Michigan player punches ND player

I watched it at least 10 times. And as a huge Michigan fan, I’m very disappointed in Mouton. If I was coach, I’d suspend him for a game. It was a huge hit, but is was it was – a cheap shot. Play hard, play with passion, but not like that. That is not what I want to chear for as UM fan.

I know crap like this happens all the time on the field, but that doesn’t make it right or something our beloved team has to engage in. I like to believe we run a first-class program with first-class players.

I remember years back watching an OSU linebacker choking a Wisconsin player in the pile and was outraged. The punch might not have been as dangerous, but it is just as much wrong.

To me part of winning championships is acting like a champion. Mouton – you’re better than that. You represent UM and UM Nation – so knock it off and get back to focusing on winning games, not acting like some boozed out frat boy in a bar.

(nothing against frat boys, just couldn’t come up with any better analogy)

It “wasn’t” a huge hit, but it was it was – a cheap shot.

I watched the play several times on high def TV. It starts with 8:56 left in the second quarter. The question I had was why Mouton would take such a shot at a much larger person?

If you watch the video very carfully on high def TV, and in slow motion for better detail, you can see that at 8:52 Olsen (ND # 55) shoves Mouton (UM #8) to the ground from behind (Penalty #1 – clipping).

At 8:51, Mouton is on the ground and trying to get up. As he starts to sit up he is struck from behind by Olsen with a helmet to helmet blow causing Mouton’s head to snap forward (Penalty #2 – personal foul).

This is a potentially serious blow as it could cause a hyperflexion cervical spine injury and possible paralysis (I know because I am an emergency physician).

Note that the referee at the top of the TV screen has blown the whistle (right hand in the air and left hand in his mouth) indicating the play has been stopped.

Finally, at 8:50 Olsen tries to choke Mouton by grabbing him around the front of his neck with his right forearm (Penalty #3 – personal foul again). This is partially obscured by Floyd (ND#3) walking in front of both Mouton and Olsen on the ground.

At 8:49, Cissoko (UM#33) comes in and shoves Olsen on the right shoulder, in essence telling him to get off his team mate.

At this point (still 8:49) Mouton gives Olsen and uppercut shot with his left fist as he get up from the ground and while Olsen is on his knees. Olsen’s head snaps back.

If anyone should be suspended, it should be ND’s Olsen for instigating a fight with his potentially serious helmet to helmet blow to the back of Mouton’s head and by attempting to choke Mouton.

I hope Big Ten Officials investigate Charlie Tuna’s complaint and tell him to stick it where the sun don’t shine (which is essentially anywhere on his body)!

Does Charlie really want everyone to see how his thug 305 pound lineman was taken out by a 228 pound Michigan linebacker?

I have to thank the good doctor who detailed the full sequence. I assume that the "penalties he refers to were never called, and to call them penalties is a little silly because it is so hard to predict what a ref is going to call or even see. As a lawyer I learned a long time ago that there are (almost) always two full sides to every story, but after I saw the punch by Mouton this morning at the Freep site (I believe) my first reaction was similar to one of the other writers, that Michigan should play above that level, the level I associate with the thugs in East Lansing, which reprehensible and dirty conduct most of us have probably witnessed over the years. So, based on the play by play by our good doctor (which I would love to see, if the good doctor could post it somewhere for us, that would be stupendous), I am willing to at least in part excuse Mouton’s action, but, with that said, if Mouton had gotten caught, that would have really hurt our chances to pull out this great victory. I assume that you all saw how Greg Robinson bit off JT Floyd’s head coming off the field after Floyd was mixing it up after the whistle on a punt return. The players need to keep their poise, we all know it is usually the one who retaliates who gets caught. Let’s go Blue.

HashBasherinCalifornia,

Thanks for your kind words. Let me be clear. I do not condone or excuse Mouton’s punch to Olsen’s face. I merely was trying to understand why he did it. Like you said, there are always two sides to every story.

My concern, as an emergency physician, is that Mouton’s punch had much less probability for causing serious injury than the 305 pound Olsen’s helmut to helmet blow to the back Mouton’s head. Especially, because Mouton was sitting and not expecting the blow (unlike a ball carrier).

The website for the play on YouTube is listed below. However, I recommend viewing the play on high def TV to see exactly what transpired. Whoever posted the video replays Mouton’s punch is slow motion, but not the preceding events.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPYueAc5XAE

After reading Chicago Wolverine’s response I was excited for some contrary evidence that I saw. To hopefully prove me wrong. Well I don’t have high def TV, but I think you are stretching things quite a bit. First I don’t see a choke anywhere. A hand can by by a neck and not be choking. I do think there was a possible clip, but I don’t see any personal fouls. The helmet blow was a lineman staying with his man and at the last second Mouton turns his head and shoulders.

On Saturday night I was watching the OSU vs USC game with a bunch of Buckeyes and on the intentional grounding play on the last drive – buckeye fans were screaming that was a bad call when it was obvious. Nobody was within 10 yards of the throw and Pryor had dropped straight back. They were all arguing that someone was there or that Pryor was out of the pocket. Those fans were letting their love of their team cloud their judgment (plus, let’s face it their buckeye fans, IQs of 65 is average).

Anyway, I think that may be happening here. Weis cried on press day to take the pressure away from his team not getting it done and his play calling. Nice political move. But, our guy (Mouton) did what he did. He just better not do it again.

MarcK,

Good points. You are absolutely right. Mouton should not have punched Olsen and should not do it again.

I also agree with your argument that Charlie Tuna is playing a political game here that is classic Weis. If you lose, blame everyone but yourself.

The absolute genius part of it is that It plays to the strongly held Notre Dame belief that only they are gentlemen and anyone who has the audacity to beat them must be thugs (http://www.notredamesucks.org/domers.html).

I disagree with you, however, regarding Olsen’s grab around Mouton’s neck. I don’t believe Olsen was trying to seriously harm Mouton, but the only reason you grab someone around the neck is to intimidate and control that person.

Also, you can stay with your man without spearing him with your helmet.