UA-59049186-1 Michigan 28, UNLV 7 - Recap - Good if it Goes
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Michigan 28, UNLV 7 – Recap

This game looked better when I was reviewing the film than it did live. Both times I watched it though, it didn’t feel anywhere near as close as the scoreboard would indicate. The defense turned in a dominating performance, save for one scoring drive where they gave up a big pass and then a touchdown pass. This was easily the secondary’s best game, though.

Watching the game live, Michigan’s less than spectacular results running up the middle were alarming. Watching the game on film, I noticed that these problems were the result of UNLV putting roughly their entire student body in the box. Most of the time, the line was perfectly fine and runs went nowhere simply because 8 men couldn’t block 10. As long as the opposing team can’t load the box the way UNLV did, Michigan should be fine. If Michigan is going to keep opposing teams from doing that though, they must make opposing teams respect their passing game, which means Rudock needs to step up big time.

Grading this game was an inexact science for a couple reasons:

1. BTN sucks. More than once they didn’t follow the ball on a play. Also, several of their shots seem to have been from Mars.

2. It wasn’t always clear whether a run going nowhere was the result of the blockers being outmatched or outnumbered. This problem was exacerbated greatly by number 1. (It was usually outnumbered, though.)

Game Grades

(A “+” is awarded for a positive play, a “-” for a negative one. For big positive or negative plays, 2 “+” or “-“, respectively, may be given.)

m-unlv-o

m-unlv-d

m-unlv-st

How Excited Should You Be?

QB: 0.5/10. Jake Rudock was bad. Last week, I said that the QB grading out at 0 when the team wins by 28 is less than ideal. Well, the QB grading out at -5 in a 21-point win over a tomato can is downright alarming. Coach Harbaugh said that Rudock is Michigan’s best QB and not by a small margin. If that’s really the case and not just a vote of confidence for Rudock, that’s a problem. Not just this year, but next year, too. There’s some hype around John O’Korn, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about pinning the hopes of the QB position next year on him, considering that we don’t know which version of him is in Ann Arbor. If freshman O’Korn is the real O’Korn and sophomore O’Korn just struggled in a new system, the team will be more than fine. If not, and if the rest of the QBs really do have to make significant improvements to get to where Rudock is now, I’d say Brandon Peters has a shot at starting as a true freshman.

RB: 9/10. De’Veon Smith did not have another great game this week like we hoped he would. A runner like Smith is going to have a hard time when the opposition puts most of their team near the line like UNLV did. Doing that, though, left UNLV susceptible to runs outside, and Ty Isaac took advantage. Drake Johnson had a fine game as well; if 100% healthy, he either keeps UNLV from stacking the box or runs for roughly 1,000 yards. Joe Kerridge was injured in the game and right now is questionable for Saturday against BYU. Michigan should be fine with Houma, though. He’s not quite the blocker Kerridge is, but he was fine against the Rebels.

WR: 6/10. The receivers turned in mostly nice performances. The bubble screens worked. Not much else did. This is not their fault, though. They were not the ones throwing the passes.

TE: 9.5/10. The biggest issue with the tight ends last week was Poggi not having a great game. He had a very good game this week. Khalid Hill made it onto the field, and was generally solid when he did. A.J. Williams continued to look like a fine blocker. We didn’t see much Ian Bunting because we didn’t see a ton of passing.

OL: 7/10. Again, UNLV put just about the entire state of Nevada in the box, so many times, Michigan’s blockers were outnumbered. The line graded out very well. There were a few biffs, but most of the day, they were very good.

DL: 9/10. I’m combining DE and DT from now on, since guys keep moving around. Matt Godin had an excellent game this week; he was in UNLV backfield multiple times. Wormley didn’t dominate like he did against Oregon State, but still turned in a very nice performance. I’m glad Taco Charlton is getting more snaps; he’s earned them. Ojemudia had a nice game, but is still screwing up a bit much.

LB: 6/10. Desmond Morgan was very good again. Everyone else was pretty up-and-down. We did see more of Ben Gedeon, though.

CB: 6/10. Good news: This was easily the secondary’s best performance. Bad news: It’s UNLV, so I’m going the conservative route on the 6/10. Lewis was outstanding. Stribling and Clark were good.

S: 6.5/10. Wilson and Hill each had a couple biffs but were mostly solid. Lyons was fine when he saw the field.

DW: 7.5/10. Peppers was better in coverage this week.

K/P: 6.5/10. O’Neill shanked one, but also stuck a few inside the 20. Michigan didn’t kick any field goals this week.

ST: 6.5/10. Michigan didn’t come as close to blocking punts as they did against Oregon State. Jabrill Peppers had a very nice return.

Helmet Stickers

(Generally the 3 players on offense and defense I have graded the highest, plus the best special teams performer, but I reserve the right to award as many or as few stickers as I see fit.)

Offense

Graham Glasgow, C

Mason Cole, OT

Erik Magnuson, OT

Jake Butt, TE

Joe Kerridge, FB

Ty Isaac, RB

Kyle Kalis, OG

Defense

Matt Godin, DT

Taco Charlton, DE

Jourdan Lewis, CB

Ryan Glasgow, NT

Desmond Morgan, LB

Chris Wormley, DE

Special Teams

Jabrill Peppers, KR/PR

Blake O’Neill, P

Helmet Sticker Count

Desmond Morgan, LB – 3

Jake Butt, TE – 3

Chris Wormley, DE – 3

De’Veon Smith, RB – 2

Jourdan Lewis, CB – 2

Jabrill Peppers, DW – 2

Blake O’Neill, P – 2

Joe Kerridge, FB -2

Mason Cole, OT – 2

Graham Glasgow, C – 2

Kyle Kalis, OG – 2

Erik Magnuson, OT – 2

Taco Charlton, DE – 2

Ben Braden, OG – 1

A.J. Williams, TE – 1

Willie Henry, DE – 1

Brian Cole, WR – 1

Amara Darboh, WR – 1

Ryan Glasgow, NT – 1

Matt Godin, DT – 1

Ty Isaac, RB – 1

 

Go Blue!

 

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com