Report Card: Grading Michigan in a 26-0 win over Iowa
Grading Michigan football in all facets of a 26-0 win over Iowa to capture the Big Ten championship. The Wolverines dominated defensively but struggled offensively against a stout Iowa defense. The grades:
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Michigan rushing offense: D
It is what it is at this point — underwhelming. But it was good enough for a 13-0 run for the second straight year, even if the long run was only 17 yards … and that was a draw play from Donovan Edwards just before the end of the half. For whatever reason, it’s just not clicking. Seven of senior Blake Corum’s 16 rushes went for 4 yards or more, and his long was only 6. The Wolverines ran for 106 yards gross and only 66 net with sack yardage factored in. That needs to be better no matter who they play next.
Passing offense: C
Junior J.J. McCarthy didn’t get great protection, and at times he held the ball too long when his receivers couldn’t get open. He was fortunate to have a sure interception dropped, as well. But … he still completed 22 of 30 passes for 147 yards with a long of 14 (twice). Sophomore Colston Loveland dropped a perfectly thrown ball that would have gone for a big gain before the half. Grad receiver Cornelius Johnson was big in the intermediate and short game with 9 receptions for 64 yards, but the passing game needs to be better in a month (to say the least). Pass protection was poor, as well, with 4 sacks allowed.
Michigan rushing defense: A+
The Hawkeyes were as bad as advertised offensively, both in the run and passing games. They didn’t have a run longer than 6 yards, finished with 35 total rushing yards with sack yardage included and grossed 59. They managed only 14 yards on 7 first-down carries in the game against the stout Michigan run defense.
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Passing defense: A+
Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill was harassed much of the game and sacked 3 times. He completed 18 of 32 passes for only 120 yards, and only one — a 19-yarder to tight end Addison Ostrenga late when the game was already out of reach — went for more than 12 yards. The Michigan secondary blanketed the Iowa receivers and gave them no room to move.
Michigan special teams: A+
Michigan kicker James Turner was money yet again, making all 4 of his field goals with a long of 50. He’s been outstanding this year. Freshman punt returner Semaj Morgan made one of the game’s biggest plays when he returned a first-quarter punt 87 yards to set up a score — it was all but over at 10-0 when Corum scored on the drive. And junior punter Tommy Doman was very good on every punt except one. His kick inside the 5 set up a forced fumble and led to another score. This was yet another great performance for Jay Harbaugh’s special teams.
