Michigan Football: Offensive Line Review vs Hawaii

While much was made about the prolific starting debut of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Michigan football offensive line had a stellar day themselves, and we take a look at it here. 

The Michigan Wolverines had a very convincing win this past weekend, a 56-10 drubbing of the visiting Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii.

The offensive line had a very strong day, aside from a drive or so of struggles in the second half. However, the return of Ryan Hayes into the lineup at left tackle, and shifting Trevor Keegan back to left guard really helped propel the Michigan football offense to a prolific showing, nearly perfect through the air with QB J.J. McCarthy and running for 268 yards on just 33 carries for a very efficient average of 8.1 yards per rush.

This will proceed in the same formula each week, listing all five starters with the following categories:

• Overall Grade: This will be a lettered grade that is based on the percentage of successful plays each player executes. A successful play is simply where the lineman executes the desired aim of that play. So if the aim is to reach the 3-technique, and they managed to reach the 3-technique, then the play is successful.
• Best Play of the Game: Will note the best play for each individual starter. This is likely where we will get into some of the fine-tuned scheme and technique pieces of their assignments.
• Other Stats: This will be a spot where we track other OL “stats” such as finishes (pancake block/OL driving the DL into the turf), along with pressures and sacks allowed, and such.

LT Ryan Hayes (#76)

Grade: A // Hayes returned to the lineup after being held out of the opener due to precautions. He hardly missed a beat stepping back, looking like a star for the Wolverines at left tackle with an excellent day as a run blocker and very clean as a pass protector. Make no doubt about it, this Michigan football OL clicks with a stud like Hayes manning the left tackle position. The only issue Hayes had was one snap during Cade McNamara’s second-quarter drive, getting beat by speed around the edge. McNamara got the ball away before the edge rusher could bring him down for the sack, a savvy play by the veteran QB.

Best Play: Hayes returned to his stellar form quickly, with his third play of the game being arguably his best. The Wolverines ran a pin & pull concept into the boundary, and Hayes showed excellent athleticism, pulling around Schoonmaker’s block to pick up the SAM linebacker. But not only did Hayes pick up the backer, but he also pummeled him into the dirt for a finish on the play, freeing up Corum for a 15-yard or so gain.

Stats: 1 finish, 1 pressure, 0 sacks allowed.

LG Trevor Keegan (#77)

Grade: B+ // Keegan looked far more comfortable back at his usual position at left guard. While Zinter struggled with Hawaii defensive tackle Blessman Ta’ala, Keegan routinely won his matchups with the lone standout on the Warriors’ defensive line. He had some excellent work in the run game and had a couple of excellent reps in pass protection to match. A very well-rounded and thorough performance for the Wolverines, allowing them to run on Hawaii with ease.

Best Play: Not an overly flashy play, but on a 1st and 10 run from the Wolverines towards the start of the second quarter, Keegan flawlessly executed an inside winner on 2i-technique Blessman Ta’ala, the Rainbow Warriors top defensive lineman, and the source of most of Zinter’s struggles in this one. Keegan made great contact with the lineman on his inside shoulder, gaining leverage with his inside arm and using it to force Ta’ala out to the B-gap, displacing him and giving Corum a clear lane to hit up the middle, picking up 7-yards on the play. Again, not a flashy finish, but a challenging alignment and assignment that Keegan handled flawlessly.

Stats: 0 finishes, 0 pressures, 0 sacks allowed