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Michigan Wolverines Football: Offensive Line Has Grown Since Notre Dame

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Redshirt junior Jon Runyan Jr. has started all five games at left tackle.
Redshirt junior Jon Runyan Jr. has started all five games at left tackle. (Brandon Brown)
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Redshirt junior left tackle Jon Runyan Jr. has heard the criticism.

It’s hard not to.

He’s heard the critiques of his play, but he doesn’t let it affect him.

“I try not to read into it too much, but yeah, I know it’s there,” Runyan said. “It doesn’t really faze me too much – that’s peoples’ own opinions, and everybody’s entitled to that.”

Runyan isn’t immune to the harsh vitriol thrown his way. However, from the outside, it’s hard to diagnose offensive line play.

“When it comes to certain things that go on during the game, people have no idea. Watching the TV copy of our game (they) have no idea what our scheme is on the play. No idea how we block it. No idea certain ways we block it or roles we can or cannot apply during that certain play. Kind of stuff like that – like I said: take it with a grain of salt. It doesn’t really affect me too much.”

The offensive line struggled as a group against Notre Dame, but they have learned from that game. Against the Irish, Michigan only rushed for 58 yards and averaged only 1.8 yards per carry.

“Notre Dame showed us what we needed to work on,” Runyan said. “For me, it definitely was pass protection. Definitely learned that from the first game, took that into consideration. I felt, as an offensive line unit, we have pass protected pretty well these past few games. That’s something we take pride in.”

The mistakes were there for the line in Michigan’s lone loss of the season. The line let Notre Dame harass junior quarterback Shea Patterson all game long and gave up three sacks and seven tackles for loss.

Since that game, they have grown from that performance, only giving up three sacks in the past three games.

“I think we rushed alright against Notre Dame, but really, having them the first game really helped us, and we learned from the mistakes we made in that game. We don’t repeat them anymore.”

The group is communicating better and continuing to grow as the Wolverines get into the meat of their conference schedule. Michigan has rushed for 180 yards or more in all four games since the loss to Notre Dame. Yet, they still want to improve rushing the ball.

“Right now, we’re doing well, we’re winning games, but we’re not at the point where we need to be,” Runyan said. “I don’t think we averaged more than 3 yards a carry last week, and we want to get that up to around four, four-and-a-half.”

The offensive line isn’t perfect, but they have shown advancement in recent weeks. It comes at the right time as Michigan is about to face tougher opponents. The offensive line will be challenged.

“I think having these first five games under our belt has played a big factor,” Runyan said. “(We’re) developing each week. Game planning teams every week. Just focusing on what plays we’re good at, what plays need work.”

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