Observations on the win over Eastern Michigan University, 33-22!

Observations on the win over EMU, 33-22!

1-Michigan gets 3 points off 4 turnovers, and create 5 red zones for 26 points. The Eagles create 3 red zones for 17 points, and convert two onside kicks plus a 70 yard kickoff return. The Eagles defense worked hard to stop three scoring drives deep in their territory, two by turnover.

2-Henne was 17 of 26 for 195 yards with 1 TD, 1 sack in the red zone and 2 interceptions, one in the end zone and another inside the 10. The Eagles claw Henne's pinky on his throwing hand, but offense gets 22 first downs, 459 yards of total offense and was 6 of 14 on 3rd and 4th down conversions. Arrington had 6 catches for 101 yards and a 31 yard TD. Andre Criswell, LaTerryal Savoy and JR Hemmingway get their first catches as Wolverines! Hemingway finishes with 3 for 33 yards and a 7 yard run. Mathews gets 3 catches for 21 yards and 2 runs for 17 yards, Criswell gets an 11 yarder, Carson Butler grabs a 10 yarder and Savoy a 9 yarder. Mallett comes in to complete 1 of 2 for 9 yards.

3-Hart is now the leading rusher in Michigan football history! He had 215 yards in 22 carries for 2 TDs plus 3 catches for 18 yards. Frank Beckman said he was injured prior to the game and not 100%. Carlos Brown gets 8 carries for 18 yards, and doesn't fumble. Potemba gets 3 carries for 6 net yards. We out gain the Eagles in net rushing 255 to 135.

4-Defense allows the Eagles to earn 304 yards in total offense, 16 first downs, 9 of 19 on third down conversions, 3 red zones for 17 points while we forced 6 punts, 2 field goals and 4 turnovers in 75 plays in the sweltering heat. Defense completely stifles the Eagles after the onside kick recovery to start the second half that pulled the Eagles to within 2 at 16-14. We sacked the Eagles 3 times: Brandon Graham gets a sack and Jamison gets two. Jamar Adams gets an interception. Brandent Engelmon gets 6 tackles, forces a fumble that Trent recovers, and gets a game ending interception. Obi Ezeh leads the defense with 9 tackles and forces a fumble; Brandon Logan chips in with 7. Crable comes up with 2 more tackles for loss and 6 total. Surprise, Charles Stewart starts over Donovan Warren at right cornerback, but only gets one tackle. Morgan Trent gets 5 tackles and 2 pass break ups. Warren contributes 3 tackles and a pass break up, and Brandon Harrison gets in on one tackle with one pass break up. Terrence Taylor blocks the extra point and contributes 2 tackles.

Eastern Michigan University worked us for a 3 minute time of possession advantage as a result of converting two onside kicks, but our 2nd half defensive stops helped even this up for most of the 3rd and 4th quarters; still, EMU ran 7 more plays than we did.

5-Special Teams win the second half with EMU after losing the first half. Lopata ends up with two field goals and 3 of 4 on extra points. Kickoff team allows a 70 yard return for an Eagle red zone opportunity, a blocked extra point, a two point conversion and two onside kicks that the Eagles turn into 19 of their 22 points. Mesko punts three times for a 32 yard average. Troy Wolfolk gets a touchdown saving tackle, and James Rogers recovers a fumble on the kickoff return. Warren returns 4 punts for 22 yards. We do not resemble a Division I football power with our special teams play, and we all know this reflects coaching or the lack thereof. We take 7 penalties for 59 yards.

6-Injury report is not good! Chris Graham, John Thompson and Will Johnson are out so we are minus 3 defensive starters. We also have offensive starters out with Massey and Mitchell so minus 5 of 22 starters is not good. Terrence Taylor left the game with an apparent right shoulder injury in the first quarter, but came back. Manningham has a one game disciplinary suspension for undisclosed reasons. Slocum saw his first action as first backup at nose tackle behind Taylor and contributes one tackle, but Ferrara starts at defensive tackle and ends up with no tackles. Other offensive backups not playing today include: Brandon Minor, Jeremy Ciulla, Tim McAvoy and Perry Dorenstein. There has been some discussion that Gallimore may move from defense to offensive line. I wonder if they will take Molk off redshirt? Beckman said Schilling would not play so he must be playing hurt at right guard while Ortmann started at right tackle. McLaurin starts at tight end over Butler, this is probably part of Butler's punishment (no starts). It looks like despite the injury to Minor, Horn will stay on redshirt. KC Lopata gets the start at placekicker over Gingell, Logan at WILL, Ezeh gets his second start at MIKE and Zion Babb has now moved to defense to back up cornerback, but only saw action on special teams today. Defensive backups still injured and not playing include Anton Campbell on special teams and safety backup. Mouton did see some action today at WILL backing up Logan. Carr said 10 guys in the two deep didn't dress today. I wonder if Zebrie Sanders sees himself in a Wolverine uniform.

7-Motor City officials were watching this game very closely for a late season invitation if we can muster 6 wins, 2 more to go. Perhaps Minnesota goes down, but Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State will not be as easy as EMU, Northwestern, Penn State or Notre Dame especially with Illinois, Michigan State and Wisconsin on the road.

Observations on the first half with EMU, 16-8!

1-Michigan gets 3 points off turnover, 2 red zones for 9 points and a big play for their total of 16 points. The Eagles get a red zone off a 70 yard kickoff return, convert for 3 points plus run back an extra point block for 2 and a drive for a field goal. The Eagles defense works hard to stop a scoring drive in the end zone to keep it close.

2-Henne is 12 of 16 for 149 yards with 1 TD, 1 sack in the red zone and 1 interception. The Eagles claw Henne's pinky on his throwing hand so Mallett may be in soon. Offense has 13 first downs, 228 yards of total offense and is 3 of 5 on 3rd down conversions. Arrington has 4 catches for 75 yards and a TD. Hemmingway gets his first catch as a Wolverine for 23 yards. Mathews gets 4 catches for 25 yards and Carson Butler grabs one for 10 yards.

3-Hart is now the leading rusher in Michigan football history! He has 94 yards in 14 carries plus 2 catches for 16 yards for a TD. Frank Beckman said he was injured prior to the game and not 100%. We out gain the Eagles in net rushing 86 to 48. I guess one of the bright sides of our offense is no turnovers.

4-Defense allows the Eagles to earn 121 yards in total offense, 8 first downs, 4 of 9 on third down conversions; we forced 2 punts, 2 field goals and a turnover. Jamison gets a sack. Jamar Adams gets an interception. Eastern Michigan University works our defense for a 3 minute first half time of possession advantage resulting in 3 extra plays for EMU.

5-Special Teams lost the first half to EMU. Lopata makes a field goal and extra point, but has an extra point blocked for 2 points for the Eagles. Kickoff team allows a 70 yard return for an Eagle red zone opportunity. Mesko punts with 11 seconds to go in the half for a measly 34 yards, and Warren fumbles a punt return that he recovers. We do not resemble a Division I football power with our special teams play, and we all know this reflects coaching or the lack thereof. We take 3 penalties for 15 yards.

7-Motor City officials are watching this game very closely for perhaps a late season invitation if we can muster 6 wins, 2 more to go.