Michigan 45, SMU 20
[Upchurch]
Sometimes you sail to a 25-point win, sometimes you grind one out. Saturday’s contest, absent the hey-hand-me-that-roster period that most expected, did little to reveal the depths of the depth chart. It did, however, reveal an increasingly efficient passing game and little else.
A plodding start to the game saw both teams punt on their first two possessions and eat up over half of the first quarter. An Ambry Thomas jet sweep went for 11 yards on the first play of Michigan’s third drive. They then ran Chris Evans three times to another first down before Shea Patterson found Zach Gentry deep; a cornerback dove as soon as Gentry caught the ball, erasing himself from the play and opening up some yards after the catch for what turned into a 32-yard reception. Michigan then ran the ball six straight times to the SMU 12-yard line before Patterson rolled out, motioned Sean McKeon up, and tossed an interception to a defensive back that cut in front of McKeon.
Said plodding start had come to a complete standstill. Devin Gil tore into the backfield on the next play from scrimmage, but Ben Hicks got the ball out in a hurry to James Proche on a slant for 13 yards. Proche was a thorn in the secondary’s side the rest of the game, finishing with 11 receptions on 17 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns, including a 50-yard touchdown reception that saw Lavert Hill and Brad Hawkins both take the inside receiver on an apparent coverage bust. On this drive, though, Proche didn’t have the same luck, catching two passes after the slant for –1 yards. SMU punted and, as their special teams was wont to do, gave Michigan advantageous starting field position.
Michigan, starting at their own 43-yard line, hunkered down and took 6:25 to reach the end zone, finally punching it in on a fullback dive from Ben Mason on fourth-and-one.
The Wolverines quickly found themselves knotted at 7-7 after the aforementioned coverage bust TD to Proche. Michigan responded, converting on 4th-and-1 via an Evans carry out of I-form in which he followed Ben Mason’s block to just eek out the necessary yardage. Michigan Stadium, which had been nearly silent for so long, seemed to startle awake, golf claps rising into relieved, albeit quiet, cheers. An unsportsmanlike conduct call on SMU head coach Sonny Dykes moved Michigan from midfield to SMU’s 35, and Patterson took over from there, slowing SMU’s secondary with a Ambry Thomas jet sweep action and then hitting Donovan Peoples-Jones downfield; Peoples- Jones did the rest, turning the ball upfield and leaping into the end zone.
[Barron]
Michigan’s defense then forced SMU into a 3rd-and-11 from their own 24 before giving up an uncharacteristic 32-yard reception to Proche. They returned to form one play later as the defensive tackles pushed the pocket into Hicks, Gary started to come around the end, and Mone got off his man for the sack. Josh Metellus was flagged for a seemingly phantom pass interference call on the next play, then responded with an interception on the east sideline near Michigan’s 30-yard line. Metellus slowed to allow his blockers to set, Aidan Hutchinson blew up Hicks, and Metellus ran past the carnage, cut past a diving defender, and dove into the middle of the end zone as time expired in the first half.
It was an odd game, what with the highlights like Metellus’ pick-6 and the defensive line’s dominance (particularly Chase Winovich’s eight tackles, two TFLs, and one PBU on which he lined up on the interior and managed to twist around the tackle in time to jump and get his hands on the pass) tempered by the long second-half drives allowed and repeated pass interference calls on what seemed like typical plays from tight man coverage.
One drive in particular looked like it should have ended long before it reached midfield. Michigan allowed a first down on a 12-yard completion on third-and-9 before forcing SMU into a third-and-10. William Brown, in for Ben Hicks after he was taken out by Hutchinson on Metellus’ interception return, flung a ball toward the sideline that appeared to be uncatchable. Tyree Kinnel, however, was flagged for pass interference and the drive lived. Brown ran the ball up the middle on the next play and Khaleke Hudson approached from the side, appearing to try to throw his shoulder into Brown. Even so, their helmets made contact and Hudson was tossed from the game after an upstairs review resulted in a targeting call; Hudson will now miss the first half of next week’s game against Nebraska. “It seems like a really high level of scrutiny to be placing on a play between the tackles,” Harbaugh said after the game.
By this time, Michigan’s offense was in the midst of finding a rhythm that the passing game hasn’t had in quite some time. Give Patterson two solid beats and he’s able to make any throw. Give him less than that and, if tonight is any indication, he’ll spin out of a would-be sack and improvise his way to success. He finished the day 14-of-18 for 237 yards and a passer rating of 232.3.
Despite Karan Higdon’s absence (which Harbaugh said was a game-time decision), Michigan scored on its final six drives of the game, three of which ended with a touchdown pass from Patterson to Peoples-Jones. Zach Gentry also emerged as a literal and metaphorical big target for Patterson, hauling in four receptions on five targets for 95 yards and a long of 32. He did much of his damage down the seam; SMU didn’t seem to know how to cover him when Michigan ran him downfield out of a tight bunch.
There is still much to work on. The defense will need to clean up communications on assignments that caused issues throughout, though it’s worth noting that much of the statistical damage done came on two long fourth-quarter drives that saw them cede 65 passing yards and 113 total yards. The offense will need to look at what caused the running game to sputter. For now, Michigan will take their lumps alongside their multi-score victory.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:18 PM ^
The targeting call was horse shit. A penalty should never be “called down” from anywhere, particularly when it was very questionable and not a blatant call, and is going to cost a kid a half of football. That entire sequence of events was stupid.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
Considering that a few plays earlier on the kickoff there was a equally if not worse hit on the M player near the ball which didn’t draw even as much as a flag?
September 15th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
Very, very poorly officiated game. In that third quarter it felt like you had to wait for a flag after every damn play.
September 15th, 2018 at 10:19 PM ^
Worst-officiated Michigan game I can ever recall in my lifetime. Nearly every PI call was BS. The roughing the passer call was BS. The targeting call was BS. Those calls accounted for at least 14 of SMU's 20 points. Take out the ref BS and this was a solid game.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:10 AM ^
Apparently you didn’t watch the 2005 Alamo Bowl.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:26 AM ^
The 2016 Ohio State game was really bad, but the worst of all time was the 2005 Alamo Bowl against Nebraska (as noted by Bando).
September 16th, 2018 at 6:18 AM ^
2015 MSU was right up there. It gets overlooked because of the thing that happened at the end.
And just to beat a dead horse, the targeting rule is trash. Hudson will miss the 1st half against Nebraska because he made a solid football tackle. Thank you Matt Millen for saying "I hate the rule".
September 16th, 2018 at 6:30 AM ^
But then there's Dean Blandino, the ref on BTN, explaining how it was targeting because the crown of the helmet includes the sides too. How much BS...
September 16th, 2018 at 10:04 AM ^
Yes, by the letter of the law it was targeting. That is the problem I have been bitching about. The application of the rule needs a major overhaul. The rule wasn't created for ticky tacky hits like that. It was put in play to get rid of the hits for guys that were leading with the crowns of their helmets and launching themselves like missiles into a players head, particularly the unprotected WR.
September 16th, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
I haven't heard any spearing penalties called in a long time.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:12 PM ^
Yeah, why not just call it the helmet in your stupid rule?
September 16th, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^
Agreed - was this a home game? Any back that is running the ball between the tackles is not a defenseless player. Shit the ball carrier lowered his head to gain extra yards. It matters not if he happens to be the QB ... the guy was lowering his head into the play to gain more yards, what is Hudson supposed to do? This is football. Then phantom PI calls. It all added up to someone in that crew just did not like Michigan.
September 15th, 2018 at 10:24 PM ^
Yes, that's what I don't get. Just a few plays earlier, the Michigan player was clearly targeted, injured by the target, carted off the field, and the replay showing the targeting was played while we were waiting. And somehow it didn't cross their mind to check for targeting during the ~5 minutes between the kickoff and the first play of the drive. Yet their eagle eyes caught the incidental contact between the tackles in the 40 seconds between plays....
September 16th, 2018 at 10:05 AM ^
There simply has to be a Targeting 1 and Targeting 2 scenario where a guy can get flagged but be able to remain in the game if it looks like it was incidental. As Harbaugh said when you are between the tackles and both guys are trying to get low, there is going to be some heads knocking. Otherwise go play basketball. The most egregious was a few years ago when Bolden (?) got tossed against MSU for going low because of gravity. Expelled due to physics. Fuck me.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:41 AM ^
Officiating will always be bad. Did you guys watch any other games tonight? The officiating in the tcu game was horrendous too.
September 16th, 2018 at 11:20 AM ^
begone
September 16th, 2018 at 8:45 AM ^
It also means we will be without probably our best weapon for a mobile QB for a half, which we will see next week. (In a game that I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with for a number of reasons. I know they lost yesterday, but that only makes us prime material for a “save the season” kind of win. Noon kick, the Frost narrative, no Hudson, rusty Higdon, blah, don’t like the set up there).
September 16th, 2018 at 9:37 AM ^
Martinez is going to have to be 100% for Nebraska to even have a chance at an upset. Shea is getting more comfortable with the offense, Tru is the real deal so we have options at running back, the defense is good despite all the calls against them. Nebraska is far from being Nebraska, I expect a score similar to 45-20 next week, though a better storyline. Michigan is getting better.
September 16th, 2018 at 7:05 AM ^
Only Michigan fans would be pissed about a 25 point win...
September 16th, 2018 at 8:18 AM ^
Yeah in many ways I'm ashamed of being a Michigan fan after reading this board. We're acting like spoiled 6 year olds
September 16th, 2018 at 9:40 AM ^
Some of these fans are trolls, so take that into account. That said, it is saddening to think what the 'fans' with the constant vitriol are like in real life.
September 16th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^
25 point win. Fan response: we didn't look dominant, why so conservative on O? Fire/replace someone.
46 point win. Fan response: why are we putting all this on tape for later opponents? Fire/replace someone.
Lose. Fan response:. Fire/replace everyone.
September 17th, 2018 at 8:43 AM ^
Even worse was the bullshit Pass Interference call on Kinnel. That pass was 10 feet over the receivers head and 15 feet out of bounds. No way that ball is catchable. If the refs get that right, the defense gets off the field and Hudson isn't even able to commit a bullshit targeting play.
Awful officiating.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^
Hail.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:20 PM ^
Pretty fair summary. M’s running game is still struggling and one would have expected we would have dominated the LOS by the third Q. Patterson looked good and it was worth it to see DPJ having a stellar day. Tru Wilson was refreshing too. Would have hoped for more disciplined play and fewer penalties as well as giving up fewer big plays on D. With a bit of clean up, there is a lot to be excited about moving forward.
September 15th, 2018 at 11:52 PM ^
You don’t think M dominated the line of scrimmage in the 3rd and 4th quarters? It very much looked that way to my untrained eyes.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:29 AM ^
Yes, this Oline isn't dominant when it faces a seven on five disadvantage. Sorry, to say that few lines facing constant line stunting, gap-filling run stunts and blitzes by charging linebackers can't control the LOS when they are outnumbered even if they outweigh their opposition. If you are occupied with your assignment and they fill the gap in the meantime, you get the result you get.
September 16th, 2018 at 8:38 AM ^
Exactly correct. SMU stacked the box and ran lots of double A gap LB run blitzes. No run game is going to rip off 7 ypc against that kind of D scheme.
But, did Harbaugh decide to call lots of runs against that sort of D scheme (especially in the 1st half) because...
...(1) he is a stubborn offensive play caller who won't make quick in-game adjustments to what the D is doing? or...
...(2) he wanted to use the game to make the o-line get better by forcing them to get assignments and technique right against stacked boxes?
Hopefully it is more the latter and he was using the game in part to get some good run game teaching material for film room.
September 16th, 2018 at 9:34 AM ^
According to the sideline reporter, the OL was complaining to the coaches in the first half that SMU’s linebackers were shooting gaps at the snap and the coaches replied, “yeah, we expected that—we still need to run the ball against it.” So it sounds like the latter.
September 16th, 2018 at 9:42 AM ^
They sold out and stacked the box to stop he run. The passing game did what it was supposed to do. We actually should have passed more often in this game.
September 16th, 2018 at 4:51 PM ^
We are not good enough to just impose our will, but we are now good enough to take what the defense gives us. The passes were there and we took advantage of them, at least after the 1st quarter.
That is actual progress. Last year, teams stacked the box and run blitzed us with impunity. The passes (which were there) were no threat.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
That was an absurdly long game. I wonder how long the commercial breaks added up to? And just this morning on the BTN show, the lady said she’d improve the game by running the clock after 1st downs. Like THAT is what is making the game unwatchable.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
It was seriously the most unwatchable game I can remember. I have never had a four touchdown-ish win kind of “ruin my day” until today. The commercials, the refs, Matt Millen, reviews, cramps, etc. Homestly, what a bad football game that was.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:43 PM ^
Yes. The play selection, the terrible penalties that didn't exist, the continuous commercials. Awful. Completely.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:48 PM ^
Yup, this was an excruciating game to watch.
We really missed Higdon today. What injury did he have anyway? Evans is a change of pace back, not a bell cow, 25 carry guy. I like Tru Wilson a lot. He always seems to get something positive when he gets the ball. Top end speed isn’t great, but he’s quick in between the tackles
September 16th, 2018 at 8:15 AM ^
Sorry it was your time of the month. Maybe you should have taken some Midol before the game.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:31 PM ^
The commercials have gotten so brutal. I am watching so much less football. I just can’t stand the constant stops and commercials. I’m trying to watch a bit of the OSU/TCU game right now and I’m going to bail and watch Netflix. I’ll follow on twitter and see highlights in the morning.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:10 AM ^
Yeah I can barely watch live, I often wait until the family goes to bed and watch game replays on btn or espn app and ive gotten pretty used to play over->ff 30s, commercial->ff 1min, touchdown->ff 3min. Live games are such a chore to sit through.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:48 AM ^
I watch games like ND, OSU, MSU, Wisconsin live. The rest I DVR and begin watching 30 minutes after game starts. FF through commercials and if I catch up to live action I go work in the yard for half an hour.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:21 AM ^
I was locked in on watching 4 games at a time. At least 3 times, all 4 games were on a commercial break. That is ridiculous.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:33 AM ^
I pretty much watch games after the fact on DVR. Yes, not real time, but I can skip commercials, play reviews, etc.
September 17th, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^
If you're on Okinawa, don;t you have to watch after the fact?
I remember that any noon EST games in the states started at like three in the morning and I woke up to news of "The Horror".
September 16th, 2018 at 4:54 PM ^
I went to my son's high school football game on Friday night. The quality of play was not great, but it was amazing how the game moved without all the interruptions. It was a completely different game. Quite enjoyable, actually.
September 15th, 2018 at 9:38 PM ^
Ugh, so absurd. I even questioned myself for actually going to the games. Stay home, dvr, ff thru interminable stoppages? Sounds better than sweating my junk off sometimes!
September 15th, 2018 at 10:16 PM ^
I saw approx. 473 trailers for the new Bradley Cooper movie on the BTN online feed it was bruuuuutal.
September 16th, 2018 at 7:11 AM ^
I also watched on the BTN stream. I refuse to go see that Cooper/Gaga movie now for that trailer alone.
September 15th, 2018 at 10:51 PM ^
Coaching. That’s all I have left to blame things on. Having a roster that can go toe-to-toe on paper with 10 of the top 15 teams in the country, SMART young men out there on the field. So what else is there? The penalties, ANOTHER targeting call(disagree if you want, had that been an SMU player delivering the hit, we would have been outraged had it not been called), the missed assignments, blitz pickup, etc etc. yeah we don’t have 5 stars on the o-line, this is Michigan fergodsakes! I legitimately like our coaching staff, love Don Brown, but I don’t know where to turn anymore. I see a head coach that has lost his trademarked “enthusiasm”. For the second consecutive year i watch a harbaugh with a flat affect, emotionless press conferences, and I don’t know why.
has something changed? Is harbaugh struggling with health or stress or family or something? I refuse to believe that our current coaching staff and our current players can’t deliver a better product. Are we cursed, is it voodoo or the moon phases or...? What gives? Sorry, just needed to let it out before my head asplodes while I watch A less talented Rashan Gary(Bosa) dominate.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:36 AM ^
I think the targeting call was bullshit and would have been upset to see a SMU as later have gotten the same treatment, bad and dumb call is a bad and dumb call.
September 16th, 2018 at 12:45 AM ^
Maybe keep it in next time. Nothing you said here has a shred of merit to it.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:49 AM ^
Snowflake post of the day.
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