Michigan Wolverines: Rutgers — What Happened and What it Means — Part III
Oct 4, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach reacts after Michigan scored a touchdown during the first halfagainst Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Posted at 6:00pm — 10/6/2014
Michigan Wolverines: Rutgers — What Happened and What it Means — Part III
Michigan versus Rutgers Game Wrap-up
Raw Deal, Raw Play, or Both
Jack Miller is the type of guy who will fight through adversity and negativism. Without undergoing a grade session, Miller appeared to be solid Saturday night. There were two holding calls that hurt Michigan. Both were marginal but in plain sight of the official, whose job it is to look for a grab outside the pad area. The belief here is that if the blockers had let go much sooner, the calls may have been spared. On one of the two occasions the runner had cleared the zone and there was no need for a grab.
Oct 4, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach reacts on sideline during the first half against Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY SportsTheme eight involves the final end game situation. The conclusion here is that Darboh caught the ball and appeared to have a first down or at least be exceptionally close: two steps in and a few out of bounds before any ball movement. He had already caught the ball and then semi-fumbled out of bounds. Pitchfork holders may point to this play as another example of Michigan failing to get the job done. Perhaps this was simply a bad break for a team that was on the march to win the game. Coach Hoke had no choice but to spend the time out to challenge what was originally ruled a catch and overturned by another official. He was right to defend the play as a catch in the post-game interview.
This left a tough choice: 4th down and 9 yards to convert, or a 56-yard field goal effort. The odds of both are about one in five, so the choice was a push. In continuing the cruelness of the fates, the kick was blocked. When a kicker is at the end of his limit, it is customary to hit the ball a little higher on the football to gain a little more distance. The result was a blocked kick.
Oct 4, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Steve Longa (3) tackles Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) during the first half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY SportsFinally, Jake Ryan may have summed it up in the best manner after the game by stating- “Keep your heads up. “Play for the guy next to you, and play for Michigan. And I think that’s what we’re going to do. “Whenever you lose, there’s adversity. And we’ve just got to play through that. We’re men, and we know we’ve got to move on.”
This team must continue to stay together and support each other; that collectively is mission number one, even at least as important at this point than winning. It may have actually been a small blessing that Michigan was on the road instead of at the Big House. The Queen of Hearts mentality will remain and players must isolate themselves from the venon, practice hard, go to class, and improve. There must be a collective effort to find a way to win. It is not like those involved in a losing effort should be treated as ancient lepers. Play hard and play well has to be the motif.
Oct 4, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Jarrod Wilson (22) hits Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Leonte Carroo (4) after making a catch during the first half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY SportsCoach Mattison has some real issues to address. The blitz schemes are well known, tipped off early so that the offense can audible to another play, and disastrous. Later Saturday, at times, Michigan stopped blitzing and seemed to have better results. But even with the bad luck and improved running game, Michigan came up short. Providing the means for Gary Nova to shine his brightest doomed Michigan. Jeremy Clark was placed in positions that made him very vulnerable. He does not have pure recovery speed. Not having Peppers in the lineup hurts Michigan’s chances, this is a tough situation when a freshman is that critical.
There is next week for those still interested (the author remains so inclined). Penn State and the night game environment may provide some stimulus. On the surface, Penn State could be shut down on the ground but has plenty of weaponry through the air. It would be logical for Michigan to create a unique package to slow down Hackenberg. On the other side, Penn State appears to struggle some but still has big linemen that may make the running game of Michigan a little suspect. If Michigan brings it, next Saturday night may yield some happiness in the unhappy house of Michigan.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
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