Observations on the win over Western Michigan, 47-14
Michigan gained 13 points in three red zones; Western Michigan scored 7 points in one red zone. Neither team had any turnover.
Offense gained 22 first downs, 550 yards with 334 on the ground on 60 plays. Cade McNamara was 9 of 11 for 136 yards and 2 TDs; J.J. McCarthy was 4 of 6 for 80 yards and a TD. Hassan Haskins ran 13 times for 70 yards and a TD; Blake Corum added 111 yards on 14 carries for a TD plus had 2 catches for 22 yards and another TD. Ronnie Bell caught a 76 yard TD pass, but left the game after a 31 yard punt return with a knee injury. A.J. Henning ran a jet sweep for a 74 yard TD plus had an 11 yard reception. Daylen Baldwin caught a 69 yard TD pass. Erick All caught 3 passes for 23 yards, and Cornelius Johnson caught 2 passes for 15 yards. Donovan Edwards had 6 carries for 27 yards plus a 3 yard reception, and the 4th back in was Leon Franklin with 3 carries for 12 yards. The Wolverines converted on 9 of 13 in 3rd and 4th down efficiency. A.J. Thomas led the Broncos with 10 tackles. Western Michigan gained a 4 minute time of possession advantage that let to 9 more offensive plays.
Defense held the Broncos to 17 first downs and 317 total yards in 69 plays. Kaleb Eleby was 20 of 37 for 191 yards and a TD; he was 8 of 17 in 3rd down conversions while being hit 6 times by Wolverine defenders. La'Darius Jefferson gained 24 yards on 6 carries for a TD; Sean Tyler gained 58 yards on 10 carries. Corey Crooms had 4 receptions for 58 yards including a 27 yard TD. Josh Ross and Daxton Hill led the defense with 6 tackles each; R.J. Moten had 5 stops. Vincent Gray was much improved with 2 pass break ups. The defense looks better, and is quicker and more confident; however, I'm not sure they are ready for a high-powered offense yet, and there was little pass rush pressure.
Special Teams did a nice job! Jake Moody hit two field goals, and had 9 kickoffs with 6 touchbacks. Ronnie Bell had a 31 yard punt return, and Blake Corum set up a score with a 79 yard kickoff return. Brad Robbins kicked two punts for a 43.5 yard average with one downed inside the 20. I'm not sure I liked the move to put Caden Kolesar in to return punts after Bell was hurt; I think Mike Sainristil or A.J. Henning would be wiser choices as Kolesar misplayed two returns and let the ball go over his head.
The status for Ronnie Bell's injury is huge for the Wolverine season! Zak Zinter didn't start, but played quite a bit with a cast on his right hand. Gabe Newburg didn't dress so his status is unknown. Some player participation surprises included Joel Honigford starting at Tight End over Erick All and David Ojabo at Defensive End over Taylor Upshaw; Mazi Smith started in front of Donovan Jeter at Nose Tackle. Both Freshmen George Rooks and Rashaun Benny got in some action at Defensive Tackle, but Kris Jenkins played quite a bit more than most people anticipated. Also, Walk-on Kehaun Harris played as a backup cornerback, and Freshman Rod Moore got in for quite a few plays in the 4th quarter with 3 tackles. Linebacker Mike Barrett only got action on special teams with Mullings, Colson, and Solomon spelling Ross and Hill-Green.
This team will be the underdog against Washington so hopefully they'll have a good week of practice and rise to the occasion to pull of an upset over the Huskies next Saturday! Go Blue!