Defense / ST notes: Michigan gets back to playing 'our style of ball' in Arkansas State win

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football allowed Arkansas State to move the chains on its first three third-down opportunities (one of the three technically didn’t count as a third-down conversion, since it was picked up by dead foul penalty), shades of last week against Texas, when the Longhorns went 8-for-10 in the first half.

But the group tightened up after that, getting off the field on third-and-two to force a field goal attempt that was missed. Arkansas State proceeded to come up empty on six-consecutive third-down plays and go 3-of-12 through three quarters and 7-of-18 for the game, a 28-18 Maize and Blue victory to improve to 2-1.

The Red Wolves failed to score a touchdown on their first nine possessions, attempting 3 field goals but only making 1, punting five times and throwing 1 interception to graduate safety Makari Paige. After giving up 31 points in a loss to Texas, the Michigan defense was pleased with its performance.

“I just thought they all did their job,” Moore said. “They did exactly what they were coached to do. They weren’t trying to press to make plays. They just made them.

“Coverage was sticky. Run lanes were shut down. Everything was gapped out. They made a couple plays here and there, but they really did a really good job and played our style of ball. It was really good to see, watch those guys rally.”

While Michigan is still building depth defensively, Moore thought his team took a step forward in that regard at a number of positions.

Senior defensive tackle Ike Iwunnah, who had his first career tackle last week, played a key backup role with 1 tackle for loss. He also drove his man back to free up space for linebacker Ernest Hausmann to get home on a third-down sack midway through the third quarter, the lone quarterback takedown for Michigan and the first of the junior’s career.

“That play wouldn’t have been successful unless Ike did what Ike did,” Hausmann, who tied the team high with 7 tackles, said. “Immediately, all of the sideline went up to him [to give him praise], because we all play complementary football on the defense. Everybody eats in this defense. But it takes all 11 for us to be successful on defense. We take pride in that, and he’s doing a great job.”

“Some guys stepped up, like Ike Iwunnah,” Moore said. “He really stepped up and he’s really taken the next step to be a guy. [Senior defensive tackle] Rayshaun Benny, another guy behind that already played that stepped up. 

“[Sophomore defensive tackle] Trey Pierce, a guy inside, [junior linebacker] Jimmy Rolder is a guy. We’re adding that depth. [Graduate cornerback] Aamir Hall made a big play in the red zone, batted the ball down. So you’re seeing guys take the next step on D. It’s great to see, and we love the competition. Those guys are really helping on defense.”

Through three quarters, Arkansas State had only 149 total yards, and 51 of them came on the first drive of the afternoon. At that point, the Red Wolves had accumulated 12 rushing yards (0.8 yards per attempt) and 137 passing yards.

Michigan backups struggle late

Michigan’s reserves allowed 131 yards and 15 points in the fourth quarter, a source of disappointment.

“Our strengths are, we’re a pretty good defense,” junior defensive tackle Kenneth Grant said. “We’re really jelling together, the ones and twos. I would say our weakness right now is, we’ve got to get those threes going, playing up to our caliber of football. Those last two scores, that’s not Michigan football. We’ve got to get on those guys and get them in tune and get better.”

Moore said Michigan’s third- and fourth-string defenders were “just not doing their job” when plays broke down.

Junior cornerback Myles Pollard was beat for a touchdown pass to the end zone, and the caliber of tackling took a hit. Arkansas State backup quarterback Timmy McClain finished 7-for-11 for 82 yards and 2 scores through the air, after starter Jaylen Raynor went 19-of-33 for 140 yards and a pick.

“It doesn’t matter who’s on the field — we have a standard as a Michigan defense, how we play,” Hausmann said of his message to the reserves. “So it doesn’t matter if you’re a one, two or three — you have to play the same as a one. So just making sure that when you’re in the game, you’re locked in, you’re ready to go.”

Miscellaneous Michigan football notes

• Michigan junior kicker Dominic Zvada was 5-for-5 on field goals entering Saturday, but for the first time this year he didn’t have any attempts.

• The Wolverines lost the turnover margin, 3-1.

• Senior punter Tommy Doman punted 3 times with a 39-yard average. His long was 45 yards, and he pinned Arkansas State inside its own 20-yard line once.

• Arkansas State totaled 280 yards, including 222 passing yards. That’s the second time Michigan has held an opponent to fewer than 300 total yards for a game (Fresno State, 244). Texas put up 389 yards last week.

• Arkansas State had 12 different receivers catch a pass, but only one went over 50 yards — Reginald Harden Jr. with 3 catches for 52 yards.

• Michigan had just 1 sack, after posting 0 versus Texas. The Wolverines had 3 against Fresno State. The Wolverines registered 3 tackles for loss this afternoon.

• Iwunnah’s tackle for loss was the first of his career.

• The following defensive players set new career highs in total tackles at Michigan in today’s game: Junior linebacker Jaishawn Barham (7), Hall (4), junior linebacker Jimmy Rolder (5), graduate safety Wesley Walker (3), sophomore EDGE Breeon Ishmail (2) and freshman EDGE Dominic Nichols (1).

• Paige’s interception was the second of his career. His only other pick came in a 45-23 win over Ohio State in November 2022.

• Michigan was penalized 7 times for 69 yards. Four were on the defense (49 yards).

• Arkansas State had five passing plays of 15-plus yards, including two in the fourth quarter, both of which went for touchdowns. The Red Wolves’ longest run, however, was on a third-quarter scramble by Raynor for only 10 yards.