The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Wednesday, November 18, 2009 -7A Graham gears up for final home game By MICHAEL EISENSTEIN Daily Sports Editor Throughout Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez's tumultuous two-year tenure, one player has almost always been able to flash a smile, even in the toughest of stretches. Senior defensive end Brandon- Graham jumps at any opportunity to make someone laugh. This week, with the Wolverines in the midst of a six-game confer- ence skid, Graham was asked what he would tell his children about the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. "I don't want to talk about no kids right now," Graham said, letting out a jocular laugh. It's not that Graham - who leads the nation with 21 tackles for loss - doesn't take Michigan's struggles seriously. Rather, he's excelled and turned into a surefire first-day NFL Draft choice because of his attitude. "Brandon would probably be the best player I ever coached for one reason: He made the game fun," said Tim Hopkins, Graham's high school coach at Crockett Technical. "He always had fun playing football." This season, Graham became the second Wolverine ever to post back- to-back seasons with 20 tackles for loss. He will likely pass LaMarr Woodley in career tackles for loss Saturday (he needs just 1.5) to move into second place all-time. He also moved into second place for career sacks with 27.5. Statistically, Graham is second to just one player in Michigan's vaunt- ed defensive history: Mark Messner. "For somebody to be able to be as dominant, regardless of what team you play on, to be as dominant as he is at times is just a heck of a person- al feat," said Messner, a Michigan defensive lineman from1985 to 1988. "The talent level across the board in college football and beyond is so close that when you have somebody that can take it to the next level like he has, that's a real shiningstar." But in some ways, it may notseem too difficult to be a shining star on a defense that gave up the most points ever last season. Furthermore, that record could be brokenby this year's defense if the Buckeyes score 39 points Saturday. "Sometimes, when you're deal- ing with a defense that seems to be a little bit porous, it opens up some doors for you to come in the back way," Messner said yesterday. "So realistically, I think he's in an advantageous situation where they don't just have to focus on stopping him, they can go somewhere else and have success." But the paradox of Graham's suc- cess and the unit's failings isn't on Graham's mind, and the talkative senior essentially clams up when asked about it. "I ain't think about it," Graham said. "I'm a team player. We all had a bad year 'cause our goals weren't fulfilled. My personal goals was okay, but it's not about me." Graham says it's not about him, but he's one of the few players to excel under Rodriguez since he arrived in Ann Arbor - and is a posi- tive reflection of Rodriguez's strong focus on conditioning. Graham "didn't realize how out of shape he was until Rich Rodriguez came in," according to Hopkins. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel thinks Graham's choice to forgo the NFL Draft is a testament to Rodri- guez and his staff. "Quite honestly, I was hoping a year ago he'd go out early to the NFL," Tressel said yesterday. "It says something about his character and his relationship with his staff that he wanted to be a part of this building process." Though Graham may have one game left as a part of that process, the team's vocal leader has been the one to stay positive through this year's emotional rollercoaster. "He's a leader in a way that losing, winning, down or up, he plays like it's the last play of his career," redshirt sophomore Ryan Van Bergen said. "That's really amazing, especially for a guy in his position that has the future he's probably going to have." Yet the realization that his Michi- gan career is almost over is one of the few times Graham's smilebriefly disappears. "It's kind of sad," Graham said. "Growing up, you've been dream- ing for this moment in your life. And now it's gone. This is my last game. I'm tryingnot to cry right now." C G' t REER/Daily Senior Brandon Graham is excellint on the field despite the team's struggles. The Greatest Rivalry in Sport Suck it up, Fat Boy From the Editor: We hope you're enjoying our look back at the Daily's game coverage from famous Michigan-Ohio State games. Here's the Daily's, um, interesting column from Blue's 1969 upset of OSU. And yes, that headline actually ran in '69. A11 the pain and hurt that wasbuilt up over a year has ended. Thanksgiving has come early at Michigan and Stuffed Woody was the order of the day. True, the score was only 24-12 and true, Michigan lost numerous chances to rack up more points. Butastill, the Buckeyes htmiliation is greater than anything that 50-14 could do. Michigan didn't have to go for two points to rub salt in wounds, all they did was belt Ohio State all the afternoon. Offensive guard Dick Caldaraz- zo put it best when he said, "We went out there and stuck them. We out toughed them. They haven't been hit like that all year." And Wayne Woodrow "Fat Boy" Hayes was forced to agree. "We just got outplayed and outpunched," was one of the few comments that the irascible, insufferable coach would make after his supposedly Number One team was destroyed. "Fat Boy" immediately retreated into the lockerroom and wouldn't talk anymore after that, but no one really cared. It had been expected that he would show his typical atti- tude after the defeat and the real story was Michigan anyway. The story of yesterday is more than just Ohio State being knocked from its perch and Michiganclinch- ing the Rose Bowl; the real story is a group of proud, inspired Wolver- ine athletes who crammed a cocky Buckeye team into Tartan Turf. "We were ready to play and we took it from them," exulted Wolf- m'an Tom Darden, a native of Ohio. "Nothing in the world could be bet- ter than beating Ohio State." Quar- terback Don Moorhead echoed Darden's statements and typified the attitude of the squad when he said, "We were really high for the game and when you're playing like that you can do almost anything." Moorhead actually was slightly wrong; the Wolverines did every- thing, not almost anything. The offense stuck to the ground the way Bo Schembechler wanted to and they punched out24 points. But the real heroes were the members of the defensive platoon. An inspired group of 11 men con- tinually pounded and hounded Rex Kern and his vaunted offensive teammates. The super secondary stole six passes, missing a Big Ten record by one, and Cecil Pryor recovered a fumble. In addition, the heralded Larry Zelina rolled up a fantastic minus five yards rushing while the Wolverine tacklers kept smashingevery Buckeye assault. Henry Hill demonstrated to Jim Stillwagon just who is the best niddle guard in the conferenceas he made 13 tackles. Pete Newell, Marty Huff, Mike Keller and Pryor also join in the fun as they harried Kern continually,, finally drove him out of the game and then pro- ceeded to work over substitute Ron Maciejowski. And then there were the pass defenders. They were, to say the least, veritably inimitable. Tom Curtis, Barry Pierson, Brian Healy and Tom Darden put on an exhibi- tion of pass coverage that was sen- sational. Curtis grabbed two errant tosses, Pierson three and Darden one. Curtis returned one intercep- tion 26 yards and set an NCAA record for career yardage in inter- ception returns. But all the details are just mun- dane matter. It was the feeling of the Wolverines and the attitude tat was conveyed to the 103,588 fans that mattered. Michigan was a team with a mission, a club that wouldn't be denied. "We were on fire all day," said an overjoyed Schembechler. "We were ready to play this one. We were so emotional we would've won no matter what. I don't care what happened on the field, if we had been three touchdowns down we still would've won." The rookie coach's attitude was typical of his team. The Wolverines just would not be denied. All week long they approached the game with but a single purpose, winning, and they reached their goal. NowtheRose Bowllies aheadbut no one really cares at the moment. The only sentiment voiced by the Michigan team is that of Schem- bechler's, that of going as cham- pions. "That's the way we wanted to go," said Bo. "I guess we saved them the trouble of the vote." No longer do Fat Boy's comments on the best team going to the Bowl matter. Michigan has proved to be the best club and no one can ever take that away. Bo Schembechler will go to Pasadena in his first year as a head coach and Fielding Yost is the onlyother man who has done so. "It's unbelievable, really," comment- ed Scheibechler, and most people are inclined to agree with him. Michigan is in euphoria and everything else besides the game is disjointed. Ann Arbor started on a drunk last night and it may not be over yet. The contents of this story probably prove that, but who gives a damn? I don't. All I'm going to do is grab another beer and enjoy the hell out of myself. Good-byWoody, it was funwhile it lasted. YES, WE REALIZE THIS WHOLE PAGE IS ABOUT FOOTBALL. GO TO WWW. MICHIGANDAILY. COM/SECTIONI SPORTS TO GET THE LATEST NEWS ON HOCKEY AND BASKETBALL. *N NOW SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS *NOW RENTING* Call to schedule your tours! 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Flex- ible around classes, will train. 734-677-2477. www.earnparttime.com SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: make $5-$25 per survey. www.GetPaidToThink.com For Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 ARIES (March 21to April 19) This is a poor day to approach parents, bosses or the police with a request or a solicitation for permission. You'll be turned away. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You might be discouraged about travel plans or something related to higher edu- cation today. Suddenly, what was look- ing great is looking bleak! (This is atem- porary setback.) GEMINI (May 21to June 20) News about how something is shared could depress you today. You might feel that people aren't being fair. Don't be discouraged. Things will change quickly. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Conversations with partners and close friends are a bit depressing today. People are shut down in their feelings toward each other. (No big deal.) LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Co-workers might disappoint you today. In fact, it's hard to get anything off the ground at work because you feel it's one step forward, two steps back. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Romance might be in the toilet today. It's hard to feel lighthearted and playful. Children also might feel burdensome. (Hey, this goes with the territory.) LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Discussions with parents and older relatives might be a bummer today. People are too busy telling you why you can't do something. Oy vey. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 211 It's easy to feel discouraged today; this is in part because many people feel this way. Don't worry; tomorrow is a better day. Just fake it till you make it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22to Dec. 21) You might feel broke today or finan- cially crunched. Your cash flow has slowed to a dribble. Don't let this get you down, because tomorrow things will look different. (Mike Todd said there's a difference between being poor and being broke.) CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Life is hard today. Situations around you seem to be depressing. Furthermore, others are judgmental. Get through today, because tomorrow is a much bet- ter day! AQUARIUS (Jan. 20to Feb. 18) It's hard to know what to do today. If you're alone, you might feel lonely and depressed. However, if you're with oth- ers, you might still feel lonely and depressed! Sheesh! PISCES (Feb. 19to March 20) Criticism from others, especially peo- ple who are older than you, could rain on your parade. Don't let this get you down. It's a temporary dark cloud on your hori- zon. YOU BORN TODAY You love knowledge about a wide variety of sab- jects. You're daring and inquisitive. You're innovative and constantly seek- ing new ways of doing things. You need mental stimulation to avoid boredom. You have good communication skills and a talent for making others feel important. The older you get, the more philanthropic and humanitarian you become. Your year ahead is social and favorable for relationships. 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