Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a standard win over ECU
By Nick Popio
2. Michigan’s offense emphasized the pass over the run
The coaches said before the season started that they wanted to be a 50/50 split on offense. They were true to their word on Saturday and then some.
J.J. McCarthy was the focal point more so than the rushing attack. He commanded the flow of East Carolina’s defense by hitting open receivers like clockwork.
Michigan football threw for more yards than the Wolverines ran it and McCarthy had more passing yards than East Carolina had offense.
The Pirates didn’t get in the red zone till the fourth quarter. It was a performance that loyalists were accustomed to seeing from Michigan’s defense and interim coach Jesse Minter, before the TCU game last year.
Michigan’s offense doubled East Carolina’s in the passing game. McCarthy only missed four passes, while backup Alex Flinn completed only six. If Michigan’s offense continues to trend like this, then defenses can’t stack the box, making it more difficult to stop. We likely won’t know for sure until as early as November.