Harbaugh: Michigan offensive line clicks with Trevor Keegan
Michigan took the fight to Iowa from the get-go Saturday in Iowa City, scoring on its first possession and never trailing. They got up 10-0 and never led by less than two scores the rest of the way, thanks in large part to the ball control on offense.
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That was fueled by dominance up front from an offensive line that continues to improve. There hasn’t been much consistency in the group due to injuries — left side starters Ryan Hayes and Trevor Keegan have both missed time this year. But when the starting five is out there, it might be as good as any in the country.
Senior Karsen Barnhart, too, has missed some time, but he’s close to 100 percent. He and sophomore Giovanni El-Hadi have played well in their time this year, but the line play goes up a notch when Keegan is on the field.
“He did. He really did [impact the game],” head coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday. “That No. 77 out there was real good. As well as Gio El-Hadi’s been playing, it was noticeably really good with Trevor back in there.
“The whole line … it’s a group that I feel like the chemistry is really coming together with that group. It’s a selfless group. They bring a lot of juice and a lot of energy to the team, and they do it in a really good, cohesive manner.”
Senior running back Blake Corum ran for 133 yards against the nation’s No. 1 defense (statistically). As physical as Iowa is — and the Hawkeyes are — Michigan was at another level. The Wolverines’ men up front held their blocks, finished them, and then did it again play after play.
There were only a few lapses in pass protection, including one that led to a J.J. McCarthy fumble and near turnover. Other than that, however, the sophomore quarterback usually had plenty of time to throw. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 155 yards.
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“Trente Jones, I think this is the third week I’ve stepped up here and said that was the best game he’s played,” Harbaugh said of the senior right tackle. “[Senior left tackle] Ryan Hayes, as well. Both tackles looked really good to me.
“[Grad student center] Olu [Oluwatimi] and [junior right guard Zak] Zinter also played really well. As a group, they’re continuing to gain a lot of momentum.”
They’re getting help from the tight ends, too. Walk-on Max Bredeson has been an extremely pleasant surprise. Michigan grad student Luke Schoonmaker, meanwhile, has taken his game to another level. Senior Erick All has been sidelined and will likely remain so, so more has been asked of Schoonmaker. He’s been playing at an all-Big Ten level, at least.
“He just does everything really well. I think Luke — we talked about it at the beginning of the summer — he’s one of the best tight ends in the country,” Harbaugh said. “I thought he was in competition to beat Erick All, but he’s even better than I thought. He’s fast; he’s physical. A dedicated blocker, but also really good hands and ability to get separation and get open, increase separation, make tough catches, and a team player all the way.
“He’s an outstanding player. He’ll be playing on Sundays. All really good stuff. Maybe before it’s said and done, one of the best tight ends to ever play here. That’s what I’m seeing right now.”
Adding another dimension with Keegan and Co.
