Michigan Football: 3 stats that defined Wolverines win over Rutgers

Michigan football beat Rutgers on Saturday but it wasn’t pretty and here are three stats that defined the win for the Wolverines. 

After Michigan football scored on its first two drives of the game and looked impressive doing so, it appeared as though the Wolverines would cruise to a win over Rutgers.

But the Scarlet Knights had other ideas. Rutgers trailed 20-3 at the half but outscored Michigan football 10-0 in the final 30 minutes. The Scarlet Knights outgained Michigan, both in total yards and on the ground.

Yet, a win is a win and the Wolverines are heading to Madison sitting at 4-0. Michigan football also hasn’t trailed yet this season, which is the first 4-0 start without falling behind since 1973.

As far as Rutgers is concerned, here are three stats that defined the win.

Rutgers going 1/3 on touchdowns in the Red Zone

Rutgers gained more yards than Michigan and at one point in the second half, had 13 first downs compared to zero for the Wolverines.

Yet, when the Scarlet Knights had scoring chances, they couldn’t take advantage. They were 1-for-3 (scoring touchdowns) in the red zone against Michigan with one touchdown, one field goal, and a missed FG. Forcing the opponent to kick is always the goal in the red zone and U-M did it twice.

Give up three touchdowns and Rutgers leaves Ann Arbor with a win, so thumbs up to the defense for its bend, but not break mentality.

Michigan holds Rutgers to 1/4 on fourth downs

Twice in the first half, Rutgers gambled and went for it on fourth down. One of those was a fourth-and-one — the other was fourth-and-10.

Both instances, in the first half, came in Michigan territory and each time, the Wolverines rose up and got a stop. Michigan made another key fourth-down stop in the second half.

It’s been well-documented that the defense needs more impact plays. It only notched one sack and forced one turnover on Saturday. But fourth-down stops were key against Washington too and so far, the Wolverines have found a way to make plays on the all-important down.

Michigan football opens scoring again

It’s obvious to say that starting fast is a good thing but Michigan football has opened the scoring in each of its first four games, which is one reason why the Wolverines are 4-0.

The team that scores first tends to win the football game. And the Wolverines have scored a touchdown on their opening drive in three of four games. U-M has scored first in all four matchups and if that happens again at Wisconsin, it will certainly improve Michigan’s hopes of winning.

While Cade McNamara has struggled, he did start hot against Rutgers and has helped the Wolverines score the first points in every game so far this season. It should also be noted that Michigan went 4-for-4 in the red zone, with two touchdowns and two field goals, even if that touchdown percentage won’t cut it down the road.