Report card: Grading Michigan football in a 59-18 win at Maryland
Grading Michigan football in all facets of a 59-18 win at Maryland:
Rushing offense: B-
Redshirt sophomore running back Hassan Haskins ran for only 78 yards, averaging 3.9 per carry, but he moved the chains when it mattered most. Haskins put up 67 in the first half, averaging 4.5 per carry in the stanza when U-M opened a big lead (24-3 at the break).
The Wolverines averaged 4.3 yards per carry as a team, including two carries for 19 yards and a touchdown from backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
True freshman Donovan Edwards still struggles between the tackles — he managed only eight yards on three carries — while frosh Blake Corum dressed but didn’t play.
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Passing offense: B+
Redshirt freshman Cade McNamara looked comfortable and confident in completing 75 percent (21 of 28) of his passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. It would have been much higher had receivers not dropped three passes, but the crew also made some tough grabs for their quarterbacks. Veteran Mike Sainristil’s one-handed touchdown grab and freshman Andrel Anthony’s only catch, which gained 18 yards, were things of beauty.
Edwards, though, was the revelation. He moved the chains underneath coverage and over the top on the wheel route, a 77-yard score. He adds an element to the offense that’s been missing — an explosive receiver in space who can make people miss.
Rushing defense: C+
Maryland back Tayon Fleet-Davis averaged 6.5 yards on 11 carries, including a 25-yarder. Had the Terps stuck with the running game, you got the feeling they could have had more success, even, moving the ball against U-M’s interior line.
Some of that was the result of the pass packages coordinator Mike MacDonald put on the field, but this is an area Ohio State will likely try to exploit.
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The Terps had only 39 yards rushing at the half. Though they finished with 112 yards on 17 carries in the third quarter, the Wolverines were up 52-18 at the end of the frame.
Passing defense: A
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was held to his second-lowest output of the season, throwing for 178 yards with a touchdown but also a pick-six. Redshirt frosh DJ Turner did the honors on the latter in continuing his outstanding play.
Four receptions (three over 20 yards) accounted for half of Maryland’s passing yardage.
Tagovailoa missed some receivers high, including a potential second-quarter touchdown, but the U-M defensive backs were outstanding. The pass rush wasn’t as devastating as it has been in recent weeks — only two sacks — but the coverage downfield was solid.
Special teams: A
Freshman A.J. Henning still looks shaky at times on punt return, but he had a 14-yarder in addition to putting one on the ground (that he somehow got back). Kicker Jake Moody made his only field goal, from 39 yards out, and punter Brad Robbins averaged 45.3 yards per kick in another solid showing.
Kick and punt coverage remains outstanding, and so do special teams overall. A Matt Torey blocked punt set up a score, and a throwback kick return from Michael Barrett to Henning went for 79 yards and a score.
Assistant Jay Harbaugh has done an outstanding job with this group this season.
