Football: Notebook

Rich Rodriguez grateful for support

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he's appreciative of athletic director Bill Martin's support, particularly in light of the team's ongoing struggles.

Rodriguez is in his second year as head coach, and the Wolverines (5-5, 1-5 Big Ten) have lost five straight in the Big Ten after a 4-0 start to the season. Michigan needs to win at least one of its final two -- at Wisconsin on Saturday and at home against Ohio State on Nov. 21 -- to become bowl-eligible.

Martin on Monday told The News he completely backs Rodriguez.

"He's not going anyplace," said Martin, who will officially retire as athletic director Sept. 4, 2010. "Rich is an outstanding coach. There is no question he's got my total support. I think the world of that guy. Is he perfect in every respect? Nobody is. But he works hard. He'll get it right."

Rodriguez said he his continues to receive support despite the team's struggles and in light of an ongoing NCAA investigation.

"I've always felt that from our university, from Bill and our administration from the day we got here," Rodriguez said Tuesday on the Big Ten coaches teleconference. "And I felt it from our former players, our alumni and our fans, as well.

"I know that everybody's frustrated with the record, as we are. I think Bill is close enough to us and knows the process we're going through and knows some of the issues that we have and that we're working very hard to have the type of success on the field that everybody wants."

High praise for Graham

Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham has a big fan in Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema , whose team faces U-M on Saturday.

Graham, a senior, is sixth nationally with 17 tackles for loss this season.

"I don't know if there's a better player in our league than No. 55, Brandon Graham," Bielema said Tuesday. "He's just a guy who can overtake a game. If you're trying to block him, you'd better bring your lunch pail."

Enough said

Purdue coach Danny Hope had nothing more to say about the postgame handshake to which Rodriguez took exception.

The Boilermakers had just beaten the Wolverines, 38-36, for their first win at Michigan Stadium since 1966 when Hope and Rodriguez had an unusual exchange.

Hope was asked during the Big Ten teleconference if he could change what transpired.

"I'm not even (going) to elaborate on it," Hope said tersely. "Made a statement after the game and going to stick to it."

According to Rodriguez, who spoke about the incident in his postgame news conference, they shook hands, but Hope made a point to introduce Purdue starting left guard Zack Reckman . Reckman was suspended one game by the Big Ten for striking an opponent at the end of Purdue's loss to Northern Illinois in September. He was suspended a week after Michigan's Jonas Moutan was suspended for punching a player in the Notre Dame game.

"As far as I'm concerned, our conversation will remain between Coach Rodriguez and me," Hope said in a statement. "We'll leave it at that."

angelique.chengelis@detnews.com