Observations on the win over Rutgers, 48-42
Michigan came through with 6 red zones for 34 points; Rutgers scored 32 points in 5 red zones. Each team had one turnover, but neither factored in points although the game ended with a Scarlet Knight turnover. Michigan got their first lead of the game in the 4th quarter, 28-27, and extended it to 35-27; however, Rutgers came back in the last minute to tie the score on a red zone TD plus two point conversion against a meek Wolverine defense.
Offense was significantly improved under the leadership of Cade McNamara! He completed 27 of 36 for 260 yards and 4 TDs, and ran 4 times for 4 yards and a TD; McNamara drove the Wolverines to 6 red zones that resulted in 5 touchdowns and two missed field goals in 8 possessions since he took over the offense late in the second quarter. Hassan Haskins ran 22 times for 110 yards and the game winning TD. The Wolverines piled up 29 first downs, 497 yards in 91 plays with 349 in the air they were 9 of 19 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Cornelius Johnson had 5 receptions for 105 yards and 2 TDs. Giles Jackson had 4 receptions for 50 yards plus a 95 yard kickoff return to start the 3rd quarter that put the Wolverines back in the game, 14-17. Mike Sainristil had 4 receptions for 44 yards and a TD. Nick Eubanks had 5 receptions for 43 yards and a TD. Chris Evans had 4 receptions for 30 yards, and one carry for another 4 yards. Erick All had 4 receptions for 27 yards. Ronnie Bell had 4 catches for 36 yards. Olakunle Fatukasi had 15 tackles including 2 sacks, a pass break up, and a quarterback hit, and Brendon White had 14 tackles plus a forced fumble to lead the Rutgers defense.
Defense had a poor night, but finally made a play to end the game in the 3rd overtime. Rutgers had 24 first downs, 482 yards on 84 plays with 378 in the air. Noah Vedral hit 29 of 43 for 3 TDs; he ran 9 times for 11 yards after 2 sacks were deducted plus added a 2 point conversion to send the game to overtime. The Wolverines had no quarterback hits on Vedral; he was hurried only a few times in the game, and was 8 of 20 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Coach Schiano prepared well for the Wolverines with reverses and misdirections, and attacked our edge at will all evening. Backup Quarterback Johnny Langan ran for 2 TDs. Shameen Jones caught 7 passes for 127 yards plus ran twice for 6 yards. Bo Melton caught 7 passes for 109 yards and a TD, and ran once for 5 yards. Aron Cruickshank had 7 catches for 70 yards for a TD plus a 2 point conversion; he also returned two kickoffs for 34 yards. Isaih Pacheco had 15 carries for 43 yards. Jovani Haskins caught a pass in overtime to put the Scarlett Knights ahead, 35-42, but the Wolverines came back to tie it in the second overtime and win it in the 3rd overtime. Josh Ross had 11 tackles including a sack; Dax Hill and Brad Hawkins had 8 tackles each for the Wolverines, and Hill had two pass breakups plus the game ending interception.
Special Teams were horrid except for the Jackson TD. Quinn Nordin missed 3 field goals including one after a bad snap from William Wagner. Brad Robbins had 3 punts for a 45.7 yard average. Jake Moody kicked off 6 times with 4 touchbacks. Rutgers hit two field goals by Vincent Ambrosio but missed a potential game winner in the first overtime. Adam Korsak punted 6 times for the Scarlet Knights with 3 placed inside the 20. A big factor in Michigan's comeback included 12 penalties on Rutgers for 100 yards.
It was quite a battle between two of the Big Ten's 1-3 teams! The Wolverines rallied from a 17 point first half deficit to finally hold off the Scarlet Knights after they rallied to send the game into overtime with a 4th quarter drive in the last 5 minutes, and add a two point conversion; then, Rutgers took a 42-35 lead in overtime only to see the Wolverines rally with two touchdowns to win the three overtime affair. The Big Ten Championship will come down to Ohio State vs. Northwestern this season as the Buckeyes edged Indiana, and the Wildcats beat the Badgers. Michigan is not as good as the top Big Ten Teams: Ohio State, Northwestern, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa; they are in the middle of the pack with Purdue, Maryland, Illinois and Minnesota. The worst teams in the Big Ten this season include Michigan State, Penn State, Nebraska, and Rutgers. We beat Minnesota, but lost to MSU and barely escaped Rutgers with a win; our football program needs new leadership for 2021, and it is hoped that the Athletic Director Warde Manuel and President Mark Schlissel will act to remedy this problem. It may take a 70-0 shellacking by the Buckeyes to wake up the Michigan Leaders and Best on this issue. Michigan will have a chance to be 3-3 next week against winless Penn State! Go Blue!
