The Michigan Wolverines improved to 3-1 on the season after picking up a 30-27 road win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1) on Saturday afternoon.
Here are key takeaways from Michigan’s win.
Michigan’s running game is for real
Michigan has quite the running back tandem in Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall. Both runners have physicality as well as speed. Both can break tackles or hit home run long runs. The running game greatly impacted Michigan’s chances of beating Nebraska. And then there’s Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, who
threw for just 105 yards but contributed in a big way as a runner.
- Justice Haynes rushed 17 times (8.8 yards per carry) for 149 yards with a 75-yard rushing touchdown.
- Jordan Marshall rushed 6 times (13.3 yards per carry) for 80 yards with a 54-yard rushing touchdown.
- Bryce Underwood rushed six times (7.6 yards per carry) for 80 yards with a 37-yard rushing touchdown.
The running game, firing on all cylinders, is incredibly important for a Michigan offense that has a true freshman quarterback in Underwood. Haynes and Marshall have alleviated some pressure from Underwood, where he isn’t asked to do it all and carry the entire offense on his shoulders. Michigan’s offensive line is still a work in progress in pass protection, but the run blocking has been mostly consistent this season.
An impressive pass rush
Michigan’s pass rush was relentless throughout the afternoon, tallying seven sacks and nine tackles for loss. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was shifty and made Michigan defenders miss too many times, but Michigan deserves a ton of credit for its continuous aggression.
An up-and-down defensive effort
Raiola was 30-of-41 for 308 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, and was able to extend plays too often. Raiola also fared well pushing the ball down the field, with four receiving targets having gains of over 20 yards. Despite some things the defense needs to improve on they can still be proud of holding Nebraska to 43 rushing yards and 2-of-12 on third down. Michigan’s defense may have hung in there by the seat of its pants, but the efforts and hard-hitting of players such as edge rusher Jaishawn Barham, linebacker Cole Sullivan, and safety Brandyn Hillman should be commended.
A time management mistake
At the end of the first half, Nebraska didn’t convert on 3rd and 16. With 13 seconds left in the half and the clock ticking, it was Nebraska who won the chess match between the coaches. Nebraska didn’t just let the clock hit zero and called a timeout with one second left to set up a hail mary attempt. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola threw a 52-yard bomb to Jacorey Barney Jr. for a touchdown, tying the game 17-17 heading into the half. In retrospect, Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi should have called a timeout here with 13 seconds left and Nebraska facing 4th and 11. Nebraska would have punted and wouldn’t have opted for a hail mary shot.
Zvada is back on track
After missing just one field goal all of last season (21-of-22), Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada entered the contest 4-of-6 on the season. Zvada looked like his confident self against Nebraska, knocking in all three field goal attempts with two of the three being from long range (46, 56, 21). Michigan won by just three points, and all of Zvada’s kicks were crucial and provided a good example of why football is the ultimate team sport.
Biff Poggi did his job, and the team has momentum with Sherrone Moore set to return
Poggi filled in the last two weeks for a supsended Sherone Moore. Poggi did what was asked of him — to not screw things up. Poggi went 2-0, and Michigan now has confidence heading into a bye week before facing a 2-2 Wisconsin team that’s struggling. Moore’s suspension ends on Sunday, and he gets the bye week to get back in the swing of things, evaluate what’s gone right and wrong for the team through its first four games, and figure out ways to make sure the team gets better. While Michigan’s 24-13 loss at Oklahoma in Week 2 was a downward turn to the season, the team is 3-1 after a quarter of the season and just won its opening Big Ten tilt of the season.
Bryce Underwood is gaining more experience and continues to show promise. Michigan has a dominant running game, and the defense has some dawgs, but they have to become more consistent. Yes, Michigan has a lot of room for improvement, but the win over Nebraska was a statement.
