September 4th, 2015 at 2:35 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 2:43 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 3:14 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 5:15 AM ^
Perry & B. Cole were only true freshmen I saw. After TWJr's injury, I think they may be the only ones who do play - tho again I'd like to see Higdon get a shot.
September 4th, 2015 at 6:08 AM ^
If you're talking literally...yeah, Smith didn't seperate. He's got no speed.
If you're talking in terms of performance. It's VERY easy to see why he's the starter. He had 2 obvious missed reads from what I saw, one was crucial that he just can't do.
That said, we have no run blocking and he fights for EVERY single yard. He hits the hole hard and he's routinely falling forward for more yardage.
He was clearly the best option last night. It wasn't even close. Issac is too upright like Eddie George - only we don't have Eddie George's line. Green is almost the same back as Smith but without the beast mode.
Smith is a MAN out there. After seeing Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch over the years, I'm sure Harbaugh appreciates that tough style of running.
It was the same thing last year...we need Drake Johnson because we have no run blocking. Johnson makes up for this with his vision and he's the fastest RB we have. He's like watching Mike Hart even without the #20.
But Smith isn't a bad option and he did all he could with what he was given.
They hyped up Utah's RB as the second coming for Emmitt Smith and he didn't do anything either...you need holes and running lanes, unless you're Barry Sanders. And we don't have Barry Sanders.
Smith matched the Utah RB carry for carry. Both were tough and did all they could going up against two stingy defensive fronts. We have to get off De'Veon's back...just like I hope Utah fans aren't riding their RB. There was rarely anywhere for either to go and they both kept running hard and making something out of nothing - consistenly getting an extra 2-3 yards.
September 4th, 2015 at 6:39 AM ^
Well there is the answer.Barry Sanders is at Stanford,maybe Harbaugh can bring him in as a transfer.Can someone get a hold of Wayne Lyons or Gwendolyn Bush ASAP?
September 4th, 2015 at 8:42 AM ^
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September 4th, 2015 at 8:58 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 9:16 AM ^
the lack of speed is painfully obvious.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:43 AM ^
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September 4th, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^
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September 4th, 2015 at 8:04 AM ^
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September 4th, 2015 at 9:56 AM ^
He must be practicing well and got the reward of pt. ALso LTT? Poggi? A lot of guys played that surprised me.
I think Green is being tested by the staff to see how he responds. I disagree Smith is the better option. Green has more speed and can cut a little bit. However, his effort is not where Smith's is and Smith can pass block.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
May be a team rule. Cole was back in a few snaps later.
Poggi was rumored to be the starting H-Back TE, so no surprise there. He looked pretty good, IMO.
He's playing an Aaron Shea FB/TE hybrid role. Williams was the #2 TE and Bunting was the #3 TE.
IMO, Hill and Bunting should be #2 and Williams should never play. But I've said that for 2 years. He's huge and can't block, he's not a good athlete, and he can't really catch that well either. He's just a big body of potential.
I personally like Hill as the #2 TE because he's a better blocker than Bunting.
I'd have Bunting back up up as the pass catching TE and Williams back up Hill as the blocking TE.
Poggi would be my H-Back with Winovich backing him up at that spot - which really isn't a full-time position.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:54 AM ^
Agree, Williams overall is a net liability because he misses some blocks and isn't a receiving threat at all: the one time Rudock threw to him (inexplicably) he didn't even turn around.
However, to his credit, there was a play last night where he flattened a CB/safety in run support, just laid him out. Everyone at my table in the pub cheered!
September 4th, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^
LTT was in for at least another play later on.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:22 AM ^
He came out the first time before we even took a snap because we got a presnap penalty.
I wonder if they were trying to set up a screen or trick play. He's the smallest and shiftiest of the bunch...it would be easy to see them trying to use him on a Vince Smith type screen play.
September 4th, 2015 at 2:38 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 2:40 AM ^
The only ones I saw were Cole and Perry. I think those are the only guys who will play this year (besides Wheatley who is hurt). The only other one who maybe semi-ready is Tyree Kinnel but he's at a deep position and he wears the same number as Canteen who also may show up on D.
September 4th, 2015 at 2:48 AM ^
Would be great to keep the numbers down here besides the people who are obviously going to contribute.
September 4th, 2015 at 2:55 AM ^
Yeah, B Cole was definitely on special teams.
September 4th, 2015 at 4:09 AM ^
He caught a pass. They tried a screen to him on 3rd and 9 in the redzone.
September 4th, 2015 at 2:58 AM ^
Perry and Cole I know for sure.
September 4th, 2015 at 5:30 AM ^
I didn't see it myself, but I've heard rumors that WR Grant Perry got some snaps.
September 4th, 2015 at 5:52 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 6:10 AM ^
Shades of Tay Odoms out there in the slot.
Route running - eeek, I'd like to see more Brian Cole there.
September 4th, 2015 at 7:23 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 8:18 AM ^
guy has potential
a ton of mistakes need to get cleaned up
September 4th, 2015 at 8:21 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 7:52 AM ^
G. Perry had a helluva first game of his UM career. He had some clutch catches and some good blocks.
September 4th, 2015 at 8:36 AM ^
Great blocks! Best WR blocks I've seen in forever!
September 4th, 2015 at 8:35 AM ^
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September 4th, 2015 at 8:57 AM ^
Those 2 wrs were the only 2 that played per the official participation report.
September 4th, 2015 at 9:03 AM ^
Check out this link for the participation list for last night.
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-…
September 4th, 2015 at 9:24 AM ^
There are some awesome typos in that participation report. Mason Cole is number 5C, and our kicker is Allen Kenny.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^
Idk who he is... But maybe we give Allen Kenny a shot. Can't hurt lol. Poor Kenny Allen's name goes wide right.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:17 AM ^
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September 4th, 2015 at 10:46 AM ^
First INT definitely Perry's fault. Rudock did not play well though. If he hits that first deep ball for an obvious touchdown, that loosens up the Utah defense, which was loading up the box to stop the run. You can criticize the run blocking, but until we have a true Michigan quarterback who can kill you through the air, the run blocking still has an alibi in my opinion. We haven't had a good throwing quarterback since Chad Henne. This is egregious on Rich Rod and Hoke. Fuck, how hard is it? I bet you the best QB on this team right now is O'Korn.
September 4th, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^
September 4th, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
LTT did not come in for Cole. The next play was 6 OL, LTT was the 6th. Cole was on the right side of the line