4C -- Thursday, January 5, 2012 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com THE QUICK BREAKDOWN I/ I E G J GU EZThe Michigan Daily football writers break down the weekend's stats that don't show up in the box score. The Denard-o-Meter measures the success of quarterback Denard Robinson, the Beef-o-Meter judges how emotional (positive or negative) Brady Hoke was following the game, and the Hype-o-Meter measures the fans' performance. Uy IM 9 DENARD-O-METER It was one of Robinson's worst games of the season, going 9-for-21 with two interceptions. But like the rest of 4 the team, when it came down to making a few plays, he Denards got it done, with a little help from Junior Hemingway. BEEF-O-METER 3/ Logan Thomas ran over and threw past Michigan's defense and early on, the unit couldn't stop anything outside the red zone. Brady Hokes But Hoke's boys gave upjust 20 points. HYPE-O-METER Forty-five minutes before the game, the Superdome 4 was already bonkers. And the split crowd ensured 4 the noise almost never died down. But announced Big Houses attendance was almost 13,000 short of capacity. LOOKING GOOD FEELING BLUE BRENDAN GIBBONS: Brendan Gibbons has redeemed himself on the biggest stage possible. After going 1-for-5 a season ago, it raised some eyebrows when Michigan coach Brady Hoke named him the starter at the beginning of the season. He's been solid all season. That didn't change in the bright lights of the Superdome. He hit three field goals in the game, a 24-yarder and a 39-yarder before hitting the 37-yard game winner. It was a fitting ending: one of the most scrutinized players in one of the most scrutinized positions redeemed himself and his team's chances in its biggest game in years. After the game he said Michigan coach Brady Hoke always jokes with him about what to think about as he kicks. So what was he thinking about before the biggest kick of his career? Brunettes. It worked, he made the kick and found himself at the bottom of giant post- game dog pile. Those brunettes? I'm sure Brendan is going to get 7 a lot of interest from them now. MARISSA MccLAIN/Daily DARRYL STONUM: After being suspended and forced to redshirt this season due to a drunk driving charge, all Darryl Stonum could do in the Sugar Bowl was stand on the bench, wave a towel and watch Junior Hemingway, his roommate, win the MVP award. Sure, Stonum isn't feeling totally blue: his boys just won the Sugar Bowl. But there is the bittersweet feeling, wondering what he could have done on the big stage. "It was pretty hard," Stonum said. "But everything happens for a reason. I'm just glad coach Hoke kept me around to be a part of this. And I'm back - I'm back now." Stonum will be back to play Alabama in his native Texas. He'll have a chance to get his 'M' ring for graduating from Michigan. He'll have a chance at the NFL. He'll have a chance to live out his senior year. But he has to be wondering, was ita year too late? Should his last game in a Michigan uniform have been in New Orleans, bringing about the return of Michigan football? NOTABLE QUOTABLE It shows our fight. It shows our determination. It shows everything we've been through, because we've been through a lot. We've been through a lot. We've been through so much. Nobody understands that. But to come out here and win this football game today with these people I've worked hard with from day one, it feels so good. -Fifth-year senior wide receiver Junior Hemingway talking with ESPN's Chris Fowler after the game on the team's seniors. MARISSA MCCLAIN/Daily Lewan's comedy and confidence invigorates Team 132 *I By STEPHEN J. NESBITT Daily SportsEditor NEW ORLEANS - Taylor Lewan never lost faith. With the Virginia Tech foot- ball team facing a third-and-2 from the Michigan 8ayard line, Lewan stood up from the bench and put his helmet on. The red- shirt sophomore offensive tack- le wouldn't watch the next play. At stake was the Allstate Sugar Bowl crown. Michigan was clinging to a 3-point lead in the final minute, and the Hokies were 8 yards away from a game- winningtouchdown. Lewan strapped the helmet tight and walked to the right of the benches. "Nothing to worry about, friend," he said with a smile, patting a team spokesperson on the shoulder. "No reason to worry." He looked back to the field in time to see a referee toss a flag. False start on Virginia Tech. One 5-yard pass later, the Hok- ies were lining up for a field goal. Crisis averted, Lewan and the Wolverines were on the brink of overtime. Lewan started toward the bench, then looked back and winked. "Told you," Lewan said. It's the implicit confidence Lewan has shown since he broke onto the scene as a redshirt freshman starter at tackle last season. How can he be so confident, especially in a game of that magnitude? Fifth-year senior center David Molk doesn't like putting the game in the hands of the defense, calling it "the worst feeling ever as a football player." He likes control. Lewan might not watch the play, but he has trust. Trust in a defense that one year ago allowed 52 points to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. That kind of confidence seems almost irrational. But maybe it isn't. For Lewan, it's about history. "Did you watch Notre Dame last year?" Lewan asked, limp- The defense burst through to knock down Fighting Illini quarterback Nathan Scheel- haase to seal the win. So the Sugar Bowl finish wasn't unprecedented. "This team knows what they're doing," Lewan said. "This team does not quit." But that confidence says as much about Lewan's personality as it does the Wolverines' track record. Regardless of time or place, the 6-foot-8, 302-pound lineman is armed with his quick wit, off-the-wall commentary and, of course, tattoos. Standing outside the locker- room door after the game, he could only think of one way to describe his emotions after winning the Sugar Bowl. Out of the 64,512 fans in attendance, hundreds of credentialed media members and the entirety of Michigan's Team 132, Lewan made the comparison no one else could. "Have you ever seen a box of kittens? It's the feeling you get when you see a box of kittens," Lewan told AnnArbor.com Moments later, he charged into the locker room and inter- rupted a few teammates, includ- ing fellow redshirt junior offensive lineman Patrick Omameh. "Hey guys, tell me this," Lewan shouted. "Who would win this fight: A turkey or a wol- verine?" The presentation was good, drawing a few chuckles. (Hint: The wolverine wins.) But Lewan has his serious moments. He sprained an ankle in pregame warm-ups, tweaked his thumb in the first quarter and battled through the pain on the line of scrimmage. And as he slowly limped off the field, Lewan offered a thought he'll keep with him for the next few months - it's the motivation that will carry next season's Team 133. "Look at the confetti around you," Lewan said, gesturing back toward midfield. "Nobody wants to be here one year and not the next." Redshirt sophomore left tackle Taylor Lewan lifts Denard Robinson before the Sugar Bowl. It is a tradition between the quarterback and his blindside protector. ing off the field after the trophy over Notre Dame. presentation. "Did you watch Illinois the It was the first night game year before?" in Michigan Stadium history, a It was a 67-65 triple-overtime last-second comeback victory barnburner at the Big House.