The No. 25 Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 31-20 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday night to improve to 6-2 on the season.
Here are key takeaways from Michigan’s win.
Haynes and Marshall continue to be elite
- After leaving the USC game with an upper-body injury and missing last week against Washington, Michigan running back Justice Haynes returned to the lineup and flourished once again. Haynes rushed 26 times for 152 yards with two touchdowns. Haynes can run between the tackles with authority but also has excellent vision and a great burst to bounce runs to the outside. Haynes is as good a running back as Michigan has had in years.
- Jordan Marshall was also impressive, rushing 15 times for 110 yards with a 56-yard touchdown.
Michigan has arguably the best running back duo in the nation and can wear defenses down with its run game. It wasn’t always pretty offensively for Michigan, but totaling 276 rushing yards is excellent, even if it’s against an inferior opponent
Michigan’s defense had shining moments
- While the defense allowed a garbage-time touchdown that made the score look closer than it actually was, Michigan’s defense was in control for much of the game. Michigan held MSU to 5-of-16 on third down and 1-of-3 on fourth down and had four sacks and a fumble recovery.
- After hearing about how dangerous Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles was going to be with his arm and his legs, Michigan’s defense neutralized him in both facets. Chiles was 14-of-28 for 130 yards and had -7 yards rushing.
- Linebacker Jimmy Rolder had one of the best games of his career, leading Michigan with 10 tackles (nine solo) and notching a fumble recovery. Rolder was all over the field making savvy plays. His fumble recovery on an Aidan Chiles fumble along the sideline was clutch as can be and showcased his hustling prowess, as did his 4th-and-1 stop on a QB sneak attempt by Chiles, where he was able to get into the backfield.
The passing game was limited
Bryce Underwood was 8-of-17 for 86 yards and also had 26 rushing yards and a rushing score. Only one Michigan wideout had more than a reception. In fact, only two receivers even had a reception — Andrew Marsh with three for 54 yards and Donaven McCulley with one for nine yards. The only other completions were three to RB Justice Haynes for 19 yards and one to tight end Marlin Klein for four yards. Some of Underwood’s completions were tipped, others were sailed balls, and one was a drop by Semaj Morgan. While Underwood didn’t have his most accurate game throwing, Michigan’s offensive line didn’t have its best day in pass protection.
The rushing attack became potent enough to carry Michigan to victory against Michigan State, but the passing offense has to get clicking at a higher clip consistently in the month of November.
Michigan players kept their cool
Michigan State had unnecessary roughness penalties and other extracurricular activities, and Michigan did a good job of not engaging overall in a rivalry that’s had too many incidents in recent years. Michigan State had 12 penalties on the night for 105 yards. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said this week that he wanted his team to focus on the game and not any talk, and the players deserve credit for making the bus ride to East Lansing a business trip.
What’s next for Michigan
Michigan will host Purdue next Saturday. Purdue is 2-6 and 0-5 in Big Ten play. The tilt against the Boilermakers gives Michigan an opportunity to continue honing in on the deficiencies and mistakes they made on both sides of the ball. Michigan still has a chance at the College Football Playoff, but it’ll have to keep improving over the final four regular-season games to do so. Are things currently great for the Wolverines? No, but they aren’t bad either. There’s still hope.
