I chose to make my player a 6'2, 168 lb. WR from Niagara Falls, New York (one of the closer places to where I actually live in Canada).
New York State Playoffs
In a round of 16 matchup that had Catholic Central High defeated New York High, La Rocque made only two catches for 33 yards in a game where CCH showed off their running game in a 35-14 victory.
He made up for it in the next round, amassing 246 yards and three touchdowns on 8 catches en route to a 44-0 rout of Merrick High School which sent his school to the state semi-finals.
In a sloppy game, in which CCH's QB comitted five turnovers (four INTs and a fumble) the Hempstead High offense could not get anything going. The quarterback struggled all game, but managed to find La Rocque seven times for 221 yards and scores of 49, 55, and 57 yards to give them a 28-18 berth in the New York state championship game.
Kenmore High and CCH...with the championship on the line in front of a packed stadium at Syracuse University.
On the eigth play of the opening drive, La Rocque cut into the middle to make a catch, emerging from a trio of orange Kenmore jerseys and outpaced another for a 44 yard score. Kenmore countered with 14 play, 95 yard drive to tie the game at seven. When you're on a roll, good things just tend to happen. A gorgeous block following a crossing route sprung La Rocque for a 38 yard touchdown, his second of the contest. Three straight CCH interceptions and a sputtering Kenmore offense saw CCH pinned at their own one with under a minute remaining in the first half. Not risking anything, they ran into the break still up 14-7.
Another pair of interceptions produced a measly three points for Kenmore who desperately tried to hold CCH at their own 2 with twenty-two seconds to go. Just when he though his game was over, La Rocque provided two key blocks on first down springing the running back 98 yards for the 24-10 clincher. He finished with 6 catches, 135 yards and the two majors.
State champion and five-star prospect La Rocque asked about his outstanding performance in leading his school to the title:
"You've got to give alot of credit to our defense, without them there is no way we would've won three of those four games."
Overwhelmed by the massive influx of schools requesting his attendance, La Rocque has a big choice on his hands.
Well, it's basically this...I can choose pretty much any school I want. All of the 25 ranked teams want me, as well as another hundred or so...not sure who to pick.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Note: I was actually trying to decide what good school to choose. I had made the "mistake" of choosing a bad school my first time through and my QBs were throwing 6/7 interceptions a game. I chose to go with the Wolverines.
La Rocque, Passing Game Shine in Rout of FCS Southeast
Following a great week of practice that saw, WR Thomas La Rocque jump up the depth chart to the slot position he did not disappoint. La Rocque got open for three long touchdown catches and amassed 244 yards receiving on four receptions to lead a high-powered Michigan offense to a 66-0 opening day win.
Starting quarterback Jason Butler threw five touchdowns, and freshman Sean Rio added another pair as they combined for 591 passing yards on the day. The rushing game, not to be outdone added 157 and two majors, led by All-American senior Michael Carson with 71 yards and both scores. He was also on the receiving end of the opening touchdown.
Up next, Michigan faces the Ducks of Oregon.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
I did auto-generated names MoM. I didn't bother going out and buying the thing that would allow me to transfer the real names. Didn't feel it was worth it. I don't care what their names are (don't really follow college football) as long as they aren't QB #7.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
In a game against #2 ranked Michigan three interceptions and two fumbles cost Oregon dearly. After allowing the Wolverines to take a 7-3 lead on a 63 yard pass from Jason Butler to Thomas La Rocque an interception on the ensuing Duck drive saw them down two scores going into the half.
Although given great field position, Michigan threw an interception of their own and three field goals and kept this game closer than it actually was. A second pass two freshman phenom La Rocque early in the fourth quarter sealed the deal as the Wolverines marched to a 36-3 win. La Rocque finished with 6 catches and 126 yards on the day after cracking the starting lineup for the first time in his college career. Michigan plays host to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish next Saturday.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
It's one thing to be a constant threat and terrorize poor defenses with monster games, it's a whole other story when you step on the field as freshman about to play in your first rivalry game of your college career. Wide recevier Thomas La Rocque did just that weekend and showed up in a big way. Looked to rarely in the first quarter save two overthrown passes, the Fighting Irish capitalized with a two play 94 yard touchdown drive to take an early 7-3 lead.
Over the course of the next three quarters, La Rocque was in a word ... "clutch". He would finish with an impressive nine catches, 159 yards and two scores, but it was the timing that stood out most. Six of La Rocque's catches came one third down and long including a diving 3rd and goal touchdown catch from the 11 and a 3rd and ten in which he broke a tackle and sprinted 31 yards for his second score of the game. Add to that a key catch on second to keep the clock moving late in the game and it is unquestionable the impact he has made on this already very talented team.
The Wolverines won 36-28 to move to 3-0 on the year. When asked about the game and his performance, La Rocque joked, "what's important is that we won the game. I had my first dropped pass of the season today, albeit I got leveled on the play but it's something I need to work on.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Poor Reads, Playcalling Cost Wolverines in First Loss
You know you are in trouble when you get into the opposing redzone seven times and have only one touchdown and two missed field goals to show for it. Three interceptions and a fumble ended the other drives, one of which was returned 84 yards for a touchdown to put Penn State up 14-0. Jason Butler was also intercepted on a pointless hail mary pass on the final play of the game to give him ... interceptions in four games.
"There will be some changes going into next week, Thomas will likely be the #1 receiver" the Michigan coach commented after the loss. La Rocque fought hard, making nine catches for 89 yards and continued to convert on 3rd down conversions. What was the most frustrating part of the loss for him?
"They kept throwing me the ball in coverage, I'd make the catch and fight for the first down. Every time I was wide open on third down they'd throw to the guy in double coverage five yards short of the sticks. I couldn't have been more wide open in the corner of the endzone on that one pick, and it turned the game from 7-7 to 14-0."
The result was a 20-7 Penn State victory. The Wolverines will now make their first trip away from Ann Arbor to visit Northwestern University in hopes of rebounding from the loss.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
We're #7 now (down from #2). It seriously felt like it wanted us to lose this game...everytime we gained ground they took it away. My QB really sucks on accuracy for a 90-something like he is.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Perhaps the fast start, dominating start wasn't the best thing for La Rocque and the Wolverines. He has been getting lots of attention from opposing defenses, so much so that it seems Jason Butler doesn't even look his way anymore. The nine receptions may say otherwise, but posting only 87 yards and no scores is the telling stat. Although wide open on several occasions, La Rocque seems to be a backup option ... a strange role for a team's number one receiver.
When in trouble on third downs or pressed for time he'd throw short prayers to La Rocque who somehow continually comes up with the necessary yardage. When wide open, the passes generally found their ways into the hands of the back for a loss of yards or the hands of the opponent. Right now, the Wolverines need all the production they can get as a missed extra point, two point conversion and 43-yard field goal kept Northwestern's hopes alive even as they got the ball back with forty seconds remaining. The defense stepped up and preserved the 19-14 win, but it'll take alot more for Michigan to move back up the ladder.
The Wolverines play host to the Eastern Michigan Eagles this weekend.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Eastern Michigan No Match For Frustrated Wolverines
A week after a nail-biting win, that was much closer than it should've been Michigan bounced back in earnest with a 36-14 triumph over Eastern Michigan. La Rocque started to get back into a groove making big plays and catching seven passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wolverines remain at #7 and welcome the Purdue Boilermakers next Saturday.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Wolverines Get Win Over Purdue, But For a Heavy Price
Sometimes a win just isn't good enough for the critics as Michigan dropped to eighth in both the Media and Coaches' polls despite posting the 24-20 victory over Purdue.
Wolverine quarterback Jason Butler came out hot, hitting his receivers on his first twelve attempts. The next half dozen did not go quite so well, as two found the hands of the opponents and one was brought back for a score. The rest fell incomplete. He would finish 28 for 37 on the day for 325 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He also added the eventual game winner on an option to the right.
Once again, La Rocque was the main target...on the receiving end of ten passes which were converted to 172 yards and the lone touchdown through the air.
The victory came at a price, as starting halfback Michael Carlson was lost for the remainder of the season with a broken forearm. Lance McClain will be the workhorse out of the backfield in his place.
It is now off to Illinois for the Wolverines to face the 6-1 Fighting Illini.
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Madden 2008
__________________________________ BCS Rankings Released!
With another week down, the time has come for the BCS rankings to be released. Despite yet another victory, this time a 26-10 win over Illinois, Michigan has dropped another spot and now sits ninth with four games remaining. Nevertheless, the Wolverines lead the ranks of the one-loss teams and must continue to win and hope for losses ahead of them should they expect to move up.
Having said this, the win was hardly as impressive as the score shows. Two second quarter interceptions were returned for touchdowns, and accounted for the majority of Michigan's points. Jason Butler had a second turnover returned for a TD in as many games. La Rocque meanwhile appears back on defenses radar limited to only four catches for forty five yards.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are next on the schedule, and at 4-4 could provide the Wolverines with a chance to capitalize offensively.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Go Packers!
Last edited by SilentTom; 11-21-2007 at 05:10 PM..
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Wolverines Stage Second Half Comeback in Preparation for the Gauntlet
In a game against the 4-4 Golden Gophers, Michigan did not get off to a good start. Another Butler interception for a touchdown left the Wolverines reeling with a seventeen point deficit to overcome going into the half.
It's unsure what happened in the locker room, but the second half was a whole other story. A strike to La Rocque started off the comeback attempt, and when the defense forced a punt and the special teams completed the trifecta by taking it back to the house suddenly it was a game.
A second touchdown pass to La Rocque and suddenly the Wolverines had the lead. Unfortunately the extra point was missed, leading to a game tying field goal by Minnesota. Who else to break the tie, but the freshman phenom as La Rocque took a WR screen, broke a tackle and strolled the rest of the way for the game touchdown to give Michigan the 27-20 win.
With this win, Michigan now faces three consecutive challenges to close out the season. Visits to 7-2 Michigan State, and #8 ranked and 8-1 Wisconsin. They will then come home to play 8-1 Ohio State, currently ranked #17.
As the season begins to wind down, receiver Thomas La Rocque's big game has allowed him to claim the top spot in the Heisman trophy projections. His 244 yard game earlier in the year broke a 41 year old single game record held by Jack Clancy by nearly fifty yards. With 1,169 yards and 13 touchdowns La Rocque closes in on the season records held by Braylon Edwards and Desmond Howards with 1,330 and 19 respectively.
It should be one exciting close to the season as the Wolverines look to rise further in the BCS rankings, sitting #6 and with eyes on a bowl game.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
When you play on the road, against one of your biggest rivals with a trophy on the line all bets are off and you're going to have to play your heart out no matter how well they've been playing. When Michigan State come out of the tunnel in front of their screaming fans at 7-2 seeking to snatch the Paul Bunyan Trophy from you for the first time in five years, you better be prepared to play the game of your life.
That, is exactly what the rookie receiver did, as La Rocque broke a 69 yard touchdown on the Wolverines first offensive play. As well as his speed, La Rocque show his toughness as he shook off press coverage, caught a pass in front of the safety and proceeded to shake the defender off with ease en route to a 49 yard touchdown later in the half.
The Spartans simply had no way to counter act the play of the wideout on offense or defense as he would finish with 6 catches, 237 yards and a third touchdown en route to the 31-17 win. The one negative that came from the game was another interception for a touch down by Jason Butler, his fourth in as many weeks.
The #5 ranked Wolverines now travel to Wisconsin for arguably their toughest road game of the season.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Wolverines Keep Rising, Within Reach of BCS Championship
If Michigan plans to keep winning, Jason Butler has to find a way to cut down on his interceptions, especially those that result in an immediate six for the opposing team. With two today, the senior QB now has five in his last five games including one right before halftime that turned a blowout into a 21-10 lead going into a half. Wisconsin kept pressing following two more interceptions, but the defense came up big and forced four field goals to keep the score at only 28-22.
La Rocque kept up his Heisman pace, tallying seven catches for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns to help his school stay on top. Already breaking Edwards' yardage record last week, he is now within a touchdown of tying Desmond Howard at 19 on the year.
More importantly to him, and the rest of his team the Wolverines have risen to fourth in the BCS rankings and with one game remaining could reach the BCS championship with a little help.
The last game of the season will be a big one, as both Michigan and #14 Ohio State hold 6-1 records versus the conference, with the winner taking the Big Ten conference.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Can it get any bigger than this? Thomas thought to himself as he stood lined-up on the outside right of the formation. It was the first play of overtime in a 21-21 tie with fellow conference leader Ohio state. The conference champion would be crowned after this game, and suddenly every single play made a difference. The young wide receiver had not been much of an impact yet, as he had only one catch for 13 yards going into the extra period.
La Rocque was supposed to run a corner route on this particular play, but as the ball was snapped he noticed the corner drop back immediately to respect his speed. Seeing this, Thomas cut his route sharply into an out pattern and immediately called for the pass. Please get it to me for once, he couldn't help but think as he had been more ignored than covered during the regulation period.
The pass came, and as soon as he had reeled it in La Rocque turned up field. The corner had broken in on him fast following the throw, but as he had done on so many previous occasions Thomas shook off the helpless DB and made a break for the endzone. TOUCHDOWN! 28-21. Ohio State would answer with a score of their own. Tomas became a bigger target in the overtime period as he made another 3 catches to boost his 48 yards to 73 and help the Wolverines to a 38-35 lead.
Forced to kick a field goal on their third drive, tension was high on the bench but within seconds it all washed away as a Michigan defender intercepted a pass and fell to the ground. Game over. They were conference champs!
With their season done, Michigan remains fourth in the BCS rankings and slated to play in the Rose Bowl against #5 Hawaii who are 10-0. This would be the third consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl for Michigan, though with conference championships still to play there is alot that remains undecided.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
Two Successive Losses Knock Hawaii Out of Rose Bowl
Michigan were all set to face the Warriors in the Rose Bowl in an attempt to reverse the trend set by three consecutive losses in Pasadena. With their thrilling victory over Ohio State and the victories by those ahead of them to remain undefeated the Wolverines have found themselves ticketed for the "The Granddaddy of Them All". The question remained which Pacific 10 team they would face.
Coming into the final week it seemed as if it would be Hawaii, but when #7 Boise State defeated the Warriors 42-35 that all changed. The Rose Bowl will now pit the Wolverines against the Broncos amongst the falling rose petals and massive crowds.
__________________
Champion of 2007 Pigskin Pick'em
Runner-Up of 2000 pt. Fantasy Football League
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