Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . C.J. Charleston. The Youngstown State transfer receiver only played 6 snaps on Saturday night, but I would like to see him play more. I think he’s more of a receiving threat than Peyton O’Leary, and while maybe there’s a small difference in run blocking, the receiving threat and big-play ability of Charleston is worth playing him more. Michigan needs better options in the passing game.
Hit the jump for more.
Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . Peyton O’Leary. O’Leary started the game and got 26 snaps, compared to Charleston’s 6. O’Leary dropped his only target and his run blocking grade wasn’t much better than Charleston’s (62.5 to 56.3). I’ve always been high on O’Leary as a walk-on potential contributor to the rotation, but he shouldn’t be starting games at a place like Michigan. Charleston is a better receiving target, and Fredrick Moore (3 snaps) also offers a lot more field stretching capabilities and run-after-catch ability.
Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . backups. I think Michigan does a good job of getting its best athletes on the field on defense, so I just wish Michigan could have spent more of the game in “garbage time” to develop defensive linemen like Ike Iwunnah (4 snaps), Trey Pierce (3 snaps), etc. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant could very well be off to the NFL after this year, and even Rayshaun Benny could be a threat to leave if he keeps playing like he did on Saturday night.
Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . Mason Graham. Graham finished third on the defense in snaps (46) behind Ernest Hausmann (50) and Jaishawn Barham (47). Graham would ideally be getting a little more rest against a team like Fresno State than he did.
Play of the game . . . Will Johnson’s 86-yard interception return for a touchdown. Late in the game, Fresno State was making a run at making the game tighter. Michigan was up 23-10 and likely would have been able to hold onto the lead, but quarterback Mikey Keene was running around and making some nice scrambling throws. With drives extended by penalties and such, it was a little bit of a nail-biter. After faking a wide receiver screen and hitting a deeper throw, Fresno State then attempted to throw the wide receiver screen. Johnson committed 100% to intercepting the screen and housed it, creating a play that will forever live on his highlight reel.
Will Johnson doing Will Johnson things! pic.twitter.com/sH2Y2TmXLm
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 1, 2024
MVP of the game . . . Colston Loveland. Loveland was Michigan’s only real consistent receiving threat and finished as the top graded offensive player by PFF and the leading receiver (8 catches, 87 yards, 1 touchdown) by a wide margin. Whenever Michigan needed a key play in the passing game, Loveland was the target. His touchdown put Michigan up 23-10 and he consistently made tough catches (although he did drop one slant). Take away any other Michigan player – Josaiah Stewart, Dominic Zvada, etc. – and I think Michigan finds a way to win, but without Loveland, I’m not sure Michigan gets the W in this one.
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