October 5, 2022

By Cole Martin

Good morning,

It’s Wednesday. You know what that means.

Yes, another edition of the Maynard Street Blitz is here, and yes, that means another glimpse into the life of Cole Martin, The Daily’s Sports Newsletter Gremlin.

It was an eventful week for me. In rather dramatic fashion, I won my fantasy football matchup against Daily Sports Writer Charlie Pappalardo, even though my star running back Alvin Kamara was injured and ruled out of his contest before the sun had even come up in Ann Arbor.

Oh, and I finally discovered the might of a terrapin.

Anyways, you don’t care about that. Let’s talk about Michigan sports.

The Michigan football team took care of business once again on Saturday afternoon, beating  Iowa, 27-14. The offense bested the Hawkeyes’ stout defense, while senior edge rusher Mike Morris dominated from start to finish for Michigan’s defense notching two sacks and two tackles for losses.

The Michigan hockey team also returned to action in an exhibition affair against Windsor Saturday night, winning, 8-2. It was a chippy affair, yes, but it wasn’t short of beautiful goals. Cue the video of senior (position) Nick Granowicz’s flying deke. No, seriously. Go watch it. I’ll be waiting. Anyways, the team opens the regular season this weekend against Lindenwood.

As October gets underway, things are heating up for us here at The Daily. And that’s just how we like it. Stay with us for the latest on Michigan athletics.

Emma Mati/Daily. Buy this photo.

Spencer Raines: From the stands, how Michigan quieted Kinnick

If you’re going to read one article from the newsletter this week, make it this one. 

This past week, we here at The Daily were handed some unusual circumstances, namely three press credentials for our four football beat writers.

The man who braved the great outdoors and live-tweeted the game in the process? Daily Sports Editor and Man on the Street Spencer Raines.

In this article, Spencer describes in real time how Michigan was able to transform a hostile environment into one where you could hear a pin drop.

I think this quote sums it up pretty well: “After Iowa’s second-straight three-and-out to start the second half, a child in front of me, no older than 12 and certainly not taller than five feet, let out a high-pitched scream in frustration. They weren’t screaming at any one player or a single event, but merely the circumstance that their Hawkeyes were in — down by 20 points and completely suffocated by Michigan’s defense.”

Anyways, for more on screaming Iowan children, click the link above.

Jeremy Weine/Daily. Buy this photo.

Michigan hockey wins physical exhibition over Windsor

The Michigan hockey team used to have trouble against chippy, physical teams.

It faced no such issues on Saturday.

In a game that saw 13 penalties called, the Wolverines defeated Windsor soundly by a score of 8-2.

Michigan quickly took advantage of the Lancers’ undisciplined play, with sophomore forward Mackie Samoskevich sniping the opening goal for the Wolverines. Shortly after his goal, junior defenseman Steven Holtz buried a slapshot to make the game 2-0. And Michigan never looked back, putting on an offensive showcase for its fans.

“Despite the overwhelming animosity on the ice, Michigan’s immense talent shined on offense,” Daily Sports Writer John Tondora writes. “The Wolverines finished the game with an astonishing 49 shots on net.”

And as the regular season approaches, things are looking up for the Wolverines.

Emma Mati/Daily. Buy this photo.

Michigan fends off Iowa in Kinnick, 27-14

All week, the hype was being drawn up about Kinnick Stadium. Even Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged the lore, saying it’s where “top-five teams go to die.”

But on Saturday, Michigan quieted the noise, beating Iowa, 27-14.

The Wolverines set the tone right off the bat with a 75-yard drive resulting in a touchdown from graduate wide receiver Ronnie Bell. Michigan’s defense also played a strong role, keeping the Hawkeyes’ offense out of the endzone until the fourth quarter and allowing the team to build a sizable lead.

However, once the fourth quarter rolled around, the Wolverines began to crack. The offense sputtered, giving Iowa a fighting chance in a game that should have been much more out of hand. But the defense stepped up.

“We faced a little adversity, but we didn’t flinch, we kept punching,” junior edge rusher Jaylen Harrell said. “Keep playing. Next play mentality.”

And with that mentality in mind, Michigan finished the job.

Click the link for more from Managing Sports Editor Jared Greenspan.

Field Hockey: Michigan field hockey dominates in third quarter shooting spree against Ball State

Men’s Soccer: Michigan shows improved offense in draw against Indiana

Volleyball: Michigan’s strong connection leads to win over Northwestern

Women’s Soccer: Michigan ties Iowa after second half surge

Wheelchair Basketball: Michigan wheelchair basketball hosts its second annual Wolverine Invitational

Alum Dominick Sokotoff/Daily. Buy this photo.

Connor Earegood: Correcting inaccuracies in Mel Pearson’s Rink Live Interview

Here at The Daily, we are obligated to deliver the facts.

And that’s exactly what Daily Sports Editor Connor Earegood set out to do, offering corrections to former Michigan hockey coach Mel Pearson’s first public interview since his firing.

Over the course of the interview, Pearson makes numerous false and unsubstantiated claims about his tenure with the Wolverines that were published by Rink Live regardless of their veracity.

Many may wonder, why does this matter? Well, Connor puts it best:

“Any workers and players fearing retaliation cannot fulfill their job duties or potential with Pearson looming over the program,” he writes. “Interviews in which he spreads misinformation only serve to reinforce his ability to do that. And that’s exactly what Myers’ article does.”

Emma Mati/Daily.

Michigan -21.5 @ Indiana

Every week, I seem to be right about Michigan in my bets. So, you should follow my lead again. But really, the Wolverines just took care of business against a good Iowa defense, putting up 27 points. They’ll put up a hell of a lot more against Indiana on Saturday.

Kansas +225 vs TCU

Kansas is 5-0, baby! And College Gameday is even coming to Lawrence? Yeah, the Jayhawks are going to win. They might be the new ‘America’s team.’ Sorry, Appalachian State!

Ohio State -26.5 @ Michigan State

Yes, I had to pick this one. Mel Tucker’s team is sputtering. The Spartans are on a two-game skid. And they’re playing against the No. 3 team in the nation where everything always goes right (Except on Nov. 27, 2021, IYKYK). The Buckeyes are going to cover. Lock it in.

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