Michigan Football: A.J. Henning needs to get more touches
The passing game has been an issue for Michigan football and one possible solution is getting the ball more to A.J. Henning.
Whether Michigan football fans are overreacting to the Wolverines 20-13 win over Rutgers last Saturday, the one thing that isn’t in dispute is that the offense will need to play better this week in Madison to knock off the Badgers.
Wisconsin is 1-2 but don’t let that record fool you. The Badgers losses were to Penn State and Notre Dame, and the 41-17 loss to the Fighting Irish was much closer than it appeared.
Wisconsin also has the nation’s best-run defense which could provide a challenge for Michigan football, which runs the ball more than any team outside of Air Force, Army, and Navy and each of those programs run the triple option.
It’s been a sign of how well Michigan has run the ball this season but also how conservative the play-calling has been at times.
Against Rutgers, the offense was sluggish after the first two drives. Michigan scored back-to-back touchdowns to open the game then managed just two field goals and zero points in the second half.
It was curious, then, to see that A.J. Henning, one of the most explosive players on the team, only got seven snaps in the Big Ten opener.
Henning needs more touches
Henning was nearly a top-100 recruit when he signed with Michigan football and had a 29-yard punt return against Rutgers, but wasn’t given a chance on offense.
Earlier this season, he’s made plays in limited opportunities. He’s scored a 54-yard touchdown earlier this season and has two rushing attempts for 100 yards, as well as three receptions for 36. He’s also been impressive as a punt returner and I would love to see his role increased.
Cornelius Johnson and Daylen Baldwin have been the most consistent targets in the passing game, but Henning should be in the mix, even if it’s just more end-arounds or him attacking the edge with his speed.
The Wolverines didn’t attack the edges much against Rutgers and it’s something they need to do against Wisconsin. It’s easier said than done, but running right at Wisconsin isn’t going to work.
Next. 5 things learned against Rutgers. dark
Michigan has some dynamic athletes and Henning is one of them. He just needs the ball in his hands more.