Grade the Michigan football team's 58-0 win against Minnesota
Get out your pad of smiley-face stickers this week. Here's your chance to grade the Michigan football team's offense, defense, special teams and coaching in its 58-0 win against Minnesota.
Offense
For four weeks, the concern has been Denard Robinson’s performance in the passing game. Week 5 gave no reason for concern … pretty much anywhere on the field. Robinson completed 15-of-19 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns in just over two quarters of action, Fitz Toussaint rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown and Vincent Smith ran, caught and threw for a touchdown. It all added up 58 points and 580 total yards.
Defense
The Wolverines posted the program’s first shutout since a 38-0 win over Notre Dame in 2007 and the first Big Ten shutout since a 20-0 win at Penn State in 2001.
The defense stopped Minnesota on all 11 of its third-down plays, forced a pair of fumbles (including one returned 83 yards for a score by Courtney Avery) and had three sacks of Gophers quarterback Max Shortell. Take away the Gophers’ longest run of the day, a 29-yarder by David Cobb, and Minnesota averaged 1.8 yards per carry.
Special teams
Brendan Gibbons made three field goals (25, 32 and 38 yards), giving him as many successful attempts this year (4 of 5) as the Wolverines made all of last season (4 of 14). Will Hagerup averaged 37.5 yards on two punts in his return from a four-game suspension. About the only troubling stat in the game was Minnesota’s 22.7-yard average on kick returns -- which does not include a 94-yard touchdown wiped out by a holding penalty.
Coaching
Offensive coordinator Al Borges dug deep into his playbook for this game, throwing halfback option passes and unveiling an offensive set that featured both Denard Robinson and backup QB Devin Gardner in the same backfield. Brady Hoke said it’s a formation that Borges has had up his sleeve since March and the staff decided to use it for the first time Saturday.
Overall
That certainly wasn’t the best team in the Big Ten that visited Michigan Stadium on Saturday, but it’s hard to find many flaws in a 58-0 win over any opponent. Right?
Comments
Adolph Dooley
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
Michigan I capable of being an elite team, even without elite players playing, because Michigan has the very best coaches to get the most out of every player playing.
RxDx
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
The gelling of both offensive and defensive lines has been amazing. Yes, it was Minnesota, but there were some huge holes for the running backs. The misdirection plays made everything more effective. I hope the coaching staff treats misdirection as regular plays and not trick plays. I know coach Borges wants a pocket passer, but I suspect Denard has trouble seeing over the lineman. Denard needs to get comfortable with stepping up in the pocket, or give him some rollouts. Finally, you Michigan Men receivers need to get some sticky fingers. Too many dropped passes last year and this year. Oh this is fun! Go Blue!
riverraisin
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
I really liked the 2 QB look today. Something many fans have been asking for. Denard is our quarterback, but Devin is way too talented to remain on the sidelines. I hope it becomes a significant part of the offense. You gotta love the direction this team is headed in.
1st Down
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 : 11:58 p.m.
We will be 10-0 going in to the Neb game.
1st Down
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 3 a.m.
Nebraska looks horrible on both sides of the ball... Martinez is one dimensional and their defense can not tackle... we may be 11-0 going in to face Ohio... Sparty is overrated and wont be able to stop us.
DonAZ
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.
Would love to see it ... but don't expect it. I think we can beat Northwestern. Tough game, but I think it's doable. MSU at East Lansing is going to be the first true test. Their D is decent.
MRunner73
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
The only concern is the kick off return coverage. Aside from that, the other aspects of the special teams improved. Very good to see Gibbons getting the 3FG. Michigan is better than average. We played decent opponents in our first four games. That WMU team is going places. EMU got back on a winning track. ND is, well, ND, they'll do OK and are an average team. Let's hope SDSU gets back to winning. What's lies ahead for Michigan is to be really tested. This Michigan coaching staff can probably give you 100 reasons in what they need to do get better, on either side of the ball. So, THAT is reason why I am optimistic. Keep the faith and GO BLUE!!!
riverraisin
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
Yes, Michigan played a good all around game and this one was fun to watch. As usual, they are showing week to week improvement, which is a reflection of this talented coaching staff. As Don says...Minnesota is not a very good football team right now. Soon enough, they will run into a quality conference opponent. Let's see how they react when the going gets tough.
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
Agree, Don. However, Michigan accomplished a lot today in preparing for the remainder of the season. Robinson got some needed confidence in his passing and Borges seems to have provided him with a package that Denard can be effective with. Michigan also accomplished pounding the ball with other backs to further keep the pressure off of Robinson. Throw in a defense that pitched a shutout, getting Gardner some quality time, Gibbons going 3-for-3...and I would say Michigan made a lot of progress today despite the poor quality of the opponent. I would think today can do nothing but help moving forward. Go Blue!
DonAZ
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 : 11:09 p.m.
Just urging a degree of caution. Yes, there's some confidence ... but I'd argue it's like thin ice right now -- subject to be being shattered by a good team. I've seen enough of Hoke, Borges and Mattison so far to know they're not thinking they've "turned a corner" or anything of the sort. It's back to work, no doubt. I *love* what this coaching staff is doing. Just love it. And I don't just mean on the field. This staff has character.
DonAZ
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 : 8:38 p.m.
A nice win ... good balance ... excellent playmaking on both sides of the ball. But it's Minnesota, and they're just not that good. So while there's reason for Hoke and staff to be please with the trendline, there's also reason to be cautious about taking the foot off the gas pedal. Michigan is no better than an average team right now ... average with the potential to be very good in the coming years if the trendline continues.