Author: Andy Andersen

Andy Andersen, Senior Football Writer andyandersen@wowway.com Andy is a Michigan graduate and long time Michigan Football fan, having attended games during the tenures of Fritz Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Bump Elliot, Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke. He attempts to present articles consistent with the concerns and interests of Michigan Fans.
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2017: OFFENSE STRUGGLES, BUT M DOWNS AIR FORCE 29 TO 13

The Football team of the United States Air Force Academy visited Michigan Stadium Saturday, borne on the wings of a hope that they could shoot down the Wolverine’s intention of compiling three straight wins to start this M Football season.

Air Force belongs to the Mountain West Conference. Since Utah left that conference, the Wolverines can still say they have not lost a game to a MWC school.

There was a flyover of four Air Force T-38 Talons, two of which were piloted by U of M grads.

The Air Force parachute demonstration team entered the stadium the hard way in a most professional and eye pleasing manner. They soared in over the North score board, and all landed easily on or near the block M at the middle of the field. It was a perfect afternoon for such a venture.

Air Force walloped Virginia Military Institute (VMI) 62 to zip two weeks ago Saturday. They have had a bye week to prepare for the Blue, and had won seven games in a row. They provided the Wolverines with a real battle, never leading but doggedly staying in the game.

The Wolverines have faced the Air Force only three times, and have won all three. M won in 1964, 2012, and last Saturday. This series is just developing. It had a worrisome aspect in that the AF utilizes cut blocks more than most others, and runs a unique scheme that takes special preparation. Fortunately, to the best of my knowledge, no M player was injured by a cut block.

AIR FORCE FOOTBALL WEAPONS: Not the least of their football weapons is their Head Coach Troy Calhoun. His unusual triple option, run from multiple formations, basically ignored the pass except for one completion that went for 64-yards for a score. His defense engineered a system the Michigan Offensive Coaches did not solve to score a TD until the last moment of the game. Five Wolverine field goals instead of TDs helped propel Air Force to keeping it close, and close it was for most of three quarters plus. Four of the field goals were a result of red zone failures by the M offense, and the fifth by the offense stalling before they got to the red zone.

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Both Harbaugh and Speight credited Calhoun defense scheming ability to disguise defensive schemes as a problem for M’s offense.

Junior Arione Worthman is a man worth a lot to the Falcon offense as a quarterback.  He was just one of seven passing, but the one completion was for sixty-four yards and a TD. An integral part of the Falcon ground game, he took a beating from the Wolverines, but kept after it. He ran 21 times for 56- net yards, with a long of 34.  He had thirty yards of losses.

STATE OF THE WOLVERINES AFTER THREE VICTORIES: Many thought pre-game that this game could very well be a trap game due to the Falcon’s triple option scheme, and the Wolverine’ inexperience with that system. While M nailed Florida, and Cincinnati pretty convincingly, and won against the Falcons, there is still concern about the fact that the Michigan offense is still not a well oiled machine under the guidance of the now experienced QB Wilton Speight. The offense has continued to sputter at times this season, in addition to some difficulties it had at the end of last season. In the first game this year, against Florida, Wilton threw two pick sixes. One of them may or may not have been his fault, but one was unquestionably his fault. These errors gave Florida a lead to the end of the first half.

Wilton came back splendidly in M’s first drive of the second half against the Gators, and the Wolverines played a good enough game to drive home a convincing win over a prominent SEC team, but he displayed his perplexing habit of missing open receivers, and high throws. The defense was M’s best unit on the field, and Special teams were OK against the Gators.

Saturday before last, against Cincinnati, Wilton and the offense sputtered again. This time it was careless fumbles and not interceptions. Only one fumble was recovered by the Bearcats, but Wilton’s error swung the game momentum gathered from M’s long opening TD drive, plus Kinnel’s pick six, to momentum favoring Cincinnati. This continued to spur the Bearcat’s momentum in their first drive of the second half. A potential blow out became, for a while in the third quarter, a struggle for survival.

It wasn’t all Wilton’s doing. The offense could not produce short first down conversions in the second half against the Bearcats multiple times.  The young right side of the offensive line did not look as good as it did against the Gators, both against the run and in pass pro. There were 68-yards of penalties as Wolverine special teams came apart. While Quinn Nordin was again highly reliable as a field goal kicker, some of special teams regressed. There was a shanked punt for short yardage, and a punt hit an M player in the back for an unnecessary, and most untimely turnover. The room for improvement on special teams against the Bearcats was as obvious as it was necessary.

Against the Air Force this Saturday, lack of TDs in the red zone became the problem. Four times the sputtering offense couldn’t score from the red zone. Once they faltered from farther out. There was only one TD in the game and that was late in the fourth. Again there were some drops by receivers, errant throws, fumbles, errors by the offensive line, plus an odd play. Wilton twirled to the opposite direction after receiving the snap, fast and neatly, a great athletic move, and ran towards the West sideline, where he tried to flip the ball to a receiver in or near the end zone. A defender got his hand on the flipped ball so it was deflected, and made available for interception. Fortunately, it hit the ground and was dead. Wilton had made a brilliant change of direction, and dash towards the goal, only to let the ill-advised flip pass spoil the play.

Wilton hit 14 of 23 attempts for 169-yards, and no TDs or interceptions. The offense made its living rushing 42 times for 190-yards and just one late TD.

I did not understand some of the play calling. Why all the fade routes that Wilton continues to miss? Where were the tall tight ends. Time out management seemed to rear its ugly head at times. Useless penalties continued to happen. Seven for seventy-two yards exceeds the previous high this year.

Wilton Speight is a smart football player, a good representative of the Wolverines. At this time, it is obvious that the coaches feel there is no one better currently on this roster than Wilton at the QB position, or you would see the better player at the helm on Saturdays.

I trust he can get his difficulties sponged out and begin to produce at his best again. Hopefully his confidence will not sag in this slump, and coaching can remedy his mechanics. That big jump expected between first and second season has been delayed, but it needs to become reality, soon. The Big Ten season looms with Purdue next and MSU after that.

SATURDAY’S SCORING: First Quarter: M’s Quin Nordin hit a 35-yard field goal to make it 3-zip. A Ty Isaac 32-yard scamper was part of an 11-play 58-yard drive. A score, but a red zone failure, all the same.

AF answered with a 35-yard FG to tie it up, 3 each.

Second Quarter: Nordin hit a 26-yard FG, and it was 6-3. A 37-yard Peoples snag helped get the Wolverines to the Falcon 8 yard-line, where they stalled. Obviously, a red zone failure for the offense.

AF answered with a 50-yard FG to knot it at six again.With 3:18 in the quarter, Nordin hit again, this time on a 49-yard shot. Wilton Speight fumbled as he was sacked. Wilton tried to continue to throw the ball as he went down. M’s Nick Eubanks covered it at the Air Force 35. This FG made it an uneasy 9-6.

Third Quarter: Donovan Peoples Jones made the play of the game with a sterling punt return of 79-yards. It was now 16-6. He ran like he had radar. Crossing the field from side to side, he stayed in bounds along the eastern side line on his way into the north end zone. This was a return that would have made Peppers proud. Afterwards Jones said “I mean, it just opened up like the Red Sea. They did a great job of not clipping, and let me change the field. They did a great job of blocking and not holding. It just made my job very easy”.

This was the first M TD on the day, and the first of Donovan-Peoples Jones career. It will be long remembered. Having displeased the coaches in the way he was letting some catchable punts hit the ground against Cincinnati, and replaced by Perry in the Cincinnati game, he made quite a comeback Saturday. This was his not only the play of the game, but this play made him my player of the game.

The special teams were somewhat a mess last week, but returned with a bang this week. The Wolverines could not have done without their contribution of 22 points, as the game would have been lost. How long can the Wolverines depend on the defense or special teams to score their points remains a question.

In response AF hit its only pass. Unfortunately, it was for 64-yards. Now it was 16-13 and matters were serious again.

Quinn hit a 29-yard FG and it was 19 to 13. After an 11 play, 32-yard drive, the Wolverines stalled at the AF 11. Another red zone fizzle. Again, they couldn’t move the ball further, running or passing.

Fourth Quarter: Nordin was at it again in the fourth quarter, banging a 36-yard FG through to make it 22 to 13. The Wolverines had the ball at the AF 18. Again they could not run or pass in the red zone.

Karan Higdon’s 36-yard TD scamper at 1:02 of the fourth, down the east sideline, made it 29-13, and that became the final. A 24-yard pass to Tarik Black was the big setup play. Chris Evans had a 10-yard run, and a 4-yard run in the 9 play 73-yard game clinching drive. M couldn’t drive it in from 18-yards out. They were stymied in the red zone for the fourth and final time.

HOW THE OFFENSIVE SKILL PLAYERS DID: Running Backs-Ty Isaac was 16 for 89-yards with a long of 32, and a 5.6 average. He was again the best M back, but he danced a little on a couple of critical short yardage plays and came up short. Where is Kahlid Hill on those occasions? Karan Higdon lugged 12 for 64-yards, a TD and a 5.3 average. Chris Evans spent most of the game on the bench because of his first quarter fumble, but got 6 carries of 32-yards. It was ground game day.

Receivers-Tarik Black snagged 5 for 55-yards and a long of 24. Donovan Peoples Jones collared 2 for 52-yards, with a long of 37.

THE M DEFENSE OWNED THE DAY: The defense was again rough and ready. While they gave up a long pass play, likely lulled oblivious to the passing game as some in the press box had suspected would happen, by the prior lack of attempts, they were more than up to this task otherwise. The Falcons had only one completion in seven attempts. They rushed for 168-yards.
Devin Bush and Mike McCray each had seven solos and 4 assists, for a total of 11. Bush had a sack, as did Chase Winovich. Rashan Gary had one half sack. He made his presence felt all game.

BIG TEN OPENER LOOMS: The Big Ten opener at Purdue is at hand, ready or not. This year’s version of the Spoilermakers seems to be very good as evidenced by their convincing win over Missouri last Saturday.

Go Blue!

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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2017-M OVERCOMES ERRORS AND CINCINNATI TO WIN 36 TO 14

Fresh from their pounding of the SEC’s Florida Gators last Saturday, the Wolverines gathered at Michigan Stadium Saturday  to host the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. The Wolverines and Bearcats had never before met, but both have been playing football for a long, long time. The Wolverines started in 1879 and the Bearcats in 1885.

ABOUT THE BEARCATS: The Bearcats of the American Athletic Conference walloped Austin Peay 26 to 14 Saturday before last, under Head Coach Luke Fickell. 

Coach Fickell coached OSU in their loss at Michigan Stadium in 2011 against Brady’s bunch so he was familiar with the Wolverine’s home environs.  They have visited the other five largest Big Ten Stadiums in the past, so a crowd larger than the 40,000 plus they host at home in Nippert Stadium, wasn’t shocking. They are a young and athletic group.

Fickell was a defensive coach at OSU, under Tressel, and then Meyer, but last year jumped to Cincinnati, where he the Bearcats to a 7-7 record last year. 

A  Cincinnati paper reported numerous problems with their winning effort against Austin Peay. They reported the passing game was suspect, the defense allowed too many big plays considering the opponent was Austin Peay, and that the once solid kicking game was shaky.  The paper also said they might be saving something for Michigan. Their top running back Mike Boone had 100-yards and a TD on nineteen carries a week before last. Against the Wolverines he was 5 for 28-yards. 

Still Cincy had a good effort against the Wolverines, never leading, but pushing the Wolverines more than anyone thought possible prior to the game.  I guess that was the surprise.

The Bearcats had 200-yards total.  K. Lewis was 4 for 29-yards and a TD.  The Bearcats had 13 first downs to the Wolverine’s 16.  They totaled 68-yards rushing, and had a combined rushing and passing total of 200-yards.  Not a bad defensive job at all by the Wolverines.  The Wolverines put up a total of 414-yards.

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For what it’s worth, Cincy probably left M Stadium as the proud owners of a moral victory.  I know that in my section of the press box, more than one was disappointed in the Wolverine results. The spark that fueled the Florida victory was missing at times, as in the third quarter, when they needed offensive production that was not consistently obtained. 

Bearcat Quarterback Hadyn Moore had a good game against Austin Peay last week, tossing 17 completions for 151-yards, but the Cincy defense allowed Austin Peay 224-yards rushing. The Bearcats did not fare that well this week against the Wolverine defense.  Moore took a serious beating.

Later in the game, Rashan Gary was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty, which was reviewed for targeting.  The targeting was not called, but the unsportsmanlike call stood.  It seemed to me to be a bogus call, and must have seemed that way to Rashan too.  On the next play, he flattened that QB with a legal hit.  It was a memorable play. 

Sixty eight yards of penalties hurt the cause.  Right tackle Nolan Ulizio was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on a third quarter three yards to go.  Obviously, that stuff kills drives, and if it happens again can cause him to be tossed. I am sure Coach will drive the lesson home.

Against the Wolverines, the Bearcat’s prospered from major Michigan errors. Two fumbles and a punt bounced off a Wolverine back were  recovered by Cincy to help set the stage for more of a struggle than anticipated.

Pre-game odds showed a point spread of 34.5 points. Consider what a win over the Wolverines would have done for Luke’s career, team, etc. Although it is painful, just recall Appalachian State of eleven years ago to recall the horror of such a loss.  The Wolverines did not let that happen.  While we might not like the Wolverine’s  style in this game as much as in the Florida game preceding,  the young team got a another hat full of experience. 

THE STATE OF THE WOLVERINES TWO GAMES INTO THE SEASON: The whole football world now knows that the young Wolverines passed through their first challenge of the year with the magnificent result of whipping Florida at a neutral site. 

The defense was superbly adaptable, switching defenses as the Gators switched quarterbacks, and more.  They allowed the Gator offense 3 points. M’s own offensive errors allowed the other fourteen of the total seventeen.  They even met Harbaugh’s defensive standard.  Coach praised his defense for being “fast”, not faster (which is a comparison, and he doesn’t like comparisons), just fast.

No question of it.  The defense then looked like a well-oiled machine.  They were fast, effective, well positioned, and playing hard all the time. Those maize uniforms were all over the football. By now you have read all the plaudits, but that victory over Florida remains a remarkable performance all around. The defense accomplished more than the offense, but the offense was outstanding none the less. Special teams were very special as  Nordin set Michigan field goal records.

Dr. Blitz, aka Down Brown, formulated a great defensive plan, and schooled his young charges to perfection in their inaugural.

Now that is past. The Wolverines needed to improve each week regardless of an opponent that was considered by many as a pushover

This game against Cincy did not have the same feel or follow the same script.  There were three fumbles before the half, and two miscues were lost by half time.  Even though it was 17-7 at the half there was a sense of unease.

Fortunately, the defense was again on target. Tyree Kinnel had 9 tackles to go with his pick six. The perpetually active Devin Bush had 7. Kaleke Hudson had six tackles. The DL had some great moments, providing a vital three and out when it counted, and sacks galore. Lavert Hill had a pick six, his first.

On offense the receivers and running backs continued to shine.  Ty Isaac rushed for over 100-yards for the second straight game, and Slot Receiver Grant Perry led the receiver corps as he collared a vital TD late in the game.  Kekoa Crawford had 83-yards and a TD on four catches.

THE WOLVERINES GOT OFF TO A GREAT START: They were off and running, looking unbeatable, until the first miscue was lost.

They started with an 80-yard drive culminated in six. Ty Isaac and Kekoa Crawford carried much of the load in that drive.  Kekoa Crawford caught a 14-yarder, and then a 43-yard TD on a Wilton Speight pass.  The offense looked great.

Next came M’s Tyree Kinnel with a snatch of a Cincy pass, which he returned 26-yards for six. It was his first interception.  The offense and defense looked great.

It was 14 zilch, good guys, until a bounced punt hit the ground, and then hit a Michigan Special Teams player in the back.  At the later press conference, Coach Harbaugh said the player receiving the punt was not deciding whether or not to let it go or catch it in a timely fashion, which contributed to the problem. He also said that while blocking, the blocker needs to keep track of the receiver, as difficult as that is. It was, he said, a matter of experience.  A couple of punts later, Grant Perry assumed those duties flawlessly for the balance of the game.  Cincy took it in from the M 38, ran it in for the score from the 1, and it was 14-7.  Donovan People-Jones was showing great promise as a returner.  Lesson learned, I am sure he will get another shot at the spot.

As the second quarter began the Wolverines were on the move again. Perry caught an 18-yarder.  Donovan People-Jones ripped off a 44-yard run. M’s Quinn Nordin nailed a 28-yard FG, and it was 17-7.  Some thought that the expected rout was still in the offing as the half ended, in spite of the fact that the Wolverines had not been as sharp as expected during the first half on offense and special teams.

The Wolverines had a rough third quarter offensively and defensively.  They lost two of 3 fumbles.

Cincy came out storming offensively, as Cincy QB Hayden Moore sliced the Wolverines on a 10-play, 85-yard drive that culminated in a 10-yard TD pass.  It was now a very unsettling 17 to 14. 

An offensive stalemate then occurred for both teams for several series.  That was finally resolved by a late third quarter Wolverine drive as  M’s TE Gentry nabbed a 42-yard pass.  This run by the QB converted to TE was a great a catch and run. It was as needed as timely. A short pass to rising TE Sean McKeon, and a Karan Higdon run, preceded a 33-yard TD snag by Grant Perry.   At 24 to 14, all that was left for the  Wolverines was to put the icing on the cake.

In the fourth quarter, the Wolverines set their final path to victory on a Quinn Nordin field goal of 24-yards via two big plays.  Ty Isaac broke away for rip up the sideline, and Kekoa Crawford caught a 4th and 8 toss for a first down, to enable the subsequent Nordin score. 27-14. Harbaugh later indicated that they were out of field goal range so why not?

The defense forced a punt with a great stand deep in Bearcat territory.  An errant snap sailed through the end zone for a safety (two points). Did they do this on purpose rather than give the ball back to the Wolverines?  Maybe so, but probably not.  It was now 29-14.

Lavert Hill ended the scoring by stepping in front of a Bearcat pass and returning it 24-yards for the scoring capper.  Final:  M-36, C-14.

THIS ONE LEFT SOME SPEIGHT CONCERN FESTERING:  Wilton Speight had a very decent overall performance. He was 17 of 29 for 221-yards.  He threw for a couple of TDs, and mostly evaded the pass rush effectively.  He did not throw an interception.

Yet he again turned the game around in the first half, the wrong way.  This game, it was careless ball handling, not interceptions, but still not to be expected of an experience quarterback.   

Coach Harbaugh said that he was one handing a missed hand off, Wilton said he was getting his feet tangled when rushed.  Maybe it’s some of both.

Wilton is a good representative of the University of Michigan, and at times a very good quarterback.  He has not earned all the nasty vitriol tossed his way. John Nevarre was an example of a victim of undeserved criticism overplayed.

Yet Wilton has earned some concern, and owns it.  His inconsistency has been consistent the last few games reaching back into last season. High throws, pick sixes, an now fumbles are fast becoming a trademark.  It is time he worked out the kinks.

A WIN BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET: The Bearcats got a moral victory, but the Wolverines got the real thing, even if they did not earn all the style points for this one that fans and odds makers expected. Also good was the fact that some players got their first experience on the field of play.

A unique battle is coming up against the Air Force Academy.  It will be a battle in predicted good weather.  All the service teams give it all they got, and they usually afford a spectacle.  It will be a battle.  Have fun.

Go Blue!

 

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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2017- WOLVERINES DOMINATE GATORS 33-17

The fledgling 2017 Wolverine Football team traveled to meet Florida’s Gators in Jerry World for their high profile season kick off on Saturday, September 2nd. Known officially as AT & T Stadium, and by some as Jerry World, it is also known as the Death Star by some rabid Fort Worth (DFW) area fans.

The Gators and Wolverines had met three times prior to this one, and the Wolverines had prevailed each time. Now they needed more of the same. They fought hard to produce the win.

THE HARBAUGH DILEMMA: AP had the Wolverines ranked 11th in the country and the Gators 17th. The outcome of this game has impact on those rankings, and much more. This third season is probably the most crucial season yet for flamboyant Wolverine Coach Jim Harbaugh as the Wolverine’s headman.

Harbaugh has managed an off field scenario that has been an outstanding success as a result of his innovative ideas and outstanding inventiveness. His recent Rome trip was superb, his camps in SEC country have twisted tails there, and aided recruiting in that fertile recruiting region, and the stands are full with waiting lists. Recruiting has been lights out.

If circumstances dictate it necessary, one can actually sell tickets again for what they cost. Wholesale fan enthusiasm has returned. Despite all the Kool Aid that has been dispensed this pre-season, I am firmly on board with this season’s prospects. It seems enhanced athleticism and determination is there, even if the Wolverines and their Head Coach have drawn the short straw on experience.

Yet beginning this third season, his on field record is only one win better than that of Brady Hoke. The Wolverines have not recently prevailed over the team south of the border, and the Wolverines have NEVER participated in the playoffs that determine the Big Ten’s Champion, let alone won it.

This is a season that the off field coaching and performances, and on field coaching and performances have to achieve parity with each other, with on field performance rising to match off field. If they ever match, it will provide quite a ride for coaches, team and fans. The first step was a win over the Gators. The Wolverines dominated the Gators and surmounted their own offensive and special team’s mistakes.

THE VENUE: This world class NFL venue is the home of the Dallas Cowboys. It seats 84,000 and features an electrically operated, retractable roof to close off the elements. Memories of a fans experience, the ambience of the stadium and venue, cannot close off the elements of football defeat for the losing team, and repair the fan morale of the losing side. The fact that it had not rained on fans or that it provided a view of the 24th biggest high definition video screen in captivity (stretching from twenty to twenty on two sides), with 300 more TVs scattered in the venue, provides no solace to the loser. That stuff fades into insignificance when the final minutes tick off the clock, if it permanently records a disappointment. The Wolverines had never experienced a win at this location until now, but there is this one Arlington competition that Wolverine fans can treasure.

THE VOCAL GATORS LIKE TO CHOMP THE OPPOSITION: Their fans emulate a Gator chomp with arms and hands in the stands, and their coach is SEC loud, even if he did not call the Wolverines slow as SEC partisans are prone to do. Their idea was that they would prevail offensively after a fierce three sided QB competition, possibly using three QBs. They only used two.
The Gators imported a talented quarterback graduate transfer from Notre Dame, Malik Zaire, who was noted for his wheels. Luiji Del Rio, from last year, was in the mix as well and noted for his experience. Feliepe Franks has the best arm of the triumvirate, and he was the named the starter. He was also the least experienced before the game, but both are more experienced now as the Wolverines sacked them 6 times. Zaire replaced Franks in the third quarter, and he finished the game.

M DEFENSE DOMINANT: The Gators have a stable of above average running backs, and the Gator offensive line is deep, capable, and experienced. Pre-game it was considered the strength of their team.

The Wolverines played outstanding defense, which dismantled the Gators offense. The Gators had 192-yards of total defense with just 11-yards on the ground.  Devin Bush was outstanding at Line Backer.  He was all over the place and got to the right place.  He had 5 solo tackles and 2 assists.

The Gators had 9 players in the doghouse, and they did not play, but this was still a good litmus test of the Wolverines’ defensive mettle. They played like well-oiled parts. They were outstanding in most respects. They caused three Gator turnovers. One is described later in the Special Assessment Section. Another was caused by a Josh Metellus strip of the ball from Quarterback Franks. The ball was recovered by Lawrence Marshall at the Gator 37. This enabled Nordin to hit another FG.

Later in the game another recovery, this time in the end zone, provided a Wolverine TD. This one salted the game away on a heavy hit by Chase Winovich on QB Zaire. Noah Furbush gathered it in for six to cap the scoring.

While M will get better, they are good now. Fast, agile, and focused. They have an appropriate mean streak. Nonetheless, the Gators were a strong opponent for this season’s richly talented, but significantly inexperienced Wolverines. The best Florida receiver, Anthony Calloway was among the Gator players disciplined.

Like the Wolverines, the Gators seemed a little less confident regarding their defensive backfield as they lost players to the NFL after last season. Like Michigan, the back end of their defense was rebuilding. The Wolverines have had their own bumps and bruises, some of them to the defensive line, but none of them have been season ending, including Saturday’s Mo Hurst was nicked in late fall, and returned healthy to play and outstanding game, where he was nicked again, and watched as the game finished. There is no doubt he could have been in if needed.  Two DBs left the game at the same position.  Injuries didn’t seem too serious.  Brandon Watson  was nicked after replacing the starter at corner, who also left the game. There may be an update at the presser tomorrow.  If there is, I will update this section, if pertinent information is provided at the presser. 

The inexperienced defensive backfield survived their first challenge, but a couple suffered some nicks.

QUARTERBACK COMPETION HEATS UP AGAIN: That Wilton Speight had a terrible first half is a matter of record. After he hit a beautiful 46-yard TD Pass to Taric Black, a couple of subsequent high throws resulted in two pick sixes by the opposition. The first was to Kekoa Crawford. It seemed to me Crawford should have collared it, as he had it hit both hands, but it was deflected and transported forty-eight yards to the end zone by the Gators. The second was to Grant Perry, and was too high. It was returned 46-yards to football’s Promised Land by the Gators, and it put them in the lead.

This was reminiscent of Speight’s performance in last years’ OSU game, and caused considerable worry in the first half.  John O’Korn replaced Wilton for a couple of series, and he completed a nice pass. Wilton returned to start the second half, and used the short passing game along with runs to produce a seventy five yard TD drive.

This Speight performance, while still worth-while, seems to indicate his grasp on the position is not quite as solid as some thought. You can bet that Harbaugh will quash this idea at his earliest opportunity, like on Monday, but if similar circumstances occur again, then the controversy could heat.

Wilton was 11 of 25 for 181-yards, a TD, but threw the two nasty pick sixes. He has to be credited for recovering from the first half by playing a pretty good second half, and coming from behind to engineer a victory away from home, before rabid fans in a bowl like atmosphere.

THE REST OF THE OFFENSE: Offensive Line: The offensive line was not perfect but played a decent game. The left side was strong and much of the rushing yardage occurred there. Mike Onwenu did well at right guard. Nolan Ulizio, the starting right tackle had a couple of false start penalty calls, but did all right. As a unit they are improved, but need to keep working.

RUNNING BACKS: Ty Isaac had his best game as a Wolverine. He was impressive and led all RBs with 11 carries for 114-yards. He ran hard and was difficult to stop. He had a whopping 10.4 yards per carry average. He broke several long runs that facilitated scores, including some of Quinn Nordin’s field goals.

Karan Higdon ran 7 for 28-yards and a TD.

Chris Evans carried 22 times for 78-yards, with a long of 29.

RECEIVERS: Overall Tarik Black was outstanding. He caught the Wolverines’ first TD. He had 2 completions for 83-yards. Tight End Nick Eubanks nabbed 2 for 61-yards with a long of 48. Grand Perry grabbed 4 for 48-yards. It should be noticed that all these receivers made catches for significant yardage.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Special accolades go to Place Kicker Quinn Nordin. Nordin booted four field goals, two 50 yards or more, with his longest being 55-yards. He set a Michigan record with a 50-yarder and one for 55 in the same game. This kid has proved in his Michigan debut that he is an extraordinary asset. He hit 4 of 6 attempts.  I was surprised he missed his last two.

Donovan Peoples-Jones received punts, ran a couple back for short yardage but made some very athletic moves in the process. He easily secured the ball each time. It looks to me that it is just a matter of time before he hits a big one.

Will Hart did not have outstanding punting stats. He hit 3 for 82 yards but secured the snaps.

James Foug did a great job with the kick offs. When the Gators finally did run it back it spelled disaster for them as Freshman Ambry Thomas forced and recovered a fumble putting the ball at the Gator 16-yard line. Nordin then hit a 30-yard FG.

SOME TAKEAWAY: The Wolverines played with fierce intensity, tired out the opposition, and showed skills beyond their years. They were the bigger, stronger, faster team, and yes, the better coached team. I thought it was right for Harbaugh to give Wilton a little time to reflect on the bench, although he will likely paint it that he was going to use John O’Korn anyway.

Still, nice move, something I was surprised wasn’t done against OSU last season when Wilton threw a couple of interceptions against them. Wilton should be credited for stopping the damage, and engineering a win in the second half.

This was a good opener. A great Bowl atmosphere, large crowd, and hard fought game against a ranked foe. All in all a great day for M coaches, players and fans.

The work has just begun for this team. There will be sterner tests down the road, whether in the maize uniforms or the traditional uniforms. I thought the maize looked great, but also love the traditional.

Go Blue!