PFF snap counts, grades from Michigan Football’s win over Purdue

The Michigan Wolverines held off the Purdue Boilermakers, 21-16, at home on Saturday night, improving to 7-2 on the season. Behind a physical run game and a defense that bent but didn’t break, Michigan found

a way to win — even if it wasn’t pretty.

Using data from Pro Football Focus (PFF), here are the best and worst graded players and full snap counts from the game.

Offensive snap counts (snap count \ overall grade)

• Zack Marshall – 28 \ 89.4
• Jordan Marshall – 51 \ 74.6
• Max Bredeson – 37 \ 73.5
• Channing Goodwin – 19 \ 72.5
• Bryson Kuzdzal – 7 \ 71.4
• Jalen Hoffman – 12 \ 66.9
• Blake Frazier – 61 \ 66.3
• Kendrick Bell – 16 \ 65.5
• Andrew Sprague – 61 \ 65.3
• Giovanni El-Hadi – 61 \ 65.1
• Greg Crippen – 61 \ 64.2
• Jake Guarnera – 61 \ 63.3
• Marlin Klein – 25 \ 61.8
• Bryce Underwood – 61 \ 60.4
• Andrew Marsh – 41 \ 59.7
• Deakon Tonielli – 8 \ 56.6
• Jasper Parker – 4 \ 53.2
• Donaven McCulley – 29 \ 45.7
• Semaj Morgan – 10 \ 43.6
• Jamar Browder – 18 \ 39.5

Five best offensive grades (min. 5 snaps)

• Zack Marshall (89.4)
• Jordan Marshall (74.6)
• Max Bredeson (73.5)
• Channing Goodwin (72.5)
• Bryson Kuzdzal (71.4)

Tight end Zack Marshall led the offense with an elite 89.4 overall offensive grade, making him Michigan’s most consistent weapon in a game where the passing attack otherwise sputtered. Jordan Marshall’s 74.6 grade reflected his outstanding individual effort as the lead back, rushing for 185 yards in the absence of Justice Haynes. Channing Goodwin also stepped up in an expanded role, earning a 72.5 overall in 19 snaps, while Bryson Kuzdzal showed promise in relief as the team’s RB2.

Notable mention goes to Blake Frazier, who posted an outstanding 88.0 pass-blocking grade that led the entire team by a country mile. The left tackle has filled in admirably since Evan Link’s injury against Washington in Week 8. Michigan might be cooking something special up front with its young linemen, as Guarnera, Sprague and Frazier each hold a 70.0 or better grade on the season in their first full action as starters.

Five worst offensive grades (min. 5 snaps)

• Jamar Browder (39.5)
• Semaj Morgan (43.6)
• Donaven McCulley (45.7)
• Deakon Tonielli (56.6)
• Andrew Marsh (59.7)

Michigan’s receiving corps had a rough outing against Purdue’s secondary. Jamar Browder and Semaj Morgan both struggled to separate or make an impact in the passing game, while Donaven McCulley was limited as well. Tight end Deakon Tonielli and wide receiver Andrew Marsh also graded out near the bottom, though Marsh was somewhat productive with four catches for 25 yards.

Defensive snap counts (snap count \ overall grade)

• Mason Curtis – 57 \ 90.7
• Rayshaun Benny – 32 \ 84.1
• Chase Taylor – 8 \ 83.5
• Derrick Moore – 40 \ 73.2
• Ernest Hausmann – 63 \ 71.5
• Troy Bowles – 43 \ 69.5
• Dominic Nichols – 25 \ 69.0
• TJ Guy – 43 \ 67.2
• Jaden Mangham – 30 \ 66.7
• Brandyn Hillman – 53 \ 66.1
• Lugard Edokpayi – 8 \ 63.5
• TJ Metcalf – 52 \ 63.2
• Zeke Berry – 56 \ 63.2
• Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng – 25 \ 62.8
• Jyaire Hill – 71 \ 61.9
• Damon Payne – 23 \ 60.9
• Enow Etta – 24 \ 60.6
• Tre Williams – 26 \ 60.3
• Caleb Anderson – 15 \ 58.8
• Jayden Sanders – 17 \ 58.7
• Cameron Brandt – 33 \ 55.8
• Trey Pierce – 32 \ 43.8

Five best defensive grades (min. 5 snaps)

• Mason Curtis (90.7)
• Rayshaun Benny (84.1)
• Chase Taylor (83.5)
• Derrick Moore (73.2)
• Troy Bowles (69.5)

Free safety Mason Curtis was a standout with a monster 90.7 overall grade — posting coverage (89.8) and tackling (86.5) marks that led the defense. Defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny followed with a strong 84.1, while edge Derrick Moore continued his recent dominance with a team-leading 87.4 pass rush grade.

Despite playing just eight snaps, freshman Chase Taylor’s 83.5 overall jumps out — a small but impressive sample. Meanwhile, Troy Bowles was outstanding amid Michigan’s injury-depleted linebacker corps, posting tackling and pass-rushing grades that ranked second on the defensive unit.

Five worst defensive grades (min. 5 snaps)

• Trey Pierce (43.8)
• Cameron Brandt (55.8)
• Jayden Sanders (58.7)
• Caleb Anderson (58.8)
• Tre Williams (60.3)

Defensive tackle Trey Pierce struggled in his 32 snaps, finishing with a 43.8 overall grade that included issues anchoring against the run. In the secondary, Jayden Sanders was dinged heavily after posting a team-low 27.9 tackling grade, while Caleb Anderson posted the team’s worst coverage mark on the night (57.9). Edge rusher Tre Williams also landed in the bottom five, failing to generate much disruption.

In Summary

Michigan eked out the win behind dominant individual efforts from guys like Jordan Marshall and Mason Curtis, but the team’s overall performance remains uneven. The run game, O-line and tight ends continue to carry the load while the passing game, as a whole, remains a major weakness. On defense, Derrick Moore continues to play like a star, and Troy Bowles’ steady play was great to see amid injuries. Still, for the Wolverines to finish strong down the stretch, sharper execution through the air and fewer defensive lapses will be essential.