Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a disciplined win over Michigan State
By Nick Popio
2. Michigan's offense won without a distinguished running game
The maize and blue's two primary ball carriers barely ran for 40 yards on Saturday evening. Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings were not a factor, but Alex Orji was. Orji patiently worked his way to almost 11 yards per carry. Kirk Campbell used him in a way that the offense had envisioned him of being used at the start of the season.
To their credit, Michigan football won the game without running it like their lives depended on it. They won't be able to sustain that with three ranked schools still on the schedule. As of today, Michigan has the most difficult slate remaining in America.
Joe Rossi's defense had a terrific gameplan for Edwards and Mullings. Nine times out of ten Michigan loses when that happens, but this was the ongame plane circumstance. Michigan's offense was stoned by a defense that didn't allow 300 yards of total offense.
The offensive line didn't surrender a sack and Tommy Doman placed it carefully inside the twenty, three times, to put Michigan State's offense in a precarious position. Wink Martindale's defense made the game-defining play on fourth down to win the state championship.