Can Michigan Conjure Up Some Halloween Magic at Rutgers?

Michigan offensive coordinator Jason Beck took a complete bashing from media and fans across college football’s national landscape this week – and rightly so.

The Wolverines are ranked 130th out of 138 teams in total offense, 118th in scoring offense and 134th in total first downs.

But Michigan’s special teams have been anything but special as well.

The Wolverines have not returned a punt or a kickoff for a touchdown through the first seven games this season.

Michigan’s longest punt return was just 13 yards against Indiana, and its longest kick return was 36 against Iowa. To make matters worse, the Wolverines have returned 10 punts this season for a grand total of just 64 yards.

Now those are scary stats.

Even more dreadful: Michigan has yet to attempt an onsides kick this season.

So, at this stage of the schedule – especially playing unranked Rutgers on Halloween Day – placing an act of trickery in the deck really couldn’t hurt the Wolverines.

Here’s a Classic Example of College Football Onsides Kick Chicanery

In 1968, Michigan State coach Duffy Daugherty – who was known for his sense of humor and practical jokes – pulled the boldest of surprises.

At a press dinner, the night before the unranked Spartans meeting against No. 5 Notre Dame, Daugherty joked with the press MSU would start the game with an onsides kick, recover it and then march right down the field and score.

Of course, everyone in the room had a great laugh. But the next day, that’s exactly what the Spartans did.

Notre Dame was caught totally off-guard and found themselves down 7-0 in the first two minutes. It proved to be the difference as MSU went on to an upset win, 21-17.

Can Michigan Conjure Up Some its Own Magic this Weekend?

Michigan obviously needs a spark. Freshman quarterback Tommy Carr seemed to ignite one two weeks ago in a win against Penn State. And he was attempting a little slight-of-hand on a naked bootleg before he was sacked for a 13-yard loss against defending national champion Indiana this past week.

So how about a hook-and-lateral, flea-flicker, Statue of Liberty, halfback pass or the Philly Special this weekend?

Anything, because it’s obvious Michigan won’t run the ball up the middle, so how about some Halloween football fun?

Michigan’s Halloween history

Michigan has played 19 games on Halloween, posting a 13-4-2 record.

The famous Little Brown Jug rivalry with Minnesota was born on Halloween in 1903 when the Wolverines battled the Golden Gophers to a 6-6 tie in Minneapolis.

Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost was so concerned Minnesota might attempt some skullduggery with the Wolverines water supply he instructed his student manager to purchase the five-gallon jug for 30 cents.

The rest in college football trophy history.