A high-scoring shootout? Michigan defense doesn't play along
Michigan linebacker Obi Ezeh, center, celebrates with teammates after recovering a third-quarter UConn fumble on Saturday.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
They’d heard the talk all week. If the Michigan football team was going to beat Connecticut in its season opener, it was going to have to come in a high-scoring shootout.
That shootout never materialized in the Wolverines’ 30-10 win Saturday at Michigan Stadium, and sophomore linebacker Craig Roh insists it all started on the game’s first possession.
“You’re obviously hearing in the media that the defense is the weak point of Michigan football,” Roh said. “Coming out and getting that three-and-out right at the beginning just boosted our confidence, it felt like.”
Most of the preseason concern centered around a young secondary, especially once senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk went down with a season-ending injury.
With UConn quarterback Zach Frazer missing targets frequently during an 18-for-38 passing performance - including bouncing a couple of passes to wide open receivers and over-throwing many others - and the Huskies gaining 343 total yards, those concerns weren’t dismissed.
But coach Rich Rodriguez was pleased with his defensive performance.
“I have to watch the film to give you a more correct answer on how the guys played individually, but I thought James (Rogers) was really poised and made a couple nice plays,” Rodriguez said of the senior cornerback making his first start.
“For the most part, all those guys that were in there for the first time handled themselves pretty maturely.”
Frazer passed for 205 yards against that young secondary, with nearly one-quarter of them coming when Michael Smith made a circus catch, tipping the ball to himself twice during a 47-yard gain across the middle of the field.
J.T. Floyd, the lone secondary player with any starting experience, was on the other corner and made six tackles. He was encouraged by the unit’s play, but answered almost every question asked by members of the media by saying, “but we still have a lot to do.”
“I definitely think it’s a step in the right direction, a positive thing,” he said. “We came out and played pretty well, but we’re at no point to stop working.”
Floyd forced the game’s only turnover, knocking the ball out of tailback D.J. Shoemate’s grip after he had picked up a first down on a 4th-and-1 play late in the third quarter. Senior linebacker Obi Ezeh, who led the team with nine tackles, recovered the fumble.
The Huskies were at Michigan’s 7-yard-line and looking to cut a 24-10 deficit down to one score.
“It was part of my job during the play that I scrape to the right and he popped through. I just put my hat on the ball,” Floyd said. “When the coaches put you in position to make plays, good things happen.”
Last year’s Michigan defense allowed 10 points or fewer just twice, in lopsided wins over Western Michigan and Delaware State.
“The defense as a whole was so hungry. I’m not saying last year that we weren’t, but last year we didn’t put out like we did today,” said Roh, who had two tackles-for-loss among his five stops. “We were making plays, we were hungry.”
Rich Rezler covers sports for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at 734-623-2552 or richrezler@annarbor.com.
Comments
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 5:55 p.m.
The defense was better than expected. That's nice. But the secondary wasn't tested and this was a good matchup for Michigan. Frazer had a bad game. I don't think we know a whole lot more than we did last week. Let's see how the secondary holds up against a team that's both more physical and has a stronger passing attack.
michboy40
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.
One observation outside of the obvious things that people are talking about today. Our tackling yesterday was exceptional. I saw many tackles yesterday that we were not making on a consistant basis last year...several that got the D off the field. This is a HUGE part of why we were successful yesterday. Ex: Craig Roh jumping over the cut block, and several tackles where we wrapped guys up that would have turned into big plays for UCONN> Job well done, keep getting better, and stay as healthy as possible!
jameslucas
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
Michigan defense what a great improvement over last year.
eagleman
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
Self destruction is a part of the game. UM did that last year vs Illinois, Purdue, and Iowa. Those games amde the difference between 5-7 and 8-4. UM had its share of mistakes as well. A missed FG, a blocked extra point, a couple of mistakes in the kickoff return game, not calling a time out on UCONN's td at the end of the half...both teams made mistakes. UCONN dropped 6 passes, but then WR was not a strength for UCONN coming in. UCONN played like UCONN plays--tough, but limited. UCONN lacks the athletes to contend with a spread and shred team like UM.That is why Richrod is now 5-0 vs Edsall's Huskies. UM never really threw the ball deep. The T-Rob pass was a run and catch. What would have happened if UM was given the opportunity to throw it deep? UM's defense has issues, no doubt it.But the chances are UM woulsd win this game in a blowout ore often than not because of the difference in athletes between the two schools. UM simply has better players.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
UConn played like a lot of teams do when they start the season, rusty and out of sync. Look at Florida against Miami (OH) on Saturday. There were way to many big holes for the backs to run through and way too many wide open receivers in the secondary for the team or us to start high fiving each other and thinking our defensive problems are solved. Play this same game at week 4 and this result doesn't happen. I'm not saying we didn't play better than I thought, they certainly did, but I also don't think that UConn was ready to exploit the weaknesses on the field. Let's see how we look after next week.
BroncoJoe
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 8:05 a.m.
UConn did NOT self destruct and did not leave 24 points on the field. They missed a TD and got a FG instead and the fumble was a legitimate takeaway by the defense. UConn doesn't get credit for the UM defense causing a fumble. And most of the UConn QB's issues were related to #88 being in the backfield all game. I'd LOVE to see the stats on the number of hurries and knock downs Roh had. Lastly, the D-Line was so good the only time the QB had any chance is when TWO of the rushers were double teamed. The only sad part about that was even though there were 6 UConn players at the line of scrimmage (5 blockers and the QB), the other 8 in coverage for UM couldn't prevent the 5 remaining UConn players from getting open. UM is going to have to rush 4 or 5 and keep the pressure on for the D to be effective.
rensational
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 7:43 a.m.
More like Connecticut didn't play along.
rightmind250
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 5:42 a.m.
D-Rob was very impressive today. He is definately 90 percent of UM's offense and defense for that matter. Tater do you still think a qb takes less hits in this offense? That was a stupid statement. If d-rob plays more than 5 games this year i will be surprised. He is a talent.
Sean T.
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 2:12 a.m.
Uconn did self destruct but I was glad to see our team take advantage of the mistakes. There still needs to be more plays made by players other than Denard. On to next week!
3 And Out
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 1:23 a.m.
Uconn self destructed and left 24 points out there on 4 plays.
Kubrick66
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 11:30 p.m.
Calvin Johnson... Sprained MCL, listed as day to day.
Engineer
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 11:13 p.m.
Hope they improve weekly. This was a great start. I am curious about the youg man hurt just before halftime. Injuries are worrisome when you are as thin as Michigan on defense.