Grading U-M in a 14-10 home loss to Michigan State:
Rushing Offense: D
Far too much inconsistency here, including a game-changing fumble on the second drive by fifth-year senior Ty Isaac, to grade this group any higher. Junior running back Karan Higdon hit the hole hard and provided a spark with 65 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, but his longest run was only 12 yards. The Wolverines didn’t have another carry go over eight, and sophomore Chris Evans and Isaac each averaged only 2.2 yards per carry. We saw no jet sweeps and not much creativity in the run game, which managed only 102 yards total and 2.6 per carry.
Passing Offense: D-
Three interceptions by fifth-year senior John O’Korn, three dropped passes, mistimed fades in the end zone on the first drive, two overthrows … it all added up to a very poor day for the passing game, including by the protectors. The Spartans sacked O’Korn four times and flushed him from the pocket on a number of other occasions. U-M had to replace redshirt sophomore right tackle Nolan Ulizio with redshirt junior Juwann Bushell-Beatty, but he didn’t fare any better, and the running backs struggled in protection once again. A holding call on Higdon negated a touchdown.
One of the big plays, a 30-yard pass to sophomore tight end Sean McKeon, ended with a fumble before half and cost U-M points.
Rushing Defense: C
A tale of two halves here. The Spartans finished with 158 yards total, 50 coming on one run by Madre London, and averaged 4.0 yards per carry. They got quarterback Brian Lewerke loose enough in the first half on his way to 61 rushing yards total, including a 14-yard scramble for a touchdown on a short field when the Wolverines let him out. They adjusted, but the damage had been done.
The Spartans rushed for far more yardage than most would have predicted, though U-M held them to 13 yards rushing in a deluged third quarter and 33 yards on 16 carries in the fourth.
Passing Defense: A-
Michigan State scored on a screen pass for one of its two big plays in the passing game, and quarterback Brian Lewerke added a 30-yarder to Darrell Stewart. The Spartans only had 98 yards passing as a team and converted on just two of 14 third-down tries.
No. 1 receiver Felton Davis was limited to one catch for nine yards. Sophomore cornerback Lavert Hill notched three pass breakups and played a solid game.
Special Teams: A-
Michigan redshirt freshman kicker Quinn Nordin made his only field goal attempt, and freshman punter Brad Robbins was very good in poor conditions, averaging 42.6 yards per kick and pinning two inside the 20. Freshman Ambry Thomas provided a spark in the kick return game with a 30-yarder on which he showed great speed and acceleration.
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