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2024 Ex-Wolverines Update: Week 3

Here’s a roundup of the former Michigan player, former commits, and former coaches (or players-turned-coaches). NOTE: I will not regularly post updates about offensive linemen since stats are minimal and just posting PFF grades is kind of boring, but I did this week just to show who’s playing where and what their opening day role was.

FORMER PLAYERS

WR Andrel Anthony (Oklahoma): Anthony did not play in a 34-19 win over Tulane.

LB Jeremiah Beasley (Missouri): Beasley did not play in a 27-21 win over Boston College.

QB Alan Bowman (Oklahoma State): Bowman completed 24/31 throws for 396 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception in a 45-10 win over Tulsa.

Alan Bowman went OFF for Oklahoma State 🔥

5 TDs and 396 passing yards on the road! pic.twitter.com/RQw9F1ihjX

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 14, 2024

LB Semaj Bridgeman (Michigan State): Bridgeman did not record any stats in a 40-0 win over Prairie View.

Hit the jump for more.

Michigan 28, Arkansas State 18

Just go away already, Red Wolves. I just wanted Arkansas State to quit. Michigan kept gashing them in the run game. Michigan kept stuffing their run game. And yet . . . Arkansas State wouldn’t quit. It was 28-3. And then it was 28-10. And then it was 28-18 after a touchdown and a two-point conversion against Michigan’s third- and fourth-stringers. So the final was closer than it should have been, because Michigan was trying to get its top players a rest going into the USC game next week. Those two teams are not just a 10-point differential away from each other. But the situation will be forgotten shortly and people will just look at the score. Good for Arkansas State for not quitting, but I wish they would have.

Hit the jump for more.

Preview: Michigan vs. Arkansas State

RUSH OFFENSE vs. ARKANSAS STATE RUSH DEFENSE
After two games, Michigan is in unfamiliar territory as the #101 rushing team in the country (114 yards/game) and the #87 team in yards per carry (4.0). The Wolverines are one of just eleven teams in the country with zero rushing touchdowns at this point. Michigan is also tied for #114 in rushing attempts per game (28.0), and that signifies the biggest issue. They have been unable to sustain drives, and Donovan Edwards (8) and Kalel Mullings (6) managed just 14 carries between them against Texas last week. That’s not enough touches for two of the three best athletes on the offense. Pro Football Focus ranks Michigan as the #47 run blocking team in the country. LG Josh Priebe and LT Myles Hinton rank as the top two blockers on the line, but there have been some major struggles opening holes. Starting running back Donovan Edwards has managed just 68 yards on 19 carries (3.58 yards/carry) so far this year. Arkansas State is #115 in rushing defense (199 yards allowed/game) and they’re #131 in yards allowed per carry (6.22). They’ve squeaked by Central Arkansas and Tulsa by a combined seven points, but they’ve given up 235 and 163 yards rushing, respectively, and 5 total rushing touchdowns. Senior hybrid safety Justin Parks (6’0″, 197 lbs.) and fifth year senior LB Charles Willekes (6’1″, 225) – a former Michigan State linebacker and the brother of former MSU DE Kenny Willekes – are tied for the team lead with 17 tackles, followed by fifth year senior LB Marvin Ham (6’1″, 231), a Colorado transfer, with 14 stops. The starting defensive tackles are 288 and 294 pounds, and some of the key backups are in the 270s. If Michigan is going to get back to playing smashmouth football, it needs to start this week against an undersized and less talented defense.
Advantage: Michigan

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All-Time Career Rushing Yardage Leaders

Here are the all-time leading rushers in Michigan history:

Hit the jump for the dudes.

Michigan vs. Texas Awards

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . running backs carrying the ball. Michigan’s top two running backs, Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings, had just 14 total carries on Saturday. While they were only mildly productive, Michigan needs to commit to the run game to help out inexperienced quarterback Davis Warren. Michigan can’t just run the ball to run the ball, either; the coaches need to find creative ways to get them the ball and help them be successful.

Hit the jump for more.