Grading all aspects of Michigan football's 52-0 blowout of Rutgers:
Michigan Football Rushing Offense: C-
Michigan still isn’t explosive enough in the running game. Though the Wolverines had some success on first down — there were runs of six, eight and 10 yards in the first half — they also had gains of just one, two, minus-one and no gain on first down in the first half. The longest run was 15 yards by redshirt freshman Hassan Haskins, but that came in the second half when the game was no longer in doubt and the Scarlet Knights had all but given up.
Three backs averaged 4.4 yards per carry or more, but Rutgers was 117th in the nation in run defense heading into the contest, allowing 218 yards per game. U-M’s 141 net ground yards (3.4 yards per carry) total wasn’t great given that perspective.
Michigan Football Passing Offense: A-
Receivers seemed to run their routes with a purpose Saturday, and it helped that protection was solid. Senior Shea Patterson was 4-of-4 passing for 100 yards and a score in the first quarter alone and 7 of 7 for 123 yards on first down in the first half.
Seven receivers caught a pass of 22 yards or more (“explosive plays”) and both Patterson and redshirt frosh Joe Milton (3-of-4 passing for 59 yards and one touchdown) looked good.
The Wolverines’ whopping 16.8 yards per completion tells the story.
RELATED: U-M Crushes Rutgers in Bounce-Back Game
Michigan Football Rushing Defense: A
A week after the Wolverines were emasculated up front by Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor and his line, U-M held talented backs Isaih Pacheco and Raheem Blackshear to 16 carries for 34 yards between them. Pacheco’s 2.3 yards per carry marked the second-lowest average of his career in games in which he carried 10 times or more.
Rutgers’ longest running play was only six yards (twice). It was a great day regardless of the opponent.
Michigan Football Passing Defense: B+
Rutgers QB Artur Sitkowski had some success underneath the linebackers, completing 17 of 24 passes, but a relentless pass rush made him earn each of his 106 passing yards and limited the threat of the big play.
Michigan defenders officially had four hurries in addition to two sacks, but Sitkowski rarely even looked deep. The Scarlet Knights only managed two receptions over 15 yards, and running back Blackshear was the leading receiver, with seven catches for 55 yards out of the backfield.
Sitkowski managed only 6.2 yards per completion.
Michigan Football Special Teams: A-
The kickoff coverage team continues to be one of Michigan’s top units. Rutgers managed less than 15 yards per kick return, aided by a one-yarder on a perfectly placed kickoff to the sideline by sophomore Jake Moody, and punt coverage was outstanding on redshirt junior punter Will Hart’s two kicks that gained (and netted) 95 yards.
Moody made his only field goal (33 yards), and U-M's two-punt-returner system worked well. Junior Donovan Peoples-Jones had a 10-yarder, and sophomore Ronnie Bell added an 11-yarder, plus Peoples-Jones had a 20-plus yarder called back by a phantom penalty. That look has potential.
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