close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

    • Plenty to improve on for both attack and defense
    news

    Plenty to improve on for both attack and defense

    Vaseline Posted on

    Free Press sports reporter Jared Ramsey gives Michigan football a grade of A to F after the Wolverines’ 31-12 loss to Texas on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor:

    Attack: D

    If it hadn’t been for two field goal drives and a touchdown pass from Davis Warren in garbage time, Michigan would have gotten an “F,” wrecked by self-inflicted mistakes and an inability to sustain drives. The Wolverines gave the ball away three times, twice in the first half and once in the second, and finished with 284 yards.

    Warren struggled in his second career start. The senior quarterback completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Michigan couldn’t get the ball downfield with the passing game, and Warren struggled with accuracy. In the second quarter, he threw a pass high to Tyler Morris that was tipped and intercepted with Michigan trailing, 14-3. And with the offense in desperation, down 31-6 late in the third quarter, he tried to throw a pass over the middle to Colston Loveland, but the tight end didn’t turn around as Texas’ defense read it the entire way.

    SHAWN WINDSOR: Michigan football’s faceplant against Texas is hardly shocking. Time for Wolverines to sober up

    Loveland again finished as the top target with eight catches for 70 yards, but was also responsible for Michigan’s third turnover, knocking the ball out of his own hands while trying to stop it after securing a catch.

    Michigan’s running game was limited to 80 yards on 23 carries. Donovan Edwards had 41 yards on eight carries as the lead back, while Kalel Mullings added 25 yards. Michigan added a touchdown on its final drive with less than two minutes left on a 30-yard pass to Semaj Morgan on a deep crossing route.

    Defense: D-plus

    The Longhorns had no trouble with Michigan’s vaunted defense. The Longhorns scored on five of their nine possessions, including four of five possessions in the first half, and outgained Michigan by 105 yards, including a 190-yard gap at halftime. Texas had 19 first downs, converted 10 of 16 third-down attempts and didn’t have to punt until the second half.

    Michigan’s defensive line couldn’t generate a push at the line of scrimmage, giving quarterback Quinn Ewers time to deliver strikes downfield. Michigan didn’t record a sack or force a turnover. The Wolverines had four tackles for loss but gave up 143 rushing yards, mostly on contact. Ewers navigated the pocket to extend plays and find receivers in scramble-drill situations, leading to big plays deep.

    JEFF SEIDEL: Texas defeats Michigan in Big House, exposing many problems for Wolverines along the way

    Ewers completed 24 of 26 passes for 246 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers. He found tight end Gunnar Helm often and created space in the middle of Michigan’s defense for seven catches, 98 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond created space against Michigan’s outside man coverage to create plays downfield.

    The Longhorns gained 279 yards, grabbed 15 first downs and converted eight of 10 third-down plays in the first half as they jumped out to a 24-3 lead, accelerated by Michigan’s turnovers. The foot came off the pedal in the second half as Texas controlled the lead. The Longhorns punted on every possession in the second half except for one touchdown drive that was sparked by a 55-yard reverse.

    Special teams: B

    Tommy Doman’s first punt had a net distance of just 28 yards after the ball bounced hard, setting up a short field on Texas’ first touchdown drive. Dominic Zvada did his job in his only chances, hitting a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter and then a 52-yard field goal in the third. Michigan racked up 79 all-purpose yards on four kickoff returns that were primarily handled by Jordan Marshall, while Morgan fielded Texas’ two punts.

    Coaching: C

    Sherrone Moore suffered his first loss as a head coach, including his time as interim coach last season. Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell struggled to gain easy yards, but the overall offensive game plan with Michigan’s personnel didn’t test Texas’ defense. Wink Martindale’s defense continued to find ways to slow Ewers and Texas down, but couldn’t generate enough pressure to disrupt the passing game. Michigan was penalized just four times for 30 yards.

    But in the end, the Wolverines looked like the inferior team from the start.

    Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press, covering the city’s professional teams, the state’s top two universities and more. Follow Jared at X @jared_ramsey22 and email him at [email protected].

    Vaseline
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like