Report Card: Grading Michigan football in a 24-17 win over MSU
Looking at the stats alone, Michigan State seemed to get the better of Michigan for much of Saturday night’s game. The Wolverines made the most of their opportunities, though, and held at the end to pick up the win for the third straight year. We grade them at each position following the 24-17 victory:
RELATED: Michigan 24, MSU 17: Notes, quotes, and observations — relief, and a reprieve
Michigan rushing offense: D+
Michigan State negated the Wolverines’ run game by stacking the box, limiting senior Donovan Edwards to 24 yards on 9 carries (2.9 per rush) and Kalel Mullings to 18 yards on 13 carries. Six of those came on one run, meaning he averaged 1 yard per carry on his other 12.
Junior quarterback Alex Orji, though, came through in a big way. His 29-yard run in the third quarter set up his 2-yard touchdown, and his late game rushes iced the game. The Wolverines needed every one of his 64 yards.
Passing offense: C+
Compared to the recent past, it might as well be an A+. Veteran Davis Warren protected the ball and made some nice throws to open the offense up a bit in the second and third quarters. He started 10 of 11 with a touchdown to junior tight end Colston Loveland and finished 13-of-19 for 123 yards. Two of those incompletions were drops. Donovan Edwards’ 23-yard touchdown to Loveland counts, too, a beautifully designed play and a great throw. Michigan averaged 10.4 yards per completion, and the biggest stat — no picks.
Michigan rushing defense: C
The Spartans ran for 189 yards, not including lost sack yardage, and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. That’s way too many. Nate Carter notched 19 carries for 118 yards and a score — we thought the Spartans could have used quarterback Aidan Chiles‘ legs a little more, too. Nine of Carter’s 19 carries went for 6 yards or more, including four of 11 plus. Three of them came on third and longs, a tough task for the Wolverines’ defense Saturday night.
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Passing defense: C
Chiles completed 17 of 23 passes for 189 yards and a score, an impressive 74 percent. There were three chunk plays of 26 yards or more and 11.1 yards per completion, more than a defense would like to concede. The Wolverines struggled to tackle in the secondary again, as well.
But they battled despite playing without outstanding corner Will Johnson, out with an injury, and held late on a short field. They did a solid job on freshman phenom Nick Marsh, holding him to four receptions for 42 yards (though one, third down touchdown).
Michigan special teams: B-
Kicker Dominic Zvada made a critical field goal and receiver Tyler Morris notched a 14-yard punt return. Punter Tommy Doman dropped three kicks inside the 20, but he faltered again when the Wolverines needed him most. His 25-yard punt late in the game gave Michigan State great field position, and it almost proved costly.
