Michigan Wolverines: Rutgers — What Happened and What it Means — Part II
Oct 4, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Derrick Green (27) is stopped by Michigan Wolverines defenders during the second half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Rutgers defeated Michigan Wolverines 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Posted at 2:00pm — 10/6/2014
Michigan Wolverines: Rutgers — What Happened and What it Means — Part II
Michigan versus Rutgers Game Wrap-up
Raw Deal, Raw Play, or Both
Theme four involves Maryland’s offense. For years Ralph Friedgen was known as an offensive genius at Maryland. His teams scored early and often, as “fear the turtle” became a phrase that listeners at least considered. Then Friedgen lost some games and all of a sudden he was not a genius and was fired. Rutgers found gold in Friedgen and his primary task has been to develop a very talented Gary Nova. His work was vindicated Saturday night, albeit with some great support by the Michigan blitz schemes and coverage breakdowns. Rutgers will not run well against teams like Michigan State or
Ohio State and the defense is not good enough to shut down either team. Add to that the almost certain reality that Rutgers will be up against it when on the road and reality sets in to the season’s expectations.
Oct 4, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is sacked by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Darius Hamilton (91) during the first half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY SportsTheme five centers on Michigan’s lightning rod, Devin Gardner. He played hard and was allowed to use his feet as a weapon. Devin had his Devin moments, the worst being another absolutely inexplicable interception that helped the Rutger’s cause. He goosed the ball again, that is just his style and it will not change. He ran sideways back and forth when pressure hit, sometime this worked and sometimes not. The bottom line is that Devin is not a one-dimensional quarterback and gives Michigan its best chance to score some points. That may change as the season progresses. It will be up to Shane Morris to improve in the passing game, so that defenses cannot have the advantage of not honoring the quarterback run. He continues to demonstrate support for the program, a noble stance given the arrows fired in his direction. As has been said here many times he is what he is and that will not change. He will continue to be capable of touchdowns and turnovers.
Theme six is that the Michigan defense again melted before halftime, aided by the inability of Michigan to smartly milk the clock to provide less offensive opportunity for the opponent. Big play after big play allowed Rutgers to easily go down the field. Giving up a 26-yard pass play on third and six highlights the inadequacies of the entire defensive team, not only the defensive backfield. In keeping with the above themes it becomes fair to say that third and must is becoming third and can’t to a disappointing level.
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 SportsTheme seven entails the better play of the offensive line and overall unit better play. Some may say that it was only Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights have been decent at stopping the run. First down was very successful for Michigan with several gains over five yards. Then for some reason Michigan botched many second and short opportunities and either failed to gain a first down or lost yardage, making third down conversions a little tougher. Part of the problem is the opposition’s knowledge that Michigan will run the right side power off tackle option more often than not on first and second down.
Smith runs hard and is Michigan’s best short yardage hope. For a change, he had some bad cut decisions Saturday night. Green did not have a bad game and can cause damage when in the second level. The combination of the two remains promising. Norfleet, as always, played hard. His talents were better used last night, but he is simply not fast or shifty enough to be a great kick returner. He is solid and dependable, but not a difference maker. Still, Norfleet possesses the type of attitude the entire team should model; full speed ahead and phooey on the torpedoes.
Part III later this afternoon.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
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