[jwplayer ttL4wUO6-XNcErKyb]
From the Little Brown Jug to the Paul Bunyan Trophy, Michigan is looking to keep both of its trophies in Ann Arbor. It was able to secure the Jug last week, but this week the focus is on the in-state rivalry against the Michigan State Spartans. Starting with back-to-back rivalry games is a good way to get the Wolverines’ intensity, but it also brings more pressure on the team. This start isn’t what many were expecting for Michigan, but you should expect the unexpected with it being a rivalry game.
After both teams couldn’t move the ball much on each of its first drives, Michigan State would strike first and take the early 7-0 lead. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi found wide receiver Ricky White with a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass while being covered well by cornerback Gemon Green. The Spartans were able to move the ball well against the Wolverines defense after a slow start.
The Spartans wouldn’t keep their lead for long, though, as the Wolverines rebounded well with a mix of big running and passing plays. Quarterback Joe Milton took a big hit on a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Giles Jackson which helped keep the drive alive on third down. The drive was topped off by an eight-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Blake Corum. Kicker Quinn Nordin came out, made his 2020 season debut, and tied it up at seven.
After multiple defensive stops, MSU was the next team to put up some points. Lombardi would connect on a 53-yard pass to wide receiver Jalen Nailor to move MSU inside the Wolverine redzone. Michigan could only stop them for so long before Lombardi found running back Connor Heyward for a two-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead, 14-7.
Michigan needed points on its next drive, and while it wasn’t seven, three points are better than none. The running game led the offense down the field as running back Hassan Haskins had three carries for 36 yards on the drive. In the wildcat formation that Haskins usually runs, Haskins gained a yard on the first attempt, but on the second attempt, he attempted a pass that was almost intercepted, and it forced Michigan to kick a field goal. Kicker Quinn Nordin came out and made the 23-yard field goal to make it 14-10 Michigan State.
Positives:
- Milton continues to impress as he is 13/20 for 150 yards and six carries for 29 yards. Milton took a huge hit and stood up and delivered it with ease. Milton isn’t afraid to take any chances and take a hit if he knows he can move the ball forward. His big body frame will be hard to bring down, so if he can stay upright and still deliver passes, he can keep drives alive. Milton had some minor issues, but overall he started well again.
- While it is too early to call it, but Michigan could have figured out its kicker position. Nordin made his 2020 season debut after missing the first game due to an undisclosed injury. Nordin looked good on the extra point attempt, and he made the first field goal of the season for the Wolverines. Moody hasn’t attempted anything so far, so it will be interesting to see if Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh sticks with Nordin only or if he gives Moody a chance later in the game.
Negatives
- After slowing down the Minnesota passing attack last week, Michigan’s secondary struggled early on against MSU. Cornerback Gemon Green was targeted early and often as he was covering the first touchdown. He was called for defensive pass interference on the next series and then was in coverage on an overthrown deep pass. Green wasn’t the lone cornerback having issues, as cornerback Vincent Gray was burnt as well by Nailor to set up the 14-7 lead. Michigan’s secondary took a step back from its strong start last week. While they have only allowed 96 yards through the air, the damage was enough to help move the ball and help put up points.
- The running game for the Wolverines hasn’t been able to be as efficient and effective as they were last week. Last week they had 256 yards and five touchdowns, and so far, they have 17 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown today against a tougher defense. While it was expected that the running game wouldn’t put up similar numbers, besides the final drive of the half, they have struggled to keep the ball moving forward on the ground. The passing game has been doing fine, but if the ground game can improve, it can help the offense take that next level step to gain the lead and not look back.
Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @BKnappBlogs
[lawrence-related id=28202,28167,28165]