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Report Card: Grading Michigan football in a 19-13 win over Alabama

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•12/31/24•

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Michigan Wolverines football running back Jordan Marshall was the MVP of the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama. (Photo by Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Michigan Wolverines football running back Jordan Marshall was the MVP of the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama. (Photo by Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Michigan used another stifling defensive performance to stun yet another blueblood as a significant underdog, beating Alabama 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Wolverines also got a blue-collar rushing performance from freshman running back Jordan Marshall to finish the season with an 8-5 record. We grade the Wolverines in all aspects here: 

RELATED: Michigan 19, Alabama 13: Notes, quotes, and observations — it sure felt like it mattered

Michigan rushing offense: B-

Michigan needs either a tackle breaker or a shiftier back with great feet (or a combination of both) behind this offensive line. Senior Kalel Mullings was the former (though his footwork was underrated), and freshman Jordan Marshall proved to be the latter in an MVP performance in which he rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries, most of them very hard-earned. Only 11 of his carries went for more than 2 yards, but he also had runs of 24, 13 and 9, two of those in the fourth quarter to keep the chains moving against a defense stacked to stop the run. 

Ben Hall managed only 28 yards on 16 carries and U-M mustered only 2.3 yards per carry overall … but it was enough.

Passing offense: D

Veteran Davis Warren completed 9 of 12 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, but very few of his throws were downfield. Five of his receptions went for nine yards or more, including a 13-yard touchdown to sophomore Fred Moore on a fade that made it 13-0. Alex Orji replaced Warren when the starter got hurt and completed 2 of 3 passes for 2 yards and a pick. There was no threat of a passing attack when he was in the game.

Michigan rushing defense: A-

Half of Alabama’s gross rushing yardage came on two plays, including a 41-yarder from quarterback Jalen Milroe that never should have happened before the half. The Crimson Tide looked content to let the clock run out before Michigan took a timeout on third-and-inches. Starting running back Jam Miller ran 10 times for only 27 yards, and eight of those carries went for 3 yards or less. 

Passing defense: A-

Milroe completed only 16 of his 32 passes, and while he threw for 192 yards and a touchdown, half his yardage came on three plays. It was tough sledding much of the afternoon for the veteran against a Michigan secondary that was disguised well, complemented by a pass rush that resulted in 5 sacks for 53 yards lost. Wesley Walker’s interception that set up a first-quarter touchdown was one of the game’s biggest plays.

Michigan special teams: A-

Kicker Dominic Zvada boosts this grade by himself with four critical field goals. He had the best single season in Michigan history this year and is an absolute weapon. Hudson Hollenbeck averaged 46.2 yards per punt, though they weren’t always pretty. A 38-yard punt return preceding Alabama’s last drive, setting up great field position, can’t happen. 

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