Michigan pulled off the biggest win of the Kyle Whittingham era on Saturday afternoon, taking down No. 11 Oklahoma at The Big House, 17-10, in a game that had plenty of moments worth dissecting.
Here is my one thing I loved and one thing I hated from the victory.
1 thing I loved: Michigan’s defense making Mateer look human
Coming into Saturday, John Mateer was one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the country; a dual-threat weapon who had torched defenses all of last season — including Michigan’s and is one of the most dangerous players Michigan will
face all year.
But Jay Hill’s defense had other ideas. At halftime, Mateer was a miserable 7-of-16 passing for just 52 yards, a 44 percent completion rate that told you everything you needed to know about how Michigan was scheming against him. He also added seven carries for 21 yards on the ground, which sounds respectable until you consider that Oklahoma was clearly leaning on the run game because the passing attack was going nowhere outside of Mateer’s throws to tight end Rocky Beers, who finished the matchup with six catches for 94 yards.
By the end of the game, Mateer finished 17-of-33 for 189 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran 13 times for 45 yards. Those are not the numbers of an elite quarterback operating comfortably within his offense. No, those are the numbers of a guy who was harassed, pressured and confused for four quarters by a nasty Michigan defensive line that deserves a ton of credit.
For a unit that was questioned throughout the offseason — particularly at linebacker — this was a statement by the defense. Yes, the defense gave up a 90-yard drive to start the second half, but other than that, it gave up just 109 yards the rest of the entire second half.
This defense is legit, and after back-to-back strong performances to open the season, it is time to start talking about it being one of the better defenses in the entire country, not just the Big Ten.
1 thing I hated: The run game (except for Bryce Underwood)
Let’s get one thing straight before diving into this — Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was outstanding on the ground with 18 carries for 87 yards and one touchdown. He was decisive, physical and made plays when the offense needed them most. His legs are a genuine weapon, and new offensive coordinator Jason Beck is clearly not afraid to use them unlike last year’s coaching staff.
But the run game beyond Underwood? Yikes…
Junior running back Jordan Marshall finished with 11 carries for 32 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown. And Savion Hiter — the five-star freshman who was supposed to be one of the most exciting offensive weapons in the country — finished with eight carries for six yards. Hiter did contribute three receptions for 41 yards, but it was a struggle running against the Sooners’ vaunted defense.
The offensive line struggled (again) to create gaps in the run game for the running backs to run through, and that is a problem that needs to be addressed quickly. Michigan cannot be a team that relies entirely on Underwood’s legs to generate a rushing attack. Marshall and Hiter are talented players who need room to operate, and right now, the offensive line is not giving it to them consistently enough.
Two games in, the run blocking is the most pressing concern on offense. The schedule does not get any easier, as the Big Ten season begins two weeks from today, and defenses are going to sell out to stop Underwood on the ground if Marshall and Hiter can’t find success on the ground.
