SBNATION article on Milton's first Tennessee game

Submitted by JonathanE on September 3rd, 2021 at 9:02 AM

I found this article on MSN (SBNATION) reviewing Milton’s performance against Bowling Green. The title pretty much sums up the article, “Joe Milton inconsistent in Tennessee debut”.

The review points out that Milton started out hot going 9 for 11 and leading Tennessee to a quick 14 – 0 lead with Milton rushing for a touchdown on the Volunteers first possession. The article then says that “the wheels fell off” and in the second quarter as Milton “struggled to complete passes, or even find an open receiver.”

The article went on to describe Milton’s performance as he “misfired on a couple of deep shots, barely missing a wide open Cedric Tillman. He sailed both attempts long. Milton also seemed a touch slow getting through his reads all night long, getting himself into trouble in the pocket — which eventually led to a sack fumble.”

The article finishes off by pointing out that Milton was a major piece of the Tennessee running game finishing with 14 carries for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns and that it was their first game.

Joe Milton inconsistent in Tennessee debut (msn.com)

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Blue@LSU

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:21 AM ^

I wish Milton success, but I think he's going to have trouble for all of the reasons already discussed. I watched some of the game last night and he didn't look like he improved much, if at all, over last year. 

What I found really annoying were the (not so) subtle jabs that Reggie Bush took at Michigan during Fox's halftime show last night. He said something along the lines that Milton looks so much better than he did last year. And then followed it up with a snarky question about why Milton looks so much better than last year. I mean, I get it if Milton really did look good. But he was less than 50% (11/24) on the night for 140 yds and 6.1 ypa against Bowling Green! I'm convinced that Reggie Bush is just an ass.

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bfeeavveerr

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:23 AM ^

If Michigan football wishes they had Milton back to lead their team.......Michigan football is in broken beyond repair 

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Umgoblue22

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:28 AM ^

It was Bowling freaking Green.

I flipped back and forth and every time I said, I wouldn't want him leading our team again.  Literally had a play or two where he was standing dead still in the pocket looking for a receiver.  

 

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JMo

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:29 AM ^

Started 9 for 11 for 95 yards in the first quarter. He was 10 for 22 for 100 yards at one point in the fourth quarter.  Finished 11 for 23 for 140 yards.  That is some crazy Joe Milton be Joe Milton type numbers.

Luckily for Vol fans the game was never really out of hand against a pretty terrible MAC squad.

All of that to say, how did JonathanE manage to pull off this post before Ezekiel'sCreatures? You come to expect certain things from certain people. I just don't know what the world is coming to anymore.

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Giff4484

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:29 AM ^

I feel like the media loves to hype our transfers and has this narrative that Jim stunted them. For all of Harbaugh’s faults it think he does a good job of getting guys to the NFL minus , RB and QB. 

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WoodleyIsBeast

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:30 AM ^

Told my buddy before the game that he wouldn't complete a pass beyond 15 yards.....This is what he is about. Luckily for him, their early season schedule is pretty weak. Not even hating on him, but he will get exposed soon.

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PopeLando

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:38 AM ^

I REALLY want Joe Milton to do well, and hopefully make it to the NFL.

But dude. His first game last year was INSPIRED fucking football...and he's not been close to matching it since. I looked at the box score at one point last night and he had completed 9 passes for 100 yards exactly. Midway through the 3rd quarter. 

I was really hoping to see a great game out of him. I would have taken the "Michigan doesn't coach its QBs" narratives if it had meant Milton's success. Hopefully he has a Rudock trajectory this year.

Dylan McCaffrey plays tonight, and I'm rooting for his success too.

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Michigan Arrogance

September 3rd, 2021 at 9:41 AM ^

Let's be honest. I wish no ill will toward Milton, good luck to the kid in the future. But Harbaugh recruited Brandon Peters, Dillon McCaffery, Cade McNamera and in the year 2020, they thought Joe fucking Milton was their best option. I don't care if they were actually right about that or not, b/c I think that's all that really needs to be said about the JH era at Michigan. Cannot recruit and develop a single fucking QB in 6 goddamned years.

Why he should continue to receive the benefit of the doubt is beyond me.

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Don

September 3rd, 2021 at 11:29 AM ^

I don't agree that the recruiting of Peters and McCaffrey was ill-advised; both were well-regarded 4-star guys. Peters didn't really pan out, but we'll never know about McCaffrey, who decided to bail for reasons that he's never articulated himself.

However, making Milton the sole QB recruit in the '18 class was a huge mistake, even if they had just gotten Patterson as a transfer, and the decision to start Milton last year strikes me as a classic case of allowing yourself to be fooled by how well a player does on the practice field. That's on Harbaugh.

I think part of the development problem is Harbaugh's reliance on transfers. Rudock, O'Korn, and Patterson were already well along in their formation as players by the time they got to Michigan. 

For me, the development of McNamara and McCarthy will render the final verdict on whether Harbaugh is simply unlucky in his QB tutelage and judgement, or just plain bad. He will have had both from freshman season, and if neither turn out to be difference-makers, the answer will be pretty clear.

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