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Report Card: Grading Michigan in a 30-3 win over ECU

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•09/02/23•

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(Photo by Kirthmon F. Dozier via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

Grading Michigan football in all facets of a 30-3 win over ECU. The Wolverines were outstanding defensively, for the most part, and junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy elite in victory. Still, there’s plenty to improve from week one to week two. The grades:

RELATED: Michigan 30, ECU 3: Notes, quotes, and observations
RELATED: Michigan injury report post-ECU – When will Will Johnson return?

Michigan rushing offense: C+

Yes, teams have schemed to take the Michigan run away in the past, but ECU was as aggressive in that respect as TCU was in the Fiesta Bowl last year. Senior running back Blake Corum essentially said they sold out, giving him no room to move. Michigan’s top three backs still ran 25 times for 124 yards, though Corum accounted for a chunk of it with runs of 37 and 21 yards. The past few years, the line would have created more room even against a stacked line … but this group is just getting started. And ECU’s aggressive approach opened things up for the passing game. Junior Donovan Edwards averaged only 3.1 yards per carry.

Passing offense: A+

Michigan junior J.J. McCarthy was outstanding, completing 26 of 30 passes for 280 yards with 3 touchdowns, and he had a pass dropped. His throws were on the money, he was confident, and he was well protected. The line didn’t allow a sack. Senior Roman Wilson looked the part of a go-to guy, making tough catches and gaining separation, and grad Cornelius Johnson was also good. The two accounted for 11 catches, 149 yards. Michigan sophomore tight end Colston Loveland added 4 receptions for 57 yards in a nice 2023 debut. He continues to impress with the contested catches.

Michigan rushing defense: A

The “run wall,” as Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh always brings up, was smothering Saturday. ECU rarely tested the U-M defense with its backs. When they did, there was nowhere to go. They picked up more than half of their rushing offense in the fourth quarter against the Wolverines’ third- and fourth-stringers — ditto passing yardage (66 of 132). The Pirates managed 9 rushing yards in the first quarter and 3 in the third when the Wolverines dominated in taking control in each half. 

Passing defense: A

ECU quarterbacks completed 17 of 29 passes against the Michigan defense, but most were underneath coverage and 9 of those completions came in the fourth quarter. Again, U-M was deep into the roster at that point. The Wolverines were conservative in going after the quarterback, wary of the quarterback draw, but still didn’t get the pressure they’d have liked. The Pirates managed only one completion over 15 yards despite Michigan being down two elite starters in corner Will Johnson and sophomore Rod Moore. Grad Mike Sainristil’s first-quarter interception was key in helping Michigan gain separation.

Michigan special teams: C+

Transfer James Turner made a 50-yarder but missed badly on another long attempt as well as an extra point. This could be an adventure this year. The punt return game isn’t going to be explosive with Jake Thaw deep, and he let one roll by him downed at the 2 early in the game. That changed the tenor of the game early. Tommy Doman was the MVP. The junior had two nice punts, and his kickoffs were high and deep. 

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