Michigan 47, WMU 14
For the first time in nearly two full years, Michigan Football played host to an opponent at Michigan Stadium with fans in the stands. The roster looks significantly different than it did in 2019: out are some of the larger receivers of the Pep/Drevno era and in are an army of smaller, lightning quick skill position players, hand-picked by Josh Gattis to fulfill his oft-mocked promise of Speed In Space. Today was probably the closest to Speed In Space that we've gotten at Michigan, with the players picked to fill the scheme finally executing the scheme. This game was theirs.
Blake Corum stole the show first. The flashes of brilliance were there last season but today we saw the fully optimized Corum, the blazing speed dusting tacklers and his meaty thighs the size of car tires giving him the strength to break tackles, should opponents get a hand on him. Corum busted an 18 yard run on the opening drive and then finished the possession catching a swing pass and taking it 14 yards to the house. Then to begin the second drive, Corum took the kickoff back to the Western Michigan 21. He had a 30 yard TD run later in the game too, and finished with 111 yards on 14 carries, and 22 yards on 2 catches, with 2 total TD's. Corum's presence has been announced and the B1G has been put on notice.
Hassan Haskins was his usual self, too. 13 carries for 70 yards and a TD, which he scored on a 22-yard run. Michigan's OL was only occasionally able to regularly open holes (their best moments were on the last possession of the first half), but most of the time, it didn't matter. Haskins' strength and Corum's speed allowed both guys to generate yards on the ground with ease. As the game went along and was firmly in hand, Gattis began to unveil more of the slot menaces who terrorized Western Michigan in brief appearances. Roman Wilson had a 43 yard rush around the edge and AJ Henning took an end-around 74 yards to the house. Give those guys space, and they will give you the speed.
Cade McNamara got the start for the Maize & Blue, as expected. He went 9/11 through the air, and his only two incompletions were passes batted down at the line by star WMU defensive tackle Ralph Holley. McNamara looked calm, made the simple plays, and delivered two excellent deep balls down the field, both of which were caught by Ronnie Bell. The first was a spectacular one-handed catch negated by a brutal offensive pass interference call. The second went for 76 yards and a TD. Michigan's offense has rarely been stellar at generating explosive plays under Jim Harbaugh. That was not the case today, as talent beat lesser talent, and skill position players showed out.
McNamara threw it quite a bit early, but then Michigan snagged a solid lead and were getting chunks on the ground at will and so they felt little need to make McNamara work. He was lifted for heralded true freshman QB JJ McCarthy with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. McCarthy's possessions were overall mediocre due to leaky 2nd team OL play and drops, but the young QB looked confident and then showed us all why he's the future for Michigan at QB. On a third and long, McCarthy evaded a rusher, rolled to his right, and then delivered a strike to Daylen Baldwin who had a step on a CB and took it to the end zone. The ball traveled over 35 yards in the air and in total was a 69 yard passing TD. The talent oozes out of the young QB.
Pictured: a guy who also had a good game [Bryan Fuller]
Defensively, things started shaky. Michigan's new-look secondary appeared leaky in zone, ceding short passes too easily. WMU marched down the field 75 yards for a TD on their first drive to even the score at 7. They would not score again until the 2nd teamers were on the field. Michigan's blitzes began to get home, and Aidan Hutchinson was dominant, four tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. As the game went on, Kaleb Eleby struggled to have time to throw and that shut down several once-promising Western possessions.
Defensive tackle play came and went for Michigan, but where issues emerged, the edge players were often able to make up for it. Cornerbacks generally were alright, and when problems popped up, they were related to zone, as opposed to players getting toasted. Dax Hill was the standout in the secondary, leading Michigan with 6 tackles, flashing his freakish closing speed and dominant in sniffing out plays in the flat.
Special teams play was generally strong, but with a major disappointment. Jake Moody made his lone FG and was perfect on PAT's, Brad Robbins looked solid when needed to punt, the coverage units were strong, Michigan blocked Western's lone FG attempt, and Blake Corum had the aforementioned kick return. The main problem was Ronnie Bell getting injured on a return, an injury that appeared to be quite bad. He did not return, and our photographer Patrick Barron reported that Bell was in a wheelchair on the sideline. That will be a big loss if he has to miss extended time.
Michigan advances to 1-0, while WMU drops to 0-1. Michigan hosts Washington next Saturday in a big week two matchup at the Big House at 8:00 pm. There is no content after the jump.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:53 PM ^
Alex, no mention of Ronnie getting injured? Lol…
Exit: I’m a clown. Last paragraph.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:56 PM ^
Penultimate paragraph.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:59 PM ^
No mention of NFG being a clown?
Exit: N/m, very first comment.
September 4th, 2021 at 5:03 PM ^
It’s a presumption.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
Satisfying W over WMU - more will be needed to beat Washington.
JJ!!!
September 4th, 2021 at 4:02 PM ^
Let’s not get over our skis here. Did what they were supposed to do. Sucks about Bell. Would be shocked if he’s back this year.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:16 PM ^
I love the guy, but that has ACL written all over it. : (
September 4th, 2021 at 4:29 PM ^
LOL... What about that statement was remotely "over our skis?"
Also - that's saying always annoys me. It's good to be over one's skis. Getting behind one's skis is where the trouble is.
September 5th, 2021 at 9:46 AM ^
I agree with you
im also wondering why this blog loves the word “aforementioned”
September 6th, 2021 at 3:14 PM ^
There always seems to be a number of overused hackneyed expressions and cheap cliches that filter into the cultural zeitgeist - over the skis is the latest. It appears to imply don't get a head of ourselves.
There are irritating neutral modifiers that don't mean anything -
- "At the end of the day"
- "It is what it is"
Unpack, pivot and deep-dive are all becoming more irritating.
'24/7' and 'Above my pay grade' should be retired
Some are just plain weird -
'Head over heels' 'ass backwards' Um what?
Funny how you have a 'hot cup of coffee' as opposed to the more accurate 'cup of hot chocolate'
I could go on but I don't want to get over my skis.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:00 PM ^
He was lifted for heralded true freshman QB JJ McCarthy with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
I was impressed with McCarthy's arm strength and poise. He obviously had the insane, albeit ill advised throw back. I guess if you can get away with it, have at it. But, I was disappointed with the reads & accuracy. He threw behind several open WRs, seemed to put too much zip on the balls when it wasn't needed, and opted to stare down his target as I didn't notice him check down or look at multiple targets. He looked a little too Shane Morris for my taste. All the true freshman caveats apply. We already knew he had a cannon, but I was hoping for a little better accuracy and reads. Cade's ability to simply make the right read and get the ball accurately to the target was what moved the sticks, even with a few good deep balls. We don't need the cannon arm, but we do need good reads and accurate throws. Hopefully JJ can develop that and we won't need him to make any meaningful snaps this year.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:03 PM ^
Agree. Too soon for any anoinments.
September 4th, 2021 at 5:52 PM ^
or assessments. obviously.
September 5th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
Is it too early for ointments?
September 4th, 2021 at 4:25 PM ^
I'm just way impressed that Mr. Strength is still so optimistic that he can look at what JJ did behind a mash-up of OL & with 2nd/3rd team skill position players and come away unimpressed!
I mean, who else among us have no further expectations anymore from our Michigan football viewing than what happened to Ronnie Bell?
Orlavsky nailed it when he said can a team & coach that need to make something happen this year - and may have lost its leading WR - afford not to get that special ability on the field?!
I like the steady game manager, but to beat the better teams on our schedule, we'll need something special!
September 4th, 2021 at 4:58 PM ^
I like the steady game manager, but to beat the better teams on our schedule, we'll need something special!
I agree and disagree. There were bright spots. The RBs looked great. Dax & Hutch looked great. But, questions remain. Western was able to find some running room and the interior of our d-line wasn't getting much push. And, our o-line wasn't exactly pushing back their d-line either. But, Corum & Haskins didn't need it and Cade was able to find open guys and get them the ball and their QB wasn't good enough to push give them balance. It's hard to say what will happen when we play some better teams like Washington, Wiscy, Iowa, PSU, Indiana, etc. And, I agree that JJ has special physical tools. But, he's not there yet with his reads & accuracy. Cade right now gives us the best chance to win. If JJ can develop Cade's reads & accuracy, then we're talking, but he's not there yet. I think we are better than last year. The team doesn't seem hard to watch the way it was at times last year. There was offensive cohesion and no glaring weaknesses exposed by the defense. But, they also don't like they are going to blow away B1G teams either.
September 4th, 2021 at 6:37 PM ^
We won a national championship with a game manager. This isn’t 1997, but the point is that Cade is better than a mere game manager and this team can beat a lot of teams if the defense can hold up.
September 4th, 2021 at 7:06 PM ^
The Brian Griese was just a "game manager" thing bugs me a little. He had an 11 year NFL career and made one Pro Bowl (2000). He was a player of the week 3 times. Was he a star? No but that's a pretty solid career at the highest level of his sport.
September 4th, 2021 at 9:29 PM ^
To be fair, when Lloyd Carr's your coach, you're just a game manager even if it will later be revealed that you're the greatest of all time. I have a lot of respect for Lloyd, but one could argue that his conservatism—on both offensive and defensive—is what allowed Tressel and OSU to surpass us and began our downward spiral.
He should have won a national title with Brady and had the personnel to win one with Henne, too.
September 5th, 2021 at 9:57 AM ^
And the 97 team was supremely talented
they showed it by overcoming Carr’s coaching
September 4th, 2021 at 5:08 PM ^
C'mon. Was McCarthy as a true freshman in his first game. Looked further ahead than I'd have imagined. And I'm all for Cade. Wanna see Cade throw bomb after bomb. His deep ball is exceptionally accurate.
September 4th, 2021 at 6:23 PM ^
The Shane Morris thing is already over played. Both drops are on the receiver. There are no better passes then the ones on the hands directly on the money. The rest is up to the receiver. Some people here listen too closely to the booth. You hit the hands in stride you did your job, especially as a true freshman. Stick to taco bell hot takes Orslovskies.
September 4th, 2021 at 6:59 PM ^
Cade’s bombs to Ronnie were both impressive. I was so mad during the first quarter and a half. Looked like we were going to run into stacked boxes all day.
Then we adjusted Cade hit a bomb and all of a sudden running game opened up nicely. I think Cade has more arm strength than he’s given credit for. He can only run the plays that are called and maybe we didn’t attempt more deep passes cause we didn’t really need to keep passing. Nice to see some connections on deep balls for the first time in what feels like ages.
September 4th, 2021 at 9:25 PM ^
Thanks for using the “a” word (adjustments). It looked liked both sides of the ball made good adjustments fairly early on. You gotta love seeing that.
September 4th, 2021 at 10:55 PM ^
I am encouraged that Cade was able to hit those passes to receivers *in stride* - no underthrows where the receiver has to slow down and jump ball the DB or hope for a PI, and no 10-yard overthrows.
Then JJ comes in and does the same thing, across the field, inch-perfect to Baldwin.
Man, watching the QBs today felt good.
September 4th, 2021 at 9:33 PM ^
He certainly wasn't zipping it at hand-breaking speeds the way Milton was last year. Those balls were definitely catchable.
September 5th, 2021 at 12:09 PM ^
The one to Selzer was thrown to his wrong side. Should he catch that? Yes, but go back and look, it was not perfect placement and if you’ve ever played receiver, you’d prefer that ball to your (the receiver’s) right side.
September 5th, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^
I'd prefer to see a lot of Selzer this year - it means we're up by 40!
September 4th, 2021 at 7:58 PM ^
JJ and Donovan had first game excitement flowing thru them and it showed. They’ll settle in, both showed why they’re so highly regarded. Let’s be patient and enjoy their development, both have the skill set to be special.
September 4th, 2021 at 9:04 PM ^
This. JJ was hyped, clearly. He calmed and did some nice work.
September 4th, 2021 at 10:16 PM ^
Um, true freshman, first college game action, adrenaline, he was fine he’ll be better next game. He’s got talent.
Fixed it for you.
September 5th, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^
He is a true freshman and it was his first game, playing with 2nd stringers. The future is bright with JJ and takes like this are just dumb.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
I can't wait to watch the replay of that JJ touchdown several dozen times.
September 4th, 2021 at 7:59 PM ^
But will he earn a helmet sticker… on College Football final? ?
September 5th, 2021 at 1:19 PM ^
Waiting for the 360 spin in the air for a TD pass. Not impressed /s
September 4th, 2021 at 4:03 PM ^
If not for the injury to Ronnie, I’m insanely happy right now. Otherwise, this far exceeded what I had hoped for.
With all of Western’s returners on offense, you knew they were going to put a few good drives together. Sam Webb said he’d be happy if we could hold them to 21 points! Two touchdown drives, helped out by penalties…you have to be very happy with that.
I was also extremely happy that we didn’t have any stupid turnovers, which we are always prone to have in the first game. And how about that TD throw by McCarthy?
My biggest hope was that we looked NOTHING like last year. Thank GOD for that.
Please be alright, Ronnie.
September 4th, 2021 at 6:24 PM ^
Agreed, off the top of my head that might be the saddest I've ever been for a Michigan injury. Man I hope he's okay. Literally the only down spot on an awesome opening day!
September 4th, 2021 at 6:55 PM ^
Antonio Bass
Grant Newsome
Fitz
Drake Johnson
September 4th, 2021 at 7:07 PM ^
I forgot about Antonio Bass.
Newsome doesn't get hurt against Wisconsin and Michigan/Harbaugh pickup 4-5 more wins in Harbaugh seasons 2 & 3. Outstanding left tackle makes a big difference.
September 5th, 2021 at 10:00 AM ^
Can’t a guy make a point and say something nice without being countered???
September 4th, 2021 at 6:59 PM ^
Grant Newsome wins saddest injury for me still
September 4th, 2021 at 7:50 PM ^
Agreed, but mostly because it ended his career completely. Jake Butt is right there with it though. I’m headed was never the same in the NFL
September 4th, 2021 at 8:00 PM ^
I was at that game, how he walked off the field still baffles me.
September 6th, 2021 at 9:53 AM ^
Ronnie is no doubt on that list. That one handed catch down the side line was awesome (BS pass interference call). No question it is a big loss.
Hope he can come back and play another season at Michigan. Assuming he does not want to try the NFL in '22, I think there is a place for him with his route running and YAC ability.
September 7th, 2021 at 1:59 AM ^
The NFL might prefer to see him under game conditions after he recovers.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:07 PM ^
I don't think JJ had any drops, those were bad passes, and he had the starting Oline for his first 2 drives.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:12 PM ^
Agreed, put too much zip and not enough touch on at least two passes.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
He had a couple that were a little too strong and off the mark, but were still catchable. I imagine if the receivers worked with McCarthy more then those would have been catches.
He looks like a kid with loads of talent and potential but it also looks like the coaches got the starter right for this year.
September 4th, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
I have to think a lot of that is first game jitters. A lot of adrenaline behind those throws.
September 4th, 2021 at 8:17 PM ^
I'm hugely optimistic about JJ, and that 63-yard TD was fun. But Cade was 9-11 with his two misses batted down and several beautiful long passes. The announcers' convo about whether JJ might replace him was dumb. Cade was obviously the right guy out there, and played beautifully.
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