A Public Apology

Actually, this is not so much an apology as it is a concession speech to Lane (Unlimited).




Chris Wells of Ohio State University scores a touchdown against the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday. (Jeff Haynes/Reuters)


COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Michigan falls again to Rose Bowl-bound Ohio State

By Pete Thamel Published: November 18, 2007

The surveyor's outlines in the concourse of Michigan Stadium hint at an off-season change: Luxury boxes are to be hoisted atop this grand edifice.

A news conference is scheduled Monday, portending another change: Coach Lloyd Carr will announce whether he will continue coaching or retire. The tradition-rich Michigan program could be radically different when the team kicks off next season.

The winds of change that whipped through Michigan Stadium on Saturday could not alter the Wolverines' recent futility against their most bitter of rivals, Ohio State.

Ohio State, ranked No. 7, slogged past the No. 23 Wolverines, 14-3, by holding them to 91 yards of total offense. Ohio State clinched its third consecutive Big Ten title, and its first Rose Bowl berth since 1996, on a frigid, rainy day.

And the gloom that hung over Michigan Stadium carried over to the media room, where Carr said he would not discuss his future.

"There will be a day to discuss that," Carr said. "And this isn't it."

He would not elaborate on when that day would come. The only insight he gave was that he would not let the emotions of this latest loss to Ohio State influence his decision.

Carr struggled to find positives in Michigan's fourth consecutive loss to Ohio State. If he retires Monday, as expected, it will mean that he will end his career with a 1-6 record against Coach Jim Tressel of Ohio State.

The Michigan athletic director, Bill Martin, said he and Carr had discussed his future, but he declined to discuss a timetable for Carr's decision. Martin said he expected a decision in the "near future," and that Carr, if he decided to step down, would have a say in his successor. The ultimate call, though, would be Martin's.

"Lloyd is going to decide when he retires," Martin said. "He's done so much for us. He owns the right after 28 years on this staff and 13 years as a head coach to call his own shot."

"If he decides to retire, I'll support it," he added. "What I'd love to do is clone the man and bring him back."

No one at Michigan would want to clone Saturday's on-field performance.

Ohio State won thanks to a formula familiar to this hard-nosed rivalry. The Buckeyes played staunch defense, with the junior defensive end Vernon Gholston getting three sacks. On offense, the tailback Beanie Wells ran for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

"Offensively, we just couldn't get anything done," Carr said.

The image of Michigan's program, which has been defined by Carr's bulldog scowl for 13 years, may be changing. Carr's future is the buzz of college football.

Coach Les Miles of Louisiana State is considered the top choice to replace him, should he step down. Miles graduated from Michigan and coached there. After Miles, the list of names includes Brian Kelly of Cincinnati, Jim Harbaugh of Stanford, Bret Bielema of Wisconsin and the Michigan defensive coordinator, Ron English.

Whoever it is, his mission will be to beat Ohio State. A red sign with white letters reminded Carr of his recent futility as he walked off the field at Michigan Stadium for perhaps the final time.

"So long, Coach Carr," read the sign, held by an Ohio State fan. "We'll miss you!"



Congratulations, Lane, to your Ohio State Buckeyes. They played an impressive game, and I would be amiss if I didn't personally mention the exemplory performance of Beanie Wells. Ohio State is more than deserving of their place in the upcoming Rose Bowl.

Debbie