Michigan vs. Air Force Awards
Devin Funchess caught 4 passes for 106 yards and this touchdown. |
Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Devin Funchess. The freshman tight end burst onto the scene Saturday with a 4-catch, 106-yard, 1-touchdown performance. His 30-yard touchdown reception showed him getting behind a safety and leaping to snatch the ball out of the air. Brandon Moore can’t do that, and I doubt A.J. Williams can. Kevin Koger could do it occasionally, but Koger caught 4 passes just twice in his career and never had more than 60 yards in a single game.
Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . Denard Robinson. Twenty carries is too many. The team needs to get the running backs going. Fitzgerald Toussaint had 8 carries for 7 yards in this game. Thomas Rawls had 6 carries for 9 yards last week. And those were your starting tailbacks. Yep, 14 carries for 16 yards through two games. Michigan needs to improve the play of the offensive line and let these tailbacks run a little bit.
Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . Courtney Avery. I was not impressed with Raymon Taylor’s performance at cornerback on Sunday, and I think Avery should remain the starter at field corner. The coaches need to find another contributor for the slot corner spot, whether it’s Taylor, Delonte Hollowell, or Thomas Gordon. The injury to Blake Countess and the departure of Terrence Talbott have really hurt Michigan’s secondary.
Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . Frank Clark. Clark is still too undisciplined. Yes, he made a couple nice plays, but he also made a couple bone-headed plays where he was culpable for losing contain. He needs to be more consistent. Hopefully Brennen Beyer’s injury isn’t too serious, because Beyer needs to get a bunch of snaps there. Mario Ojemudia also looks decent as a bit player, although his size will become more of a detriment once the Big Ten season hits.
Play of the game . . . Denard Robinson’s 58-yard touchdown run. The first touchdown run was longer (79 yards), but the second was more fun to watch. He slid to the left, waiting for Patrick Omameh to pull through the hole, then burst forward, cut to the right, cut upfield, jumped outside to the right sideline, and outraced the Air Force defense to the corner.
MVP of the game . . . Denard Robinson. Jake Ryan had a great game, too, but Robinson had 218 rushing yards, 208 passing yards, and accounted for all 4 of Michigan’s touchdowns. He could have thrown the ball better, but he made just about every play possible in the running game. He also seems to be developing a rapport with wide receiver Devin Gardner and tight end Funchess.