Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 64

2E WWW.FREEP.COM SUNDAY, NOV. 20, 2011 mwm mm wolverine NOON SATURDAY, MICHIGAN STADIUM WOLVERINES VS. OHIO STATE SCOUTING REPORT: The Buckeyes (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten) were held scoreless in the second half of their 20-14 loss to visiting No. 21 Penn State. Braxton Miller threw a TD pass and ran for another score, but he had an intentional grounding and three incompletions on the Buckeyes' final possession.

On AA deckri 1 Extra points AT MICHIGAN STADIUM, ANN ARBOR No. 20 Wolverines 45, Cornhuskers LIONIZED AT BIG HOUSE 3 .23 I No. 17 17 I WHAT HAPPENED: The Wolverines played their best game of the season and their most balanced. Riding the combination rushing attack of quarterback Denard Robinson (healthier than he's been since the early season) and tailback Frtz Toussaint, U-M opened a 10-0 lead but only led, 17-10, at halftime after a few first-half mistakes gave Nebraska opportunity. But the Wolverines began the second half by recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff, marching for a score and two-touchdown lead, blocking a punt and executing a fake field goal to sustain a scoring drive for a three-touchdown lead.

Even though 20 minutes remained after that, Nebraska didn't have enough left to make up that ground. I THE BUZZ: It's been awhile since Michigan produced a win like this late in the season. But this was a statement that the Wolverines will be favored against Ohio State next weekend with a shot to end this season in a BCS bowl, unimaginable after the past three years. I KEY PLAY: When U-M's Terrence Robinson forced Nebraska's Kenny Bell to fumble on the opening play of the second half, the Wolverines were able to build on their 17-10 lead and bust the game open. I KEY STAT: 41:13 to 18:39.

The Wolverines' dominance in time of possession showed how they were able to control the game with the running game and keep their defense fresh when it hit the field. I QUOTABLE: "We knew they were going to be a physical team, and the tougher team the more physical team was going to win this game." U-M safety Jordan Kovacs I TWO CENTS: Saturday's win was so beneficial to players' psyches. They haven't felt this confident at this stage of the season, with this much on the line, in their college careers. MARK SNYDER JULIAN H. GONZALEZDETROIT FREE PRESS Former Cornhuskers and current Detroit Lions Dominic Raiola, left, and Ndamu-kong Suh, right, react to fans taunting them during Nebraska's 45-17 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor.

We hope the team Raiola and Suh will be playing for today at Ford Field won't suffer the same fate as their beloved alma mater. ZACH HELFAND COMMENDS THE NEBRASKA FAITHFUL'S FRIENDLY DISPOSITION, BIG TURNOUT Husker fans make a nice impression in Ann Arbor debut If Nebraska fans needed just five words in their vocabulary to communicate, they'd be just fine as long as those words were "please," "thank you" and "GoHuskers!" Nebraskans love their football, and even if you're rooting against them, they'll act like they love you, too. "We're typically described as being the best host city in the country," said Bob Stephens, who made the 15-hour trip from Lincoln. "We go out of our way to try to welcome people, and that's much like we've been treated here." On Saturday, fans wearing corn hats took pictures outside the Big House, smiled at Wolverine supporters and offered beer to strangers. They gushed about football tradition and mutual respect between Michigan and the Cornhuskers at their tailgates.

"That's all we got is football," said Jason Gernstein of Hastings, Neb. "There's nothing else. There's no pro teams, our basketball team sucks. Football is pretty much it if you're a sports fan." And Cornhuskers travel well. The Sea of Red sprouted a new channel this week, one that ran 750 miles to Ann Arbor and swept thousands of Nebraska fans with it.

They massed in Michigan Stadium and flooded portions of the Big House in crimson. The Husker faithful left unhappy, but they had the strongest presence of any Michigan opponent this year. Stephens trekked to Ann Arbor in his RV, along with fellow Lincoln-resident Chris Johnson. A Nebraska football mural covers every inch of the exterior of his vehicle: five hulking players posing menacingly in front of a stormy Memorial Stadium. The players' numbers represent the years of Nebraska's five national championships.

That last championship, in '97, should be familiar to Michigan fans. The two teams shared the crown that year. Bill Mitchell, a Michigan native and Wolverine fan living in Lincoln, got some flak from fellow Nebraskans that year. All good-naturedly, he points out. "They are excellent fans; they truly are," Mitchell said.

"They are polite, they are dogged and they are nearly as loyal as a Wolverine fan." Suh sighting Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nda-mukong Suh and center Dominic Raiola watched most of the game from the Nebraska sideline. Suh was named Associated Press player of the year in 2009 as a senior at Nebraska, and Raiola was All-America in 2000. Three questions with Drew Sharp MORE PHOTOS FROM SATURDAY'S VICTORY FREE PRESS COLUMNIST TACKLES THE BIG ISSUES AFTER U-M'S BIG WIN Hot topics 'f Should Michigan finally beat Ohio State next week, are the Wolverines more deserving of a BCS at-large bowl invitation SPECIAL TEAMS: For most of the season, the turnover story has been told by the defense. But on Saturday, two from the kickoff coverage changed the flow of the game. It's the stamp that makes U-M a complete team, not just one dragged around by one of the three phases.

at 10-2 than a potentially 10-3 Michigan State? Yes, they deserve it. And they'll get it. The Big Ten desperately needs a positive bowl story from one of its established brands in light of Penn State's self-inflicted controversy and Ohio State's NCAA difficulties. A 10-2 Michigan in a season where most figured eight wins was the best it could hope for would be a blessing for the conference. Now, Michigan State might strongly protest such a slight, considering it's actually IN the Big Ten championship game.

But it's got a shot at the Rose Bowl. Michigan doesn't. I 1 Is Brady Hoke the Big Ten's coach of the year? The voting criterion for these DEFENSE: The U-M defense played another impressive game, against an option offense that required major discipline. Nebraska needed a creative play call a double-option pitch and a 54-yard pass where U-M's cornerback fell down to get in the end zone. Holding the Cornhuskers to 260 yards of offense was impressive.

OHIO STATE GAME: As it is most years in the penultimate game, the postgame focus was on the Buckeyes. The difference is this season U-M enters with all the momentum and confidence and is playing its best football of the year, with a real shot to win for the first time since 2003. The Buckeyes are hanging on, hoping to avoid finishing with a .500 regular season. MARK SNYDER awards regardless of the sport is the surprise level of the team achievement. Hoke becomes the strong favorite, espe cially if U-M beats the Buckeyes.

But I think Michigan State's Mark Danto-nio should get the recognition for the second straight year because despite the veteran experience the Spartans had at quarterback, there weren't many people who thought they would get to the conference championship game because of that brutal October stretch. The bigger surprise is probably that MSU is playing for a shot at the Rose Bowl. SUMMARY NO. 20 MICHIGAN 45, NO. 17 NEBRASKA 17 Nebraska 3 7 Michigan 10 7 14 17 WHAT FANS WERE SAYING I "Outstanding.

For the first time since the Rich Rod era, I feel we have a chance beat that Ohio Team Brown-dog38 I "Hoke is building and preparing his team in the traditional Michigan way. Attention to detail, emphasizing strength on both sides of the line of scrimmage and working to find ways to improve his team week by week. He understands the Michigan way started by Bo some 40 years. I see Michigan be prepared and raring to go against OSU next week." Seoulman60 I "UM has already surpassed all my preseason expectations. Now one last win against Ohio and all will be complete." Dernhelm Will Michigan beat Ohio State next week? It will.

Ohio State is crawling to i I Brady 1 I Hoke: Big I Ten coach I I of the year? 1 FIRST QUARTER MitMsn: Gallon 6 pass from DRooinson (Gibbons kick), 8.17 Michigan: Id Gibbons 42, Nebraska: Kinnie 54 pass from Martinez (Mahef kick), 1:17 SECOND QUARTER Nebraska: FG Maber 51, 12:12 Michigan; DRobinson 14 run (Gibbons kick), 6:05 THIRD QUARTER Michigan: DRobinson 1 run (Gibbons kick), 11:23 Michigan: Toussaint 1 run (Gibbons kick), 5:03 Nebraska: Abdullah 3 run (Maber kick), FOURTH QUARTER Michigan: Odoms 38 pass from DRobinson (Gibbons kick), 10:14 Michigan: Toussaint 31 run (Gibbons kick), 7:33 Attendance; 113,718. the finish line on fumes. Michigan had better win this time, in what I'm calling inaugural NCAA Failure to Monitor Bowl, because if it doesn't, it might be a long while before it can. JULIAN H. GONZALEZDFP Schedule Neb 11 First downs Rushing ..122 Passing SEPT.

3 H3-0 21 Mich 24 61-238 180 11-19-1 33 4-368 0-0 5-45 41:13 NOV. 26 Como-Att-lnt. Return raids Punts-Avg. FumWes-lost Penalties-yards Time of 8-73 18:39 WESTERN MICHIGAN W.34-10 SAT" NOTRE Fil D. MINNESOTA AT AT PURDUE IOWA iff DAME MICHIGAN STATE N'WESTERN MSU ILLINOIS W.35-31 W.31-3 W.58-0 W.42-24 L.28-14 W.36-14 124-16 Wr31-14 W.45-17 RECORD: 2-0 RECORD: 3-0 RECORD: 4-0 RECORD: 5 0 RECORD: 6-0 RECORD: 6-1 RECORD: 7-1 RECORD: 7-2 RECORD: 8-2 RECORD: 9-2 OHIO INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing: Nebraska, Martirw 16-49, Burkhead 10-36, Marlone 1-23, Abdullah 2-19, Daid 16, Aa.Green 1-5.

Michigan, Toussaint 29-138, Robinson 23-83, Hopkins 2-15, Dileo 1-4, Odoms 1-1, Shaw 2 0, Team Mmlnus 3). Passing: Nebraska, Martinez 9-23-0-122. Michigan, D.Robinson 1118-1-180, 6acdner 0-1-0-0. Recehring: Nebraska, Marlowe 3-24, Enunwa 3-21, Kinnie 1-54, Reed 1-15, ICBell 1-8. Michigan, Gallon 3-34, Odoms 2-47, Hemingway 2-34, Toussaint 2-4, Roundtree 1-46, Dileo 1-15.

STATE Noon RECORD: 1-0.