Michigan shut up all its haters with a massive 17-10 upset over No. 11 Oklahoma, showing it isn't the team that showed up in Week 1 against Western Michigan. The Wolverines proved that Week 1 was simply the first game of the season, and they needed some time to work out all the kinks.
It wasn't a perfect game against Oklahoma, and penalties continue to be a problem for the Wolverines, but many guys stepped up for Michigan to help get the big win. So, here are some of the top performers for Michigan and a couple of guys who really need to step up their game going forward.
Winners
DE John Henry Daley
John Henry Daley finally showed up for Michigan, and he did so in a big way against the Sooners. On a defensive line that was harassing Oklahoma QB John Mateer all afternoon, Daley was the leader at times, finishing with a team-leading three tackles for a loss and one sack.
Daley was nowhere to be seen against Western Michigan in Week 1, but he certainly made a statement against Oklahoma, being a problem for the Sooners' offensive line all day.
RB Savion Hiter
Savion Hiter finally came out to play for Michigan, looking good in both the run and passing game. While he still has a lot to work on, like allowing Underwood to pull the ball on a handoff for a QB keep, he impressed against the Sooners.
After not serving a big role in Week 1, Hiter was called on a lot more, and his stat line certainly showed it. Hiter only had six rushing yards, but was big in the passing game with 3 receptions for 41 yards, a couple. Granted, Hiter had a big run in the first quarter that was called back for a holding penalty.
It is early in Hiter's career, but if he can get the little stuff down, he could be a big star for the Wolverines.
QB Bryce Underwood
Bryce Underwood was able to find his way to the winners list this week after what was probably his worst showing as a Michigan Wolverine in Week 1. The Wolverines quarterback did what he struggled to do all last season: take care of the football. Granted, he did fumble the ball early in the game, but he was able to jump on it, saving himself from the turnover.
Underwood still had his struggles against the Sooners, but his decision-making seemed to improve. The use of his legs was big for Michigan, especially on third-down plays where his read helped save the drive. The passing game will come, but Underwood got the job done, and that is all that matters in the end.
P Cam Brown
It might seem crazy to see a punter on the winners list for Michigan, but Cam Brown probably had the best performance of any Michigan player against Oklahoma. More than once, Brown was able to pin Oklahoma inside the 1-yard line, giving the defense an easier job when it came to getting a stop.
Brown also consistently pinned Oklahoma deep in their own territory, punting an average of 42.3 yards each time he took the field, with six punts inside the 20-yard line. That was huge for Michigan's defense, and the Wolverines in general!
Losers
WR Andrew Marsh
For the second game in a row, Andrew Marsh ends up on the losers list for the Wolverines. Last week, it was the special teams struggles for Marsh, but this week is becuase he was practically a ghost on offense. Marsh finished with just three receptions for 13 yards, behind even running back Savion Hiter, who has three receptions for 41 yards.
Marsh is coming off a season where he led Michigan in receiving, and now with JJ Buchanan in Ann Arbor, it looks like Marsh is going to be dethroned. Granted, the pass game has been a struggle for Michigan so far in two games, but Marsh needs to find a way to break through, or else other guys like freshman Solesi Moa, Travis Johnson, and Channing Goodwin will.
DB Jyaire Hill
Yes, I know Jyaire Hill had that huge interception for Michigan that ultimately changed the game; however, his extremely dumb penalty late in the third quarter put Michigan in the spot it was in in the first place. The unsportsmanlike penalty for a completely uncalled-for hit away from the play gave the Sooners a new set of downs when the Wolverines had them pinned on the 1-yard line.
The reason that is bigger than the interception is that Hill is supposed to be a leader on this defense, especially in the secondary, and a play like that is simply poor decision-making. That could have been the play that cost Michigan this game. Luckily, Hill made up for his mistake, and the Wolverines came out on top.
Add us as a preferred source on Google