For the third consecutive week, the Michigan football team secured a victory after establishing an early double-digit lead, though they exhibited some concerning lapses in the second half. This time, the 10th-ranked Wolverines fended off a challenge from Minnesota, winning the game 27-24. Michigan (2-0 in Big Ten play, 4-1 overall) built a commanding 24-3 advantage by the end of the third quarter, only to be outscored 21-3 in the final quarter.
While there were notable positives and negatives for Michigan in this matchup, it’s worth evaluating how the team performed overall, including assessments for offense, defense, special teams, and an overall grade.
Passing Offense
Michigan’s passing game showed signs of improvement, but it fell short of expectations at this stage in the season. The Wolverines attempted 18 passes, completing 10 for a total of 86 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
On the positive side, quarterback Alex Orji made some progress in his downfield passing, as only three of his attempts were behind the line of scrimmage. Despite facing a tough Minnesota pass defense that had limited opponents to under 120 passing yards this season, Michigan achieved five completions of at least 10 yards, with five passes resulting in either a first down or a touchdown. Colston Loveland’s return from injury proved beneficial, as he caught four of five targets for 41 yards and three first downs. Additionally, Donovan Edwards lined up in the slot on five occasions, suggesting a potential evolution in Michigan’s passing strategy.
However, the passing offense still encountered significant issues. The most troubling aspect was the pressure allowed on 10 of Orji’s 24 dropbacks, despite Minnesota only blitzing six times. During those pressured dropbacks, Orji managed just two completions for 23 yards, along with an interception and a sack that resulted in an eight-yard loss.
Moreover, Orji continued to struggle with accuracy, missing open and even wide-open receivers downfield. His interception, which could have been avoided, exemplified this issue, as Edwards was wide open and Loveland had separation before the pass arrived late. Overall, Michigan’s performance in the passing game was insufficient, reflected in their average of only 4.8 yards per attempt, less than 90 total passing yards, and a lack of effective pass protection.
Grade: D-plus
Season GPA: 1.40
Rushing Offense
Kalel Mullings emerged as a key player for Michigan, carrying the ball 24 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. While he didn’t break off any explosive runs, his contributions were critical; he gained an impressive 82 yards after contact and forced eight missed tackles. Seven of his carries resulted in first downs or touchdowns.
In contrast, the rest of the rushing offense struggled significantly. Michigan averaged only 0.86 yards before contact, a stark decrease from their previous performances. As teams begin to dissect Michigan’s playbook and blocking schemes, creating running lanes could become increasingly challenging unless the Wolverines can diversify their attack or improve their passing game. Orji, as a rushing threat, has yet to establish himself, finishing with just 31 yards on seven carries after accounting for losses. Similarly, Donovan Edwards faced difficulties, rushing for only 34 yards on nine attempts.
Despite Mullings’ standout performance, questions arise about the effectiveness of Michigan’s backup running backs, particularly given the disparity in production. The team finished the game with 163 rushing yards on 42 carries, with only two rushes exceeding 15 yards and 11 going for first downs or touchdowns.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 3.00
Pass Defense
While Minnesota recorded 258 passing yards and 6.3 yards per attempt, it’s important to view this phase of the game in context. The Golden Gophers heavily relied on their passing game, and much of their success came from two desperation drives at the ends of each half. Outside of those, Minnesota was only 13 for 23 passing for 103 yards and one interception.
Michigan’s pass defense showed flashes of dominance, recording five sacks, including four in the first half. The team also forced an interception and a fumble recovery. The Wolverines generated pressure on 16 of Minnesota’s 48 dropbacks, showcasing a strong defensive performance despite giving up yardage late in the game.
In coverage, Michigan generally performed well, with players like Jyaire Hill standing out. While the secondary allowed some completions during desperate moments, the overall effort, particularly in light of injuries, was commendable.
Grade: B-plus
Season GPA: 3.26
Run Defense
Though not as dominant as in previous outings, Michigan’s run defense was still effective. Excluding sacks, Minnesota rushed for only 66 yards on 20 carries, with just one rush exceeding six yards. The Wolverines’ linebackers demonstrated physicality and sound tackling, contributing significantly to the run defense.
However, Michigan will want to tighten its run defense further, especially against teams committed to running the ball. Penalties also hindered the team’s overall performance, necessitating improvement in discipline.
Grade: A-minus
Season GPA: 3.74
Special Teams
On the special teams front, there were positives and negatives. Dominic Zvada successfully made a 53-yard field goal and a 35-yarder, continuing his perfect streak this season. Kechaun Bennett also made an impact with a punt block that resulted in a touchdown.
However, there were significant drawbacks. Tommy Doman’s net punting average suffered due to a touchback and two long punt returns, one of which nearly jeopardized the game. The return game lacked effectiveness without Semaj Morgan, further complicating the special teams’ impact.
Grade: B-plus
Season GPA: 3.34
Overall Assessment
Despite concerns during the fourth quarter, which saw Minnesota make a strong push, it’s important to recognize that Michigan had a commanding 24-3 lead entering the final period. The Wolverines showcased enough skill and resilience throughout the game to deserve a favorable overall assessment, although they must address their second-half performance and overall discipline.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 2.8
