Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part II

Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) looks to pass during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Posted at 12:00pm — 10/14/2014

Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part II

Both quarterbacks were under fire last night, and the final result was that Devin Gardner, on one leg, pretty well made the Hackenberg and Gardner match-up a push. About everything was a true push, really, except Michigan’s third down conversion and passing yardage eked out enough of a theoretical advantage to grab a one field goal advantage.

Both teams gave up one nasty turnover, Penn State broke one early little misdirection run up the middle and a couple of medium runs, but other than that there was little running success. Hayes and Smith each had a couple of short runs that extended ball possession, aided by the offensive line getting some contact and maintaining contact when it mattered. Penn State did not score the final two thirds of the game.

Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) makes a catch while being being defended by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ryan Keiser (23) during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsNothing about either offense was pretty or stylish. Both Michigan and Penn State have better than average defenses and are offensively challenged in the running game. As a result of the above, and coaches realizing with certainty that both teams had/have offensive line difficulties, the game reverted to old time factors like attrition, turnovers, a little luck, and gritty poise. The ultimate objective for both offenses was execution, the search continues. Michigan’s Devin Funchess again demonstrated the attribute of making some tough catches and letting the easy ones drop. Call it Braylon Edwards Syndrome if you wish, but it has become an established pattern.

Posters often become angry with the offensive coordinator not going deep with the passing game. The raw truth is that Michigan has one freshman quarterback that is being red-shirted that has deep touch. Add in that Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson are essentially Jason Avant possession types, and also add in that any such venture likely produces a quarterback under pressure, that may just wing it to a spot, the conclusion is that the risk may not be worth potential reward. There were a couple of nice medium catches aided by turned around Penn State defenders, but again plays like this are the exception, not the rule.

Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) passes the ball in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 18-13. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsCoach Doug Nussmeier is further limited in his choices. The screen package could produce nice results, but there has to be chronic fear in calling any screen, due to Devin Gardner’s inability to see or get the ball over defenders five feet away. Zettel is very good and he now gets to join the list of happy defenders that have benefited from poor judgment. Nussmeier is limited by the still developing offensive line; a descriptor that infuriates some but is the truth.

The real question becomes has the line improved since Utah? The answer is unclear, but at least there does not appear to be mass confusion. Any whiff is more likely due to technique and physical factors as opposed to assignment foul-ups.

So Nuss simply let the game play out in the hands of the defense, he could easily see Penn State had similar difficulties. His offense was basic and cautious; it seemed to stay away from the middle of the field, where Penn State defense has historically played well. The pass plays targeted single coverage options for the most part. But there was some change in Gardner’s role and some balance.

Part III later today.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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