The Wolverines outlasted the Trojans despite passing for just 32 yards. Welcome to the Big Ten, rookie.
In a nutshell, Michigan put together a statement win against a top-25 opponent with playoff ambitions. The loudest part of that statement sounds something like they are admitting they abhor the invention of the forward pass. As for the rest of it, let’s dig in and glean some meaning from a wild autumn day in Ann Arbor.
The Good
He had 17 carries for 159 yards and two scores. The most important highlight was his 63-yard ‘put the team on my back’ run in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. It flipped the field and put the Wolverines in scoring position at a point when forward movement felt miraculous. Mullings is a future NFL running back, plain and simple. Donovan Edwards may still be as well, but through four games this year Mullings has twice as much production nearly even carries. Edwards should be pounding the table for snaps as a receiver where his elusiveness and speed in space are sorely lacking in this team’s receiver group. Consider this an official endorsement of Mullings for RB1.
The big boys up front showed up hungry and ate plenty. Josaiah Stewart was a terror off the edge with two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and three tackles for loss. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant chipped in a sack each as well, and Derrick Moore had a crucial pass deflection. When they weren’t haunting Miller Moss’s nightmares, they also bottled the Trojan run game. Removing sacks and Woody Marks’ big 65-yard run, Michigan held USC to 59 yards rushing on 16 carries. A+ performance for stepping up in a big game.
Major respect to Moss, who had to drop back against those big boys 51 times. He completed 28 passes for 283 yards, plus three touchdowns (and a pick-six). Moss had defenders in his face almost constantly but lived up to his reputation for getting the ball out quickly and with touch. A tip of the cap to a worthy opponent.
Jyaire Hill
Hill had a pretty incredible bounce-back game. He spent the first quarter of the schedule getting bullied for being Not Will Johnson but came in for the Wolverine defense’s third-highest PFF score on the day (85.5). He made six tackles – one for loss – and two key pass breakups. On the downside, he and Makari Paige combined for a coverage bust that allowed Ja’Kobi Lane to break free for the Trojans’ go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Still, it’s an encouraging progression for a very talented up-and-comer in the secondary.
The Bad
Michigan’s Pass Game
If you can really call it that. Alex Orji went seven for 12 passing for 32 yards. Until their game-winning drive, Michigan had nine yards on 13 second-half plays. USC’s defense loaded the box, stuffed the run, and dared the Wolverines to complete a pass more than 5 yards downfield. Credit to D’Anton Lynn’s improved unit, but your defense’s job is much easier when your opponent is completely one-dimensional.
It’s not all on Orji, either. This wide receiver group has thus far done very little to show that they can help him (or Davis Warren) shoulder the load. The coaching staff deserves some fault for failing to recruit and develop a serviceable heir to J.J. McCarthy. There are mitigating factors there, to be sure. The timing of Jim Harbaugh’s departure for the NFL really hurt Michigan’s chances to recruit a QB from the portal. Nevertheless, this personnel grouping is not one designed for success through the air, and boy does it show.
With Mullings, Edwards, and top-notch defense, Michigan can keep themselves in the game for the majority of their schedule. If their air attack is going to be this nonexistent, they’ll need to get much more creative on the ground – triple options, RPOs, misdirection, etc. What they’ve put on film so far is a giant neon sign that says “This Next Play Is Almost Certainly A Run.” Opposing defenses are going to tee off if this staff doesn’t get creative.
The Rest
Tight Ends
Colston Loveland missed the game with an injury. His return won’t fix everything, but it should sharpen the air attack’s teeth somewhat. In the meantime, Marlin Klein, Zack Marshall, and Hogan Hansen saw increased snaps and held their own. Marshall played with a club on his hand but still made a key block alongside Max Bredeson to spring Mullings for the Wolverines’ final touchdown. Bredeson in particular will be crucial moving forward in this Oops All Rushing offense. He’s the team’s best blocker by a mile, except for maybe Myles Hinton when he connects.
Offensive Line
Center is still unsettled. Dom Giudice got 38 snaps to Greg Crippen’s 20. Giudice was also Michigan’s second-lowest offensive performer per PFF. Sherrone Moore has coached multiple Joe Moore Award-winning offensive lines and earned the benefit of the doubt, but this one continues to puzzle. Ditto for right tackle Evan Link, who looks solid in the run game and dismal in pass pro. He graded out at just 40 to PFF. Might be time to give Andrew Gentry a shot. Otherwise a solid performance for a position group that’s clearly stronger on the ground.
Some additional quick-hitters and observations:
- Will Johnson
- A pick-six, a program-leading third in his career (good!). A trip to the locker room for an x-ray in the second half (bad!). He spoke with the media to say he’s ok, but a discouraging event nonetheless.
- Makari Paige
- Had a rough game – 45.1 according to PFF – against an elite passing offense. Bet on a bounceback against Minnesota.
- Zeke Berry
- Also came in for a rough PFF grade but passed the eye test save for a few faulty plays where the call did him no favors. He was asked to blitz in the third quarter with no safety help, leading to USC’s second touchdown. Keep an eye on his development in Mike Sainristil’s old spot.
- Linebackers
- An up-and-down outing for both Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham. Somewhat expected given the opponent, but they desperately need to clean up their tackling and prevent second efforts from being daggers.
Next up, PJ Fleck’s Minnesota Golden Gophers come to Ann Arbor to play for the Little Brown Jug.
