In the 4th quarter it is raining at full speed

Free Press sportswriter Tony Garcia assesses Michigan football’s performance in the Little Brown Jug’s 27-24 win over Minnesota on Saturday in Ann Arbor:

Attack: C-minus

It’s hard to call this a slightly above-average offense when it only has one component that actually works. The rushing attack was once again pretty good. The Wolverines only broke up a few big balls but stayed true to their identity, rushing 40 times for 162 yards and two scores (before the final possession where they ran out of time and lost yards due to a fumble). Kalel Mullings was the showpiece as he made his first career offensive start, carrying the ball 22 times for 107 yards and two scores, followed by Donovan Edwards (nine carries for 34 yards) and quarterback Alex Orji (previously eight carries for 23 yards). lost fumble yardage).

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The real concern, however, is the passing game. Orji completed 10 of 18 passes for 86 yards, five of which went for 10 yards or more, although only two completions went for more than 10 yards through the air on the day. It helped that he had Colston Loveland, who had four catches for 41 yards, at his disposal, but his interception while targeting the tight end showed where there is the most room for growth. It should have been at least a 25-yard catch-and-run, but Orji saw it too late and threw the ball too far over the middle, allowing the Minnesota safety to come over and intercept the ball.

Michigan only had 248 yards of total offense in the win and while it was another win, the lack of offense remains concerning. The Wolverines converted 6 of 14 third downs on the day, but that included the first three of the day and just 3 of 11 the rest of the day. Of the 11 drives on the day, only three lasted longer than 2 minutes and 10 seconds

“The most important thing is to watch the tape and learn,” Orji said. “An old coach I played for always said, ‘The best kind of win is when you can win and have something to learn from,’ so I think this is a great opportunity for us to “Look at the records and find a way to get better.”

Defense: B

The first three quarters probably would have earned the unit an A. Michigan was wild early, allowing just two field goal attempts on its first nine drives of the day (one of which was only possible due to a 44-yard Hail Mary). it forced five punts, including four three-and-outs, as well as an interception and a fumble recovery during the start.

The fourth quarter was a different story. Minnesota scored touchdowns on all three of its final drives, two of which went for 12 or more plays and 75 or more yards, with the defense completely under pressure after the offense was unable to sustain the drives. A number of players stood out. Ernest Hausmann had nine tackles, including one for loss on the opening series. Zeke Berry had four tackles and a forced fumble and recovery, Mason Graham had four tackles, including two sacks, TJ Guy had four tackles, including two quarterback hurries, one for loss and a sack, and Jyaire Hill had two tackles, 1½ for loss and an interception.

It was a tall order for the unit, which didn’t have All-American Will Johnson or reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Josaiah Stewart as well as strongmen Wesley Walker and Ja’Den McBurrows. Losing the overall 296-241 wasn’t what the doctor ordered, but once again UM made enough plays to survive.

“I just think we performed really well in the first half,” Graham said after the game. “DBs give us the chance to play forward, it all goes hand in hand.”

Special Teams: C

There were positive moments with the unit – like when Dominic Zvada became the first kicker in UM history to make four shots of 50 yards or more in a season and then his 35-yard field late in the fourth A goal made for a two-possession game – or when Kechaun Bennett blocked a punt – but there were also some difficult moments for the unit.

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In the punting game, Tommy Doman had a decent day after a big week against USC. The senior punted five times for 234 yards (46.8 yards per attempt), including two of 50 yards or more, but he only held Minnesota within 20 yards once. Overall, the punt unit struggled mightily as it allowed two returns from Koi Perch, the first going for 21 yards, the second going for 60 yards in the fourth quarter, setting up a quick Minnesota touchdown that tied the game.

The Gophers also appeared to recover an onside kick in the final minutes to have a chance to win, but Matt Kingsbury was offside a half yard, negating the miracle play, and of course Mullings was the man on the ensuing kick, who recovered the ball for the win.

“It took a weird jump that kind of went beyond what we originally thought,” wide receiver Tyler Morris said of the final sequence. “The fact that they did it brought up a lot of emotions. … when we realized they were offside, it was definitely a big relief.”

Coaching: B-minus

It seems like Michigan has a clear game plan — get a lead, rely on the run game and do whatever it takes to hold — but if the last two weeks are any indication, there’s little room for error. Michigan did well to turn the field over with its first four-and-1 early in the game, but then head coach Sherrone Moore made a strange decision when he shot the four-and-one from his team’s own 34 early in the third period. 1 scored. Sure, the Wolverines converted, but it seemed unnecessarily risky considering the Wolverines had all the momentum.

Discipline and penalties also reflect the coaching, and there were again some costly moments. UM was stopped five times for 54 yards, including two crucial penalties when Graham was flagged for hands-to-the-face to keep Minnesota’s drive alive on fourth-and-11 and holding CJ Charleston late in the fourth was called upon to nullify a 25-yard carry by Mullings. The win is the most important thing, but that’s too close for UM for comfort.

“We’re happy we got the win,” Moore said after the game. “But not happy, not satisfied with how we got the victory.”

Attack: C-minus

Defense: B

Special Teams: C

Coaching: B-minus

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