Hoke’s First Year and the Restoration

The 2011 Michigan Wolverines finished 11-2 overall and 6-2 in Big Ten play, placing second in the newly formed Legends Division. They closed ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll. Michigan scored 433 points (33.3 per game) and allowed 226 (17.4 per game). In Brady Hoke’s first season after the dismissal of Rich Rodriguez, the program returned to a 10-win campaign, beat Ohio State for the first time since 2003, and won a BCS bowl.

Regular Season

Michigan opened with four non-conference home wins: Western Michigan (34-10), Notre Dame (35-31), Eastern Michigan (31-3), and San Diego State (28-7). The Notre Dame game was the first night contest in Michigan Stadium history and drew an NCAA-record 114,804. Michigan trailed 24-7 entering the fourth quarter, then scored 28 points in the period. Denard Robinson threw a 16-yard touchdown to Roy Roundtree with two seconds remaining after Notre Dame had answered with 30 seconds left. Robinson finished with 338 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and a rushing score.

A 58-0 home shutout of Minnesota and a 42-24 road win at Northwestern made the Wolverines 6-0. The first loss came at No. 23 Michigan State, 14-28. After a 36-14 home win over Purdue, Michigan fell 16-24 at Iowa. The Wolverines then won at Illinois (31-14), defeated Nebraska 45-17 in the Cornhuskers’ first Big Ten visit to Ann Arbor, and beat Ohio State 40-34 at home.

The Ohio State victory ended a seven-game losing streak in the rivalry, the longest drought in series history. Robinson accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) and 337 total yards, including 170 rushing. The win gave Michigan its first 10-win season since 2006 and its first 8-0 home record.

Postseason

In the Sugar Bowl on January 3, 2012, in New Orleans, Michigan defeated No. 17 Virginia Tech 23-20 in overtime. The defense, rebuilt under coordinator Greg Mattison, held enough in the extra period to close Hoke’s first season at 11-2.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Robinson threw for 2,173 yards and 20 touchdowns. Center David Molk was an All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. Hoke was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by both the media and coaches. Michigan went 8-0 at home and 2-2 on the road.

In historical terms, 2011 was the hinge between the Rodriguez years and a restored standard. The night game against Notre Dame, the Ohio State win, and the Sugar Bowl together re-established Michigan as a nationally relevant program after three losing or near-losing seasons.