Robinson keeps buzzards away

Michigan Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez came into Saturday's opener against Connecticut sitting on the hottest coaching seat in America. No coach could afford to lose their game more than Rodriguez, who knows the buzzards smell blood and are circling above his head. Coming into his third season as the head coach, Rodriguez's message has been patience as he tries to rebuild a roster that was once proud and dominate. The first two years were a well documented disaster and the quarterback play was not to the liking of a Rodriguez offense. Patience quickly turned into frustration as the Wolverines lost seven of their last eight games and missed a bowl game for an unprecedented second straight year. NCAA sanctions, off field issues, and injuries to an already anemic secondary had buzzards circling the newly renovated Big House. Enter Denard Robinson.

Sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson made his first collegiate start on Saturday for the Wolverines. All he did was complete 86% of his passes, rush for a school record 197 yards as a qb, and torch the Huskies for 383 total yards. Robinson's two touchdowns paved the way for an impressive 30-10 rout of Connecticut, who most had picked to win the game. Images of former West Virginia great Pat White came to mind as Robinson surgically dissected the Huskies defense with electrifying runs and precision passing. It seems that Rodriguez may have finally found "his" quarterback, and the Wolverines have finally found an identity in the post Lloyd Carr era. With a relatively "light" scheduling stretch on the horizon, the Wolverine's annual bash with arch rival Notre Dame will not be as big of a must win as it would have if the Wolverines had lost. A 4-1 record heading into their meeting with Michigan State would seem almost forgivable after what we saw Saturday. A 5-0 start would make the maize and blue nation ecstatic and presumably nationally ranked. We all know a losing streak will bring those buzzards back out, but for now Rodgiguez can thank Robinson for keeping them at bay.