Michigan 33, Florida 17
Ty Isaac repeatedly broke into the open field. [Chris Cook]
The score doesn't do it justice.
Outside of two no good, very bad plays, Michigan put it on Florida. The Gators offense had no answer for Don Brown's defensive strategy, which was to bring heat from all angles around a three-man line, eschewing a DT in favor of speed an unpredictability. Two first-half pick-sixes by Wilton Speight, a bizarre illegal formation penalty that negated Michigan's first touchdown, and a blocked punt not only kept Florida around, however, but allowed them to take a 17-13 lead into halftime.
Eventually, the score reflected Michigan's dominance. The offense turned up the tempo on their opening drive of the second half, springing Ty Isaac free for 18 yards on a fourth-and-one to set up a Karan Higdon touchdown plunge. While the offense could only muster two Quinn Nordin field goals—and two Nordin missses—after that score, the defense hardly required help. They held the Gators to a total of 192 yards and capped the scoring when Noah Furbush dove on a fumble forced by Chase Winovich in the end zone.
Yes, the defense technically returned only one starter, and that starter, Mike McCray, missed a couple series early for reasons unclear. They hardly missed a beat, stiffening up in the red zone to hold Florida to a field goal on their first drive of the game, then outscoring UF's offense 7-0 the rest of the way. Maurice Hurst, Rashan Gary, and Chase Winovich made a three-man line feel a whole lot like a four-man line to the Florida offensive front; linebackers Devin Bush and Khaleke Hudson often flew into the backfield unimpeded; the young secondary didn't let anything get over the top. Michigan finished with six sacks, 11 TFLs, four forced fumbles (one on special teams on a great rip by Ambry Thomas), and five pass breakups. They were aggressive. Florida had problems.
Chase Winovich's strip-sack effectively ended the game. [Cook]
The offense would've fared nearly as well if not for those two Speight interceptions; the first bounced right to Duke Dawson off the hands of Kekoa Crawford, and the other sailed over an open Grant Perry into the hands of CJ Henderson on the ensuing possession. The next two drives were turned over to John O'Korn, who could only get Michigan into position for a 55-yard Quinn Nordin field goal.
Save for that stretch, Michigan moved the ball with regularity against a strong UF defense. Running back Ty Isaac put forth the best performance, rushing for 114 yards on only 11 carries, repeatedly breaking into the secondary as the coaches dialed up running plays on passing downs. With sacks removed, Michigan ran for 6.1 yards per carry, which kept the offense moving despite an uneven day in the passing game.
We saw flashes of what the aerial attack can look like. Tarik Black exploited a Florida bust for his first career receiving touchdown in the first half and added an impressive catch from O'Korn down the sideline; Grant Perry had a couple tough catches over the middle; Sean McKeon picked up a couple first downs on catch-and-runs; Nick Eubanks had a big play up the seam late to help seal the game. There are a lot of weapons, and while many of them are still getting acclimated to college ball, it's easy to see the potential.
Michigan overcame some self-inflicted adversity to get past their first of four major tests slated for this regular season. The next one, at Penn State, doesn't occur until mid-October. If the Wolverines hold this form while cleaning up some of the more heart-stopping mistakes, they have a great chance of heading into that game 6-0. Consecutive home games against Cincinnati and Air Force should allow them to carry this momentum into conference play.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:44 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:53 PM ^
I'm sure they said it on the radio too, but like I said, I was listening to a spotty feed, so I must have missed it. And all I saw in the box was a quick look that said 2 punts for 70 yards, with a long of 35. And then 1 punt by "team", which I assumed was the block.
So yes, I was wrong, but I'm still curious if anyone knows why Robbins wasn't punting.
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:16 PM ^
that wasn't a spotty feed, it was the ruskies, you fool!
#democracy-is-getting-hacked
September 3rd, 2017 at 10:21 AM ^
Avatar checks out.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:33 AM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 7:54 PM ^
I just hope the coaches noticed that Grant Perry spun the ball a second time AFTER he got flagged for the first one.
September 2nd, 2017 at 7:56 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:02 PM ^
I hope that isn't true, but either way the first is bad enough. This guy has annoying self-control issues and whatever he brings to the table, I'm running out of patience. He's an upperclassman AND has been suspended already. Grow the fuck up or get the fuck out.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:13 PM ^
The second was much more subtle, but he definitely did it.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:17 PM ^
but still unacceptable. I would have thought that he would have learned after the first penalty. Harbaugh needs to jump in his shit, big time.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:53 PM ^
Just hand the fucking ball to the Ref.
We know you made the catch.
September 3rd, 2017 at 6:35 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:10 PM ^
Perry f'd with karma and lost.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:08 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:42 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:08 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:46 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 6:05 AM ^
What is the rule exactly? Is it as specific as "you cannot spin the ball" after a reception, or does it fall under a very general "taunting" or "unsportsmanlike conduct" rule that gives far too much subjectivity to the ref? I've seen far too many bullshit penalties called in my life that were subjective and determined by the refs discretion. I found this penalty to be that as well.
With that said, if they may call it, he needs to learn to break that habit.
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:35 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:49 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 5:44 PM ^
from the NCAA football Rules book, section 2, article 1, a. 2.:
After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot. This prohibits:
(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-f)].
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
September 4th, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 4:35 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:05 PM ^
Crawford didn't come down with a slightly high ball and then Speight overthrew a receiver. The fact that both mistakes ended in 6 was just bad luck. Wheels wobbled a little bit but at no point did they fall off.
He does need stop the spinning. It's clearly a habit he picked up and he needs to unlearn it, but he also made some huge plays to set up the second half TD. He's a good player, just needs to cut out the spinning. I bet if it happens again, he's benched.
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:54 PM ^
Wow. Speight was 11-25 in the game. He threw two AWFUL interceptions. He made several other just abysmal throws, including giving away a touchdown on the 3rd and 4 play where he checked into the fade (good) and threw it to the security guard (bad). Missed another touchdown with a guy open in the back of the endzone. Finally, he took a couple of really bad sacks where he just completely failed to check down.
Let's call a spade a spade - Michigan ran the ball REALLY well, played fabulous, amazing defense, and their quarterback had another terrible game (3 in a row now). In the end, it's a damn fine team win. That doesn't make Speight's play good, at all.
IMO, to win against good teams consistently, he must stop spotting teams multiple touchdowns.
Rob
September 3rd, 2017 at 12:37 AM ^
Yes, the QB wasn't good. Bad as you pointed out, and he hasn't been good for a while. Which means he doesn't have many wheels to come off in the first place.
What I said was the wheels didn't come off for the team, as some dude asserted. We played great in the run game ALL game, the defense was ridiculous, ALL game, and Speight was mediocre ALL game.
There was just a short period of time when his errors cost us in the worst way possible thanks to some bad luck. A wobble of the wheels. And the defensive and running games wheels kept rolling to the inevitable win.
Also, that first pick was mostly on Crawford. You get two hands on the ball, you gotta catch it, even if it's not perfectly thrown. The fact it bounced right to a guy and that guy returned it all the way is just bad luck.
Yes, the second one was really, really bad. Can't argue with that. And yes, he once again overthrew a ton of long balls. Seems like it's just who he is.
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:22 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:23 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:17 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:35 AM ^
the first pick was high, it hit the Crawford in both hands. That ball has to be caught. The second pick to Taco Pants was terrible. Perry was wide open.
The fade throws were terrible as well, but at least he missed outside.
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:39 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:28 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 12:36 PM ^
you suggesting that the receiver didn't expect the ball to come his way? Why is he running a route then? He had plenty of time to react to a ball thrown 20 to 25 yards downfield. Every pass is not going to be perfect. Fundamental rule of receiving, if you get both hands on the ball you should catch it.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:10 PM ^
I think calling an unsportsmanlike penalty on a guy for a little spin of the ball is absurd.
But yeah, if they're going to flag that, be smart and don't do it again.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:44 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:18 PM ^
I love people who have "run out of patience" with a player. like who cares? probably matters a lot more to his teammates and coaches than rando fans.
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:44 PM ^
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September 2nd, 2017 at 10:50 PM ^
Just get him one of these to play with on the sideline.
September 3rd, 2017 at 12:34 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^
Replacement Norelco blades.
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:18 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:40 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 6:04 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:46 PM ^
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September 2nd, 2017 at 8:06 PM ^
He gon' be running stadium steps all week!
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:13 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:23 PM ^
Did not see the second, but I was PLENTY pissed at the first. Beginning to think he's a douche. That certainly is NOT the epitome of the The Team, The Team, The Team.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:56 PM ^
After his long reception. It was more "subtle", like Perry's second one, but it was dumb.
I wonder if they do this in practice. Whatever, it needs to be done with and done with now.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^
The first one killed the drive, the two pick 6s happened right after, I worried it could be a turning point. Then he friggin' does it again. Stairs, many stairs. Until you can see them in your sleep, Mr. Perry....
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