A week ago, for the first time in a year and a half, the No. 17 Michigan football team lost. In a 31-12 drubbing, the Wolverines were outmatched, outclassed and outworked by a confident No. 2 Texas.
A litany of missteps and mistakes on all sides of the ball contributed to the Wolverines’ downfall. But this past Monday as Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore took to the podium in Schembechler Hall, his message was clear: The Wolverines had gotten away from their run-first identity, and it wouldn’t happen again.
This Saturday against Arkansas State (2-1), Moore made good on his promise, and Michigan’s (2-1) running game stole the show. Combining for over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns, the Wolverines’ lead backs graduate Kalel Mullings and senior Donovan Edwards piloted Michigan to a 28-18 victory despite a lackluster passing offense that saw senior quarterback Davis Warren benched.
From the Wolverines’ first drive, it was clear that this contest would not be a repeat of Texas. On that drive, Moore rammed the ball at the Red Wolves with Edwards and Mullings — over and over again. And eventually, Arkansas State’s defense broke.
Mullings darted left on a rush, broke two tackles and emphatically punched the ball into the end zone 30-yards later to put Michigan ahead 7-0.
The Wolverines’ defense held firm on the next drive, but on Michigan’s second offensive drive, it proved exactly why a rushing identity was its only option. On his third drop back, Warren panicked under pressure and launched an ugly ball directly to the Red Wolves, setting them up for three points.
When the Wolverines got the ball back on the next drive, and for the rest of the game really, they wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Michigan needed its running game to be its strength, and Edwards and Mullings delivered, each taking turns highlighting drives.
Edwards went first after the pick, finding holes in the defensive line, consistently generating chunk rushing plays to move the chains and, finally, capping off the drive with a touchdown. When the Wolverines got the ball back, it was Mullings’ turn.
Mullings needed only three rushes to push for 42 yards and a touchdown, taking Michigan into the half 21-3 — but not before Warren fired off another pick.
After the half, it was more of the same. When Michigan ran the ball it moved the chains, scored points and prevented turnovers. When it threw the ball, the offense sputtered.
Late in the third, facing no pressure, Warren way overthrew his wide receiver and Arkansas State picked him off for a third time. The Wolverines’ defense held strong, forcing a turnover to prevent points. But Warren’s third misstep was enough to end his afternoon — for the first time casting doubt on his status as Michigan’s starter.
For the rest of the contest, junior quarterback Alex Orji piloted the Wolverines to some success. But that success was — still — not powered by the passing offense, but by Orji and Mullings’ legs.
Orji showed his dual-threat capabilities, Mullings broke off for several major runs and Michigan managed one more touchdown on a short pass to freshman tight end Hogan Hansen to make the score 28-3.
The Wolverines’ defense broke late in the fourth, allowing two long touchdown drives, that left the score 28-18. Michigan knew from the beginning that it needed its rushers to be its identity. And with 301 yards and a 10-point victory — they delivered, even as the Wolverines struggled elsewhere.
The post Michigan returns to rushing identity, beats Arkansas State 28-18 appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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