Michigan wide receivers are 'ready to roll.' Where does Donovan Edwards factor into passing game?

Through two weeks, Michigan Wolverines football ranks 18th of 18 Big Ten teams with 162.5 passing yards per game, with the Wolverines having beaten Fresno State, 30-10, but fell to Texas, 31-12.

There have been miscommunications and issues with timing, reading coverages, tracking the ball, finishing catches and receivers being on the same page as senior quarterback Davis Warren, a first-year starter.

However, wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator Ron Bellamy is optimistic that the Wolverines can improve and begin to thrive.

“The one area we’ve really focused on is just details,” Bellamy said ahead of Michigan’s game against Arkansas State. “When we have the opportunity to make plays, just gotta make it. The boys had a great practice yesterday, just continuing to strive in that direction.”

The Michigan wide receivers have accounted for only 16 of the team’s 38 receptions thus far. Junior tight end Colston Loveland has more than double the amount of catches (16) and nearly triple the number of receiving yards (157) than the next best pass-catcher, sophomore wideout Semaj Morgan, who’s hauled in 7 grabs for 53 yards.

Bellamy believes the wideouts will be able to play a bigger role going forward.

“Our guys are ready to roll,” the Michigan coach said. “They’re ready to roll. The good thing about us is every game, every opportunity to practice, they grow. It’s a fairly young group, but every day you just see them growing, they’re learning, they’re getting better.”

Warren has thrown 3 interceptions so far this season, and junior tight end Colston Loveland lost 1 fumble against Texas. Loveland was responsible for not crossing the face of the safety and instead still running up the field on 1 pick, and sophomore wideout Fredrick Moore could have made a better play on the ball on another, per head coach Sherrone Moore. There was also a deep pass against Fresno State in which junior Tyler Morris appeared to stop his route. Bellamy discussed some of those details that have been lacking.

“You put yourself in an experience where you’re adjusting to the ball, go make a play,” Bellamy said of the aforementioned play by Fredrick Moore. “He made a play on the ball, it just wasn’t good enough. That’s something the film study shows. It’s like, hey, yeah, you had a couple yards, but now you go be a defensive back here or you go high point the ball here and it’s yours. Go attack it and play with a more aggressive mindset to the ball. That’s a learning experience for Fred.

“Going back to T-Mo. Double move, just lost the ball in the light. First night game, that’s just one of the things that me as a coach, hey, maybe I send him to the stadium to get under the lights or something like that. So I have to be better there to make sure I’m putting the kids in the position to be successful.

“Collectively as pass catchers, whether it’s receivers, tight ends or running backs, we are gonna elevate our game to make sure that when the opportunities present themselves, we’re where we need to be, on time, in the right place and space for the quarterback. And go make plays — that’s what it comes down to.”

Where can Donovan Edwards factor into the passing game?

Michigan senior running back Donovan Edwards is an explosive, versatile weapon who’s had success both in the run and pass games. Among Michigan running backs all time, he ranks fourth in receptions (71), fourth in receiving yards (716) and sixth in receiving touchdowns (4).

“Donovan’s production speaks for itself in his career at Michigan,” Bellamy said. “He’s a guy that you can create mismatches with, getting him on safeties and linebackers that we’re constantly going to involve in the game plan.

“As far as receiver skills and me working with him, there’s something in pre-practice where we talk about different things. And he’ll come over during special teams and if I’m doing something with receivers, he’ll come over and jump in there with his ball drills, footwork drills or just us talking about techniques that we’re going to use on certain routes, because the running backs have the ability to do some of the same things, especially a guy with his skill set.”

Bellamy was asked if Michigan fans should expect to see Edwards more involved in the passing game, since he only has 3 receptions so far this season (including 1 for a touchdown).

“It just depends on our opponent, where the weaknesses are that we can exploit, things that we can get Donovan going,” Bellamy replied. “We really like our receivers, we really like our tight ends. We like Donovan, as well, and some of the other running backs can do the same thing.

“It’s just week to week, what does the defense allow us to do, and that’ how we decide who’s going to get the ball and whatnot.”