Michigan football dominates Minnesota in the Big House

The first 30 minutes in Ann Arbor were all about Michigan, as the No. 12 Wolverines held a 21-3 halftime lead over Minnesota. Here’s what stood out from Maize and Blue in the first half…

attack

• Get up early and set off: Michigan got off to a great start offensively, establishing the ground game early and mixing in some pass attempts from Orji to keep the Golden Gophers honest. The Wolverines gained 79 yards on their first possession, capped by a 27-yard touchdown run from running back Kalel Mullings. Michigan was aided by an illegal horse-collar tackle by Minnesota, but it was still an impressive opening drive. It was the third game this season in which the Wolverines scored a touchdown on their first possession (Fresno State, Arkansas State).

• Michigan expands its passing game approach: The coaching staff did a good job giving Orji a few easy completions in the Wolverines’ opening game, but it’s clear there’s still a limited playbook for the redshirt sophomore quarterback. Orji completed just 4 of 8 pass attempts for 36 yards in the first half, but had a small dump-off pass to wide receiver Tyler Morris for an 11-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Michigan still doesn’t have any semblance of a downfield passing game, due to a combination of Orji’s limited accuracy, ability to get past a receiver, and the receiver’s inability to get open.

• Kalel Mullings is RB1: The graduating senior made his first start at running back and he is the guy Michigan leaned on the most in the running game. Mullings had 45 yards on eight carries (5.6 yards per carry) in the first half and scored two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Donovan Edwards was limited to just 13 yards on four rushing attempts. The Wolverines ran for just 71 yards in the first half and were held to 107 total yards, but part of that had to do with the defense and special teams they fielded on short fields. More on this below…

defense

• Zeke Berry says “Give me that!”: In a game with wet conditions and two highly competitive offenses, field position and turnovers are a key component. Michigan nickelback Zeke Berry made the biggest play of the first half for the Wolverines’ defense, knocking Minnesota wide receiver Daniel Jackson off the ball after a reception. Berry’s forced turnover moved Michigan’s offense to the Gophers’ 16-yard line and set up UM’s second touchdown of the day. Huge individual performance from the redshirt sophomore.

• More ball losses and “special” team games: Michigan played the first point through field position and was preparing for another short field when Keechun Bennett blocked a Minnesota punt, giving the Wolverines the ball at the 11-yard line. That led to Orji’s touchdown pass to Morris, giving the Wolverines a three-point lead. That was followed by an incredible interception by UM cornerback Jyaire Hill, who tapped his foot while going out of bounds. Michigan dominated field position and that’s the main reason they built a huge lead.

• Michigan’s Big Boys’ Festival: We’re starting to get the kind of dominance from Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant that we expected this season. Graham was a one-man wrecking crew in the second quarter with two sacks and four total tackles. Grant, Rayshaun Benny and Derrick Moore also played in Minnesota’s backfield. In the first 30 minutes, Michigan had four sacks and eight tackles for loss.

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