Observations on the win over Rutgers, 49-16
Michigan converted 8 of 9 red zone opportunities for 49 points; Rutgers earned 4 red zones and converted 3 for 9 points. Michigan gained no points off one Rutgers turnover.
Offense gained 487 net yards, 25 first downs, and held nearly 3 minutes time of possession advantage which resulted in 9 more offensive plays. It was our best offensive game so far. Jake Rudock was 18 of 25 for 337 yards and 2 TDs. DeVeon Smith gained 73 yards on 15 carries for a TD plus another 45 yards on two screen passes. Drake Johnson had 7 carries for 27 yards and a TD plus got another 28 yards on a reception. Sione Houma gained 19 yards in 6 carries plus caught a 32 yard pass. Amara Darboh caught 3 passes for 53 yards and a TD, Jehu Chesson caught 3 passes for 36 yards and a TD, and Jake Butt caught 4 passes for 102 yards. Jabrill Peppers also scored a TD from 10 yards. Steve Longa had 11 tackles for the Scarlett Knights.
Defense gave up 225 net yards, 128 on the ground, and 17 first downs. Chris Laviano was 11 of 26 for 97 yards, and ran for 9 yards on 8 carries. Robert Martin had 10 carries for 81 yards including a 54 yarder setting up their first red zone with a TD saving tackle by Jabrill Peppers. Desmond Morgan had 8 tackles and Joe Bolden had 7, and Jabrill Peppers had 6; Jarrod Wilson got his first interception plus had 5 stops. Defense got 4 sacks, 2 by Chris Wormley, and one each by Taco Charlton and Royce Jenkins-Stone. Both Jourdan Lewis and Dymonte Thomas had 2 pass break ups each; Lewis set a Michigan season record for pass defense. This defense will have their hands full stopping a potent Hoosier offense next week. I hope Ryan Glasgow comes back from his arm injury; he didn't return after it happened.
Special Teams had a better second half after giving Janarious Davis 222 yards in the first half. Kenny Allen hit both field goals to finish two of three on the day; Allen also had 4 touchbacks on 9 kickoffs. Dymonte Thomas and Jourdan Lewis had 3 nice kickoff returns of 35, 28 and 24 yards. Blake O'Neill hit 3 punts for a 44.3 yard average with one inside the 20.
Indiana will be tought to beat in Bloomington, but we'll give it our best shot. Go Blue!
Lawrence Marshall and Ty Isaac did not dress for Rutgers (internal matters-discipline); also, Drake Harris and Ben Gedeon were out with injuries. On the bright side, Wyatt Shallman played today 5.5 weeks from his surgery.