Posts by: Thunder

Preview: Michigan at Michigan State

RUSH OFFENSE vs. MICHIGAN STATE RUSH DEFENSE

Michigan is #28 in rushing offense (217 yards/game) and #20 in yards per carry (5.35). Leading rusher Karan Higdon (687 yards, 5.73 yards/carry, 6 TD) has missed some time due to injury, but he has carried the ball almost 25 times a game over the last three contests. Backup Chris Evans returned last week but only ran the ball 5 times (for 18 yards), perhaps because the coaching staff didn’t want to run him too much in the return from his hamstring injury. He and Tru Wilson (6 carries, 26 yards last week) both have 35 attempts on the year. Quarterback Shea Patterson busted out a couple runs on zone reads last week, one for an 81-yarder and another for a 7-yard touchdown. The offensive line had its best game last week against Wisconsin, and left tackle Jon Runyan, Jr. was named the team’s top lineman. The offensive line as a whole is #52 in Line Yards, but they have improved throughout the season and should continue to ascend. Michigan State is #1 in rush defense (62 yards allowed/game) and #1 in yards allowed per carry (2.34). Junior linebacker Joe Bachie (6’2″, 238 lbs.) leads the team with 43 tackles, followed by junior safety Justin Layne (6’2″, 185) with 42, and senior Star linebacker Andrew Dowell (6’1″, 220) with 41. Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes (6’4″, 260) leads the team with 9 tackles for loss, while junior defensive tackle Raequan Williams (6’4″, 300) has 6. The Spartans run a 4-3 defense with Dowell serving as a hybrid player. Even though Michigan has been improving, the #1 rush defense is probably going to present some problems for the Wolverines.
Advantage: Michigan State

Hit the jump for the rest of the preview.

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Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Frank Clark

Frank Clark (image via MLive)

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark made 4 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in a 27-3 win over the Oakland Raiders.

HONORABLE MENTION

• New England Patriots QB Tom Brady was 24/35 for 340 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, along with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, in a 43-40 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Los Angeles Rams safety Blake Countess made 1 tackle and 1 kickoff return for 31 yards in a 23-20 win over the Denver Broncos.
• Carolina Panthers WR Devin Funchess caught 5 passes for 74 yards and 1 touchdown in a 23-17 loss to the Washington Redskins.
• Oakland Raiders CB Leon Hall made 5 tackles in the 27-3 loss to the Seahawks.
• Raiders DT Maurice Hurst, Jr. made 1 tackle and 1 pass breakup in the loss.
• Cleveland Browns S Jabrill Peppers made 4 tackles, 3 kickoff returns for 71 yards (23.8 yards/return), and 4 punt returns for 51 yards (12.7 yards/return) in a 38-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
• Minnesota Vikings P Matt Wile punted 5 times for 225 yards (45 yards/punt) in a 27-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
• Baltimore Ravens DT Chris Wormley made his first career sack in a 21-0 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Drew Singleton, Ex-Wolverine

Drew Singleton (image via TrendsMap)

Redshirt freshman linebacker Drew Singleton has been granted his release to transfer. Singleton came to Michigan in the 2017 class from Paramus (NJ) Catholic, the same school that sent Jabrill Peppers and Rashan Gary to the Wolverines. Singleton tore his ACL as a senior in high school, and he was not recovered enough to play by his freshman year of college.

I initially gave Singleton a TTB Rating of 83 (LINK), and I didn’t see a reason to change it since he tore his ACL. He entered college with a loaded linebacker class (Singleton, Josh Ross, Jordan Anthony, Ben Mason), which has been whittled down to two now that Singleton is transferring and Mason moved to fullback. Singleton was battling at WILL linebacker this season, but that job has mostly been split between Ross and junior Devin Gil.

Singleton’s career stat line at Michigan:

1 kickoff return for 5 yards

Michigan now has at least 15 scholarships open for the 2019 class (LINK).

Highlights: Michigan 38, Wisconsin 13

Ex-Wolverine Updates: Week 7

Garrett Taylor (image via Black Shoe Diaries)

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TRANSFERS

Ian Bunting, TE (California): Bunting made 2 catches for 24 yards in a 37-7 loss to UCLA, which is the Bruins’ first victory this season.

Alex Malzone, QB (Miami-OH): Malzone was 0/1 passing in a 31-6 win over Kent State.

Keith Washington, CB (West Virginia): Washington made 2 tackles in a 30-14 loss to Iowa State.

Maurice Ways, WR (California): Ways made 2 catches for 12 yards in a 37-7 loss to UCLA.

Hit the jump for news on former commitments and coaches.

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