Football In-game Features vs. Western Michigan

Obi Ezeh's Mom

She is the mother of U-M's active leading tackler, didn't miss a game all year last year ("the Ohio State trip wasn't a lot of fun") and has random fans coming up to compliment her son, but all Obi Ezeh's mother Nkechy wants is to talk to Michigan Stadium's PA announcer.

"Our last name is pronounced 'Eh-zay' not 'Eee-zay'," she says politely. "I've tried to get up to the press box three times, but they won't let me in."

Nkechy (also called Niki) is proud of her son's hard work and proudly wears a blue No. 45 shirt with Ezeh on the back. Obi's eight tackles led the team against Western Michigan and a big forced fumble ended a late Bronco drive in Michigan territory.

"He worked very hard in the offseason and kept a low profile," she says. "He studied a lot too. I always saw him with his Michigan books."

She texts her son every day and speaks highly of his coaches, defensive coordinator Greg Robinson and linebackers coach Jay Hopson. She just wants the family name broadcast correctly at Michigan Stadium.

"If you could get them to change it, I would love you," she says. (Editor's note: I'll do my best, Mrs. Ezeh).

The New Kicker: Jason Olesnavage

In his first collegiate action, fifth-year senior kicker Jason Olesnavage booted three extra points through the first quarter and a half before being called on to add three points to the tally. With Michigan driving near midfield, Olesnavage warmed up alone at the far end of the Michigan bench, among managers and the parabolic microphone man. He booted a few balls into the kicking net before jogging down the sideline after Michigan came up just short of a first down. Holder and senior punter Zoltan Mesko and the rest of the field-goal unit trotted out onto the field for the 44-yard attempt. Olesnavage stepped back and booted the field goal true, the first of his career, putting U-M up, 24-0. Olesnavage was mobbed by his teammates on the field as Mesko jumped around the huddle of players, slapping helmets and shoulder pads like a proud father.

"He put four years of hard work into this team and I'm very proud of him," Mesko said after the game.

Olesnavage jogged off the field with a big smile on his face and was greeted with more high fives and helmet slaps. He walked down the sideline, sharing a private joke with quarterback Nick Sheridan and working his way to his regular spot, near the managers and the parabolic microphone man.

Tate Forcier's Picture-Perfect First Series at the Big House

While the game captains walked to midfield for the coin toss, freshman quarterback Tate Forcier tossed crisp balls to senior wide receiver Greg Mathews on the Michigan sideline, preparing to become just the third true freshman starter on opening day in Wolverine history. Tate watched the U-M defense hold Western to a three-and-out in the first series then gathered the offense, shook hands and slapped shoulder pads and took them out on the field. His first play as a U-M quarterback was a five-yard completion to wide receiver Junior Hemingway. Two plays later, Tate converted a first down on third and two and later in the drive scrambled out of the pocket and hit Hemingway for a 28-yard touchdown, the first of the freshman quarterback's career. After celebrating with his teammates, Tate jogged to the sides slapping fives, a huge grin on his face and his cheeks reddened. The best sideline congratulations: longtime equipment manager Jon Falk stepped up with a big smile on his face and gave Forcier a fist bump, not saying a word.

Denard Robinson's Improvisational First Series at the Big House

Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson did not get the start under center for the Wolverines, but he knew he'd get his chance to make an impact. In his first play as a Michigan quarterback, the offensive line was called for a false start. Not a problem. Robinson stepped back into shotgun for his re-do and things went smoother, right? Not so much. Robinson dropped the snap and what looked like a designed run to the left side was busted. Luckily, this is Denard "Shoelace" Robinson (not the most conventional player on the U-M roster).

Robinson scooped up the ball and immediately cut right, running to within three feet of the sideline with a defender in pursuit. He stopped and cut to the center of the field, juking his pursuer and heading past the yard numbers. Robinson cut again, heading up-field, following his blockers through a crowd of defenders and finally rushed an official 43 yards for the touchdown. All on his very first TRUE play under center.

Players and coaches jumped up and down on sideline as the play developed and shifted their gaze from the field to the big screens in disbelief. Robinson returned to the bench and sat on top of the back rest, receiving handshakes and high-fives all around. A closer inspection confirmed that his shoelaces were indeed untied.

Senior Cheerleader Brandon Graham

After three series of dominating defense in the first quarter, senior defensive end Brandon Graham sat causally on top of the backrest of the team bench with his helmet between his legs. He looked relaxed and possibly a little bored. He wasn't sweating much despite the heat and he spoke softly to the teammates next to him, rather than yelling or pumping them up. It might seem like last year's team MVP wasn't into the game but don't doubt for a second how focused Graham is.

When U-M put itself up 31-0 in the second quarter, it was Graham who walked down the sideline looking into the eyes of all 10 defenders, speaking a few words and refocusing them. When the defense faced the Broncos with their backs to the U-M student section, the crowd began chanting "Rich Rodriguez". Clock issues prolonged the pause between plays, allowing the chant to get louder. The U-M defense, but most notably Graham, joined the surge. It was Graham who whipped the crowd into a pique, nodding and gesturing to them as the field rumbled.

Kelvin Grady's Transition From the Hardwood to the Field Turf

When junior/sophomore slot receiver Kelvin Grady's name was called to get ready to enter the game, he bounced on his toes, jumped up and down and pulled his knees to his chest. It had been awhile since he'd been on a football field and the moment was not lost on him. He sprinted into the game ready to play his first game for the football Maize and Blue rather than the basketball Maize and Blue.

On his first career pass attempt, the ball went through his hands and fell incomplete. He banged his helmet and returned to his position ready to shake it off like a point guard throwing a bad bounce pass. Two series later, Grady showed his potential with a huge catch over the middle, reaching high to snag a seven-yard pass, giving Michigan a first down. He finished the game with 24 all-purpose yards -- two catches for 13 yards and one rush for 11.

Watching him on the sideline were members of Michigan's basketball staff, including Director of Basketball Operations and former U-M linebacker Brian Townsend. Townsend knows a thing or two about switching sports, playing linebacker for Michigan from 1988-91 before moving on to the NFL and then the world of basketball.

"I have a lot of appreciation for what he's doing," said Townsend from his sideline view, "but I'm not surprised he's succeeding. He's a great athlete. It's tougher to make the jump from five guys to 11 than it is the other way around. There are a lot more moving parts on a football team, but it looks like he's doing very well."

Kevin Grady, Superback

Senior superback Kevin Grady saw a lot of action at both fullback and running back against Western Michigan, opening big holes for teammate Carlos Brown (54 yards on 10 carries) as well as contributing to U-M's 242 total yards on the ground. Grady began the transition to superback (a hybrid of fullback and running back) last season, but truly became comfortable with the set-up this season. Grady and Brown sat side by side on the bench for nearly the entire game, talking strategy and making adjustments between series. Grady's was easy to spot, his maize mouthpiece tucked firmly behind one of his ears with "Kev. Grady" written on the side in thick black Sharpie.

Defensive Stand in the Second Quarter

Michigan preserved its halftime shutout with a huge stand late in the second quarter thanks to freshman linebacker Craig Roh and junior/sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen . Western drove from their own 20 yard line to the Michigan 17 with under a minute left, facing third and 10 against Michigan's defense. Bronco quarterback Tim Hiller dropped back to pass but found himself face-to-face with Roh, who blew up his blocker on the left side. Roh went low, wrapping Hiller around the legs and Van Bergen burst from the interior and polished the QB off for the shared sack. The loss put Western Michigan on the Wolverine 28-yard line and the ensuing 44-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

The FOUR-headed Quarterback Monster

A lot was written and said about head coach Rich Rodriguez's pronouncements that he would play three quarterbacks against Western Michigan in the opener. It turned out that he played four. Freshmen Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson saw most of the action behind center, but senior/junior Nick Sheridan stepped behind center in the second half and senior/junior David Cone finished the game at quarterback.