Michigan 33, Florida 17
Ty Isaac repeatedly broke into the open field. [Chris Cook]
The score doesn't do it justice.
Outside of two no good, very bad plays, Michigan put it on Florida. The Gators offense had no answer for Don Brown's defensive strategy, which was to bring heat from all angles around a three-man line, eschewing a DT in favor of speed an unpredictability. Two first-half pick-sixes by Wilton Speight, a bizarre illegal formation penalty that negated Michigan's first touchdown, and a blocked punt not only kept Florida around, however, but allowed them to take a 17-13 lead into halftime.
Eventually, the score reflected Michigan's dominance. The offense turned up the tempo on their opening drive of the second half, springing Ty Isaac free for 18 yards on a fourth-and-one to set up a Karan Higdon touchdown plunge. While the offense could only muster two Quinn Nordin field goals—and two Nordin missses—after that score, the defense hardly required help. They held the Gators to a total of 192 yards and capped the scoring when Noah Furbush dove on a fumble forced by Chase Winovich in the end zone.
Yes, the defense technically returned only one starter, and that starter, Mike McCray, missed a couple series early for reasons unclear. They hardly missed a beat, stiffening up in the red zone to hold Florida to a field goal on their first drive of the game, then outscoring UF's offense 7-0 the rest of the way. Maurice Hurst, Rashan Gary, and Chase Winovich made a three-man line feel a whole lot like a four-man line to the Florida offensive front; linebackers Devin Bush and Khaleke Hudson often flew into the backfield unimpeded; the young secondary didn't let anything get over the top. Michigan finished with six sacks, 11 TFLs, four forced fumbles (one on special teams on a great rip by Ambry Thomas), and five pass breakups. They were aggressive. Florida had problems.
Chase Winovich's strip-sack effectively ended the game. [Cook]
The offense would've fared nearly as well if not for those two Speight interceptions; the first bounced right to Duke Dawson off the hands of Kekoa Crawford, and the other sailed over an open Grant Perry into the hands of CJ Henderson on the ensuing possession. The next two drives were turned over to John O'Korn, who could only get Michigan into position for a 55-yard Quinn Nordin field goal.
Save for that stretch, Michigan moved the ball with regularity against a strong UF defense. Running back Ty Isaac put forth the best performance, rushing for 114 yards on only 11 carries, repeatedly breaking into the secondary as the coaches dialed up running plays on passing downs. With sacks removed, Michigan ran for 6.1 yards per carry, which kept the offense moving despite an uneven day in the passing game.
We saw flashes of what the aerial attack can look like. Tarik Black exploited a Florida bust for his first career receiving touchdown in the first half and added an impressive catch from O'Korn down the sideline; Grant Perry had a couple tough catches over the middle; Sean McKeon picked up a couple first downs on catch-and-runs; Nick Eubanks had a big play up the seam late to help seal the game. There are a lot of weapons, and while many of them are still getting acclimated to college ball, it's easy to see the potential.
Michigan overcame some self-inflicted adversity to get past their first of four major tests slated for this regular season. The next one, at Penn State, doesn't occur until mid-October. If the Wolverines hold this form while cleaning up some of the more heart-stopping mistakes, they have a great chance of heading into that game 6-0. Consecutive home games against Cincinnati and Air Force should allow them to carry this momentum into conference play.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:14 PM ^
O'Korn is the backup. I understand there's always a love for the backup QB but now it's the backup's backup. Both Speight and O'Korn would have to go down before Peters even sniffs the field. And as quickly as he faded in camp I am more afraid to see him have to play than Speight.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:16 AM ^
have evidence. Just watch the game against Indiana last year. O'Korn scramble right into pressure again today. He throws the ball well on the fade, but that appears to be about it.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:34 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 8:10 AM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:14 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:16 PM ^
I'm sure Jordan Scarlett regretted his "sideline to sideline" comments about the DL after Hurst snuffed out that screen to a WR.
Or he would have, if he hadn't been suspended.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:25 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:15 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:33 PM ^
They are better than the white shirt/maize pants. I also like the all white road uniforms.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:53 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:11 PM ^
These weren't my favorites, but I really don't care and the players apparently like the idea.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:16 PM ^
Loving the D. Props to the O-line especially in pass coverage. I couldn't help but think what a guy like Peters could do with that kind of time to pass. I know it's a dead horse but Speight keeps bringing up the topic when he plays like this.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:35 PM ^
Harbaugh must not know anything about selecting QBs.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:17 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:34 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:05 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 8:03 AM ^
It is the first game of the season. Maybe we should cut him some slack?
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:45 AM ^
with the youth at wr and te
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:03 AM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:18 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:16 PM ^
Lordy I hope not. If I was to sum up this game in one word, it'd be "promising". There was a lot to like. . . but the only reason Florida was in the game at all was some spectacular breakdowns on offense. The offense certainly hasn't hit their ceiling, which is the fun part, but they have some very obvious problems to fix.
Despite what he said, I'm curious about how much of this was anticipated. You can expect things to get a bit weird when a young team's first major playing time is at a high-profile neutral site, but (for example) Grant Perry's antics. . . that guy is NOT one the true freshmen.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:36 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:25 PM ^
Got to re-use my eclipse glasses watching those maize uniforms.
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:50 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:26 PM ^
I hope we never have to hear about how this game would've been completely different if those 10 players had been available for Florida.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:33 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:29 PM ^
I'm a pessimist, so even with the defense playing like they did, I didn't allow myself to be happy until we got to Zaire in the end zone. Then it was like YES!!!!!!!!! And I did the Gator chomp at my TV screen.
I'm very happy right now. My oldest nephew lives in Gainsville. I texted him and told him to rub it in to every Gator fan he comes across. He told me Florida fans talked a lot of shit this week.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:30 PM ^
Our TE play is going to be lights out this year.
Don brown needs to work with speight.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:34 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^
The kid played last year but had 4 receptions total in the season. It's too soon to say for sure whether he has an issue or not though I agree he should have hauled that ball in. Young receiving corps who seem to run good routes and get separation.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:49 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:09 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:21 PM ^
If you need good passes, you're not a reliable WR. A Div.III walk-on can catch a pass if the QB drops it in his lap. You want a QB that can make the throws, but at increasing levels of competition, a WR's value is in his ability to catch despite adversity. That certainly wasn't the toughest throw Crawford will see, or will even be expected to bring in.
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 12:25 AM ^
Your post literally says nothing about Speight's throw. That's what I disagreed about. I said Crawford should have caught it.
It should have been caught and it was a throw that was a little off. Both of those things can be true. I'm not calling for Speight to be benched or anything, but he didn't have a great game.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:32 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:35 PM ^
QB was and is missing. Other than that I couldn't be happier. It was a great win and there is tremendous promise.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:10 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:02 PM ^
I am starting to think you don't like Speight. Curious though who would you start?.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:38 PM ^
Amazing Defense. Let's give the offense a couple games before we tear into them too much. I'm even including Speight. Get used to the line weaknesses and where to expect pressure to leak through. Get used to the talented Freshman WRs. Etc.
Dominant win over an SEC team, 1-0. That's almost muppet worthy!
Go Blue!
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:42 PM ^
Now we know why SEC teams don't play out of conference games outside their home states.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:00 PM ^
Neutral isn't neutral :-)
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:44 PM ^
down for Michigan. Second one was a bad throw, and there were a lot of overthrows. QB Whisperer will coach him and O'Korn up based on film of this game and there will be improvement. T. Black was amazing in his first college game vs. Fla at Jerry World. Our tight ends rule and I expect Wheatley to have big games soon.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:53 PM ^
They were getting separation and he was either throwing it high or throwing behind them. Crawford was wide open on that last series and Speight just threw it out of bounds. Wasn't even in the neighborhood for Crawford to make an attempt to grab it.
I want Speight to prove me wrong. I hope he makes me look like a jackass but I didn't see a ton today that encouraged me about his progression.
September 3rd, 2017 at 12:49 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:43 PM ^
Michigan's front 7 was just AWESOME! The running backs found the lanes but made many plays with great effort. Speight had the one bad pick 6 and the other was off his receivers fingertips. Anyway, very pleased with all the freshmen and only 5 returning starters. Go Blue!
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:43 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:45 PM ^
What do Florida and my Grandmother have in common?
My Grandmother has never beaten Michigan in football either.
Comments