Overanalyzing 4 sacks against Hawaii

Submitted by bmdubs on

Hey mgobloggers - I just want to point out the biggest difference I've seen in impact defense so far this year.

Look at our top sack producers from last year (table below) and compare it to how UM created sacks against Hawaii this weekend.  I won't state my conclusions but I think it's pretty clear how these defenses differ after only one game.  There's no reason not to be excited!

2015 Michigan Football Sack Totals

 
Player Sacks
Chris Wormley (DL) 6.5
Willie Henry (DL) 6.5
Taco Charlton (DL) 5.5
Royce Jenkins-Stone (DL) 3
Maurice Hurst Jr (DL) 3
Mario Ojemudia (DL) 2

5.5 more players were credited with one sack apiece for the season (Wilson, Morgan, Lewis, Ross III, R.Glasgow, and a half sack for Godin).  This represents DJ Durkin's D.  Stunts and trickery along the DL opened up pass rush lanes for the DL so they wouldn't have to blitz and commit more men than they wanted to...

 

Now here are the defensive box stats for sacks from the Hawai'i game:

2016 UM Sacks vs Hawai'i

 
Player Sacks
Mike McCray (LB) 2.0 / 19
Jabrill Peppers (LB) 1.0 / 14
Ben Gedeon (LB) 1.0 / 8

 

All of the sacks were by LBs (only by the strictest definition of course). I did see their QBs escape a couple potential sacks by DLs but the fact remains that this D is significantly different than last year's D.  I think it's for the best.

MGoBoard

WichitanWolverine

September 4th, 2016 at 6:43 PM ^

I thought one of the few things Hawaii did well was get rid of the ball before the DL got to the QB. I thought they got pretty good pressure consistently but couldn't quite get home. They did generate those interceptions IMO.

Joined: 09/30/2009

MGoPoints: 34392

Zok

September 4th, 2016 at 7:11 PM ^

We know teams are going to be scared of our DL and get the ball out quick. Guess it will be on CBs to stay tight in coverage and force PDs. Safeties will need to clean up well to avoid big plays. Definitely think we are getting lots of TFLs. If the running game on O can get going TOP can be our best friend. I just don't see a lot of sustained drives for opposing teams, probably give up some chunk plays though. lots of punt returns for peppers that's for sure.

Joined: 03/24/2009

MGoPoints: 689

LGenius

September 5th, 2016 at 4:28 AM ^

I think we learned more about the offense than we did about the defense in this one. We blitzed A LOT and Hawaii just couldn't handle it. That said, McCray looked like a killer.

Joined: 02/28/2010

MGoPoints: 1028

turtleboy

September 5th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^

I think we can overanalyze our offensive stats as well. We spread around the ball so much that even in a 63 point contest, no single Michigan player registered in the top-5 in B1G offensive statistics this week. I think in a game like this that's a very good stat.

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 35129