Michigan quarterback Shane Morris was diagnosed with a probable mild concussion, along with a high ankle sprain, according to a statement released by athletic director Dave Brandon on Tuesday.
Morris, a sophomore, was hit around the head by Minnesota’s Theiren Cockran in the fourth quarter of Michigan’s 30-14 loss. This contradicts Hoke telling the media on Monday that Morris was not diagnosed with a concussion.
Morris was visibly shaken on the field and had to lean on right tackle Ben Braden just to stand up straight. Morris waved off the coaching staff and stayed in the game. Eventually, much to the pleasure of the few remaining fans in the Big House, Morris was taken out and replaced by former starter Devin Gardner.
Morris then inexplicably returned to the game for a play since Gardner lost his helmet, which is an NCAA safety protocol from two seasons ago. Third-string quarterback Russell Bellomy couldn’t find his helmet, but the list of excuses for Hoke keeps getting longer.
Hoke’s mishandling of the Morris injury made national and world news, and the incident only added fuel to the fire for Michigan’s unhappy fan base and alumni. His unwillingness to make changes and adjustments (like wearing a headset or shifting the offensive line) have been crucial to Michigan’s downfall.
Hoke has already set a couple of dubious records this season. Michigan has been playing college football since the 19th century and this season is the first time they’ve lost three games before October in their history.
The consecutive games of not being shutout since 1984 was broken during a disaster ending to the Notre Dame rivalry.
Finally, if things couldn’t get worse for Michigan fans, a laughable Coca-Cola promotion kept their 100,000+ fans per game streak intact from the mid-1990’s.
Winning in football is one of the biggest motivators for players and coaches. When the competition takes a back seat to a college athlete’s safety, the coach should be under fire. Hoke deserves every ounce of criticism that he is getting from the media and his actions Saturday seemed like he’s already accepted his fate as a dead man walking.
Hoke, a “Michigan Man,” leaving a quarterback (with an awful offensive line) in the game, barely able to stand up. This isn’t your grandfather’s Michigan Wolverines football team. This team, is a national embarrassment in more ways than one.
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