Michigan proved the doubters wrong on Saturday, taking down No. 11 Oklahoma by a 17-10 final score at The Big House to move to 2-0. It was a much better performance across the board; here are the position grades for the Week 2 victory.
Quarterback – B+
All things considered, this was a really nice performance for Bryce Underwood. In the first half, we saw him used in ways that suit him best. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck chose to incorporate more quarterback runs, and it rewarded the Wolverines with an impressive
38-yard touchdown run to get them on the board in the first quarter.
As a passer, Underwood finished the day 9-of-17 for 111 yards. It was clear the game plan with him was different, and it’s best not to use him only as a drop-back passer. Things will have to continue evolving in the offense going forward, but Saturday was a nice start to getting the sophomore back on track.
Running Back – C-
Obviously, against a really strong defensive front for Oklahoma, it wasn’t the most productive day at the office for Michigan’s running backs, so much so that Underwood was the Wolverines’ leading rusher with 87 yards. We did see freshman Savion Hiter get a bit more involved in the passing game to the tune of three receptions for 41 yards. He did have a potentially costly mistake in the fourth quarter, taking a ball from Underwood that he was clearly trying to keep, resulting in a four-yard loss.
Jordan Marshall was pretty ineffective for a second straight week with just 11 carries for 32 yards, but he did score the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Wide Receiver – C+
It was a quiet day for the wide receivers. JJ Buchanan led the group once again, hauling in two passes for 48 yards. Andrew Marsh was also minimally involved with just three receptions for 13 yards. The group was asked to do more blocking on the perimeter and did a nice job to help spring some runs, particularly on Underwood’s early touchdown. There’ll be better days and bigger performances from this group in the future.
Tight End – C+
For a second straight week, the tight ends weren’t used much in the passing game. However, the group, especially Jalen Hoffman, did a nice job in the ground game as blockers. An interesting wrinkle to watch out for going forward, though, is freshman Mason Bonner, who had an impressive contested catch that was barely out of bounds — he could be a key piece to opening up more opportunities for the tight ends as receiving options.
Offensive Line – B-
The offensive line did a pretty decent job opening up holes in the run game and protecting Underwood. However, we still saw the penalties be an issue, with left guard Nathan Efobi picking up multiple flags and being the biggest offender of the bunch. Credit to the group for holding their own against what’s one of the best defensive fronts in college football, but they also have made their job much harder than its needed to be over the last two weeks with a lack of discipline that could continue to bite them.
Defensive Line – A+
Michigan’s defensive line did a really nice job from the start of putting pressure on John Mateer, someone who struggles throwing the ball when pressured. John Henry Daley recorded his first sack as a Wolverine in the first half, while Dominic Nichols was credited with a hurry and another half sack. Nate Marshall ended the game with a sack on Oklahoma’s final possession. Furthermore, the group did a good job limiting Oklahoma’s effectiveness in the run game, something it didn’t really do a year ago in Norman. This unit is clearly a big strength for the team and can hold them in any game.
Linebackers – B
The linebackers were going to have a test with a mobile quarterback to keep an eye on, but the group did a nice job, especially at the top of the depth chart with Nathaniel Staehling and Troy Bowles. Bowles’ biggest play was a recovered fumble in the second quarter, halting a promising Oklahoma drive. In the second half, the linebackers did struggle a bit more in coverage, especially on tight end Rocky Beers, who had six catches for 94 yards. Chase Taylor did have a clutch pass breakup on Beers late, though, to help ice the game.
Secondary – B+
Michigan’s secondary also had a nice day defending Oklahoma’s wide receivers, especially star Isaiah Sategna, one of the most explosive receivers in the country. He only had two receptions for nine yards. Additionally, it was the secondary that produced the play of the game, with senior cornerback Jyaire Hill picking off Mateer in the fourth quarter to set up the go-ahead score.
Special Teams – B
It was a solid day for the special teams, especially in the punting department, where Cam Brown once again had a nice day with seven punts for an average of 42.3 yards. Coverage was also sharp, pinning the Sooners inside their own five yard line twice. However, the punt return team did not have the best day, recording a running-into-the-kicker penalty and nearly drawing another for roughing the kicker.
