The #15 Michigan Wolverines are still recovering from one of the craziest endings in college football history after a botched punt with time expiring handed Michigan State a bizarre 27-23 win at the Big House. We're here to assess the aftershock with our Michigan Football Rumors Roundup: Latest After The Loss To Michigan State.
Wolverines Stand Behind Blake O'Neill
As one might expect in this age of Twitter, Michigan senior punter Blake O'Neill was the subject of extremely nasty personal attacks online after his mistake led to Michigan State's game-winning fumble return.
Rather than washing their hands of the matter and leaving O'Neill high and dry, his teammates and coaches are standing behind him through what has been a tough 24 hours.
"(Told him) just keep his head up," Michigan defensive lineman Willie Henry said, via the Detroit Free Press. "I left plays out there myself I could have done better. We've got to execute better offense, defense and special teams wise."
"I just told him we're behind him and we're going to look at film and stuff," kicker Kenny Allen added. "We support Blake through everything, that's the kind of team we're going to be."
Even special teams coach John Baxter, while not naming O'Neill directly, made sure to combat the attacks with some unbridled optimism.
We stand united by our motto The team, The team, The team. No one play defines us but it certainly fuels us! We believe! We own it. Move on!
— John Baxter (@CoachJohnBaxter) October 18, 2015
O'Neill came into the program as a graduate transfer. He had an 80-yard punt to his credit on Saturday that was downed by the Wolverines at the two.
Michigan Sees Minor Dips In AP, Coaches' Poll
UM slid just three spots after Saturday's loss in the AP poll, dropping from #12 to #15 (in a tie with Texas A&M). They also dropped three rungs in the coaches' poll, falling from #14 to #17. They are tied with the undefeated Memphis Tigers for that #17 spot.
Harbaugh Ready To "Move On"
In the aftermath of Michigan's loss, head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged O'Neill's mistake and the fact that he should have tried to fall on the ball. However, with the team headed into a bye, Harbaugh also preached the importance of putting this one behind them and moving forward.
“We’re going to put steel in our spine,” Harbaugh said. “Played winning football. Didn’t get the result. Welcome to football. Move forward.”
Stanford Commit Enjoys His Ann Arbor Visits
In a bit of positive news from yesterday, the Wolverines made a good impression on four-star Stanford CB commit David Long during his visit to Michigan Stadium.
"I'm glad I took the visit," Long said, via 247Sports. "I'm definitely sold on what they're doing in Ann Arbor." Long committed to Stanford in August, but he's still keeping his options open with 23 offers in hand. "I'm still firm with Stanford," Long said. "But I'm making sure that things are set in stone as far as many position placement and if that's truly the best place for me. So I'm still evaluating things which is why I chose to take my visits."
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