Jaishawn Barham targeting appeal denied — where Michigan goes from here

Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham was ejected for targeting in the third quarter of U-M’s win over New Mexico, a controversial call head coach Sherrone Moore vowed to appeal. On Monday, Moore learned just before his press conference the appeal had been denied by the NCAA even though the Big Ten supported Michigan’s cause. 

“It was upheld,” Moore said. “And we don’t agree with it. [Big Ten commissioner] Tony [Petitti] doesn’t agree with it … it’s a rule we have to get changed, and we have to look at in college football just for the general … toughness of the game and how you want to teach tackling. How you want to teach guys that are 6-3 tackling a guy that’s 5-8.

“[Barham] lowers his head, and it might be even worse. He tried to duck it to the side. The guy spins, he misses. So, there’s a way that we have to teach guys how to tackle and what to do, and there was a clear shot early in the game … we had a clear shot, and he sawed right through the guy and avoided it. He took one step, and that’s what happened. We’ll continue to work fight for the game, but I completely disagree with it.”

But they’ve got to move on, Moore said. They’ll play the first half of the Oklahoma game without Barham, but the coach is confident his other linebackers will step up. 

“Ernie [Hausmann] played a heck of a game, so, it was fun to watch Ernie. He had 8 tackles and he was all over the field, a leader on the team,” Moore continued. “When Jimmy Rolder came in, it was as violent as that, and he played physical and fast. Then, obviously, Cole Sullivan came in and made an impact. There are three guys there that we feel really good about along with Troy Bowles and Chase Taylor.”

All will likely travel Saturday along with Barham, who will have to wait until the third quarter to play. 

“It’s a deep room and we’re happy we’ve got those guys,” Moore said. “But obviously Jaishawn’s an impact guy that we will have ready for the second half.”