Michigan's Rich Rodriguez gets emotional after fifth loss

By Larry Lage Comments 0
Published: November 9, 2009

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez was handed a victory cigar after each of his four wins in September.

Multimedia

Photoview all photos

Since then, his season has gone up in smoke.

Michigan has lost five of six and dropped to 5-5 with two ugly third-quarter meltdowns leading to losses against Illinois and Purdue.

The Boilermakers rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to beat the Wolverines 38-36 Saturday to keep its bowl hopes alive while hurting Michigan’s chances.

After trying to explain why Michigan lost its fifth straight Big Ten game at his postgame news conference, Rodriguez walked briskly past his wife, signed some autographs for some young fans and heard athletic director Bill Martin try to cheer him up.

"You’re doing all you can,” Martin told Rodriguez.

Rodriguez bowed his head and looked like he was fighting back tears.

College football’s winningest program got off to a strong start after losing a school-record nine games record in Rodriguez’s debut season.

The Wolverines haven’t won a Big Ten game since Sept. 26, when Tate Forcier threw a late touchdown pass to beat Indiana.