Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from the spring game

The Maize team won the Michigan football spring game on Saturday and here are three takeaways for the Wolverines as they wrapped up spring ball. 

On a cold day to begin April, we got the first glimpses of the 2023 Michigan football team. J.J. McCarthy started for the maize side and overthrew Marlin Klein which forced an interception by Quentin Johnson on the opening series of the day. Jack Tuttle forged the blue squad to an early 7-0 lead thanks to a Kalel Mullings short touchdown run. Leon Franklin fumbled on the next drive.

A few plays later the defensive line got pressure on Tuttle which allowed Zeke Berry to grab a turnover for the maize team. McCarthy finally got the maize on the board before the break with a five-yard touchdown pass to Jake Thaw to nod it up at seven going into the locker room.

Davis Warren took over for McCarthy in the third and got things going for the maize offense with a long pass to Matthew Hibner on third down. Hibner lost his balance and cost himself a surefire trip to the endzone on the play. They went for it on fourth down and goal on that possession moments later, and did not convert.

Tuttle reentered the contest and fumbled, it was caused by newcomer Ernest Hausmann. The blue side got the ball right back with a pick by Myles Pollard on the ensuing play. Freshman Ben Hall ripped off a 30-yard run to close the third but didn’t score until two plays later to give the blue a 14-7 advantage to get the fourth underway.

Warren responded for the maize with a big gainer to Peyton O’Leary, who had a big day statistically. It set up a Leon Franklin score to tie it at 14.

On the next series, Alex Orji connected with Fredrick Moore, and in turn, A.J. Barner caught a crossing pattern for six, a short time afterward. The maize drove the field next time out and Franklin got in again. They went for two and O’Leary outworked Amorion Walker for the 22-21 win over the blue.

Here are three takeaways.

1. There were a lot of missing pieces out for cautionary reasons

The offense was without its best two players in the backfield and arguably its top offensive lineman as well.

Two transfers who could start on the line were not in the lineup either on Saturday. On defense, it was the same deal as well. That’s become the norm in springtime when no one wants to get injured and ruin their chances in the fall.

Other guys got to state their case for more attention and will get looks in August to see if they’re ready or not. The second cornerback spot will be the one that is talked about the most from now until someone figures it out. Ja’Den McBurrows or Amorion Walker can claim it, but both have work to do to gain the coaches’ trust.

Tommy Doman is the one selected to replace Jake Moody and he split time with Charlie Mentzer who will more than likely get an opportunity in the preseason when the outcome is well in hand, as long as he doesn’t screw anything up.

2. Peyton O’Leary was the star of the afternoon

There’s always one guy who stands above the rest during a spring affair and that man was Peyton O’Leary. He torched the defense to the tune of 6 catches for 121 yards and the game-winning two-point conversion for the win and the steak dinner for the maize side. He did most of his work on Amorion Walker who had a rough day at the office in his first real test at corner.

The tight end group may turn out to be the favorite group to throw to come September. McCarthy has a boatload of weapons at that position. Colston Loveland and A.J. Barner won’t be the only two to catch a pass this fall, that is for certain.

New enrollee Ben Hall had a nice outing with over 100 yards on the ground and a touchdown for the blue squad. He took advantage of no Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, Cole Cabana or C.J. Stokes.

None of the quarterbacks really jumped ahead of the others with their performances. Jack Tuttle had a couple of turnovers, but Davis Warren did lead the march to the endzone for the game-clinching victory with less than two minutes remaining.

3. The second half was much more exciting than the first

It was all square at halftime, but the fireworks exploded in the second half. Bigger plays, longer, runs, and more points combined. The final play alone was a pass breakup by the defense to secure the victory, which was made by walk-on Kechaun Harris.

The offense was pretty vanilla in the first 24 minutes, while the defense got turnovers and sacks throughout the entire scrimmage. Will Johnson and Junior Colson did not suit up and Mike Sainristil was dressed, but from my recollection did not see any action.

Four months off until camp gets going and they enter the submarine again.

We won’t see if this really is Jim Harbaugh’s best team as coach until October rolls around with three warm-ups on the calendar, but it’s hard to argue with him after the last two years of unprecedented success.