Observations on the first half with Western Michigan

Observations on the win over Western Michigan, 34-10

What a strange game! For the first time in Michigan Football History, a game was cancelled due to weather. The game began with sweltering temperatures ranging from 90-93 degrees and field temperatures with 45% humidity ranging from 122-137 degrees; then, a tempest of rain to begin the second half, two lighting storm delays, one in the first half and one in the second. Michigan was driving at the Bronco 23 with 1:27 left in the 3rd quarter when the decision to cancel the balance was made due to impending further problem weather in the area.

Michigan converted two red zones for 13 points while the Broncos converted three red zones into 10 points. The Broncos missed a field goal, and gave us a TD on a 94 yard interception and a 29 yard fumble recovery, both by linebacker Brandon Herron. We had 14 points off 3 Bronco turnovers while we had no turnovers.

Denard Robinson finished 9 of 13 for 98 yards, and ran for another 46 yards on 8 carries. Fitzgerald Touissaint gained 80 yards in 11 carries including a 43 yarder, and scored two TDs in his first start. Michael Shaw gained 54 yards on 4 carries and scored a 44 yard TD. Kevin Koger, Jeremy Gallon and Roy Roundtree had two catches each, and Junior Hemingway hauled down a 37 yarder in the second half. Offense rolled up 288 yards in total offense, 190 on the ground with 17 first downs and was 4 of 7 in 3rd and 4th down conversions.

Defense had a solid second half or should I say 3rd quarter. Jordan Kovacs had 10 tackles, 2 sacks, a pass break up and a forced fumble. Brandon Herron has 8 tackles, and two touchdowns on a 94 yard interception and a 28 yard fumble recovery. Thomas Gordon also had 8 tackles. Troy Woolfolk left the game with an ankle injury on kickoff team, and did not return. That is one of the risks of using starters on special teams. The good news is that it was the ankle he didn't injure in 2010. Captain Mike Martin had one tackle, and Craig Roh had zero tackles. Western Michigan rolled up 279 yards in total offense, 96 on the ground with 17 first downs. The Broncos had a 7 minute time of possession advantage, but the three turnovers killed their offense. Carder was 22 of 31 for 183 yards. Drake ran for 65 yards on 10 carries. White has 12 catches for 119 yards. They were 7 of 12 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Doug Wiggins had 9 tackles plus a pass break up, Toler and Zajac had 7 tackles each for the Broncos.

Matt Wile had a good second half punt of 49 yards downed inside the 20, but not one kickoff made the end zone. Kickoff coverage was very poor, Wallace had 6 returns for 188 yards. Gibbons had an extra point blocked. White had an 11 yard punt return on a 35 punt by Wile with not much hand time. Kelvin Grady took the final kickoff 7 yards deep in the end zone at the end of the first half, and with a poor choice ran the ball to the 12; in all, 3 returns for 57 yards. Jeremy Gallon had a 5 yard punt return. We have a long, long way to go with special teams play.

Surprise starters in the game were Jake Ryan, Courtney Avery and Brandon Herron on defense; Mike Schofield and Fitzgerald Touissaint on offense. Cam Gordon had a back injury and didn't play. Avery beat out Floyd, Herron beat out Mike Jones and Touissaint beat out Shaw. Ricky Barnum, Stephon Hopkins and Marell Evans apparently aren’t playing due to some disciplinary issues. As a result, Mike Schofield started at Left Guard and J.B. Fitzgerald backed up Kenny Demens at MIKE (middle) Linebacker. Notre Dame lost at home to South Florida 23-20, the Bulls took advantage of 4 Irish turnovers, 3 in the Red Zone; however, the Irish came back from a 23-7 deficit in the 4th quarter with Tommy Rees, had over 500 yards in total offense and he'll start against Michigan next week. Hopefully, we'll correct what we need to correct for next week.