Posts under: homepage

Michigan’s 10 Longest Plays vs. Fresno State

Michigan played Fresno State in August for the first ever meeting between the two schools. It might be a long time before they play again, but here are the ten longest plays (well, twelve in this case, since there’s a tie) from that game.

1. Will Johnson 86-yard interception return for a touchdown (2024)
2. Kalel Mullings 27-yard kickoff return (2024)
3. Semaj Morgan 22-yard punt return (2024)
4. Kalel Mullings 21-yard run (2024)
5. Davis Warren 20-yard pass to Colston Loveland (2024)
6. David Warren 18-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland (2024)
7. Kalel Mullings 15-yard run (2024)
8. Davis Warren 13-yard pass to Colston Loveland (2024)
9. Davis Warren 12-yard pass to Colston Loveland (2024)
10. Davis Warren 11-yard pass to Kendrick Bell (2024)
11. Alex Orji 11-yard run (2024)
12. Alex Orji 11-yard run (2024)

Hit the jump for highlights.

Texas 31, Michigan 12

What’s Michigan’s offensive identity? Obviously, Michigan is still trying to feel out what it’s good at besides hoping a tight end can make a play. With a walk-on quarterback, it needs to be a run-oriented program. With that being said, Michigan needs to commit to more creativity in the run game. This team can’t subsist on 14 total rushing attempts from its top two running backs. Donovan Edwards (8 carries, 41 yards) and Kalel Mullings (6 carries, 25 yards) may not have had great days, but the offensive coordinator (and the offensive-minded head coach) need to figure out creative ways to get them the ball, get them going in the run game, and play complementary offensive football. The offense seems to be very disjointed as the staff appears to be relying on an odd mix of runs and straight dropback passing. They need more misdirection in the run game and they need to get Warren moving a little bit. I don’t think the coaching staff has done a good job of adjusting to its personnel this year.

Hit the jump for more.

2024 Ex-Wolverine Updates: Week 2

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 16-12 win over Houston.

LB Jeremiah Beasley (Missouri): Beasley made 1 tackle in a 38-0 win over Buffalo.

QB Alan Bowman (Oklahoma State): Bowman completed 27/48 passes for 326 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He also ran 5 times for 7 yards.

LB Semaj Bridgeman (Michigan State): Bridgeman did not record any stats in a 27-24 win over Maryland.

Hit the jump for more.

Michigan’s 10 Longest Plays vs. Texas

Michigan has played Texas just two times in the schools’ history, both of which were Michigan losses.

1. Steve Breaston 53-yard kickoff return (2004)
2. Chad Henne 50-yard touchdown pass to Steve Breaston (2004)
3. Chad Henne 39-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards (2004)
4. Davis Warren 31-yard pass to Semaj Morgan (2024)
5. Davis Warren 24-yard pass to Colston Loveland (2024)
6. Prescott Burgess 23-yard interception return (2004)
7. Davis Warren 22-yard pass to C.J. Charleston (2024)
8. Davis Warren 22-yard pass to Peyton O’Leary (2024)
9. Chad Henne 20-yard pass to Tim Massaquoi (2004)
10. Jordan Marshall 19-yard kickoff return (2024)

Hit the jump for highlights of the top three.

Preview: Michigan vs. Texas

RUSH OFFENSE vs. TEXAS RUSH DEFENSE
After one week of the 2024 season, Michigan is tied for #79 in yards per game (148.0) and #72 in yards per carry (4.35). Kalel Mullings kinda sorta seemed to take the lead running back role with 15 carries for 92 yards against Fresno State, passing up #1 RB Donovan Edwards (11 carries, 27 yards) in both attempts and yards. Michigan finished #22 in run blocking according to Pro Football Focus, but there were definitely some struggles. New LG Josh Priebe scored the highest in run blocking among offensive linemen (69.9) while new starting center Dominick Giudice was the lowest graded run blocker on the entire team (57.4). On the Texas side, fifth year senior DT Vernon Broughton (6’4″, 305) graded out the highest among defenders against Colorado State with a grade of 89.8, but he was just a 56.8 against the run and made 2 tackles. Junior nickel Jaylon Guilbeau (6’0″, 190) led the team with 8 tackles, followed by sophomore LB Anthony Hill, Jr. (6’3″, 235) with 5 stops. Texas allowed 118 yards on the ground (#66 in the country) and ranked #70 in yards allowed per carry (3.69). I think Michigan will be able to run the ball, but the speed and size on defense is going to limit big plays.
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for more.