Tag: Minnesota

Preview: Michigan vs. Minnesota

Rush Offense vs. Minnesota Rush Defense
The big news on Michigan’s side is a shakeup on the offensive line with the insertion of redshirt sophomore left guard Chris Bryant, the move of redshirt sophomore Graham Glasgow to center, and the benching of redshirt sophomore Jack Miller. Michigan has struggled to run the ball with the tailbacks this season. Starting running back Fitzgerald Toussaint has 79 carries for 319 yards (4.0 yards/carry) for 5 touchdowns, and the next most utilized tailback is freshman Derrick Green (13 carries, 60 yards, 1 touchdown). Where Michigan has made hay is on options and scrambles with quarterback Devin Gardner (49 carries, 301 yards, 5 touchdowns, 6.1 yards/carry). It will be interesting to see whether the mammoth Bryant can be effective at blocking zone stretches, because he’s more of a straight-ahead power blocker. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s run of patsy opponents have averaged just 3.9 yards/attempt on the ground, but sometimes that’s the way it goes against the likes of UNLV, New Mexico State, Western Illinois, San Jose State, and Iowa. The Gophers are small on the edges with redshirt sophomore end Theiren Cockran (6’6″, 238 lbs.) and junior end Michael Amaefula (6’2″, 244 lbs.). The real force to deal with is fifth year senior defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman (6’6″, 311 lbs.), a bona fide NFL prospect who boasts 20 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss thus far; he’s paired with redshirt junior Cameron Botticelli (6’5″, 290 lbs.). Junior strongside linebacker Damien Wilson (6’2″, 254 lbs.) leads the team in tackles with 33.
Advantage: Michigan

Pass Offense vs. Minnesota Pass Defense
Gardner is completing 57.4% of his passes for 801 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, which is a terrible touchdown-to-interception ratio. Fifth year senior Jeremy Gallon (22 catches, 328 yards, 4 touchdowns) had over half his yards and 3/4 of his touchdowns against Notre Dame, so the other opponents have done a good job of clamping down on Gardner’s favorite target. Redshirt freshman Jehu Chesson (3 catches, 57 yards, 1 touchdown) has been targeted more lately, sophomore tight end Devin Funchess (8 catches, 145 yards, 1 touchdown) has been fairly consistent, and senior slot receiver Drew Dileo (6 catches, 74 yards, 1 touchdown) is as dependable as anyone. Sophomore cornerback Eric Murray (6’0″, 194 lbs.) leads the team with 6 pass breakups, senior safety Brock Vereen (6’0″, 202 lbs.) has 3, and five players have 1 interception each. Cockran leads the team with 3 sacks, and three other guys have 1 each, so it’s not a dominant pass rush. However, Michigan’s reshuffling on the offensive line might prove to be problematic, especially given that Bryant is considered to be a more adept run blocker than pass blocker. Twist stunts have given Michigan’s offensive guards fits so far this year, and the Gophers would be remiss not to try, oh, 37 of them or so. Until Gardner can stop throwing so many picks . . .
Advantage: Minnesota

Rush Defense vs. Minnesota Rush Offense
From left tackle to right tackle, Minnesota goes redshirt junior Marek Lenkiewicz (6’5″, 289 lbs.), redshirt junior Zac Epping (6’2″, 321 lbs.), Jon Christenson (6’4″, 306 lbs.), redshirt junior Caleb Bak (6’3″, 302 lbs.), and redshirt sophomore Josh Campion (6’5″, 326 lbs.). Each of those guys started at least four games in 2012, although that rendition of the team averaged just 3.8 yards/carry. This year that number has jumped to 5.2, albeit against questionable competition. Carries have been split pretty evenly between sophomore Rodrick Williams (5’11”, 235 lbs.; 52 carries, 299 yards, 3 touchdowns) and junior David Cobb (5’11”, 225 lbs.; 61 carries, 352 yards, 5 touchdowns), who both average 5.8 yards/carry. The Gophers have a run offense based heavily on the option, and the quarterbacks have combined for 88 carries, 454 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Michigan has allowed just 316 rushing yards so far on 3.1 yards/carry, and the next rushing touchdown will be their first allowed this year. Part of the reason for that lack of success on the ground is other teams’ ability to complete short passes, but Michigan also has yet to face a team with a mobile quarterback or an option-oriented offense. This will be Michigan’s first real test on the ground. The Wolverines should hold up fairly well, but this might be the week where they finally allow a score.
Advantage: Michigan

Pass Defense vs. Minnesota Pass Offense
Minnesota typically starts four capable pass catchers. Fifth year senior Derrick Engel (6’2″, 187 lbs.), redshirt junior Isaac Fruechte (6’3″, 204 lbs.), and sophomore K.J. Maye (5’10”, 197 lbs.) are the receivers, while junior Drew Goodger (6’5″, 265 lbs.) starts at tight end. Luckily, they mostly lack big-play potential. That quartet has combined for just 26 catches, 331 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore starting quarterback Philip Nelson (6’2″, 215 lbs.) has completed just 50.8% of his passes for 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while redshirt freshman backup Mitch Leidner (6’4″, 233 lbs.) is 12/20 for 178 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 picks. The Wolverines have forced opponents into throwing 6 interceptions, including 3 by redshirt sophomore cornerback Blake Countess. The safeties have been solid in not allowing deep passes, but the non-Countess cornerbacks have been beaten over the top repeatedly. The team’s 9 sacks put them on pace for 27 on the year, which would improve on last year’s total by 5. No one player has proven himself as a great pass rusher, but Michigan is hurrying the quarterback with a variety of players. In particular, outside linebacker Brennen Beyer, defensive tackle Jibreel Black, and defensive end Frank Clark have put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Michigan isn’t great against the pass, but luckily, Minnesota isn’t great at throwing it, either.
Advantage: Michigan

Roster Notes

• Freshman running back Berkley Edwards is the younger brother of former Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards and the son of former Michigan running back Stan Edwards
• Edwards (from Chelsea) and redshirt sophomore linebacker Dominic Schultz (Port Huron) are the only Michigan natives on the roster
• Redshirt sophomore offensive linemen Kyle and Luke McAvoy are twins and the younger brothers of former Michigan offensive guard Tim McAvoy
• Redshirt freshman OT Jonah Pirsig is the only Minnesota player to have held a scholarship offer from Michigan.
• H-backs/tight ends coach Rob Reeves attended Saline High School and played quarterback at Saginaw Valley State University.

Highlights: Michigan 35, Minnesota 13

Michigan vs. Minnesota Awards

Keith Heitzman (image via Bleacher Report)

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Devin Gardner at quarterback.  Of course, I hope that Denard Robinson returns soon from his elbow injury, but Gardner put on a better performance than we likely would have seen from redshirt freshman Russell Bellomy.  Gardner was 12/18 for 234 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, and he also ran for 1 touchdown.  He needs to be prepared to play quarterback every week.

Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . I should say Ricky Barnum or Elliott Mealer, but there doesn’t appear to be anyone better waiting in the wings.  Both of those guys are weaknesses on the front line.

Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . Keith Heitzman.  Heitzman is already playing a fair amount to give Craig Roh a rest at strongside end, but I continue to be impressed with him.  He’ll have competition for the starting spot next year (from Chris Wormley, perhaps Jibreel Black, etc.), but at worst Heitzman is a solid backup worthy of rotation snaps.

Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . nobody.  Michigan’s defense is still playing well and only allowed 275 yards to the Gophers.  There are still issues (not enough pass rush, too many pass interference penalties, pass coverage in general), but the guys on the field are the best we have.

Play of the game . . . Devin Gardner’s scramble before finding a wide open Drew Dileo for a 45-yard touchdown pass.  For whatever reason, we rarely see Denard Robinson make this same type of play.  When Robinson pulls the ball down, he’s typically looking to run and not to pass.  This type of play has also caused trouble for Gardner in the past, because he’s taken big sacks.  But in this case, it worked and it was spectacular.

MVP of the game . . . Devin Gardner.  Minnesota actually had a chance in this game, and they were probably licking their chops a little bit when they found out that Denard Robinson wasn’t starting the game.  But Gardner had a stellar game at quarterback for a guy who had been playing wide receiver the entire year. This gives me some hope for the future of the quarterback position in 2013.

Michigan 35, Minnesota 13

Devin Gardner was solid in replacing injured starter Denard Robinson (image via Bleacher Report)

Thanks goodness for Devin Gardner.  I am fairly confident that Russell Bellomy could not have duplicated Gardner’s performance from yesterday.  The junior wide receiver/quarterback finished 12/18 for 234 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception; he also ran 10 times for 21 yards and 1 touchdown.  Gardner obviously isn’t the same type of electrifying runner that Denard Robinson is, but that passing performance was pretty much on par with anything Robinson has done this year.  Gardner had three passes of 45-plus yards and did a great job of keeping plays alive with his feet.  There are still things to improve (the one INT was a poor decision, he holds onto the ball too long sometimes, etc.), but he looked much more ready to play QB than Bellomy has at any point.  This should give Michigan fans hope.  And I know I beat this drum a lot, but how much more excited would you be if Gardner were a redshirt sophomore instead of a true junior?  That burned redshirt in 2010 really irks me . . .

Michigan’s receivers stepped up when needed.  This was something we haven’t seen in the past few weeks, but I don’t remember a single drop in this game.  The receivers pulled in some nice receptions, including Jerald Robinson’s sliding 22-yarder and a couple balls caught in traffic by Jeremy Gallon, Drew Dileo, and Roy Roundtree.  Gardner has a stronger arm than Bellomy, and I think the receivers are probably a little more comfortable catching Gardner’s darts than Bellomy’s soft tosses.

Here is where I grumble about cornerbacks.  Teams have been picking on J.T. Floyd for the past few weeks, and once again he was beaten several times.  Minnesota freshman quarterback Philip Nelson missed on several, but sometimes it didn’t matter because Floyd bailed him out by getting called for pass interference two or three times.  Raymon Taylor didn’t have a great game, either, and picked up a pass interference call himself.  I am looking forward to a time when Michigan can put two solid corners on the field at the same time.  Taylor has a chance to be one, but it’s been a while since the Wolverines had two.

Don’t say Michigan never gets the benefit of refs’ poor calls.  Jeremy Gallon’s 10-yard touchdown catch wasn’t a catch; the ball was moving in his hands the entire time.  Roy Roundtree’s 47-yard catch probably wasn’t a catch; the ball was moving the entire time.  However, both of them were called completions on the field, and they were difficult to overturn.  In both cases, if they had been called incomplete on the field, I think they would have been upheld as being incomplete.

Jake Ryan wheee!  Ryan struggled a little bit early in the game, but he turned it on afterward.  He finished the game with 9 tackles and 3 tackles for loss.  The speed at which he plays for a guy who’s 6’3″, 242 lbs. is pretty ridiculous.  He now has 65 tackles and 12 tackles for loss, both numbers surpassing what he did in 2011 (37 tackles, 11 tackles for loss).

The future of the defensive line is bright.  I was very concerned about Michigan’s defensive line coming into 2012 after Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen graduated, and those two have certainly been missed.  The drop-off at strongside end hasn’t been very noticeable with Craig Roh playing fairly well, but Martin has certainly been missed at nose tackle.  However, Michigan has several guys starting or in the rotation who should return next season, so they should be able to maintain this level of play.  Weakside ends Brennen Beyer and Frank Clark, defensive tackles Quinton Washington and Ondre Pipkins, and strongside end Keith Heitzman all look solid, and that’s not to mention the incoming freshmen or the redshirting freshmen (Chris Wormley, Tom Strobel, Matt Godin, Willie Henry).

Working on Saturdays is lame.  There’s just not the same level of excitement when you know you could just fast forward the DVR and see the final score.  On the plus side, I could fast forward during timeouts and between plays so I didn’t have to listen to the Big Ten Network’s terrible announcers.  Sometimes Chris Martin talks just to hear himself, and he says very little of substance.  He does a good job of discussing defensive back play, but anytime the discussion wanders into the other 18 positions on the field, he’s mute-worthy.

Video: Michigan 35, Minnesota 10 (1990)