on the bench... for GOOD reasons [ABC screenshot]

Michigan 49, Minnesota 24 Comment Count

Ace October 24th, 2020 at 11:59 PM

They really thought Minnesota was going to do it like that?

They really thought Joe Milton wouldn't be a huge upgrade on Shea Patterson?

They really thought the Gophers could match up with Michigan's team speed?

They really thought a two-page playbook could flummox Don "Dr. Blitz" Brown?

They really thought a team with one good receiver could beat one with four good running backs?

They really thought Ed Warinner wouldn't have the offensive line mashing faces?

Who's they? Who cares. The experts. The Gameday pickers. The doubting family members. The haters and losers. The important thing is they were wrong, Michigan kicked Minnesota's ass, and now we cut a wrestling promo because we're giddy after a long and delightful day of college football.

Sure, the promo probably begins after Michigan is down 7-0 following a blocked punt the Gophers quickly turned into a score, unless you're looking to build dramatic tension. It took one offensive snap for Michigan to even the score.

They said the offensive line might be an issue. Michigan rushed for 264 yards, averaging 8.8 per carry, and allowed one sack.

The Wolverines took the lead when Michael Barrett, the new starter at VIPER, fired off the edge untouched for a strip-sack on Tanner Morgan and the ball popped into the hands of defensive tackle Donovan Jeter, who rumbled for a touchdown from 15 yards out. The Gophers covered 79 yards on the ensuing drive but could only muster a field goal.

In another game-altering play, Barrett fielded a short kickoff and blew through the initial wave of defenders, going 66 yards to set up the offense with first and goal. Two plays later, Milton hit Ben Mason in the flat and the fullback went airborne to get the pylon, bringing the score to 21-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Running back Mohamed Ibrahim, on his way to a 140-yard evening, capped another protracted drive with a touchdown run. Again, Michigan responded. Milton used both his arm and his legs to move the Wolverines into scoring position, where Hassan Haskins made easy work of a wildcat keeper.

It's fair to say PJ Fleck, perhaps doubting his defense's ability to stop Michigan, perhaps concerned by his team's lack of starting special teamers for reasons, overreacted to a perceived shift in momentum when the Wolverines forced a three-and-out. The Gophers ran a fake punt run to one of the up-men; Haskins read the play and met it with great force, giving the Wolverines only 29 yards to cover with three minutes until halftime. Four plays later, Haskins again rushed for a touchdown.

What had been a nailbiter was now 35-17 at the half. Michigan never looked back. Milton and Chris Evans piled on short second-half touchdown runs; the Gophers found the end zone only once more. The defense forced Fleck's RPO-heavy offense to lean on the give to the running back, and while that produced a good day for Ibrahim, the rest suffered. At the end of the night, the visiting Wolverines held a commanding edge in both yards (481-326) and yards per play (8.6 to 4.5).

Crow about Michigan being underrated. Holler about Minnesota being a paper tiger. Don't let them tell you there's some self-owning going on by making the second statement. Both can be true. Plus, they were wrong before, and we don't listen to them anymore.

Michigan is an emphatic 1-0 after a season-opening road win against a ranked team. Next week, they face a Michigan State team that's an emphatic 0-1 after losing at home by double digits to Rutgers. The wrestling promos will continue unabated.

Comments

MGoBlue96

October 25th, 2020 at 12:06 AM ^

Definitely encouraged by alot of things but man the defensive tackles did not look any better than last year against the run and the status of Dax Hill is concerning.

The Homie J

October 25th, 2020 at 12:49 AM ^

Agreed, I'm not worried about Wisconsin's ground game (for once).  It's Mertz and the passing game that scares me.  They couldn't push Illinois around on the ground (wut) and that was how they destroyed us last year.  It's gonna be close, no doubt, but I feel much better now that we're not facing prime Wisconsin and Jonathon Taylor

MGoBlue96

October 25th, 2020 at 12:52 AM ^

Don't get me wrong, was really encouraged by alot of aspects. Great gameplan by Gattis executed well by the players. Milton was not asked to do a ton but looked like a guy with a ton of potential who was in control. Just concerned that they need to find some good DT play or they are going to mashed by Wisky and OSU again. And Hill is probably the most important player on defense, the freshmen looked rough trying to fill in.

Pass rush was really good though, thought Weiskof looked really good pass rushing at DT at least. Paye and Hutchinson looked good despite having to fight through holds all night.

stephenrjking

October 25th, 2020 at 12:07 AM ^

That was fun.

I think I agree with Erik in Dayton, best road win since ND in 06. Yes, there is a real caveat that there was no crowd; it’s still someone else’s field, a hotel, an unfamiliar locker room.

And Milton looked comfortable. The offensive gameplan was marvelous—believe it or not, one of my favorite parts was the way Gattis arranged the easy 5-yard PA passes. The OL looked awesome. Except for the live ball skills of the receivers, I could not be more optimistic about the offense.

The defense was not great. Expected but disappointing. Yeah, Paige was trouble, but that can be excused—Hill out and all. The mistakes by Hawkins and Gray were more troubling.

Oh well. That was a small issue. Right now things are great.

Football is back. 

Blake Forum

October 25th, 2020 at 2:25 PM ^

I agree with a lot of this but I just wanna say the defense actually was excellent. 7 of Minnesota’s points weren’t their fault, and they held an elite passing attack to 6.4 YPA. Just over 300 yards total for Minnesota in a game with a lot of possessions. They just didn’t get off the field very fast on most drives, and Bateman got open a few times, but that’s contemporary football against good offenses. Same thing happens to Bama and Clemson. I know we’d all rather see the defense give up <14 points and LOL total yards, but this is what good defense looks like now against good offense

bweldon

October 25th, 2020 at 12:08 AM ^

Who said we only have 2 RB's that have home run speed?  I think Zach got tired of hearing about Blake and Chris and said look what I can do when 100% healthy...  Nice balance both running and passing as well as across the receivers and RBs.  And Milton showed he is an just enough of a bigger running threat that Patterson ever was.

 

jaysvw

October 25th, 2020 at 12:09 AM ^

I'm happy?  I mean maybe its years of built up BPONE, but it really felt like Minn was a functional kicker and some crowd noise away from making that a pretty close game.