Two Conference Losses Squash Wolverines High Hopes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — No. 19 Michigan seems to be relegated to playing just for pride this season.

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines discusses a previous play with a line judge during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

 

The Wolverines (5-2, 3-2 Big Ten) were handed a second loss at Penn State, leaving them on the brink of being eliminated from the Big Ten race just past the halfway mark of the regular season.

Michigan went into the season hoping to end its 15-year conference championship drought, the longest in school history, and to perhaps contend for a national championship.

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions shakes hands with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after the game on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

 

With five scheduled games left to play, those goals appear to be out of reach.

Captain Ben Bredeson, though, insisted there's plenty to play for this season.

"You can't let two losses tank your season," the standout offensive guard said Monday.

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: Penn State Nittany Lions student section fans cheer as Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts to start a play from under center during the second quarter on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

 

The Wolverines will have a chance to earn a measure of respect, and perhaps improve their postseason positioning, if they can beat No. 8 Notre Dame (5-1) on Saturday night at the Big House.

"This isn't our last game of the year," defensive tackle Carlo Kemp said. "This isn't, 'All right. we're done. Let's start packing up and we'll get ready for next season.'

"We have top 10 matchups coming up. And, the big thing is we have one this Saturday and we have another opportunity on the national stage."

 

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

 

Michigan also has games remaining against Michigan State and No. 3 Ohio State next month at home.

"We've got three of the most important rivalries coming up," Kemp said. "We got Notre Dame, Michigan State and the game at the end of the year. Those are the games you play for, those are the teams you want to play."

 

EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 30: Michigan State Spartans cheerleaders take photos on the sideline prior to a game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Spartan Stadium on August 30, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

 

Michigan was a play — and an extra point — away from pulling into a 28-all tie with the Nittany Lions on Saturday night late in the fourth quarter after falling behind by three touchdowns midway through the second quarter.

Shea Patterson found Ronnie Bell in the end zone on fourth down and the receiver, who has had a breakout season, and put a pass on his hands and he dropped the football.

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: Garrett Taylor #17, Lamont Wade #38 and Jaquan Brisker #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate a fourth down stop in the final minutes of the game against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

 

Bell was in tears on the field, but that didn't get him sympathy from all fans.

A Michigan graduate, Connor Grady, sent Bell an email imploring him to quit the team and the sport.

Coach Jim Harbaugh defended Bell, saying he would take as many players like him as possible, and lashed out at the fan.

 

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the second half while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

 

"I'm sure Connor Grady got drunk as heck Saturday night," Harbaugh said. "Probably talking to his friend, took to email and probably wrote a bunch of stuff that I'm sure the next day he was like, 'Why the heck did I do that. I'm an idiot.' I'm sure he felt pretty bad about it."

Given a chance to respond on Monday, Grady lamented what he wrote to Bell.

"I would like to state for the record that I wish to apologize to Mr. Bell and any other members of the Michigan community who were rightly offended by my thoughtless message to Mr. Bell," Grady wrote in an email to The Associated Press. "I have privately apologized to Mr. Bell, and I have also apologized publicly to the Bell family.

 

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 05: A member of the Michigan Wolverines dance team performs while playing the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 10-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

 

"I am a proud Michigan alumnus and a passionate fan who has supported the team for years. However, my conduct was not acceptable under any circumstances, and I make no excuses for my behavior. I am deeply sorry to have brought shame and embarrassment to the Michigan community, and I hope that the community can forgive me for such unbecoming behavior."

 

© 2019 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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