Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part III
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) is sacked in the backfield during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Posted at 4:00pm — 10/14/2014
Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part III
The point was raised in the preview that Michigan may well have to change the offense and let Devin use his strengths, an idea that must be balanced with the potential negatives. There was concern for getting Devin out of the pocket and balancing the offense. The above seemed to purposely happen. There was enough variety and balance to at least make the Penn State staff consider more than defending the base run plays.
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) runs the ball away from Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Mike Hull (43) during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsThere did appear to be a change that involved Devin running more of a package that can best be described as using his previous “take off and make me a play” option. This had limited success, but kept Michigan from being a perpetual three and out stagnant offense.
The preview mentioned two factors Michigan needed to beat Penn State. The first was an increase in essential grit. Mission accomplished is the verdict rendered. The evidence includes the continued effort to Michigan’s players to stick together, both verbally and by what is demonstrated and happens on the field. Players have stepped up and communicated to others what the Michigan program entails and represents.
Perhaps this effort is a little late to the party. The results have not been spectacular but the intent is clear. Rutgers and Penn State are not premier programs in 2014. But both opponents play tough and physical. Some may be obsessed with hating the baby step observations of limited improvement, but this team is a sparrow trying to metamorphose into a hawk. Small victories and improvements need to be noted and encouraged.
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) is tackled in the backfield during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsThe second predicted factor for success was that Michigan would need to change up on defense and keep the safeties back and not provide the opponent with easy yardage by failed blitzes. This clearly happened, even though one announcer erroneously described how Michigan was loading the box and moving the safeties up. It was indeed hilarious when the image showed a standard 4-3 alignment with two safeties not even in the picture. At the end, and at selected times, Michigan brought pressure.
The results were six sacks as well as the limiting of pattern development in the Penn State passing game. Hackenberg is good, but like any quarterback needs help, help that starts with a solid line and running game.
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke arrives to Michigan Stadium prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsWhat does all of what happened Saturday mean? The naysayers and pitchfork crowd will say nothing, as the season is essentially over and the entire football staff and AD are fired lame-duckers. The slim win has to mean much to the beleaguered players. It is a partial vindication of their collective efforts to get off the snide. It was a win, and when wins dry up any win is welcome, against whomever. The win involved a collective effort, with the players each having a play-by-play, one tiny victory at a time, role in the victory. No one stood out as the statistical difference, and no one greatly hindered the cause.
The game result must be meaningful to the coaches for the simple reason that the team showed togetherness and made it over a small hump, the victory went to the players more so than to themselves. This is what Coach Hoke attested to when during the post-game on the field he pointed to the athletes enjoying themselves and having school pride when asked what the game meant.
Final Part later.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
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