Observations on the first half with Ohio State, 23-24

Michigan was outplayed by the Buckeyes in the first half and especially the 2nd quarter after getting off to a two score lead in the first quarter, 16-7. Each team earned one red zone each for 7 points, but the Buckeyes capitalized on one Michigan turnover for a TD.

Offense gained 203 yards, 145 on the ground, but only 7 first downs and 3 of 7 on 3rd down conversions. Denard Robinson was 7 of 8 for 58 yards and a TD, and ran for 82 yards on 12 carries for another 2 TDs. The Buckeyes are giving us the short stuff, but that's it. Fitzgerald Touissaint has 57 yards on 8 carries. J.R. Hemingway caught a 26 yarder for a TD. We have almost a 2 minute time of possession advantage, but lost any advantage with the turnover by Robinson.

Defense was bad, really bad. Troy Woolfolk was burned for a 43 yard TD pass by DeVier Posey, and Blake Countess was burned for an opening drive 54 yard TD bomb to Corey Brown. Braxton Miller has completed 8 of 15 for 127 yards and 2 TDS, and ran for 59 yards on 7 carries for another TD. We have done a nice job on Dan Herron who has 10 carries for 28 yards. The Buckeyes have amassed 214 yards of total offense, 10 first downs and are 4 of 7 in 3rd down conversions. Kenny Demens leads the defense with 6 tackles, Will Heinager has 4 and Ryan VanBergen has 3 including one for loss and a tipped pass. Mike Martin, J.T. Floyd and Desmond Morgan have 3 tackles each, and Jordan Kovacs has 2 tackles including a sack. The Buckeyes are exploiting our weaknesses in the backfield, and coming right at us agressively; it is obviously working well. Hopefully, we can adjust and rise to the occasion in the second half.

Special Teams have been good. Matt Wile has 4 kickoffs, 2 for touchback. Will Hagerup has 2 punts for a 47.5 yard average. Jeremy Gallon had a nice 20 yard kickoff return following the safety. Thomas Gordon tipped a kickoff fumble away from Matt Cavanaugh that would have given us the ball with a two score lead inside the Buckeye 25.

Second Half will be a dogfight! We must keep our composure, force turnovers and gain more time of possession advantage. We get the ball first to start, let's score and never look back. Go Blue!!!