Hidden Yards For The Win Comment Count

Brian

Or: Hail Zoltan and his other brother Darryl.

Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko during the game against Michigan State on Thursday, October 23, 2008, in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan State won, 35-21. (CLIF REEDER / Daily). 091209_SPT_UM v Norte Dame_MRM

Let's ease some of Mr. Hinton's burden for Michigan's inevitable appearance in "Life on the Margins" after winning a game in which they were outgained by almost 100 yards and finished –1 in turnover margin.

Here's a big chunk of that yardage differential:

# Player No Yds Average Ret Yds Net Avg
41 Zoltan Mesko 7 337 48.1 11 46.6
12 Chris Hagerup 6 222 37 6 36

And here's another big chunk:

Team KO Ret Avg Start
Indiana 6 30.3
Michigan 8 35.9

Despite the minus in turnover differential, Michigan's average starting field position in the game was their 35.6. Indiana's was the 32.9*. The net there: 2.7 yards * 15 drives per team = 40.5 yards. Michigan's special teams eliminated a minus one in turnover differential and 40% of Indiana's yard advantage. And that doesn't take into account Zoltan pinning Indiana at their own two, causing them to chuck away a possession with run-run-pass-punt.

Even all that would still have been a loss but for the defense's ability to stiffen in the redzone. The D forced five field goal attempts, one of which was missed. The skin of their teeth, in charts.

(I suppose Michigan's last drive, which started on the Indiana 30 after the Warren interception, could be discounted since Michigan wasn't attempting to score, but then you're just having the special teams performance explain away a –2 in turnover margin, which is equally impressive.)

Comments

Gene

September 27th, 2009 at 7:46 PM ^

Maybe. But I think there are two other factors: one, if the kicks are short that makes it hard to return; two, I've noticed that Michigan for the first time in years is aggressively going after the punt - which I think is awesome, but that also means less blockers to impede the progress of the gunners.

BlockM

September 27th, 2009 at 1:35 PM ^

The pieces for this team are coming together quite with the exception of parts of the defense. Hopefully a capable replacement for Zoltan is found so we don't have to take a huge hit in that department next year.

sammy

September 27th, 2009 at 1:39 PM ^

Don't forget about the -30, or whatever, yards that were due to all those poor snaps. ARGH! I know snapping the ball is harder than it seems. But even still, how hard could it be? Put the ball in your QB's hands when he asks for it, not in his feet 2 seconds early.

KBLOW

September 27th, 2009 at 2:30 PM ^

I've seen way worse when a new center is pushed into duty with one week notice and those weren't offenses as complex as ours either. Plus the guy is coming back from a dislocated shoulder and he had to be taking serious pain every time he made contact. The snaps will get better with time, give Moosman a break.

WolverBean

September 27th, 2009 at 3:14 PM ^

two of the bad snaps weren't even really on Moosman. If center is coached to snap the ball when the defense jumps offsides (and it seems clear that he has been) then the QB needs to be aware of this possibility. Neither Tate nor Denard was expecting the early snap when it came.
Now granted, they didn't get the offsides call the second time, which basically resulted in a killed drive. Perhaps Moosman needs to be a little less trigger-happy on possible offsides plays. But I put part of this on either QB coaching or having young QBs who already have too much to think about -- I think the center is doing what he's been asked to do.
It was hard to tell on TV, but I think the last bad snap to Denard wasn't really that bad either -- it looked like it hit Denard in the shoulder, which granted is not perfect but should still be catchable for the QB.
None of which takes away from the massive contribution bad snaps made to lost yards on the margin - I'd estimate this number at -40 to -50 yards and two immediately stalled drives.

Big Firework

September 27th, 2009 at 4:11 PM ^

I like to think of it this way. Warren had the strength and presence of mind to wrestle the ball away as they fell to the ground. That's what made it possible for the refs to make the initial INT ruling. If the Indiana receiver had instead made a great play like Warren did, then they would have gotten the initial ruling, and it still would not have been overturned, and they would have been rewarded accordingly.

Noah

September 27th, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^

Question about the dual possession rule: Are the refs looking for who catches the ball first, or who has possession as a knee hits the ground? It looks like Warren catches it, but it's pretty ambiguous when they go down in the pile.

wolverine1987

September 28th, 2009 at 8:30 AM ^

The maizenbrew photos don't really clear up a thing IMO. As the rule has been explained to me, as long as both players have their hands on the ball, it is a tie, and any tie goes to the offense and is not subject to interpretation. What happens after a knee goes down is irrelevant. All, the shots I've seen either show the IU players hands in the ball, or are inconclusive at best. We got lucky because that field ruling is not subject to being overturned. I think we would have stopped them in any case, but IMO it was a bad call.

wiscwood

September 27th, 2009 at 10:42 PM ^

The video evidence was inconclusive. I say who cares Michigan didn't make the call. UM got hosed on the PI against EMU. Unfortunately you win some in this game and you lose some. I hope Michigan is lucky more often than our opponents. I want good play from our guys too. Some gift come because Michigan is Michigan. It may not be fair, but that is apart of the mystique.

I'm not a Michael Jordan fan, but he got some really great calls go his way. The Cowboys, Packers, Patriots, Lakers, Celtics, UNC, UCLA, Duke etc. get some great calls. Hoosier Football isn't going to get those calls. Now Hoosier Basketball is another thing all together.

Sven_Da_M

September 27th, 2009 at 3:12 PM ^

That message board thread is like watching an IM chat by the E. Lansing LARPers taking a break while one of their mothers makes grilled cheese sammiches on white bread with the crust cut off.

Here's secret webcam screengrab of the STG crew as they round up after their early supper:

Enjoy Life

September 27th, 2009 at 4:45 PM ^

The Defense did a good job holding Indiana to those 4 field goals.

But, guess what, without this year's offense this game would have ended like too many did last year. We scored over 29 points only once last year (and that was a loss to Purdue).

rappjason

September 27th, 2009 at 5:26 PM ^

did any one else notice the crotch grab by Van Bergen on IU's receiver as he and Warren battled for the ball? perhaps this also played a role in Warren ending up holding the ball?