Michigan has been one of the nation’s most disciplined teams in 2022
Penalties are often a good way to judge how well-coached a football team might be in any given season. Last year, Michigan finished 20th nationally with 4.86 penalties per game and 17th with 41.5 penalty yards per contest. This year’s squad has tougher tests to come, of course, but the numbers have been spectacular.
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Through three games, Michigan is tied for first nationally with Air Force with only 2.67 penalties per contest. U-M is third in penalty yardage per game with 23 per contest, behind only Air Force and Iowa.
There’s an easy explanation for it, head coach Jim Harbaugh said at his Monday press conference.
“There’s been a high emphasis put on it,” he noted. “[An] example would be the way the defense hits the quarterback. Every game we’ve had free runners and they do a great job keeping it in the legal strike zone, keeping their head out of it. [Michigan senior defensive back] Mike Sainristil and any guy that’s gotten near the quarterback is just really focusing on the technique to the best of your ability to do your job … not getting those penalties.”
It’s the same when it comes to Michigan players hitting defenseless players, Harbaugh continued.
“[Michigan junior safety] Makari Paige had a tremendous hit in the game to break up a pass,” the he added. “Textbook shoulder pad, not helmet leading with the crown. All those things that are coached and really put into action.
“Those coaching points, and the guys being able to think in split second reactions whether it’s taking their hands off … like a receiver that’s blocking downfield. Just taking the hands off and running with one arm. [Michigan grad student receiver] Ronnie [Bell] did a great job of that in the game.
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“It’s one of those situations where it’s easy to get a penalty. But we feel like guys have been trained. They really take those coaching points to heart and put them into action on Saturdays.”
Michigan has come a long way in this area in the last few years. The Wolverines ranked tied for 67th with 6.15 penalties per game in 2019 and 59th in penalty yardage (49.92). They were at No. 59 and No. 83 in the respective categories in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
U-M was among the most penalized teams in the nation somehow in 2017 and 2018, finishing in the 90s in both categories.
Now, however, Michigan seems to be trending back toward one of the most disciplined programs in the country. That’s a huge positive heading into Big Ten play.
