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Nothing But ‘Net – Week #11 – 01/07/2019 – Good Basketball, Bad Officiating

The (#2) University of Michigan men’s basketball team played two games last week, and they won them both. On Thursday (01/03/2019), they beat Penn State 68-55, then on Sunday (01/06/2019), they beat (#21) Indiana 74-63. Both games were in sold-out Crisler Arena. The two wins raise Michigan’s record to 15-0 (4-0 in the Big Ten).

Time for more Questions & Answers:

Q: I get the “good basketball” part, but what’s up with the “bad officiating” bit?

A: I’ve been watching Big Ten basketball since the 1974-75 season (44 years), and I’m still not used to how bad the officiating can be. This week was particularly bad. In both games, the refs took over in the 2nd half, determined to keep the game close. I counted 12 bad calls in the PSU game, and 10 in the IU game. The really frustrating part was that 8 of the bad calls in the IU game were in a row, all against Michigan, just when UM was about to put the game out of reach. They showed the replays on the scoreboard, and they were all terrible calls. With fair officiating, Michigan wins this game by 25 points.

Q: You’re really going to complain about the officiating when Michigan won both games by double figures?

A: You bet! The refs are supposed to officiate the game without looking at the score, but they really tried hard to keep both games close. UM couldn’t buy a decent call for over 7 minutes in the 2nd half of the IU game. It was ridiculous. The Big Ten has always had mediocre officiating, but these two crews really took it to the extreme. They were just horrible.

Q: Enough of that; let’s hear about the “good basketball”.

A: Michigan played very well in both games, despite the poor officiating (that’s the last time I’ll mention it). Michigan was supposed to beat PSU, probably by more than 13 points, and they played a good solid, unimpressive game against them. Michigan was also favored in the IU game, by 8 points, so they actually beat the point spread. IU was ranked, and they have two very good players, so UM had to play well to beat them.

In the PSU game, Michigan only trailed twice (5-4 and 7-6) before they got the lead for good, and kept it in the 6-8 point range for the rest of the 1st half, and in the 10-12 point range for most of the 2nd half. PSU did get within 8 points a few times in the 2nd half (51-43, 53-45, and 55-47) before UM pushed the lead up into double digits for most of the rest of the game.

In the IU game, Michigan led for the entire game, although it was only a 2 point lead early (11-9), before UM went on a quick 12-0 run to make the lead a little more comfortable. UM got the lead as high as 19 points (32-13, with 8:29 left in the 1st half), but generally kept the lead in the 12-14 point range. IU crept a little closer in the 2nd half, but UM kept them at arm’s length.

Q: What do the team stats tell us?

A: Actually, the stats were much less impressive than I expected.

In the PSU game, Michigan shot pretty well overall (25-for-55 = 45.5%), they shot 3-pointers decently (5-for-14 = 35.7%), and they shot free throws decently (13-for-19 = 68.4%). They lost the rebounding battle (37-29), but they won the turnover battle (10-18). Michigan won this game because PSU couldn’t hit 3-pointers (1-for-14 = 7.1%). Was that good defense by Michigan, or ineptness by PSU? A little of both.

In the IU game, Michigan shot well overall (29-for-58 = 50.0%), they shot 3-pointers pretty poorly (4-for-16 = 25.0%), and they shot free throws pretty well (12-for-16 = 75.0%). Once again, UM lost the rebounding battle (34-31), but they won the turnover battle (3-7). Look at those turnover numbers: 10 turnovers total between the two teams! Those 4 extra possessions were key to Michigan’s win. Not-so-fun fact: UM started the game 4-for-6 from 3-point range, and missed their last 10 attempts.

Q: Who looked good for Michigan?

A: A few players had a good week:

  • Jordan Poole was the high scorer for Michigan in both games, with 17 vs. PSU and 18 vs. IU. He had a little trouble with his 3-point shot (1-for-4 and 2-for-6), but he managed to score in other ways to help Michigan to victory.
  • Charles Matthews hit double figures in both games (14 and 18 points), and even grabbed a few rebounds (5 and 6). He shot 3-pointers very well this week (1-for-1 and 2-for-3), and played great defense, especially in the IU game.
  • Ignas Brazdeikis hit double figures in both games (16 and 10 points), and grabbed 11 rebounds vs. PSU for his first career double-double.
  • Zavier Simpson almost hit double figures in both games (8 and 12 points), and he did a great job running the offense and playing tough defense.
  • Jon Teske didn’t hit double figures in either game (9 and 6 points), but he was very important defensively in both games. He couldn’t stop either of the opposing centers completely, but he did his best to slow them down. He had 2 blocked shots in each game.
  • Brandon Johns, Jr. had one forgettable game (no shots taken in 2 minutes vs. PSU) and one breakout game this week (8 points and 8 rebounds in 13 minutes vs. IU, both career highs). He looked very comfortable and poised out there vs. IU, and helped hold the fort when both Teske and Davis had foul problems.

Q: Who looked not-so-good for Michigan?

A: A couple players had an “off” week:

  • Eli Brooks had one of his least effective weeks, with 2 and 0 points.
  • Austin Davis scored 2 points in each game, but committed too many fouls to stay out there for long (2 and 4).

Q: Who else played?

A: Only one of the scout team players got into a game:

  • David DeJulius played 1 minute in the IU game, but didn’t attempt a shot.

Q: Who didn’t play?

A: The big story this week was the absence of Isaiah Livers. He missed both games with back spasms. He warmed up in both games, but didn’t play. His availability going forward is “day to day”/”game time decision”. UM needs him back and healthy, as soon as possible. He’s become a very valuable 6th man, subbing in at either the 4 or 5 and giving Michigan a spark.

Other than DeJulius, the rest of the scout team players didn’t play this week: C.J. Baird, Colin Castleton, Adrien Nuñez, and Luke Wilson.

Q: What did we learn this week?

A: We learned that Michigan can elevate their level of play when the Big Ten schedule rolls around. In the five December games after the Purdue game (at Northwestern, home vs. South Carolina, Western Michigan, Air Force, and Binghamton), Michigan didn’t look particularly sharp, although they were sharp enough to win them all. If Michigan had played the way they did vs. WMU this week against PSU or IU, they probably would have lost, but they elevated their game to match the competition.

We also learned that Brandon Johns is starting to “get it”, and that he can be a viable sub at the center position.

Q: What’s next for Michigan?

A: Michigan plays two games this week, one on the road and one at home. On Thursday (01/10/2019, 8:00 p.m. EST, FS1), Michigan plays at Illinois, then on Sunday (01/13/2019, 7:30 p.m., BTN), they play Northwestern in Crisler Arena.

Illinois is currently 4-11 (0-4 in Big Ten), with no impressive wins, and losses to Iowa State, Nebraska, Florida Atlantic, and Northwestern. They have some height: two 7’0″ guys, but no true “stars”. It’s tough to win any game on the road in the Big Ten, but this is a game that Michigan should win convincingly, if they focus and play their “A” game.

Northwestern is currently 10-5 (1-3 in Big Ten), with one decent win (Georgia Tech) and losses to Fresno State, Indiana, and Oklahoma. They have a little bit of height (three 6’10” players), and a few decent players. Michigan has already played Northwestern once this season (in Evanston on 12/04/2018), when they won a close game 62-60. This game should be a lot like the UM/PSU game last week. If UM plays a decent game, they should be able to beat Northwestern by double digits.

That’s it for this week. Come on down to Crisler for the Northwestern game.

Go Blue!

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Nothing But ‘Net – Week #10 – 12/31/2018 – Ho-Ho-Ho-Hum & Midterm Grades

Happy New Year! Forget about the Peach Bowl, Michigan is a basketball school now.

The (#2) University of Michigan men’s basketball team played one game last week, and they won it. On Sunday (12/30/2018), they beat Binghamton 74-52 in Crisler Arena. The win raises Michigan’s record to 13-0 (2-0 in the Big Ten).

Time for more Questions & Answers:

Q: Wait, #2?

A: Oh yeah, I haven’t mentioned Michigan’s AP ranking this season. They started the season ranked #19, and have steadily climbed the rankings (#18, #9, #7, #5, and #4) to get to this point. The #1 team, Duke, has lost once, but they have looked very good. While all the other teams ahead of them in the rankings have lost a game or two, Michigan has managed to remain undefeated, including impressive wins over Villanova, North Carolina, and Purdue. Michigan is now one of only four teams that are still undefeated. The other three are: (#4) Virginia, (#6) Nevada, and (#22) Houston.

By the way, Michigan ended the calendar year 2018 with a record of 34-5, including a 14-game winning streak near the end of last season, and a 13-game winning streak to start this season. Wow! They’ve won 27 of their last 28 games.

Q: Why “Ho-Ho-Ho-Hum”?

A: It was a “ho-hum” kind of win, with some “Ho Ho Ho” thrown in for the Christmas/holiday break. Once again, Michigan “played down” to an obviously-inferior-but-pesky opponent in a guarantee game for all but the last eight minutes. The game started out looking like a rout, with UM hitting their first three shots, all 3-pointers, and leading 9-3. Then, they missed their next nine shots in a row, over a six-minute period, and trailed 11-9. The game was tied up 14-14 and 16-16 before UM went ahead for good, 19-16, at the 9:06 mark. Although they never let Binghamton catch up, they sure took their time shaking them off. The lead shrunk to 2 points a few times in the 1st half, and was only 5 points (34-29) at halftime. Binghamton was still within 3 points (46-43) with 11:49 to go in the game, and only down 7 points (50-43) with 8:36 left. That’s when Michigan finally woke up, outscoring Binghamton 24-9 in the last eight minutes to win comfortably.

Q: What was the problem this time?

A: That’s where the “Ho Ho Ho” comes in: Michigan looked like they had just gotten back from a few days off for their Christmas/holiday break. They looked rusty and distracted and just out of sorts. They didn’t exactly “look past” Binghamton, but they didn’t take them very seriously. Once again, I don’t think it’s a real problem, and I expect them to be much more focused when the Big Ten schedule resumes next week.

Q: What do the team stats tell us?

A: Actually, the stats were much better than I expected. Michigan shot pretty well overall (30-for-63 = 47.6%), they shot 3-pointers very well (11-for-18 = 61.1%), but they shot free throws poorly (3-for-6 = 50.0%). They won the rebounding battle (37-31) and the turnover battle (8-14). The 3-point barrage won the game for Michigan.

Complete stats here.

Q: Who looked good for Michigan?

A: A few players had a good game:

  • Ignas Brazdeikis had a real up-and-down-and-up-again game. He hit one of the early 3-pointers (at the 18:53 mark), then couldn’t buy a basket until the 3:37 mark in the 1st half. He was more consistent in the 2nd half, finishing with 21 points and 8 rebounds. He shot a decent percentage overall (9-for-18), but he was perfect shooting 3-pointers (3-for-3).
  • Jordan Poole scored 18 points, all on 3-pointers (6-for-10). His six 3-pointers is a new career high for him.
  • Zavier Simpson only scored 2 points, on free throws, but he contributed in other ways. He was Michigan’s leading rebounder (9), and had 10 assists.
  • Isaiah Livers wasn’t the leading scorer for Michigan, but he was probably the reason Michigan won. He came off the bench and scored a career-high 17 points on fantastic shooting (8-for-10 overall, 1-for-2 from 3-point range), and he gave the team a much-needed spark every time he came in.

Q: Who looked not-so-good for Michigan?

A: A couple players had an “off” game:

  • Charles Matthews had a miserable game, with 7 points on 3-for-12 shooting.
  • Jon Teske had an “off” game as well, with 4 points. With his height advantage, he should have had 18-20 points, not 4. He kept settling for 8-foot jumpers instead of dunks, and he missed most of them (2-for-6 shooting).
  • Eli Brooks had one of his least effective games, with 3 points on 1-for-4 shooting.

Q: Who else played?

A: Most of the scout team players got into the game:

Q: Who didn’t play?

A: C.J. Baird and Luke Wilson didn’t get into the game.

Q: What’s this about Midterm Grades?

A: Even though Michigan isn’t quite to the halfway point in the season, with 13 games played and 18 left to go, the end of the non-conference portion of the schedule is a logical time to look back on the first (almost) half of the season and assign midterm grades. Here goes:

Freshman Eligibility

  • Ignas Brazdeikis (A) – Iggy has been sensational so far this season, with only one “off” game (Western Michigan). He leads the team in scoring (16.5 points/game), and is shooting with pretty good accuracy (50.7% overall, 42.9% from deep). He’s been Michigan’s high scorer in 6 of the 13 games so far.
  • Colin Castleton (Incomplete) – Colin has only played in 7 games so far, and scored 6 points. He hasn’t appeared ready to play regularly and contribute yet.
  • David DeJulius (Incomplete) – David has only played in 9 games so far, and scored 6 points. He hasn’t appeared ready to play regularly and contribute yet.
  • Brandon Johns, Jr. (Incomplete) – Brandon has only played in 9 games so far, and scored 7 points. He hasn’t appeared ready to play regularly and contribute yet.
  • Adrien Nuñez (Incomplete) – Adrien has only played in 9 games so far, and hasn’t scored yet. He hasn’t appeared ready to play regularly and contribute yet.

Sophomore Eligibility

  • C.J. Baird (Incomplete) – C.J. has only played in 7 games so far, and scored 3 points. He’s on the scout team, and only plays in “garbage time”.
  • Eli Brooks (B) – Eli has been the most pleasant surprise so far this season. He had a very quiet freshman season, but he’s much more confident and productive this season. He has played in all 13 games, has scored 56 points (4.3 points/game), and has shot pretty well (44.9% overall, 34.5% from 3-point range).
  • Austin Davis (C-) – Austin has had a slow start to this season. He has played in 10 games so far, and has only scored 15 points. He is shooting a nice percentage though: 7-for-11 (63.6%). He has had problems with committing silly fouls, and seems a step slow out there.
  • Isaiah Livers (B+) – Isaiah has been another pleasant surprise this season. While he was nominally a starter last season, he didn’t play much, and didn’t do much when he did play. This season, he has been a big contributor to Michigan’s success. He doesn’t start, but he’s Michigan’s sixth man, and he usually sparks the team when he comes in. Last season, he played forward, but this season he is playing center much of the time. He’s a different kind of center than Jon Teske, and he allows Michigan to play “small ball” and push the tempo a little more. He has played in all 13 games, he has scored 103 points (7.9 points/game), and has the 2nd best 3-point shooting percentage on the team (20-for-43 = 46.5%).
  • Jordan Poole (B+) – Jordan has definitely improved from last season, but not as much as expected. Still, he is the 3rd leading scorer on the team (13.5 points/game), and the best 3-point shooter (34-for-68 = 50.0%). When he’s hot from 3-point range, he’s one of the best in the country, but when he’s cold, it can be painful.
  • Luke Wilson (Incomplete) – Luke has only played in 4 games so far, and hasn’t scored yet. He’s on the scout team, and only plays in “garbage time”.

Junior Eligibility

  • Charles Matthews (B+) – Charles can take over a game and be unstoppable, or he can go invisible out there. When he’s “on” and into the game, he looks like a future NBA player, but he occasionally loses focus, and just drifts around. He is the 2nd leading scorer on the team (13.9 points/game), but his shooting percentages aren’t very good: 43.2% overall, 31.1% from deep. He has improved his free throw shooting from last season. He’s up to 61.9%, which is respectable.

  • Zavier Simpson (B) – It’s hard to grade Zavier out there, since many of the things he does don’t show up in the box score. He isn’t scoring much (6.7 points/game), and his shooting percentages aren’t very good (41.7% overall, 27.6% from deep), but he does have the most assists (81) and steals (20) on the team by far. He does a good job running the offense, and he is tenacious on defense.

  • Jon Teske (B) – Jon has done a good job taking over as the starting center, and he does some things very well, but he’s not a complete player. He is the 5th leading scorer on the team (7.5 points/game), he’s shooting pretty well overall (50.0%), and he leads the team in rebounds (82) and blocks (27). On the other hand, he’s not as quick or nimble as Isaiah Livers, and he’s not the 3-point threat that Isaiah is, shooting 3-for-15 (20.0%) so far. Still, it’s nice to have a 7’1″ guy out there protecting the rim.

Q: What did we learn this week?

A: We learned that Michigan can win a guarantee game with a “ho-hum” performance after a distracting holiday break. That’s about it.

Q: What’s next for Michigan?

A: The Binghamton game was Michigan’s last non-conference game. Big Ten play starts this week. Michigan plays two games this week, both at home. On Thursday (01/03/2019, 7:00 p.m., ESPN), Michigan plays Penn State, then on Sunday (01/06/2019, 4:30 p.m., CBS), they play (#23) Indiana.

Penn State is currently 7-6 (0-2 in Big Ten), with no impressive wins, and losses to DePaul, Bradley, and Alabama. They don’t have much height: two 6’9″ guys, and two 6’8″ guys. This is a game that Michigan should win convincingly, but they’ll need to focus and play their “A” game.

Indiana is currently 11-2 (2-0 in Big Ten), with wins over Penn State, Northwestern, and Louisville, and losses to Arkansas and Duke. They have a decent amount of height (three 6’10” guys), and a hotshot freshman guard (Romeo Langford). This game will be every bit as challenging as Michigan’s other games against ranked opponents (Villanova, North Carolina, and Purdue), and Michigan will have to play very well to beat them.

That’s it for this week. Come on down to Crisler for the two Big Ten games.

Go Blue!

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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2018-GATORS CHOMP WOLVERINES 41-15

The 7th ranked Wolverines (10-2) ventured to Atlanta, Ga. to snap back again at a far too recent and familiar foe, Florida’s Gators (9-3).  The Chick-Fil-a Peach Bowl was deemed by many as a consolation prize as neither team secured their league championship.

A game in a big city, that sometimes does not sport sub-tropical weather this time of year, seemed less attractive to many fans, me included. However, the modern Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a singular facility, and the home of the Atlanta Falcons.

The day was overcast with a 7 mile an hour wind, with a partly cloudy sky, but no weather impacted the outcome of this game, as the roof of this edifice closes. It will host the next Super Bowl. So, what happened to the Wolverines on what was not their day?

THE PLAY ACTION PASSING GAME THE WOLVERINES BASICALLY WANT TO PLAY AGAIN HAD NO RUNNING GAME SUPPORT:The passing game had some good minutes, some innovative plays, short and downfield, but in games won this year has it has not had to carry the whole offensive load.

The M rushing statistics are laid out below, and they are dismal.   The backs Tru Wilson, and Chris Evans, and Christian Turner, gave it effort, as did the other backs, but the necessary results were not there. The holes were few, and with some exceptions, expected by opposition.  There were some screens, and other innovative plays.

At the beginning of the game, the Wolverines could not sustain a drive for six by converting a third and one, and on the next play a fourth and one. FB Ben Mason rued he did not keep his feet on the ground and moving. The OL did not create the needed push.

Both offensive and defensive problems plagued the Wolverines.  They could not stop the running game of the talented Florida running backs, or Florida’s Quarterbacks (a large, and mobile Quarterback of 240 pounds or thereabouts). Michigan’s offense made more mistakes than that of Florida, and so did the M defense.

There was a game changing interception early.  A later game  changing interception taken to the house came later.  The  third quarter game breaker happened on a long Patterson downfield throw.  The Gator Safety made a tremendous play on the ball after first heading up field toward the end zone to then run a curving path to the high point at which he could intercept ball. I don’t think Shea could see him or knew the Safety’s intentions when he threw. The second interception was deflected by a defensive Gator and intercepted.

The Wolverines blocked two punts.  They are described in greater detail below. The one by Kaleke Hudson was spectacular in the area, and came at a late effort time, but unluckily this blocked punt rolled through the end zone before the Wolverines could cover it, and led to only two points.

Lady luck was not with them Saturday, and the fact is, that as hard as the Wolverines played for most of the game, they were not rewarded with any favorable bounce. Also, several injuries didn’t help the cause. Michael Dwumfour, Devin Gil among them did not help. Kwitty Paye, too.

THE MICHIGAN TEAM LOOKED AND PLAYED LIKE THEY WANTED TO BE AT THE PEACH BOWL, BUT COULD NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH TO WIN:Every bowl has many emoluments for players, and this package was no exception. The Wolverines were sorely in need of an 11th win to jump start 2019, and to help erase the lingering disappointment from their season ending loss. It was not to be as their record slid to 10 and 3 for the season. The Wolverines made a good effort for most of the game.  They did not come out as flat as beer on a platter, which I worried might be the case after OSU.

THERE ARE ASPECTS OTHER THAN LOCATION WHICH ATTRACTS OR CONCERNS BOWL FANS: One such is the competition.  I have already mentioned that the Peach Bowl, and facing the Gators, was not a pre-game choice of many Michigan fans.  Many felt they had seen that act before on a similar stage.  Many were let down by not having a shot at the Rose Bowl, which for a time seemed possible.

But fact is that this year’s Gators are a decent football (nationally 10th ranked prior to the game), and under a first-year Coach Dan Mullen.  Mullen has forged an efficient spread running offense, a good defense which simply outplayed the Wolverines.  For almost three quarters it was a hard-fought, competitive game.  The Gators managed to snap their four-game losing streak to the Wolverines with their first victory over the Wolverines.  It was a competitive game for most of it, and hard hitting.

The Wolverines did get an important Bowl game benefit which is mentioned every year, the fifteen extra practices, plus a hard lesson again in the level of play needed to win against a ranked team.

Even so, it is still a fact that the Rose Bowl remains the jewel Bowl venue of any not labeled a play-off Bowl. Also, many fans wanted a New Year’s Day game, and that was not to be.  This game was labeled as part of the New Years six.

In spite of all these shortcomings, I believe most fans felt afterwards this was a hard- hitting game between two worthy teams.  For this Wolverine fan, except for the out-come, it was a good football game.

PLAYER’S SITUATION IS FAR DIFFERENT FROM FANS:  They must shrug off the most-ugly losses.  While the fans can pout a little, and complain a lot, the players have to refocus goals, rebuild confidence, and have to have short memories of prior errors, and painful defeats.  They have to get back to business, and back to work again with fervor and emotion. They have to be totally and continuously goal-oriented. They have to give up their bodies to achieve goals with single minded purpose.  Football is a tough game, and it is even tougher when you lose. Most of them give it all that they can, all the time.

A good example is DE Chase Winovich.  He had an Indiana game injury that still lingers, and needs surgical remedy.  But he postponed surgery and played. He did well for the most part.

I remember interviewing Chase when he was first gaining playing time, he was extremely grateful for it.  He has built one fine career. He has been a great representative of Wolverine Football even if he not was a Captain all season until now.  Since Karan Higdon chose not to play and was a Captain. Chase Winovich was chosen to replace Karan for this game. Chris Perry was the other Captain.

M HAD MORE THAN THEIR USUAL SHARE  OF RUNNING GAME WOES THIS GAME:  They did not rush the ball effectively.  Christian Turner led the M rushers with 38-yards on 7 carries with a long of 8-yards for a 4.6 average.  Chris Evans also had 7 carries for 21-yards and a 2.9-yard average.  Wilson, Milton, Patterson and Mason brought the team total to 30 carries for a net 77-yards.

The Wolverines did not defend the run effectively either.  In comparison, the Gators rushed 40 times for 264 net yards.  Three of their backs got more than 50-yards. The Gator QB, F. Franks scampered for 74-net yards on 14 jaunts, with a long of 30 and a TD.   He had a 5.3 average for this game. This was an outstanding performance on their part, but dismal for our defense.

THERE WAS PLENTY OF REASON FOR THE PLAYERS TO BE EXCITED FOR THE PEACH BOWL. THERE WERE NO DEFECTORS, JUST GOOD M MEN MOVING ON: The players individually get an expensive “goodies” package, but some M men felt it in their best interest to move on before the game, for their own understandable reasons. It is the play-off system that has made this bed, as the value of any Bowl not a play-off has been diminished.

Some M players got to get more rest for injuries incurred in the long regular season because of the time off between games.    Some like Rashan Gary chose not to play in the Peach Bowl to rest the injury. So did OL Juwan Bushell-Beatty, and LB Devin Bush, Jr., the team’s MVP.   Bush was everybody’s All-American pick, and he deserved the honor.  A hip injury received against OSU is still healing , and it is understandable  he could not miss any  opportunity to enhance his NFL draft prospects.

RB and Captain Karan Higdon also missed the game to prepare for the NFL draft.  Karan had been the Wolverines running game all season, but felt he could miss no opportunity to enhance his prospects for the NFL draft.

Their concerns are understandable. They had contributed some great football minutes to the Wolverines, and will be missed. No hard feelings here. Good luck to those who chose to play, and to the M Men that didn’t.

ONE BIT OF GOOD NEWS CAME FROM SEAN PATTERSON last week before the Peach Bowl game.  He has stated that he wants another shot at the Buckeyes. He has owned up to the fact that his showing against OSU was not to up to his standard, and the fact is, that in-spite of that showing, he had the best season of any of the QBs that have played under Coach Harbaugh at Michigan.  Before this game, Patterson threw for more than 2,300 yards, and threw to opposition only 5 times in the regular season, while tossing 21 TDs. It is a fact that he is the best QB of the Jim Harbaugh era to date, and will only improve with a year in the system. A week or so ago Shea announced his intention to remain in school next year.  As among fighter pilots experience is a prime factor in success, it is with QBs in big time football.  Even if one of the backups can match his talent, he has won more games than the rest of the QB room put together.

Shea had a decent day Saturday.  Again, the OL was leaky at times.  His unfortunate first interception was the first turning point of the game, no question. He threw for 236-yards on 23 attempts, with one TD and, the two interceptions. Joe Milton completed one pass for 13-yards to make the total M passing yardage 239-yards.  WR Nico Collins was Shea’s most common receiver, snagging a team long of 41-yards and 4 other passes for a total of 80-yards.Donovan-Peoples Jones nabbed a beautifully thrown 18-yard TD pass, plus 7 others for a total of 71-yards.  Together Turner, Perry, Black, Evans and Wilson hauled in passes for 198-yards.  Christian Turner had a nice catch and run into the cancelled on review, as they detected a foot slightly out of bounds.  Tarik Black had a key catch called a drop on replay.

LB JOSH ROSS LEAD THE DEFENSE with 10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and a sack.  Kaleke Hudson was energized with 7 tackles, 1 TFL and a blocked punt.  Chase Winovich contributed 7 total tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a 12-yard sack.LB Devin Gil had a sack, and left the game injured.  The unit totaled 3 sacks.

HOW THEY SCORED:The Gators won the toss, deferred, and the Wolverines received.  received.Shea had a nifty 21-yard jaunt to the Florida 47, but the drive failed when Christian Turner had an apparent TD ruled out of bounds at the Florida 38.  Ben Mason was held twice, once on third and 1, and a 4th and one.  Ball turned over, and an early opportunity for momentum lost.  I consider this an OL failure, as well as Ben leaving his feet..

M soon got the ball back, but a 27-yard drive stalled on a 7-yard sack of Patterson.

At 5:37 Florida hit a 21-yard FG to finish a 10 play, 71-yard drive.  A 41-yard pass did most of the damage. The Gators led by M-0, Gators-3.

The Wolverines replied with a 9 ply, 75-yard drive fueled by a 41-yard catch to the Gator 21.  A perfect Shea pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones, who made a perfect catch, supplied 6 more points.  The PAT made it 7-3 at 202 of the 1st Quarter. M-7, Gators-3.

The First Quarter ended M-7, Gators-3.

At 12.22 of the 2nd Quarter. The Gators put together enough ground game to provide for a 10-play drive for a 26-yard FG.

Now it was M-7, F-6.  We got a TD and they got only FGs, so I was feeling good.

The Wolverines blocked their first punt of the day.

In a later drive, Shea was hit for a five-yard loss, and unsuccessfully tried to throw the ball away.  It was deemed a fumble and was recovered by an alert Christian Turner at the Gator 36.  Disaster averted.

M’s J’Marick Woods recovered a blocked Gator punt, as Jordan Glasgow got to it, to give the Wolverines the ball on the UF 30.

Jake Moody again proved his worth by nailing a 48-yard goal. He did miss a 52-yard attempt wide to the left, but he still has been Wolverine gold this season. It was now 10 to 6 Michigan, with 5:56 left in the third quarter.

But one of the  first half turning points in the game had come, as on the next possession as the Michigan D did not contain Florida QB F. Franks, and he scooted 20-yards for a 20-yard TD unmolested. As a result of the 8-play, 75-yard drive which culminated at 2.21 of the second quarter, the Wolverines were behind at the half 10 to 13.

Early in the third quarter, the biggest second half turning point of the game came with the interception of a long downfield Shea throw in a spectacular play by the Gators.  The return was for 53-yards to the M-44.

The Gators scored on a 5-yard pass to make it 10-20 and the die was cast for the ensuing Gator victory.  For the it culdn.t get better, and for the Wolverines, it couldn’t get worse.

Florida held on the next M possession as Shea was sacked.  The Gators had both a 30-yard pass and a 30-yard run to score on a 1-yard run at 2:34 of the third. Now 10-27 it was a desperate situation for the Wolverines.

But things got worse in the fourth.  The Wolverines had the benefit of an apparent catch by Tarik Black was overruled, and deemed a drop.  That’s the kind of day it was.  Jake hit a 26-yard FG at 12:16 of the fourth, and it was 13-27.  It was an 8 play, 63-yard drive.

Next Florida broke a terrific 53- yard run for 6 at 10:34, and it was 13-34. Michigan could only reply with a blocked kick to make it 15-34.  Kaleke Hudson make a terrific play, but the unfortunately the ball rolled through the end zone for a two-point safety instead of getting covered in the end zone for the six they needed.  It was a great and timely play by Kaleke.

At 4:43 the scoring was finished as another interception Patterson was hurried into the end zone for a final of 15-41.

TAKEAWAY:  This game obviously did not provide the great leap forward into next year that all Wolverines  desires. Harbaugh employed wore his usual laconic personna afterwards.  He believed his team was ready, stated that neither the offense or defense played well, and credited the opposition.  Averred that the team has had a good season, but needs to get over the top to the next level. He said the injuries to Kwity Paye and Devin Gil were hamstrings.

Chase Winovich was not as precise as Harbaugh, but a little more interesting.  He said a lot post-game:  Among his comments was the following on how the team looks back on their completed 2018 season. “You can make excuses for stuff.  Obviously, the players leaving were impact players from the last time we played Florida, we had injuries galore.  In warmups I strained my calf and hamstring.  I’m dealing with a cold. I have to get surgery on something else.  Excuses could go on and on.  I don’t think that would make a difference. They were just a better team than us today.  Hats off to them!”

And hats off to a group, including Chase, of Wolverines that had a taste of stunning success, and the other side of the coin , all in the same season.

Let’s leave it at that.

Go Blue!