The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 21-16 on Saturday night to improve to 7-2 on the season.
Here are key takeaways from Michigan’s win.
Not good enough
Purdue came into the game 2-6, and while the Boilermakers
deserve credit for making this a dog fight, the game was a lot closer than it should have been. Michigan had two turnovers in the red zone that took points off the board, and defensively, they allowed Purdue to control the clock for large swaths of the game. Michigan was favored by over 20 points against Purdue, and while betting odds don’t mean much, they do gauge the talent thresholds of respective teams.
After a dominating performance against Washington, Michigan was average against Michigan State and put together an even less cohesive effort against Purdue. While a win is a win, this effort from the Wolverines wasn’t good enough if they want to beat the remaining teams on their schedule in Northwestern, Maryland, and Ohio State.
Jordan Marshall is the player of the game
Michigan running back Jordan Marshall had an incredible performance, rushing 25 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns, including a 54-yard score. With Justice Haynes out, it was all Marshall, and Michigan sure needed him. Without Marshall, Michigan doesn’t beat Purdue.
Growing pains continue for Bryce Underwood
After going 8-of-17 against Michigan State for 86 yards, Underwood struggled again against Purdue. Underwood was 13-of-22 for 145 yards with an interception. Underwood also rushed for 44 yards and had a fumble at the goal line, which went out of bounds in the end zone, resulting in a touchback. Underwood’s interception was also in the red zone. Both of his turnovers were costly and made the game much closer than it needed to be. Further, Underwood has now been consistently inaccurate for two weeks. He’s sailing a lot of balls, throwing with too much velocity when the route doesn’t warrant it.
Underwood’s missing on short, intermediate, and deep throws, and his mechanics need further tweaking. Underwood has tremendous talent and athletic abilities, but he’s more than halfway through his freshman season and he should at least be making the routine throws look routine at this point.
Top performers on defense
- LB Ernest Hausmann: 11 tackles (eight solo)
- EDGE Derrick Moore: three tackles, two sacks
- EDGE T.J. Guy: four tackles (three solo)
- DL Rayshaun Benny: six tackles (three solo)
- LB Troy Bowles: six tackles (two solo)
Receivers aren’t producing
While Underwood must become more consistent, he isn’t getting a lot of help from his receiving options. Only one receiver had more than one reception (Andrew Marsh had four receptions for 25 yards). The leading receiving target was tight end Zack Marshall with three receptions for 58 yards. Overall, Michigan’s receivers can improve at gaining separation and giving Underwood a clear and apparent open target.
Injuries are piling up with a needed bye on deck
Linebacker Jaishawn Barham left the game, and receiver Donaven McCulley left the game. Running back Justice Haynes, one of the top backs in college football, didn’t play and was in a boot and a walker on the sideline. Linebackers Jimmy Rolder didn’t play, nor did linebacker Cole Sullivan, offensive tackle Evan Link, and safety Rod Moore.
Hopefully, some of these players get back to full health soon, because Michigan needs reinforcements for the last stretch of the season. Michigan has a bye week next week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
