success, earning a national preseason ranking of No. 5.
On March 25, Coach Lloyd Carr announced that TE Carson Butler, DE Eugene Germany, and DB Chris Richards had been dismissed for violations of team policy.[1]
Carr also had stated that WR Adrian Arrington had been suspended for the spring practice session due to a violation of team policy. Carr was uncertain about Arrington's future at Michigan but Arrington did play WR at Michigan for the 2007 season.
Backup QB Jason Forcier asked to be released from his scholarship to transfer to Stanford University,[2] and LB Cobrani Mixon was released from his scholarship to transfer to Kent State University.[3]
In the 34–32 loss, Michigan became the second team ever ranked in the AP Top 25 to lose to a Division I FCS team.[6] Michigan started out strong, finishing the first quarter 14–7, but the Mountaineers scored 21 unanswered points to go up 28–14 just before halftime. After trailing 28–14 in the first half, Michigan recaptured a 32–31 lead thanks to three Appalachian State turnovers and a 54-yard touchdown run by senior running back Mike Hart with 4:36 left in the game.
However, after the teams traded possessions, the Mountaineers drove 69 yards in 11 plays, and Julian Rauch connected on a 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in the contest to give ASU a 34–32 lead. After a failed pass attempt, Chad Henne connected with Mario Manningham on a Hail Mary Pass with under 15 seconds left to get Michigan to the 20-yard line. Michigan had a 37-yard field goal to give Michigan what looked like to be their escape from the upset. Then, shocking the College Football world, Appalachian State's Corey Lynch blocked the kick with 6 seconds left to seal the huge upset. The attendance for the game was 109,218.[7] Following the game, Michigan dropped out of the Top 25 in the next poll. This was first time in the history of the AP Poll that a team ranked in the Top 5 had fallen out of the poll as a result of a single game.[8]
Michigan looked to recover from their stunning loss to App State in their next game against Oregon. Michigan took a 7–3 lead in the first quarter, but then Dennis Dixon and the high-powered Oregon offense went to town on the struggling Wolverines defense, giving Michigan one of its worst home losses on record. The Michigan fans booed the Wolverines on their home field and people were calling for Head Coach Lloyd Carr to be fired. The loss was another embarrassment to the football program at the University of Michigan. In addition to the huge defeat, Michigan lost its senior QB Chad Henne to a knee injury for two games due to a play in the second quarter. ESPN reported, "A week after getting stunned by Appalachian State, the Wolverines were handed their worst beating since before Bo Schembechler worked the sideline at the Big House. Dennis Dixon accounted for 368 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, helping the Ducks build a 25-point lead at halftime and cruise to an easy victory."[9] The 32-point defeat was Michigan's worst loss since losing 50–14 at Ohio State in 1968 and their second-worst home loss ever, dating back to a 40-0 loss to Minnesota in 1935. The Wolverines started 0–2 for the first time since 1998 and the first time starting 0–2 on a homestead since 1959 but in a positive note, both those times Michigan rebounded back and won the Big Ten title."[9]
The Wolverines and The Fighting Irish met for the first time with both teams boasting an 0–2 record. Since both teams lost their final two games of the 2006 season, the loser of this game would have a five-game losing streak.[10] Lloyd Carr faced many challenges, including the loss of his senior quarterback Chad Henne to a leg injury,[11] fans calling for his firing,[12] and his senior running back Mike Hart guaranteed a victory over the Irish.[13]
Michigan won 38–0, tying their largest-ever win over Notre Dame set during the 2003 season. For only the second time in school history, Notre Dame opened the season with three losses.[14]
In the 2007 Big Ten season opener, the unranked Michigan Wolverines defeated No. 10 Penn State 14–9.
Sr. running back Mike Hart had 44 carries 153 yards and a TD. In his second start freshmen QB Ryan Mallett was 16–29 passes and a rushing TD.
The Michigan football team went on the first road game of the season defeating the Wildcats 28–16. Henne returned to the lineup to complete 18–27 passes and three touchdowns. Mike Hart had 106 yards and a TD. The Wolverines forced a turnover on the last 4 of the Wildcat possessions.
Despite a slow start and two early turnovers, the Wolverines extended their win streak to seven without Chad Henne or Mike Hart. After a Minnesota field goal, Minnesota's Dominique Barber recovered one of Ryan Mallett's three fumbles and returned it for a touchdown. Despite that, the Wolverines held the Gophers to just 231 yards and 3 offensive points all game. Michigan's Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown both ran for over 100 yards, meaning up until this game Michigan has had a back go over 100 yards in every match up. Mario Manningham had his fourth straight 100+ yard game.
On the opening drive of the game, the Spartans scored on a 36-yard field goal by Brett Swenson. Michigan took the lead with a 62-yard drive, including a 37-yard run by Mike Hart and concluding with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Chad Henne to Mario Manningham with 3:54 remaining in the first quarter. After Michigan safety Jamar Adams intercepted a Brian Hoyer pass, the Wolverines extended their lead with a 42-yard drive, including a 32-yard run by Hart and a five-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Carson Butler with 12:46 remaining in the half. Michigan led, 14-3, at halftime.[15][16][17]
In the second half, the Spartans scored 21 unanswered points to take a 24-14 lead. The Spartan touchdowns were as follows:
One-yard touchdown run by Jehuu Caulcrick with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter
Five-yard touchdown pass from Hoyer to Kellen Davis (following a 72-yard run by Javon Ringer) with 14:55 remaining in the fourth quarter
One-yard touchdown run by Caulcrick with 7:48 remaining
Michigan scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes. The comeback began when freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett (entering the game after an injury knocked Henne from the game for one play) fumbled, and Hart picked up the ball and ran for a first down. Michigan drove 79 yards in 48 seconds, aided by a personal foul penalty against Kendell Davis-Clark, and ending with a 14-yard pass from Henne to Greg Matthews with 6:47 remaining. The defense then held the Spartans to a three-and-out, and the Wolverines drove 65 yards, including a third-and-eleven completion to Adrian Arrington, and ending with a third-and-twelve, 31-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Manningham at the 2:28 mark. Michigan State drove to Michigan's 33-yard line in the final two minutes, but Hoyer's pass on fourth-and-18 fell incomplete. Henne took a knee to run out the clock and seal the victory.[15][16][17]
Henne tallied 211 passing yards with four touchdown passes. Hart rushed for 110 yards, and Manningham had 129 receiving yards.[17]
On November 17, 2007, Michigan lost to Ohio State, 14-3, before a crowd of 111, 941 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 33-yard field goal by K.C. Lopata. Ohio State scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Chris Wells in the second quarter and extended its lead in the third quarter on a 62-yar touchdown run by Wells. Wells totaled 222 rushing yards in the game. Michigan was held to 91 yards of total offense. It was Michigan's fourth consecutive loss to the Buckeyes.[18][19]
Andre Caldwell 14-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Joey Ijjas kick)
Tied 28-28
4
12:16
MICH
K.C. Lopata 37-yard field goal
MICH 31-28
4
5:49
FLA
Percy Harvin 10-yard run (Joey Ijjas kick)
FLA 35-31
4
4:12
MICH
Adrian Arrington 18-yard pass from Chad Henne (K.C. Lopata kick)
MICH 38-35
4
2:21
MICH
K.C. Lopata 41-yard field goal
MICH 41-35
On January 1, 2008, unranked Michigan upset the defending national champion No. 9 Florida, 41–35, in the 2008 Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Florida was led by third-year head coach Urban Meyer and sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow, who won the 2007 Heisman Trophy weeks earlier. Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr announced his retirement prior to the game, and Carr's replacement, Rich Rodriguez, watched the game from the sidelines.
On the opening possession, Michigan mounted a 94-yard touchdown drive, including a 25-yard run by Mike Hart, a behind-the-back catch by Adrian Arrington, and a 21-yard touchdown pass from Chad Henne to Mario Manningham. Later in the quarter, Florida drove 59 yards, scoring on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Percy Harvin.[20][21][22]
Late in the first quarter, a long punt return and a personal foul penalty gave Florida the ball at Michigan's 29-yard line; Florida took the lead on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Andre Caldwell at the 14:48 mark of the second quarter. Michigan responded with a 56-yard drive capped by a three-yard touchdown run by Hart. Florida then drove inside the Michigan five-yard line, but Michigan's defense sacked Tebow at the 20-yard line and blocked Florida's field goal attempt. Michigan then drove inside the Florida five-yard line on a 68-yard screen pass from Henne to tight end Carson Butler, but the Wolverines turned the ball over on a fumble by Hart at the two-yard line. With two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the half, Michigan drove 62 yards and scored on a one-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Arrington with eight seconds left in the half. Michigan led, 21-14, at halftime.[20][21][22]
Michigan began the second half with a pooch kick, and Anton Campbell recovered the ball. Michigan drove 37 yards and scored on a two-yard run by Hart to extend Michigan's lead to 28-14. Florida responded with two third-quarter touchdowns on a one-yard run by Tebow and a 14-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Caldwell, tying the score at 28-28. Florida's second touchdown of the third quarter followed a fumble by Hart at the goal-line. Hart, who had lost only one fumble in four years at Michigan, lost two against Florida.[20][21][22]
Early in the fourth quarter, Michigan retook the lead with a 37-yard field goal by K. C. Lopata. Michigan led, 31-28. With eight minutes remaining, Henne was intercepted on a tipped pass at Michigan's 34-yard line. Florida drove 34 yards on five plays, scoring on a 10-yard reverse to Harvin with 5:49 remaining in the game. Florida led, 35-31. Michigan retook the lead on a 67-yard drive capped by an 18-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Arrington. Michigan concluded the scoring with a 41-yard field goal by Lopata with 2:21 remaining. At the end of the game, Michigan players carried Carr off the field on their shoulders.[20][21][22]
Henne and Arrington had career-best games. Henne completed 25 of 39 passes for 373 yard for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Arrington caught nine passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Despite two fumbles, Hart gained 129 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. The Wolverines overcame four Tebow touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), 165 rushing yards and 77 receiving yards by Harvin, and four turnovers.[23]
Mike Hart set the following school rushing records: career carries (1015), eclipsing Anthony Thomas' seven-year-old record of 924 and still standing; career yards (5040), also eclipsing Thomas' seven-year-old record of 4472 and still standing;[24] career yards per game (117.2), surpassing Billy Taylor's 102.4 set in 1971 and still standing; career 100-yard games (28), passing Thomas' 22 set in 2000 and still standing; career 150-yard games (12), surpassing Thomas' 9 set in 2000 and still standing; career 200-yard games (5), extending his own record set in 2005 and still standing.[25]Mario Manningham established the school record for consecutive 100-yard reception games with six, surpassing Braylon Edwards' record of 4.[26]Chad Henne broke several of John Navarre's career records established in 2003: attempts (1387), completions (828), yards (9715), touchdown passes (87), and 150-yard passing games (38). Henne also broke Rick Leach's career record for interceptions of 35 set in 1978 with 37.[27]
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The first time an NCAA Division I-AA (the former name for FCS) team beat a ranked Division I-A (FBS) team was in 1983. Cincinnati, then temporarily classified as a I-AA member, beat #20 Penn State. Sources:
