Observations on the loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, 45-51
TCU converted 5 Red Zones for 31 points; Michigan only gained 30 points off 7 red zone opportunities. Both teams had 3 turnovers each, but the Horned Frogs gained 13 points off the Wolverine miscues while Michigan gained 15 points. TCU had the better offense, and the better defense, and proved it in both halves; the Horned Frogs came out with "fire in their eyes," and played a solid 60 minutes of football.
Offense gained 528 yards with 185 on the ground with 25 first downs; J.J. McCarthy was 20 of 34 for 343 yards with 2 TDs and 2 interceptions, and fumbled away the exchange with Kalel Mullings at the half yard line in the second quarter. One must remember that McCarthy is just a Sophomore, and those 3 turnovers that led to two defensive scores by TCU, and a sure TD by Michigan resulted in a 21 point turnaround. Michigan could only convert 3 of 15 opportunities in 3rd and 4th down conversions; the Wolverines were forced into 5 punts and 3 turnovers by a quick and tenacious Horned Frog defense. The offense propelled the Wolverine comeback in the 3rd quarter to one score games, 16-21, and 38-41, but ran "out of gas" late in the game as they were forced into two 4th quarter punts; when it was 45-51 on the final drive of the game with 52 seconds to go, they couldn't penetrate the TCU defense. Donovan Edwards ran 23 times for 119 yards plus had an 8 yard reception, but had no TDs. McCarthy ran 10 times for 82 yards for a TD, but gave up 30 yards in sacks. Kalel Mullings had 5 carries for 5 yards and a TD. Ronnie Bell caught 6 passes for 135 yards and a TD. Roman Wilson caught 5 passes for 104 yards and a TD. Colston Loveland caught 4 passes for 36 yards. Luke Schoonmaker caught a 32 yard pass, but reinjured his shoulder; he left the game in the 1st quarter, and never returned. TCU's 3-3-5 defense has outfoxed us, and we never adjusted; the Horned Frogs had 13 tackles for loss including 4 sacks by Dylan Horton of his 6 tackles including a forced fumble. Millard Bradford had 8 tackles to lead the Horned Frogs; Dee Winters had 7 tackles plus a 29 yard interception TD, and Bud Clark added 5 tackles plus the 41 yard interception that started the scoring. Clark also recovered the McCarthy fumble in the second quarter in the end zone. The two defensive scores for TCU plus the two red zone stops with no points were the difference in the game.
Defense absolutely SUCKED! They allowed 13 first half points and 23 second half points combined for 36 points, and never gave the offense a chance in their comeback effort. It was easily our worst defensive effort of the year; Jesse Minter did not prepare the team well, and he did not adjust well during the game. TCU gained 488 total yards with 263 on the ground and 19 first downs (13 by rushing) with 8 of 16 in 3rd down conversions; Max Duggan hit 14 of 29 passes for 225 yards with 2 TDs, and 2 interceptions. Duggan ran 15 times for 57 yards for 2 TDs. Emari Demercado ran 17 times for 150 yards and a TD. Kendre Miller ran 8 times for 57 yards. Quentin Johnson had 6 receptions for 163 yards and a TD. Taye Barber had 2 receptions for 12 yards and a TD. Michigan held a 5 minute time of possession advantage, but it only resulted in 5 more offensive plays. Rod Moore had 12 tackles to lead the defense; Makari Paige and Mike Sainristil had 7 tackles each. Our edge guys didn't get the job done, and had no sacks; the Horned Frog offensive line handled our defensive front better than any team we faced this season.
Special Teams were the only part of Michigan's game that worked well with Jake Moody hitting 3 field goals including a 59 yarder that set a school record. Moody had 8 kickoffs with 4 touchbacks, and the kickoff squad played well with Joe Taylor gaining 3 tackles. TCU kicked off 9 times with 6 touchbacks. Brad Robbins punted 5 times with 3 downed inside the 20. A.J. Henning ran a punt return back for 16 yards. The 31 yard punt return by Derius Davis killed us in the second half; it led to their final score at 10:02 left in the game. Jordy Sandy punted 6 times for TCU with one downed inside the 20.
Our team was not well prepared to play in this game, and we did not come out with the motivation we needed to gain an early advantage. TCU outplayed us, and were better prepared; we didn't deserve to win this game. Sonny Dykes and his staff easily outprepared and outcoached Jim Harbaugh and staff, and deserved the win. It is no mistake that like Bo Schembecher, Jim Harbaugh has such a miserable Bowl Record, 1-6; Schembechler's record was 5-12 in Bowls with a 2-8 record in the Rose Bowl. When Michigan has 3 weeks to prepare for a really solid team, the Wolverines can't seem to get the job done. It was true under Bo, and it is true with Harbaugh. Harbaugh has no concept of what clock managment is all about in a tight game; he either has poor advisors or doesn't see that he continually wastes precious seconds that could result in more play opportunities. All in all, it was a great season; it is too bad that this team had to lose a winnable game due to poor preparation, adjustments, and coaching. For all the Michigan fans and prognosticators who gave TCU little respect, and predicted that our defense would overwhelm the Horned Frogs, please feel free to eat an extra helping of crow. Go Blue!
