Michigan 52, Rutgers 0
Near the end of the third quarter, with Michigan up 38-0, Matt Millen summarized the game thusly: "I can't tell whether this is great play by Michigan or poor play by Rutgers."
Such is the Tao of Rutgers. Still, there were some unquestioned good signs for a Michigan team desperate for progress coming off the Wisconsin disaster. First and perhaps most important, they didn't fumble the ball away on the game's opening drive, instead getting out to midfield in four plays before Nico Collins took a quick out and broke free up the sideline for a 48-yard touchdown.
The game went smoothly from there, looking akin to any other Michigan-Rutgers matchup since 2015. The Wolverines scored on eight of their ten actual drives, seven of them touchdowns, with the last three led by backup quarterback Joe Milton. Patterson looked sharp outside of an interception on an underthrown deep shot (which, fine, we asked for those), spreading the ball around for 276 yards on 23 attempts while making plays inside and outside the pocket; he added three short rushing touchdowns as tempo and naked bootlegs helped solve M's previous goal line woes.
The passing game moved the ball in such large chunks that the running backs were mostly left to churn out tough yards in the red zone—Michigan spent the game inching their way towards four yards per carry, though the featured rotation of Zach Charbonnet, Christian Turner, and Hassan Haskins all finished above that mark. Seven receivers, meanwhile, finished with at least 20 yards, led by Ronnie Bell (six catches, 83 yards) and a healthy looking Donovan Peoples-Jones (four catches, 62 yards).
Kwity Paye ruined the #narrative. [Barron]
BTN seemed intent on playing up an Artur Sitkowski revenge game scenario with a bit of fudging about how the quarterback "chose" Rutgers over an "offer" from Michigan. That did not come to pass. Sitkowski spent the game under constant pressure from the Wolverine defensive line, dinking and dunking his way to a mere 106 yards on 24 attempts. The defense shut down the legitimately solid rushing duo of Isaih Pacheco and Raheem Blackshear, who combined for only 34 yards on 16 carries. By adding 55 receiving yards to his 11 rushing yards, Blackshear easily led the Scarlet Knights in total yards from scrimmage. Kwity Paye had more TFLs (3.5) than Rutgers as a team (3).
On the home side, there were celebrations of the usual spate of backup highlights. Milton threw for 54 yards on just four attempts, one a 23-yard score to freshman Giles Jackson, the first of his young career. Sophomore tight end Luke Schoonmaker took his only target for a 29-yard catch-and-run. Freshman defensive back Daxton Hill made his presence felt with a huge hit on special teams and saw his first extended action with the starting defense. The big moment for Rutgers, on the other hand, came when one of their punt coverage guys shoved a teammate over in the vicinity of a Michigan player, who was hit with a block in the back flag.
Michigan played about as well as anyone could expect; the opponent caveats are obvious. Next week's date with 4-0 Iowa will give us a lot more clarity about how much progress has really been made. At the very least, this was a football game that wasn't a terrible viewing experience, and that's something we haven't had in a while.
[Hit THE JUMP for the box score.]
September 30th, 2019 at 9:30 PM ^
It was a perfect weather day to be in the stadium with 110,000 fellow fans and enjoy your team playing well. We were all so thankful that this team came out and took control from the beginning and methodically put Rutgers away. It was not a raucous crowd but in was a very happy, joyful one.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:38 PM ^
Maybe it’s best not to draw correlations across seasons and that college athletes sometimes don’t show up for whatever reason, especially on the road.
The way Ohio State killed us was not the same reason we got beat by Florida which was not the same reason we got beat by Wisconsin.
I am interested to see how the Iowa game goes. Take care of them and don’t lose focus against Illinois and you go into the gauntlet with some confidence and some things figured out.
I mean this board is notoriously apocalyptic sometimes. People were saying Maryland and Indiana were games we might lose. I think 9-3 is the ceiling given the DT issues, but still.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:39 PM ^
Big freaking whoop...... Michigan beat a high school team.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:43 PM ^
Much better, obviously, but a coach needs to sit down with Shea and tell him to stop locking onto Ronnie Bell and make Nico, DPJ, and Black his first options.
Bell seems great, but man he must have some mean compromat on Shea or something.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:57 PM ^
Still not really sure what our offensive identity is
September 28th, 2019 at 7:14 PM ^
Until we have another bad offensive game, at which point we’ll be utterly predictable.
I’ve found it’s best to watch each football game without creating a narrative for that game, or its constituent drives, or the season as a whole. And then when it’s all done done, then you figure out the story, including the things like offensive identity. This is true for me anyways. To each their own, but I find football a lot more enjoyable that way.
September 28th, 2019 at 6:15 PM ^
My points of hope:
- DPJ looks near 100% and is back on punts
- Runyan really knocked the rust off his game to kick ass
- Shea looked 100% healthy making plays confidently with his legs and scrambles
- Dax Hill made a statement today for a young 19 year old man - he is special
- Tru Wilson is nearly back and when is will be a force in the O
- Biggest thing for the defense ? Dwumfour is back and disruptive
That is a strong list to build from into Iowa. Let’s keep it going.
Go Blue !!!
September 28th, 2019 at 9:58 PM ^
agree on your points, and add that Kwity Paye had a great game also
September 28th, 2019 at 6:40 PM ^
It was our hard fought and narrow win in the time of possession battle that was the key for me
September 28th, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^
Good game all around. I gotta be honest, though, our rushing attack looks rough. Not sure what the issue(s) may be, but it was not always pretty!
September 28th, 2019 at 6:52 PM ^
Dax Hill is a freaking heat-seeking missile. He always seemed to be the first or one of the first to the b-ball. Really glad to see him get those minutes.
September 28th, 2019 at 7:26 PM ^
I'm happy that the offense got things moving today and got more reps in. Regardless of if it was Rutgers they played very good all around today. Yes I could pick things apart but it was a big step in the right direction today.
Gattis on the sideline = I loved it. He was full of energy that I think is and was badly needed.
One game at a time and build from there.
Happy for the team and the win. They needed a dominating win like this.
Iowa beat Rutgers 30-0. I believe we stay on track and win against them next weekend.
September 29th, 2019 at 7:17 AM ^
For sure - Gattis on the sideline seemed to make a huge improvement. I remember before the season started, he said that he had never coached a game from the booth. His interaction with the players yesterday was outstanding.
September 28th, 2019 at 7:29 PM ^
McGrone looks like an upgrade over Ross at MLB, but I'd like to see Ross starting over Glasgow at OLB. Can you imagine what OSU will do to Glasgow?
September 28th, 2019 at 8:17 PM ^
was thinking same thing. Glasgow is a hell of a good character, but he hasn't played well so far
September 29th, 2019 at 1:32 AM ^
Without Glasgow we are 2-2.
I’m not disagreeing with you at all though. He hasn’t played well the last 2 games. McGrone and Ross over Glasgow for sure.
September 29th, 2019 at 12:16 AM ^
McGrone has to stay on the field. His burst is Bush esk
September 29th, 2019 at 1:34 AM ^
I don’t think so. You can’t say McGrone is better because he played well today at MLB vs Rutgers.
Same reason you couldn’t have definitively said Milton is a better quarterback than Shea if he had started today and played better than Shea did vs Wisconsin.
September 29th, 2019 at 7:20 AM ^
The LB play in the first three games was as bad as I can remember and I've been watching Michigan football for a long time. McGrone brings another element that some of those cats were not bringing. He just looks like our fastest LB and can lay the wood. Next week will obviously be a bigger test, but he deserves his shot.
September 28th, 2019 at 7:38 PM ^
advanced stats just in:
we outscore our opponents 52 to 0 when we don't fumble on the first drive
September 28th, 2019 at 8:12 PM ^
Meaningless games are meaningless.
September 28th, 2019 at 8:48 PM ^
Meaningless people are also meaningless.
September 29th, 2019 at 8:32 AM ^
Unless you lose.
September 28th, 2019 at 8:27 PM ^
A good game in all phases against an overmatched opponent. I was glad the D got the shutout.
Gattis being on the sideline seemed to have a positive effect. After the Borges debacle, why anyone thought an OC up in the booth was a good idea, I don't know.
Shea showed competency today, aside from holding the ball too long on several plays. Against functional front sevens, he won't get away with 5+ seconds to throw. Play calling seemed better and had a better flow. Saw some evidence of tempo and some speed in space. Need more of that, more development of those concepts. More reps. The INT - I don't care.....I say go for it and deal with the INTs when they come.
That said, M should have stuck with the first team O. Not to embarrass, but for the reps. Shea and the receivers have to be more solidly on the same page - that's why I was hoping we would have just kept on keepin' on. Yeah, injury possibilities, I know. But the O needs to be better than today to have a chance against the better teams, or to have any chance on the road. Because it's still STBOTR (tm) (shit the bed on the road) time when we travel.
Running game.....eh? Running for only 141 on this D? We won't crack 100 against many teams this season.....that's why I thought we needed to work that passing game and not sub out.
These are mostly nitpicks though. There were positive things, and there was development, both from Shea and from Gattis. I wish ZC had a mashing OL - he'd by Mike Hart 2.0, and then some. Special player.
The game was pleasant to watch, in that we did what we were supposed to do, in a way more in line with what we were led to believe would happen.
September 29th, 2019 at 11:00 AM ^
"this game was pleasant to watch"
I'll add to that...even Matt Millen seemed less annoying to me
September 28th, 2019 at 10:46 PM ^
Best part of the game for me was seeing Don Brown mix in the most zone I've seen since he's been here.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:49 PM ^
Last week had me panic brake on the team, this has me off the brakes, but in neutral. Iowa will give us some answers, and I think it’s a must win to salvage this season. I never know what to expect with Iowa other than them playing to the level of their competition.
Michigan earned a watch from me next week.
September 28th, 2019 at 11:07 PM ^
During the 2018 season, Michigan went on a 10 game winning streak that included a 3 game winning streak over ranked opponents where they outscored them 101-27. In 2019, they’ve started the year 3-1. Yet, “this was a football game that wasn’t a terrible viewing experience, and that’s something we haven’t had in a while.”
What a time to be alive.
September 29th, 2019 at 1:46 AM ^
Why is Rutgers in the B10 again? I will never care for this nonsense.
September 29th, 2019 at 2:15 AM ^
Biggest concern for me...they still can't run the damn ball. Big trouble against good teams.
September 29th, 2019 at 8:14 PM ^
Two teams have not given up a rushing TD this year. Georgia is the other one.
September 29th, 2019 at 8:41 PM ^
Other factoids: one fumble and no INTs for season. 1.000 in red zone offense. Defense 5th overall nationally. Receivers so good Martin is #5 and struggling to get on the field. Brian put up more yards Saturday than Iowa has posted since Hayden Fry (1997). Kiper currently ranks Stanley as the #2 QB in this class (though no one else does). There are at least two first-rounders (Wirf, Epenesa) and maybe a third (Alaric Jackson, but he's been hurt).
Oddly high number of injuries (Iowa only played 13 guys on defense against ISU, because of injuries). The defensive backfield has been a mess, but they've gotten by with second-stringers and freshmen. One O-lineman out, one (LT, from Detroit) has been out for three games but should play in some manner. TE is an average position this year (after Kittle, Fant and Hock) but there are three NFL wideouts, maybe four, which is so not Iowa.
2nd string DE came over from Hillsdale this summer. Played well against MTSU.
The line has gone from something like UM -13 (pre-Wiscy) to -5 this afternoon. I don't gamble but this seems reasonable to me. The Iowa culture has been sharply elevated by the class of young coaches Kirk brought in, including two with NFL playing and coaching experience. The guys are playing with more freedom and confidence than in years past. Harbaugh, as player and coach, has never beaten Iowa. I think we'll show up and make it a game and I wish I could attend.
September 29th, 2019 at 4:57 AM ^
I have a relative who works in the team's food service, and he was saying that it appeared to be a very intense week of work for them.
September 29th, 2019 at 7:42 AM ^
I'm amazed that Smith and Hinton didn't get into the game until garbage time in the 4th. They should have been seeing snaps from the opener on.
September 29th, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^
Yeah, based on how badly the DL has been playing this year it is concerning those two haven't worked into the rotation.
September 30th, 2019 at 10:06 PM ^
Our tackles are terrible. Kemp might be a nice guy but he's not a good tackle. We have to get Hinton and Mazi Smith in the lineup who at least look the part.
September 29th, 2019 at 8:15 AM ^
Looks like #22 on Rutgers isn't even bothering with underwear, let alone a jock strap, much less a cup.
September 29th, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^
Meatgazer
September 29th, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^
I don't think "giving Patterson time in the pocket" is as much of an issue. After the game yesterday, I hung around BTN land to watch IU and Sparty. I was impressed at how clean IU's QB managed to stay (sacked only once) with quick throws to the boundary, rub routes, bubble screens, a few sideline go routes, and of course, tempo. They were running MSU ragged with no chance to pressure the QB. Patterson needs some of these plays to make that "flood the A gap" blitz pressure pay.
September 29th, 2019 at 2:01 PM ^
Yup, did you appreciate the quick, on target releases? We could use that. I hope our coaches were watching tape on both teams.
September 29th, 2019 at 10:10 AM ^
Lot's of work to do but a good showing....
September 29th, 2019 at 10:10 AM ^
So fun just watching, without anxiety. Though out of habit I assumed the first TD was coming back b/c of a BS blocking penalty, after that I hit "cruise" and enjoyed.
September 29th, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^
Even though it was Rutgers it was good to see the team operate smoothly and play well on both sides of the ball. Let’s hope this is a good confidence boost and they continue to improve as the schedule is tough next month
September 29th, 2019 at 10:45 AM ^
Silenced the critics and back in the playoff conversation. Great week!
September 29th, 2019 at 12:52 PM ^
Hey it wasn't a terrible experience. I'll take it!
September 29th, 2019 at 2:04 PM ^
Has there been any news about Mustapha Muhammad? Is he in the dog house? Injured? Bust? I don't remember seeing him yesterday.
September 30th, 2019 at 9:45 PM ^
He was on the field-in the fourth quarter at least.
September 30th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^
I have distinct and clear memories of the end of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, that the little elf who wants to be a dentist subdues the Abominable Snow Monster by fixing his teeth. He just had a toothache! That's why he was so angry. This is how the TV special always ended for me.
Apparently this is not true. I watched it last Christmas and was shocked that it ends with the prospector plunging to his death with the monster. Why did they change it?!
Motherfucking Mandela Effect.
September 30th, 2019 at 5:50 PM ^
One team is way, way more talented.
https://twitter.com/PlannedSickDays/status/1178652569876537344?s=20
September 30th, 2019 at 9:51 PM ^
We've watched Shea Patterson for a year and a half and it's obvious he's a very average QB. Physically he's short with a below average arm and below average speed. He doesn't process the field well and doesn't move well in the pocket. In my opinion he's why the offense looks as bad as it does. If he's really out best QB than Michigan can't compete for the Big Ten title. I'd like to see if someone with a big arm(Milton) would make a difference .
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