The Wolverine Now

 postgame observations by andy reid including nine grabs for 89 yards against the Wildcats. 1. Kansas State junior wide receiver Ty3. With three and a half minutes to go, the ler Lockett: The Wildcats relied on their faWolverines' chances of mounting a comeback vorite offensive target early and often, and he from a 24-6 deficit were growing slimmer did not disappoint, catching three touchdown and slimmer. And then KSU safety Dante passes on Kansas State's first three possesBarnett finally closed the door on any hope sions. Lockett finished with 10 catches for for a Michigan win. Morris threw a dart over 116 yards and three scores, the first oppothe middle that was deflected and landed in nent to grab three touchdown receptions in a Barnett's arms. He returned it to the 7-yard game against Michigan since Iowa's Derrel line. Two plays later, running back John HuJohnson-Koulianos in 2010. For his efforts, bert slipped into the end zone to put Kansas Lockett was named the game MVP. State up 31-6. 2. Kansas State junior quarterback Jake 4. Although the loss was imminent, MorWaters: For most of the season, Kansas State ris never gave up in the waning minutes. On flipped between Waters and sophomore quarMichigan's last drive, he avoided the oncomterback Daniel Sams to balance between the ing pass rush, stepped up into the pocket and passing ability of Waters and the running abiltook off, racing down the field for a 40-yard ity of Sams. But Waters played almost the gain. The play was the Wolverines' longest entire game against Michigan, scorching the rush from scrimmage in the entire 2013 seaWolverines for 271 yards through the air on son. 21-of-27 passing. Waters added 42 yards on Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters went 21-of-27 passing for 271 yards and three touchdowns to 5. Michigan offensive coordinator Al 12 rushing attempts. help lead the Wildcats to victory over Michigan. Borges reached into his bag of tricks for the photo by Tim Nelson 3. Freshman quarterback Shane Morris: Wolverines' late-game two-point conversion Morris may not have had eye-popping numbers, but after beset up the Kansas State offense inside the red zone for a nailattempt. After running several end-arounds and reverses ing thrust into the limelight because of an injury to redshirt in-the-coffin touchdown. throughout the game, Borges called for Morris to flip it to junior Devin Gardner, Morris responded well. He finished Gallon once more. Instead of trying to find the end zone, with 196 yards on 24-of-38 passing, though he did throw Gallon, a former high school quarterback, tossed the ball to Top Five Biggest Plays an interception late in the game. He chipped in a team-high redshirt sophomore running back Justice Hayes, who brought 1. After a grinding seven-minute touchdown drive to open 43 rushing yards, including a 40-yard scramble to set up the it down to cut Kansas State's lead to 31-14. the game, Kansas State picked up the pace on its next posWolverines' only touchdown of the game. session. The Wildcats scored in just 43 seconds, capped by a 4. Fifth-year senior wide receiver Jeremy Gallon: ConTwo Encouraging Points 29-yard pass over the top from Jake Waters to Tyler Lockett. sidering some of his performances this year, including a Big Lockett used a double move to get redshirt sophomore corTen-record 369-yard outing against Indiana, Gallon had an 1. No one would have batted an eye if a true freshman nerback Blake Countess turned around. From there it was an almost pedestrian for him nine catches for 89 yards. But he struggled in his first career start in a bowl game after just a easy pitch and catch, and Kansas State went up 14-6. provided a consistent target for Morris all game, and ended handful of snaps during the regular season. But Shane Morris 2. With just over four minutes to go in the game, freshman the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl with the Michigan single-sealooked cool and collected, stepping up to put together a solid quarterback Shane Morris dropped back and hit fifth-year son receiving yards record (1,373 yards), breaking the mark performance. Devin Gardner is returning next year, but this senior wide receiver Jeremy Gallon for a 22-yard strike over set by Braylon Edwards in 2004 (1,330 yards). experience will be invaluable for Morris and the Wolverines the middle. It may have seemed like an inconsequential play 5. Kansas State sophomore strong safety Dante Barin 2014 and beyond. in the middle of a comfortable Kansas State win, but it was a nett: Barnett did a little bit of everything for the Wildcats, 2. The offensive line surrendered a disappointing 23 sacks landmark catch that landed Gallon at the top in the Michigan who held the Wolverines to just six points until a last-minute in the month of November, and that was with an elusive record book. With the reception, Gallon broke the Michigan desperation drive resulted in a late touchdown. Barnett finquarterback (Gardner) taking the snaps. The offensive line single-season record for receiving yards. He finished the ished with a team-high eight tackles and forced Michigan's stepped up to the challenge of protecting a left-handed, lessseason with 89 catches for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns, lone turnover of the game, a fourth-quarter interception that mobile quarterback, allowing just one sack. ❏ Top Five Players THE WOLVERINE • Page 17

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