goldenmug8

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:01 PM ^

Just watched it...Hoke does NOT seem happy about the defense at all...and especially about the special teams. He just looks pissed in general! 

I'm my eyes thats a good thing, he expects the best and the team delivered okay performance, not the best.

DutchWolverine

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:24 PM ^

Agreed.  ND could put up some major points against us if our secondary isn't tighter and if we only get pressure on the QB when we send the house.  Floyd may end up with 200 yards receiving and we will find ourselves in another shootout.  

Yostbound and Down

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^

Hoke isn't without cause in being a bit disappointed in the defense. WMU moved the ball fairly steadily down the field, especially in the first half. No big plays, as has been previously stated. 

 

He's dead on about the kickoff coverage...the lanes in some cases were too big. I called my dad after the game and he laid some of the blame on Wile for not getting enough height on the kicks...I'm not sure I agree with that but the unit does need work. 

 

And few penalties was very nice, and Molk's snaps were solid all day.

BigSi

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^

Having played a lot on special teams at a D-3 college I can tell you that it was not the kicker's fault. Although the kicks were short, the primary reason for the big returns was a lack of discipline by the coverage team. The first thing you are taught in kick coverage is to stay in your lanes and then converge on the ball carrier. Our cover guys were vacating their lanes way too soon and opening up huge running lanes. If we had faced an elite kick returner we would have given up at least 1 TD today. However, this is easily corrected and is a typical first game problem (although not usually this bad)... a little film study and reps in practice should fix this, if not we are in trouble against teams with elite returners.

WolverineHistorian

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:56 PM ^

Minor note but the snaps were bad on the extra points after the second and third TD's. I wasn't surprised the third one got blocked.  And the second one was really low.  I'm surprised that one wasn't blocked. 

At least the players actually remembered it was a live ball unlike last year's Iowa game. 

ademock27

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^

in the lack of a pass rush by our front four.  I was especially hopeful/excited to see Roh apply constant pressure all day.  However, much of the game I didn't even notice him on the field. 

TheMadGrasser

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:23 PM ^

I have to agree on the front four. They didn't get much pressure at all. I was disappointed in them to be honest. If they can't start shedding O-lineman, its going to be a long season.

fitty88

September 3rd, 2011 at 11:10 PM ^

But technique and tackling were considerably better. Even when the front four weren't getting penetration, they were keeping blockers off them. Also, seeing effective blitzing was refreshing. Finally, seeing corners within 5 yds of the LOS was nice as well. All in all, decidedly NOT GERG, and the things they didn't do well, they will improve upon

ILL_Legel

September 3rd, 2011 at 10:42 PM ^

Thanks to Pahokee for always being on top of the latest video.  Great interviews all around.  Heiko better check out Hoke's condition of constantly itching his chest and neck.

estarr01

September 3rd, 2011 at 11:03 PM ^

Kovacs looked like a 5 star recruit today, in the right spot, making the right plays...Herron might get most of the TV time, but Kovacs made the big plays. 

To be honest I've never been a big fan of Kovacs, but today he made me a believer.

Marley Nowell

September 4th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^

Special teams was awful even with our best starters out there.  I never understood why coaches don't just designate certain speacial teams tasks for players like Dileo only catches punts and gets no WR rotation.

U Fer M

September 4th, 2011 at 8:28 AM ^

Glad to finally see Michigan's D going in the right direction, how many times did Carders's head, I mean helmet pop off during the game? I think M is on the way to installing some fear into their defensive packages....