Report Card: Grading Michigan in a 34-27 win over Maryland

Here we grade the Michigan football team in all facets of a 34-27 win over Maryland:

RELATED: Michigan 34, Maryland 27 – Notes, quotes, and observations

Michigan rushing offense: A

Junior running back Blake Corum scored 5 touchdowns a week ago, but that really wasn’t a huge feat. Saturday’s 243-yard performance was much more impressive. His vision, cuts and ability to get the tough yardage on short-yardage plays made the difference in the game Saturday.

With sophomore Donovan Edwards out again, Corum carried 30 times and averaged 8.1 yards per rush. Five of his runs went for 20 yards or more.

“With my mindset, I feel I was always able to carry the ball that many times,” Corum said. “But I prepared in the offseason for a reason.

“You want to talk about how many yards I put up, but the O-line killed it today. I say this every time, and I mean it — I feel like we have the best O-line in the country.”

Passing offense: B

Sophomore J.J. McCarthy wasn’t at his best, and he still completed 69 percent of his passes. He didn’t have anywhere to go with the ball at times, and he hesitated to run when he had a lot of green in front of him. He also missed some open throws on deep balls.  

But he also had some critical plays, including a key 49-yarder to Ronnie Bell down the right sideline on third-and-6 in the fourth quarter that set up a score. His touchdown pass to junior Roman Wilson for 20 yards and a score early in the fourth quarter was his best throw.

“That was one of those plays you draw up all week, and you see it out there coming to fruition,” McCarthy said. “Man, that’s a beautiful thing right there.”

We’d like to see more scheming the receivers open like that.

Michigan rushing defense: C+

Maryland managed only 128 yards and 3.8 per rush, but it seemed like they could get 5 yards on every carry. Running back Antwain Littleton II did, picking up 4.9 on eight runs. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa’s longest run was 9 yards on a scramble, but back-up Billy Edwards got loose for a 23-yarder to keep a late drive alive.

The run-stoppers will need to be better in the next several weeks.

Passing defense: B

The corners were good when tested early, especially grad student Gemon Green. He continues to be one of the team’s most pleasant surprises. Two huge picks from DJ Turner and R.J. Moten were critical — Turner’s changed the momentum of the game — and with the pass rush struggling, these guys were forced to cover longer.

There were some breakdowns, especially late, and three plays of 26 yards or more.

“A few times where communication wasn’t the best among DBs and getting calls to each other, like the 2-point conversion,” Mike Sainristil said. “Communication was off there. Those are little things we can clean up during practice and expect what’s to come in certain situations.

“That is something that will get fixed come practice Monday and Tuesday and throughout the season.”

Michigan special teams: A

Michigan got a gift on the opening kick when Maryland return man Tai Felton had the opening kick go off his helmet, recovered by Matt Hibner. That was just luck, even if it was the third huge special teams play in as many meetings with the Terrapins.

Grad student Brad Robbins remains a huge weapon. He punted 3 times for a 47.0 average and put 2 kicks inside the 20. Fifth-year kicker Jake Moody missed from 43 yards out but made two others, including a 52-yarder. And the coverage teams were outstanding again.

“Special teams was on point once again. Our special teams unit is really good,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I don’t think we’ve had a punt return go over 10 yards in five years. It’s incredible.

“A lot of credit to Brad Robbins and the cover teams. Jay [Harbaugh] and the staff  … you just feel like you go into these games without motivating. How much pride our guys take in special teams and how hard we work at it … you expect to win the special teams battle.”