Detroit News: Article by Lynn Henning

Rodriguez steamed by Michigan's loss

Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- In the sky west of Ann Arbor early Saturday evening, one could see a reddish glow as the setting sun created a fiery finale to a football Saturday on the University of Michigan campus.

It almost matched that flame kindling within the interview room at Crisler Arena as U-M coach Rich Rodriguez raged over a 45-20 defeat to Illinois. Saturday's loss was as disgusting for Michigan's football purists -- the list begins with Rodriguez -- as it was devastating for a Michigan team that had come far a week earlier in its heart-pumping victory over Wisconsin.

"I'm mad, but I'm mad beginning with me," Rodriguez said after Michigan fell to 2-3 on the season after being blown out of a game it led, 14-3, in the first quarter. "I told the team we're gonna be sick when we watch the film.

"We're not a very good football team right now, that's obvious. We're not playing good football, and if we're not, we're gonna get beat."

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