Michigan 42, Minnesota 13
Split out wide for most of the game, Devin Funchess set career highs in receptions and yards. [Photo: Bryan Fuller, MGoBlog]
After two ugly victories against overmatched opponents, Michigan entered their game against Minnesota with a reshuffled offensive line and a pressing need to placate the fanbase by not playing down to their opponent. After a slow start, they did just that, scoring 28 second-half points en route to a 42-13 homecoming victory.
The natives were restless during a plodding first half in which the two teams combined for just eight real drives (the Gophers ran out the last 1:25 of the half), due mostly to a 16-play, 75-yard march by Minnesota—during which they converted five third downs—that saw them tie the game at seven. That came after Jibreel Black forced a fumble by Gopher quarterback Mitch Leidner on the game's opening possession; James Ross recovered and the Michigan offense capitalized with six runs in six plays, covering 35 yards and capped by an eight-yard Fitz Toussaint touchdown.
The ensuing Gopher drive ate up most of the first quarter, allowing them to not only knot up the score, but keep it close for the rest of the half. This was "old time Big Ten football" in the worst sense—slow-paced, run-heavy, and not particularly effective. Four consecutive punts followed, and the heated battle for field position eventually went in Michigan's favor—after Matt Wile's 55-yard boot was downed by Dennis Norfleet at the Gopher one-yard line, Minnesota was forced to punt it away from the nine, and Drew Dileo took a line drive kick well into Gopher territory. Four plays later, Devin Gardner hooked up with Devin Funchess—who spent most of the game lined up at wide receiver—on a post route for a 24-yard touchdown with 1:25 left in the half. Fitting the general tenor of the game, Minnesota decided to forego any chance at points, running twice and carrying three timeouts into halftime.
If that seemed questionable at the time, it looked more so after Michigan drove 75 yards in nine plays to open the second half, bolstered by an improved running game and the emergence of Funchess, Giant Wide Receiver. The first four plays of the drives were runs of 14, 5, 8, and 9 yards; a 21-yard back-shoulder throw to Funchess set up a two-yard Derrick Green touchdown to cap the drive. The Gophers could only respond with a field goal to cut the Wolverine lead to 21-10; that would be the closest they'd get for the rest of the game.
Much of the credit for that can go to Funchess, who finished with seven catches for 151 yards—both career highs—and set up a late Gardner touchdown run with a 46-yard grab on the right sideline. Even though the numbers don't bear it out, the running game looked improved as well; though Michigan averaged just 3.2 yards per carry as a team, Fitz Toussaint (right, Upchurch) had an impressive 78 yards on just 17 carries, adding a second touchdown run from 12 yards out to give Michigan a 28-10 third-quarter lead that proved insurmountable. Chris Bryant, the new starter at left guard, proved adept as a puller, which allowed Michigan to run the play they'd like to (eventually) make their offensive identity: power.
Most importantly, considering the troubles of the last two games, Michigan didn't turn the ball over once, the first time they've done so since their 58-0 win over these same Gophers in 2011, Brady Hoke's first season at the helm. After looking flustered against UConn, Devin Gardner was very sharp, connecting on 13 of 17 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown while showing a calmness in the pocket that wasn't present in previous games. Gardner wasn't needed much as a runner, carrying the ball just seven times for 17 yards and a TD; in a game like this, that's just fine.
While the defense had trouble getting off the field on third downs, allowing Minnesota to convert on 8 of 15 chances, they were otherwise solid; the Gophers mustered just 281 total yards on 4.5 yards per play and couldn't score a touchdown after their second drive. The inside linebacker duo of Desmond Morgan and James Ross combined for 19 tackles, making it tough sledding for any Minnesota run up the gut. While the Wolverines had trouble covering Gopher TE Maxx Williams, who finished with 54 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, the rest of the Minnesota passing offense generated just 91 yards. While the Gophers missed a couple chances for big completions late, Michigan made up for that when Blake Countess stepped in front of a Leidner throw and returned it 72 yards to complete the scoring with just 1:19 on the clock. The biggest concern on that side of the ball going forward may be the health of nose tackle Ondre Pipkins, who was carted off the field with a left knee injury; he's a critical backup behind Quinton Washington.
Despite the close calls and consternation from the nonconference slate, Michigan now sits at 5-0 and 1-0 in the Big Ten, and after two harrowing wins over bad teams the Wolverines beat Minnesota in a wholly acceptable fashion—the slow pace masked a dominant effort until the game broke open late. In the end, Michigan scored five touchdowns on eight offensive drives, with the defense adding a sixth for good measure while forcing Minnesota to fight for every yard. It wasn't pretty in any aesthetic sense; the score, however, speaks for itself.
October 5th, 2013 at 7:42 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 7:43 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 7:55 PM ^
I will say that I noticed that issue in earlier appearances, and the player that it reminded me of was young Anthony Thomas.
October 6th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^
sorry, he's right.. he went down several times on first contact, and one play he was arm tackled by a corner half his size..
A couple plays he looked good near the goal line, and that gaping hole he ran thru.
October 6th, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^
October 6th, 2013 at 2:46 AM ^
but you're wrong. Green neither went down due to a stiff breeze, nor plowed anyone on his way to significant extra yardage.
Regardless, he was way more physical than before, so that's a good sign. Maybe he's traded a little more fat for muscle.
October 6th, 2013 at 3:09 AM ^
October 6th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
October 6th, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
was doing play by play, and he is one of the best in the business. I was not watching tv, obviously, so I don't know what he did on yesterday's broadcast. I didn't recognize the other guy in the booth but I see from the listings that Ed Cunningham was the analyst and I don't know who Ed Cunningham is or was.
Mike Patrick never seems to get the respect he deserves.
October 7th, 2013 at 8:40 AM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:00 PM ^
It seems they scouted Green well and knew they'd need to hit him low. Seemed to me every time he went down it was because of a well formed up tackle around the lower body.
October 5th, 2013 at 8:03 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:08 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:44 PM ^
Part of this is adjustment to the college game. In high school, he could just run over and through people.
October 6th, 2013 at 6:54 AM ^
If you're a 5-star north-south RB you're expected to that in college as well.
October 5th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
Did you not see him run over 3 dudes on the TD he scored?
October 5th, 2013 at 7:48 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:50 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 7:49 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:49 PM ^
October 6th, 2013 at 8:07 AM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 7:49 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:33 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:51 PM ^
You mean when we were trying to run the clock and running and Minnesota sold out to stop it because they knew that's what we were going to do?
October 5th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 9:10 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 9:15 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 9:22 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 10:50 PM ^
Denard!
October 5th, 2013 at 10:36 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:48 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 7:51 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^
I thought Lewan playing TE would have gotten a big mention. That was a great effective wrinkle that I see as repeatable for the entire season.
October 5th, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:13 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:52 PM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^
What about that play against FL in the capital bowl (I think? someone correct me if I am wrong) where they lined up Jake Long in the TE spot and threw it to him? Was the rule not in effect then or would it have been a penalty when if he had caught it?
October 5th, 2013 at 9:21 PM ^
But I think if he caught it behind the line of scrimmage, it'd be okay.
October 6th, 2013 at 12:04 AM ^
But that's opposite of what Seth is saying, which is he can't catch the ball EVER (unless tipped), whether it's downfield or a screen pass.
I'm of the understanding one has to check in, like the NFL I guess, and can then be an eligible reciever. I also think Long was downfield in the Capital One game.
I could be wrong on both points.
October 6th, 2013 at 9:45 AM ^
Nah, Seth is saying that 50-79 are never eligible just on downfield plays.
Anybody is eligible if you're moving the ball backwards
And how is there not a video of this yet? Or even a GIF?
October 5th, 2013 at 10:13 PM ^
so it was legal.
October 6th, 2013 at 10:11 AM ^
different plays in that game. The first was that Long was the intended receiver for a screen pass behind the LoS. The pass was incomplete. Second, later in the game he recovered a fumble in the EZ for the first TD by a Michigan OL since 1948.
October 5th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^
If his receding production is due to teams giving him extra attention, then he should break out in a big way starting next week. Because Funchess was punishing single coverage, and might be an even more dangerous playmaker due to his ability to physically win balls.
At any rate it is clear that Michigan was desperate for a second receiver, and Funch appears to be the answer. It's hard to exaggerate how much this will help Gardner. Now, if Butt can contribute at TE, we're really going somewhere.
October 5th, 2013 at 10:01 PM ^
I was at the game today - yes, they frequently shaded a safety to his side.
October 6th, 2013 at 8:18 AM ^
October 5th, 2013 at 8:07 PM ^
Felt Muppet-worthy to me. Phew.
The announcers kept saying Lewan was lining up at TE, but I believe you are correct Stephenrjking. Someday he'll catch a touchdown pass -- one better than the Fridge's run.
October 5th, 2013 at 8:41 PM ^
Yup, they don't out "TE", but not nearly as much as they pointed out "Devin has been terrible", "Devin isn't accurate", "Devin didn't put that pass in the right spot", "Devin needs to be a better...whoop...great pass from Devin".
October 5th, 2013 at 8:48 PM ^
Can we at least get the Muppet Babies theme or something?
October 5th, 2013 at 9:48 PM ^
Ever.
October 5th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^
In 2003, had this blog existed, it would have been.
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