Michigan 28, UNLV 7 Comment Count

Ace


Eric Upchurch/MGoBlog

That's pretty much how that should go.

The biggest drama of the afternoon was whether Michigan would give Sione Houma the ball again after his first career touchdown was overturned on review. They did, and Houma plunged one yard to give Michigan a 28-0 lead.

The second-biggest drama was whether the defense would hold onto the shutout. After allowing only 111 yards on 42 plays through three quarters, they relented in the fourth, ceding a touchdown pass to Devonte Boyd after a slip-up in coverage set up UNLV deep in M territory.

Channing Stribling remained in phase and nabbed an early pick. De'Veon Smith started off the scoring with a walk-in receiving touchdown in the flat. Jabrill Peppers had a tantalizing, twisting 24-yard punt return. Jehu Chesson took a sweep and ran untouched for a 36-yard touchdown as Amara Darboh nearly blocked his man into the end zone. Ty Isaac burst 76 yards down the same sideline for another.

That about covers the important stuff.


Upchurch

Also important, of course, is Jake Rudock's performance at quarterback. He underwhelmed again this week, throwing his fifth interception of the season—as many as he had in all of 2014—and finishing with 123 yards on 22 attempts. When asked to assess his quarterback's performance, however, Jim Harbaugh seemed unconcerned.

"His job is to win football games. It wasn't an ideal day to throw, there was a swirling wind the whole day. I thought he did a good job. He managed the game well," Harbaugh said. "There's things to get better at, to improve from, and coach, so it'll be another week of doing that."

"Satisfied is a word I'm never going to use. I don't associate it with football," Harbaugh added later. "I've never been satisfied. But yeah, I'm happy."

After a routine 21-point win that could've easily been by a much bigger margin, it's probably best to follow the head man's example here. Michigan has issues to work on, that much is apparent; they're also taking care of business, and that too must be acknowledged.

Comments

Indiana Blue

September 20th, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^

I re-watched the game at home and I don't think Harbaugh had a strong desire to run up the score on UNLV.  Otherwise I think we go for the 4th and short from midfield just before the half.  We had shut down their offense, and we were playing pretty well in the first half.

I'm more concerned about only scoring 7 points in the 2nd half ... but a win is a win.

Go Blue!

DomIngerson

September 19th, 2015 at 9:30 PM ^

Why? No one has any idea how good Shane can be. He's played in a total of 8 Quarters in his career under coaches who destroyed every QB they touched. Shane may end up a bad QB but there's a reason Harbaugh wants him two more years (Redshirt this year). If Harbaugh comes to the realization that Rudock can't do it then he won't hesitate to bring in Morris.

Steve333

September 19th, 2015 at 3:46 PM ^

Even though it was against a struggling UNLV team, but nice to see Michigan Football getting back to Michigan Football again. Things still to work on, and next week will be tough test against a surging BYU team. But the confidence is coming back- to players and fans alike. Go Blue!

ak47

September 19th, 2015 at 3:46 PM ^

Man the writers of this blog are in the tank for rudock. Swirling winds aren't what cause late throws and missed 5 yard passes to the flat. Defense looked good, we will know a lot more about this team after byu. Still don't really know anything.

Elmer

September 19th, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^

I'm sadly coming to the same conclusion.  While I wouldn't say "bad", he sure looks like a mediocre QB.  The wind excuse is weak, but Harbaugh is doing the right thing by giving his starter some cover.

Hopefully next year, O'Korn or Gentry will provide a downfield threat.  Maybe even Malzone will be an improvement after getting a year under his belt.

 

Franz Schubert

September 19th, 2015 at 4:22 PM ^

My goodness how do you throw 10 yard passes completely behind the reciever? That was discouraging and I really wish one of the young guys were close enough to play and get experience. If Rudock is clearly better than the other options that's an indictment of the roster.

Double-D

September 20th, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^

He certainly is not the best physical talent of the bunch. I was pulling for Shane for the upside but Harbaugh chose consistency and efficiency as the best way to win. Harbaugh made his decision and I'm sure he does not want to create a QB controversy at this stage. I'm sure we will see improvement as the O-line keeps learning but we will have some limitations. The D is going to carry this team.

westwardwolverine

September 20th, 2015 at 9:31 AM ^

Denard moved the chains just fine. So did Devin before Borges broke him. 

The issue is that Rudock was supposed to be a steady hand after two turnover prone QBs. The type of guy who goes 14-19 170 yards 1 TD and no turnovers like clockwork. Instead he's been just as turnover prone, not as accurate as advertised and doesn't have either DR or DG's running ability. So the situation is just as bad (or worse) than it was the last few years. 

The Geek

September 20th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^

in the two-minute offense. However, Harbaugh wants to grind it out, and I think Rudock is struggling with the rhythm.

He'd be better off arm punting on those long throws, like we'd see Denard and occasionally Gardner throw down the field. Against an inferior team, Rudock needed to give his receivers a chance to make a play. He really missed way to many passes against UNLV. No excuses. 

This was an unsatisfying win. I did enjoy seeing Ohio State struggle against Northern Illinois, Auburn getting blown out, Stanford beating USC and... Alabama lost!

BYU will be a tough game.  

 

 

Pit2047

September 19th, 2015 at 4:21 PM ^

I wasn't there so I don't how bad the winds were but Rudock doesn't have nearly the arm strength to cut through any kind of decent wind. It's the same reason why every single good NFL team in the Northeast and Great Lakes region has a QB with a great arm. Baltimore with Flacco, New England with Brady , Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger, Cincinnati with Dalton, Detroit with Stafford, Green Bay with Rodgers, and even Chicago with Cutler all have great arm talent. You saw a HUGE difference when Speight came in the game. I mean the elements are only going to get worse as the year goes on so color me worried about Rudock get a bunch better.

pugnax

September 20th, 2015 at 12:06 AM ^

I wasn't there so I don't how bad the winds were but Gardner doesn't have nearly the arm strength to cut through any kind of decent wind. It's the same reason why every single good NFL team in the Northeast and Great Lakes region has a QB with a great arm. Baltimore with Flacco, New England with Brady , Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger, Cincinnati with Dalton, Detroit with Stafford, Green Bay with Rodgers, and even Chicago with Cutler all have great arm talent. You saw a HUGE difference when Morris came in the game. I mean the elements are only going to get worse as the year goes on so color me worried about Gardner get a bunch better.

ak47

September 19th, 2015 at 3:55 PM ^

It's not suprising Harbaugh defends his guy. He clearly doesn't think there is a better option and wants to keep criticism from the outside down and confidence up. 5 interceptions through 3 games is bad any way you slice it. The writer of this blog have no real incentive to defend what can only be seen as a really bad performance against a really bad team

ak47

September 19th, 2015 at 6:39 PM ^

Obviously this blog isn't bad but everyone has blind spots and this year it seems like this blogs is defending rudock because he is the best option not because he is good. If Devin gardner of last year is on this team nothing is different. We saw what happened to our offense when the running game didn't work and it's not pretty. Nothing in the last two games suggests rudock will be able to move the ball when the running game doesn't work and that means losing to any good team. Seems like rudock has very little upside.

jmblue

September 19th, 2015 at 7:44 PM ^

It's worth remembering that John Navarre bounced back from that game to lead us to the outright Big Ten title.  Carr's faith in him was rewarded.

Rudock's our guy at QB for better or worse, and we need him to be confident in himself.  Harbaugh understands this.