Observations on the win over Rutgers, 52-0
Michigan converted 5 red zones into 31 points; Rutgers was stopped for no points on their only red zone. The Wolverines converted 2 Scarlet Knight miscues into 7 points. Josh Gattis was switched from the Press Box to the Sidelines in an effort to help the offense, and it paid off for the Wolverines in this game.
Offense accumulated 476 yards in 68 plays with 28 first downs with 141 on the ground; they were 7 of 12 on 3rd and 4th down conversions, and held a 2 minute time of possession advantage which gave them 15 more offensive plays. Shea Patterson was 17 of 23 for 276 yards for a TD plus he ran 4 times for 4 yards and 3 TDs after deducting a sack. Zach Charbonnet ran 5 times for 22 yards; Christian Turner ran 11 times for 48 yards for a TD, and Tru Wilson, Hassan Haskins, Ben Vansumeren, and Nick Capatina all logged carries as well. Ronnie Bell led all receivers with 6 catches for 83 yards; Nico Collins had 2 receptions for 59 yards including a 48 yard TD in the first quarter. Donovan Peoples-Jones had 4 catches for 62 yards, and Nick Eubanks had 3 catches for 43 yards. Giles Jackson caught his first TD pass for 23 yards in the 4th quarter, and ran once for 2 yards. Luke Schoonmaker caught a 29 yarder in the 4th quarter as well. Joe Milton completed 3 of 4 passes, and ran for a 4th quarter TD.
Defense was led by Khaleke Hudson with 7 tackles; Kwity Paye had 6 tackles including 1.5 sacks plus a quarterback hit. Brad Hawkins had 5 tackles. Mike Danna, Josh Uche, Michael Barrett and Daxton Hill all had 4 tackles each. Rutgers could only muster 10 first downs, 152 yards with 46 on the ground with 53 plays, and was 5 of 16 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Artur Sitkowski was 17 of 24 for 106 yards, and sacked twice.
Special Teams were led by Jake Moody with a field goal, and 2 touchbacks in 8 kickoffs. Will Hart punted twice for a 47.5 yard average with a nice tackle by Daxton Hill on a punt return. Donovan Peoples-Jones had 3 punt returns for 18 yards; both Ronnie Bell and Mike Sainristil caught punts as well, but Sainristil fumbled his while Bell got an 11 yard return. Giles Jackson had a 13 yard kickoff return to start the game. Tyler Cochran forced a fumble and recovered it at the two yard line to set up a red zone TD.
Michigan needs to withdraw from the Big Ten to become an independent as they did in 1908, and reschedule tough opponents including Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Notre Dame, and Michigan State with Florida Atlantic, Kent State, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Mexico State, East Carolina, Akron, North Carolina-Charlotte and others who can help them build their confidence and continue their NCAA All-Time Win leadership. It is either that or stay with the conference, and play up to conference standards. It is nice to beat up on sub-par NCAA football teams, but the real test is when we have to play a good football team, and Iowa will pose quite a test next week. I'm still not convinced that this squad will be prepared enough by this coaching staff for the challenge they will face at their homecoming. As always, hope the coaching staff and squad will show up, and pulverize the Hawkeyes. Go Blue!