M Vision & Decisive Running POSBANG!

Submitted by MayOhioEatTurds on

Not many expected Michigan to have a successful running game in the Citrus Bowl.  (I confess I didn’t expect it either.)

Not many were right.

Michigan’s running game had success from the first series.  And this running success was not predicated exclusively on OL play:

Instead, running success was predicated on vision and decisive cuts the likes of which Michigan has not seen in many a year.

De’Veon Smith, not known for vision but relentlessness, led the charge;

Drake Johnson got into the action on stretch plays for touchdown;

Houma did his own jitterbug impression for positive yards;

Resulting in 225 decisive, magnificent, inspired yards!

What made the difference from season play?  How was that change made in so few weeks?  Can vision be taught?

All Hail Wheatley!

All Hail Harbaugh!

MGoBoard
Football
Tyrone Wheatley
Sione Houma
Drake Johnson
De'Veon Smith

xtramelanin

January 1st, 2016 at 5:01 PM ^

i think it was the backs and rudock who kept us out of bigger troubles.  i lost track,  but by my memory we scored (if you let that last kneel-down count as a score too) on 8 of the final 9 drives.   that is some production, and against an outstanding defense.   just look at brian's write-up on the front page, every guy is a 5 star 'dangerman'.   wonderful game.

Joined: 12/09/2014

MGoPoints: 15439

M Dude in Portlandia

January 1st, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^

Deveon looked great not being hampered by that chronic ankle thing of the second half of the season.

Early in the year one thing that really stood out to me in the difference between this coaching staff and the previous regime ( I mean concete things - the intangibles were obvious) was the way the coaching staffs thought about Deveon.

Hoke was quoted as saying that given a choice Deveon would run thru a D-lineman and seemed to be sort of laughing about it.

JH's staff after the Utah game put him in the film room with our O-linmen to help him understand their mindset and how blocks are set up.

I have little doubt that his um, "remedial vision problems" were dealt with again in these 15 bowl practices.

If we get a lot of contributions from our youngsters next year I surely hope to see Deveon playing more FB - I think he would kick ass in that position.

Joined: 12/31/2015

MGoPoints: 399

getsome

January 1st, 2016 at 5:21 PM ^

yeah he did.  smith ran well.  and the team blocked decent for the most part (though kalis really struggled again and could not handle those guys).  at first glance mason cole had one of his better games as did deveon.  

but the biggest factors mightve been rudocks excellent play and the efficient pass game / O in general keeping floridas D off balance

Joined: 09/07/2013

MGoPoints: 7386

rob f

January 1st, 2016 at 6:24 PM ^

and Drake Johnson looked healthier today than they have all season.  For the first time this season, Johnson looked like the 2014 version of Drake.  And wasn't Sione Houma also pretty banged up by season's end, too?

All-in-all, a very impressive running game that alllowed Michigan to dominate time of possession, which, when paired with a defense that only allowed one first down and 28 yards in the 2nd half, made this game a blowout after halftime.

 

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 194550

SC Wolverine

January 1st, 2016 at 4:57 PM ^

We can only guess that the fifteen bowl practices were well spent, together with a great offensive game plan.  It sure is encouraging.  Does that mean that our O Line will be bullying people next year?  That would be very nice.  But great job by Deveon, Drake, and Sione.

Joined: 08/18/2010

MGoPoints: 7794

WolverineMac

January 1st, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^

Really the first time in a while where I saw consistent push. Great improvement seen today. Loved how the whole team seemed prepared to make a statement and send the seniors out right.

Joined: 02/14/2010

MGoPoints: 2509

MGoBlue24

January 1st, 2016 at 5:12 PM ^

Some nice lanes at times.  I was waiting to see when that quick give to Houma would take place.  Great to see Deveon's tough running bear fruit, and especially happy to see Drake come back and do so well on a big stage.  Definition of a team game.

Joined: 08/22/2013

MGoPoints: 12900

Rochester Blue

January 1st, 2016 at 5:12 PM ^

All the RBs looked healthy. De'veon with vision, Drake was quick. Houma from 0 carries in 3 years to 5 TDs this year. So happy to get De'veon and Drake again next year.

Joined: 12/20/2013

MGoPoints: 572

jabberwock

January 1st, 2016 at 5:20 PM ^

Smith had some real holes to hit and even if he only his MOST of them it was great.

What a combo of Smith, Houma, & Drake; Florida had no idea what to expect and couldn't handle it.

Where the hell was the Gator's D-line?

Joined: 07/04/2008

MGoPoints: 51146

reshp1

January 1st, 2016 at 5:27 PM ^

It seemed like they were pretty rampant early, but we did a great job using their aggressiveness against them. Once they had to back off and look out for traps and counters, we were able to keep them out of the backfield.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177

CoverZero

January 1st, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^

It was very nice to see what a healthy Drake Johnson and Smitty can do.  I dont think Drake is all the way back yet, but he showed today that he is close.

The running game next year should be pretty good.

Joined: 08/30/2014

MGoPoints: 14571