game recaps
2015 utah
hoke doesn't wear off overnight

Utah 24, Michigan 17 Comment Count

Ace


Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog

A coaching change can only do so much.

Michigan flashed their potential to turn the corner. De'Veon Smith had some punishing runs. Jake Butt couldn't be covered. Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson consistently got open. The alignment of Chris Wormley and Willie Henry looked like a stroke of genius at times. Jourdan Lewis locked down one side of the field. After an up-and-down first half, Jabrill Peppers looked like a five-star talent in the second. Blake O'Neill had that punt.

But the mistakes were numerous. Jake Rudock's first interception looked to be the fault of freshman slot receiver Grant Perry, who hitched when Rudock expected him to cut outside. The next two Rudock picks, both thrown in Perry's direction, looked to be the fault of the quarterback; the third proved especially costly when Utah's Justin Thomas jumped a throw to the flat and took it back 55 yards for a score, giving the Utes a late 24-10 lead. Rudock also missed a few open deep throws that could've changed the outcome of the game; he finished with an underwhelming 279 yards on 43 attempts and didn't tally his second touchdown until desperation time.

The errors weren't limited to Rudock. Michigan's second cornerback spot is far from settled; neither Channing Stribling nor Jeremy Clark stood out there. Joe Bolden missed a handful of tackles on slippery Utah running back Devontae Booker. The offensive line got manhandled in the run game, losing leverage and missing assignments. Smith offset many of his broken tackles by failing to hit the correct hole. Kenny Allen pushed a 44-yard field goal wide right, after which Jim Harbaugh could clearly be seen muttering "I should've gone for that."

There were flashes, chief among them Peppers' second-half TFLs and Jake Butt's spectacular third-quarter touchdown catch to briefly pull Michigan within seven.

But on the road against a decent team, Michigan simply made too many mistakes, big and small, to expect to come away with a victory. They'll be better than they looked tonight, there's little doubt of that. There'll also be rough patches. Home games against lesser teams lie ahead until BYU comes to the Big House, by which time the Wolverines should look more impressive.

At least there was Harbaugh, a sensible gameplan, and a solid outing from the defense. That's something to build on. If this turns out to be an anomalous performance from Rudock, this squad still could be very good. After all the offseason excitement, it's painful to wait through the development process, but even tonight it wasn't hard to see that the process is underway. It just might take a little longer than we had hoped.

Comments

HarBooYa

September 4th, 2015 at 12:38 AM ^

Better said than I could do it.

Still bullish on this team. 9 wins and solid bowl game.

Would have liked to see Harris catch a ball. Missed Canteen. wonder what a healthy Johnson would have done at rb with some of those missed holes. could not figure out the high number of Perry targets vs Butt in critical situations but only think that is potentially a good thing down the road.

Joined: 06/22/2011

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Schembo

September 4th, 2015 at 12:38 AM ^

Definitely a game of "what ifs".  Obviously, Rudock left some points on the field with a couple of those throws, but he was also able to extend some drives with some 3rd down conversions, which is encouraging.  That's something we haven't seen too much of over the last couple of years.  I"m definitely not trying to make an excuse for the Oline here, but they are still a relatively young unit, with 4 out of the 5 just entering their 2nd and 3rd year and now in their 3rd offensive system. I think they will make some significant improvements towards the middle of the year.

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We'll be Champions

September 4th, 2015 at 12:38 AM ^

I truly believe that there were 21 players on offense and defense who play well enough to win this game an d Rudock threw it away. I get people have their off dats, but he made some very simple mistakes you expect from a freshman or sophomore not a grad transfer who is only starting to do exactly what he didn't do tonight

Joined: 02/26/2015

MGoPoints: 9418

ca_prophet

September 4th, 2015 at 12:40 AM ^

... but Ruddock was simply not good.  Maybe some of that will fix itself as they get more familiar with each other and the line gives him more time, but he has to improve to get to Rich Man's Iowa QB.

 

Joined: 09/07/2010

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UMgradMSUdad

September 4th, 2015 at 12:40 AM ^

A tip of the hat to Utah.  They played well.  With a 4 year starter at QB what many experts have deemed the best d-line in the PAC 12 and other bright spots on their roster they have a chance to compete for the league championship. It's never easy starting the year with the most difficult road game of the year.

Joined: 07/02/2011

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schreibee

September 4th, 2015 at 1:15 AM ^

The picks were unfortunately quite similar to several Hoke losses...
But also a key play of the game, when Deveon didn't convert the 4th & 1, Poggi locked up a man, Kerridge moved a guy, Kalis cut across Smith's face and touched NO ONE! Now that looked way too much like a Hoke era mistake.
Remember when Kalis turned his back on the pre-Urbs buckeyes? We thought he was gonna start as a true Frosh & head straight to the NFL. Welp...

Joined: 11/02/2009

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schreibee

September 4th, 2015 at 3:39 PM ^

I'm not over reacting - in fact I feel like last night went as well as i expected in most areas. I'm saying we had a SHOT...

But, what else can you call a game that literally revolved around QB miscues & poor run blocking except reminiscent of Hoke teams? That's not that surprising is it? 4 years of Hoke, one game of Harbaugh?!

I'm confused by your gratuitous "hot takes" and "GTFO"

"Hot takes" is the new meme of people who are frustrated by what's being said, but have nothing of their own to add and no arguments to counter what they don't like...

EDIT: And if saying Kalis missed a block on a crucial 4th down play and pointing out our expectations of him were wildly unrealistic are equivalent to saying he sucks to you, then so be it. I didn't say that, but I'm not defending him...

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snarling wolverine

September 4th, 2015 at 1:22 AM ^

This felt much more like a Bo/Mo/Lloyd loss than a Hoke loss.  We fought to the bitter end, which you could not have said about a lot of Hoke's teams.  We just dug too deep a hole with all the mistakes and missed opportunities.

Last year's team probably would have hung its head when the pick-six happened and the final would have been 31-10.

 

 

Joined: 12/14/2011

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BoMoLoHoH4

September 4th, 2015 at 12:42 AM ^

UM outgained UTAH and several long sustained drives where Rudock hit key passes on third down to keep drives alive. Timing and familiarity is most critical in the passing game and did anybody expect that to be clicking under the circumstances? The OL pass protection was very good and Rudock obviously knows how to play in the pocket. I would have like to see more A gap blitz pressure but blitzing off the edge was effective. Butt was exactly what we know he is ... Probably the best TE in the conference but Peppers was the best player on the field ... That is a future NFL all pro strong safety he's special. btw: NO BIG TEN teams go out west and beat good teams in the PAC 12.

Joined: 09/03/2015

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Above and Beyond

September 4th, 2015 at 12:42 AM ^

I have to imagine that if we still had Hoke, we would have lost this game by three or more touchdowns. I am hopeful for the future. The team did not give up when down fourteen, which is what would have happened if Hoke were still around.  I'm sorry to say that, but it's the truth. We just need to have patience and realize that we're not going to win a lot right away like Meyer did. He lucked into a good situation with play makers all over the place, plus he has had a pathetic schedule to play. We just need to be patient. In three+ years, Harbaugh and his team will be winning ten or more games a season and playing for a spot in the playoff or at least Big Ten title game.

Joined: 07/27/2015

MGoPoints: 2866

kurpit

September 4th, 2015 at 12:42 AM ^

For giving another game away on turnovers, I think there's a lot to be positive about. Offensive pass protection looked great. Butt was as beastly as expected. Peppers looked like a monster at times. A couple overthrown passes and cohesiveness on offense and we would have had a W tonight.

Joined: 02/25/2009

MGoPoints: 9237

enlightenedbum

September 4th, 2015 at 12:43 AM ^

We're an 8-4 team that made a few too many mistakes to beat a 9-3 team on the road.  We got better as the game continued, I thought.  Offense moved the ball fairly consistently, but had crucial mistakes (three INTs, two awful overthrows, Kalis fucking up a pull, Smith missing a explosive run play, Smith's drop, Darboh's drop that was reviewed).  Defense is good, but lacks the pass rush to be elite, probably.

Credit to Wilson though, that kid played really well.

Joined: 06/06/2009

MGoPoints: 64438

realfootballfan

September 4th, 2015 at 12:53 AM ^

We were two wide open Chesson bombs away from winning this by two TDs. We aren't great but we're not some helpless bowl-less team with a hapless QB and zero confidence in our coaching staff. Butt, Darboh and Perry(blocks) played their behinds off. Rudock threw costly picks but he also kept drives alive. The defense was pretty damn good. We're not a 5-7 team.

I will agree that Devin could have won this game if given the same circumstances that Rudock had on his pick six drive.



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The Man Down T…

September 4th, 2015 at 12:44 AM ^

need their eyes checked.  The play calling was much better than Hoke.  The quick passes outside and to the tight ends were well played.  That 2 minute drill was a thing of beauty. The defense was very sound.  Excellent defensive positioning.  There was one screen pass that the entire defense saw and nailed.  There is a lot to build on.  

 

Remember Utah is not some cupcake team. They are a good team.  They will have a lot of success in the Pac 12.  We will win the next 3 and come into the conference 3-1.

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The Man Down T…

September 4th, 2015 at 12:55 AM ^

There's a lot to dislike about this game.  Turnovers were bad.  Those overthrown TD's.  Oh my God those overthrown TD's.  Our running back can't spot the holes.  Those are fixable.  The play calling was fantastic.  I loved the wide out passes and the quick hit throws.  

 

Fix the running game, calm our QB and we'll be fine.

Joined: 12/04/2008

MGoPoints: 20133

Blau

September 4th, 2015 at 1:06 AM ^

Totally agree. While i'm not happy that we spotted 3 TOs to Utah, Rudock organized a great 2-minute drill with a great TD pass. We HAVE to find another solid option than Butt. Darboh was decent but soon opposing teams are going to scheme for our TEs across the middle making us more one-dimensional. 

 

I hate to say it but after Rudock's 2nd INT, I wanted to take our chances with Morris. I don't know... I'm hurt.

Joined: 01/23/2014

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SHub'68

September 4th, 2015 at 2:51 AM ^

but in retrospect I know Harbaugh did the right thing leaving Rudock in there.  Morris is not going to be the guy, Rudock is.  He needed Rudock to work through it, and he did.  After the picks, he still marched the team down for a score to give us a fighting chance.  Harbaugh can build on that with him.  Pulling him out doesn't accomplish that.  It also tells the team we're throwing in the towel on this game and maybe Rudock, too.  I don't think this coach is likely to do that.

Joined: 09/29/2010

MGoPoints: 6663

Pinky

September 4th, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^

Drevno was a disgrace tonight.  This game looked indentical to Hoke.  Buckle up people, because this is going to take a few years.

Joined: 02/05/2015

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realfootballfan

September 4th, 2015 at 1:00 AM ^

Drevno's line opened up six outside runs that could have accounted for 15-30 yards if Smith decided to not run into the huge pile of bodies in the middle.

The rest of the offense accounted for 17 points with 17 more left on the field due to overthrows and a missed FG.



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Pinky

September 4th, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^

Drevno was a disgrace tonight.  This game looked indentical to Hoke.  Buckle up people, because this is going to take a few years.

Joined: 02/05/2015

MGoPoints: 7353

MLaw06

September 4th, 2015 at 1:09 AM ^

0 sacks against Sack Lake City.

Running game was bottled up because Utah's front seven is very good and they were keyed in our run.  I think we need to take more runs to the outside and continue to use the medium and short pass game to open up our running game, but overall, I thought our OL did the one thing they didn't do for the past 2 years - protect our QB.  That to me, is some very good improvement.

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MGoPoints: 6223

Gr1mlock

September 4th, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^

Rudock made some truly terrible passes, but he also made some good intermediate throws and showed good pocket poise. I'm going to write off the picks as first game jitters, for my own sanity. D looked good, receivers looked good, Butt looked great. Smith still can't find a hole with two hands, a map, and a flashlight. Peppers looked completely unstoppable. I feel like I don't actually know much more about this team than I did this morning, and while it looked like a lot of last year's problems are still there, I trust in Harbaugh to fix problems and coach 'em up better than Hoke ever could.



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