The 2014 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines played in the new East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The team was led by fourth-year head coach Brady Hoke. It was nicknamed "Team 135" in reference to the 135-year tradition of the Michigan football program.
The season was characterized by a growing frustration among Michigan fans and media with the coaching of Brady Hoke and the leadership of athletic director Dave Brandon. In the second game of the year, Michigan suffered its first shutout loss since 1984 and the most lopsided defeat in series history when they lost to Notre Dame 31–0. In a 30–14 loss to Minnesota three weeks later, coach Hoke received criticism for keeping quarterback Shane Morris in the game after he appeared to have suffered a concussion. After losing to Rutgers, Michigan was 0–2 in Big Ten play for the first time since 1967. Michigan ultimately compiled a 5–7 record, including 3–5 in conference play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the East Division. This marked the first season since 2009, and only the third season since 1975, in which Michigan missed a bowl game.
On October 31, following large student demonstrations, athletic director Dave Brandon resigned. On December 2, head coach Brady Hoke was fired. He finished at Michigan with a four-year record of 31–20.
Preseason
The 2013 team compiled a 7–6 record under third-year head coach Brady Hoke and faced Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, losing 31–14.
Hoke announced that the quarterback position was an open battle prior to spring practice, notably including 5th-year senior Devin Gardner and sophomore Shane Morris, and later named Gardner the starter on August 12. On February 12, Michigan announced that tight end Jake Butt suffered a torn ACL and would miss all of spring practice. On March 20, Michigan announced that center Graham Glasgow would be suspended for a portion of spring practice and the season opener against Appalachian State for a violation of team rules stemming from a drunk driving arrest. On June 10, Michigan announced that running back Ty Isaac was transferring to the team from USC, but the NCAA denied his request for a waiver to play for Michigan immediately, forcing him to redshirt the 2014 season.
Michigan returned 15 starters from the 2013 team. Michigan lost starting running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, wide receiver Jeremy Gallon, offensive tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield, safety Thomas Gordon, defensive tackles Jibreel Black and Quinton Washington, kicker Brendan Gibbons, and long snapper Jareth Glanda to graduation.
Recruiting
Position key
Recruits
Michigan's recruiting class consisted of 16 recruits. Jabrill Peppers was the considered highlight of the class; he was ranked as the third overall recruit in the country by 247's composite rankings, which averages the rankings of Rivals, Scout, ESPN, and 247.
Schedule
Radio
Radio coverage for all games was broadcast statewide on The Michigan Wolverines Football Network and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The radio announcers were Jim Brandstatter with play-by-play, Dan Dierdorf with color commentary, and Doug Karsch with sideline reports. Frank Beckmann retired after the 2013 season after 32 years as Michigan's play-by-play announcer.
Game summaries
Vs. Appalachian State
Sources:
To open the season, Michigan faced the Appalachian State Mountaineers. During the previous meeting, Appalachian State became the first football championship subdivision (FCS) team to defeat a top 25 football bowl subdivision (FBS) team, defeating Michigan 34–32 in a massive upset. Prior to the game, Michigan announced that Devin Funchess would wear the #1 jersey, making him the first player to wear the #1 jersey since Braylon Edwards in 2004.
