Observations on the win over Arkansas State, 28-18
Michgan had 3 turnovers, but Arkansas State only gained 3 points off those miscues. Michigan gained 7 points off one Arkansas State turnover. The Red Wolves converted two red zones into 3 points; Michigan converted 3 red zones for 21 points.
Offense gained 435 net yards with 301 on the ground and 20 first downs; they were 9 of 12 on 3rd down conversions. Davis Warren hit 11 of 14 passes for 122 yards, but threw 3 interceptions and had two sacks. Kalel Mullings ran 15 times for 153 yards and 2 TDs. Donovan Edwards ran 17 times for 82 yards; he also caught an 11 yard pass. Ben Hall gained 20 yards on 3 carries; Semaj Morgan gained 13 yards on one carry, and gained 3 yards on 2 receptions. Freddy Moore caught 3 passes for 38 yards. Marlin Klein had 3 catches for 43 yards. Colston Loveland had 3 catches for 30 yards, but left the game due to injury. Alex Orji came in late; he had 27 yards on 3 carries, and threw 4 times completing two for 12 yards and a TD including a 9 yard TD reception by Freshman Hogan Hanson. Michigan dominated time of possession despite the turnovers with a 9 minute advantage, but the Red Wolves ran 7 more offensive plays. Trevian Thomas and Marvin Ham led the Red Wolves with 9 tackles each; Justin Parks and Dontay Joyner had 8 stops apiece.
Defense forced Arkansas State into four "3 and outs;" however, they gained 280 yards with 58 in rushing and were 7 of 19 in 3rd down conversions with 17 first downs. Jaylen Raynor hit 19 of 33 for 140 yards; he was replaced by Timmy McClain who completed 7 of 11 for 82 yards and 2 TDs, and ran 4 times for 15 yards. Michigan only had one sack on the afternoon, but they did have 3 quarterback hits, 8 pass break ups, and an interception. Devin Spencer gained 28 yards on 7 carries. Mike Sharpe had 2 carries for 11 yards. Zak Wallace had 3 carries for 5 yards, and one catch for 6 yards. Corey Rucker caught 4 passes for 26 yards, Courtney Jackson caught 5 passes for 41 yards, Reagan Ealy caught 2 passes for 29 yards, Miller McCrumby caught 2 passes for 9 yards, Reginald Harden caught 3 passes for 52 yards and 2 TDs, Manny Stevenson caught 3 passes for 7 yards, Tennel Bryant caught one pass for 9 yards, and Adam Jones caught 2 pass for 29 yards. In all, the Red Wolves completed passes to 12 different receivers. Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham led the Wolverine Defense with 7 tackles each; Jimmy Rolder came off the bench to contribute 5 tackles, and Will Johnson, Aamir Hall, and Quinten Johnson had 4 tackles each.
Special Teams were solid with Tommy Doman kicking off each time with touchbacks; he had 3 punts for a 39 yard average with one downed inside the 20. No punt returns, and a 13 yard kickoff return from Keshaun Harris. Clune Van Andel only made one of three field goals; if he made all three, the final score may have been even closer. Michigan took 7 penalties for 69 yards.
We were outplayed and outhustled by Arkansas State in the second half in our own stadium. This doesn't bode well for the Trojan invasion next week. Go Blue!
