NCAAF Game Review
The Wolverines opened NCAAF Big Ten play this weekend. How would they fair against a veteran Rutgers team on Homecoming weekend? Rutgers has always been known as the bottom-of-the-barrel team in the NCAAF Big Ten, but this year’s team looks to turn the tide.
Rutgers doesn’t have a starter on offense or defense that is younger than a Junior, so how did they fair against a young Michigan team that could already have their sights set on Camp Randall and Wisconsin? Let’s find out and get into the good, the bad, and the ugly of this NCAAF game. We’ll start with the good: the 1st half.
1st Half
Michigan opens up the scoring in this one, marching down the field with the backfield duo of Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins. Haskins punches it in from a yard out and it’s 7-0 Michigan early on. Rutgers however is able to mount a drive of their own, utilizing a balanced rushing and passing attack while also overcoming a 4th and 3. Rutgers is able to put up a FG of their own; making the score 7-3 Michigan as we near the end of the 1st quarter.
The 2nd quarter starts with a bang for the Wolverines, as quarterback Cade McNamara finds WR Roman Wilson for a 38-yard completion. Adding on a horsecollar tackle and Michigan is quickly down to the opposing 4-yard line. Following that play, Haskins punches it in for his second touchdown of the game. 14-3 Wolverines.
After Michigan’s touchdown, their defense stuffs the run and shuts down the pass for Rutgers. This causes Rutgers to get desperate and go for it on fourth down once again. This time, Michigan shuts the door on 4th and 1 and makes the stop!
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, they aren’t able to make anything of the big defensive play and are forced to punt; which doesn’t matter in the end as Rutgers too is forced to punt on the following possession. This time when Michigan has the ball, they are able to put up points thanks to a Jake Moody 32-yard Field Goal; making the score 17-3 Michigan late in the 2nd quarter.
With little time remaining in the half, Rutgers has the ball on Michigan’s 44-yard line with 22 seconds remaining. Rutgers has no answers for Michigan’s defense, as the former throws two incompletions on a turnover on downs. Michigan gets the ball with 20 seconds left before halftime. The drive kicks off with a huge 51-yard reception by WR Mike Sainristill, plus a roughing the passer penalty that puts the ball down to the 2-yard line. Michigan settles for a field goal and the half ends with Michigan up 20-3.
With Michigan in the driver’s seat can they maintain control and get the win, or will Rutgers have the adjustments to mount a second-half comeback?
2nd Half
The second half starts strong for both defenses, as each team punts on their first possession. Michigan’s defense finally breaks on Rutgers second possession and gives up a touchdown. Rutgers QB Noah Vedral finds RB Aaron Young for a 14-yard score; making it 20-10 Michigan.
Michigan is still unable to get things going on offense. The team goes three-and-out, and punt the ball right back to Rutgers. Rutgers feeds off of the momentum and drives down the field, securing another field goal. All of a sudden it’s a one possession game, with the score now 20-13 to start the fourth quarter.
Michigan continues their downward spiral on offense once again goes three-and-out! Rutgers once again methodically drives down the field on the following possession. When all hope seemed lost for Michigan fans, Rutgers kicker misses a 28-yard field goal!
Michigan now has the chance to put the game away, but instead goes three-and-out for a fourth consecutive time! Luckily, Michigan’s defense answers the bell when it mattered most, getting a crucial 4th and 2 stop. This time when Michigan’s offense gets the ball, they are able to put somewhat of a drive together. They did that only to miss a 47-yard field goal.
The game would come down to Rutgers, with one final chance to tie the game. Michigan’s defense was going to either save the game, or blow it; and they saved it. A forced fumble caused by David Ojabo and recovered by Junior Colson ends the game!
Postgame Thoughts
The second half was pitiful for Michigan. The offense went 1-5 on pass attempts with only seven yards, and no touchdowns. The good we saw from the first half completely disappeared in the second.
Cade McNamara finishes the game 9-16 with 163 yards no touchdowns or picks. Even the running game (which has been Michigan’s bread and butter all year) only finished with 112 yards. As we switch gears, let’s talk defense. NCAAF fans can’t blame them for the game being close, as they only allowed three long drives all game. As I close out my rant ill leave you all with this.
If Michigan plays even close to the way they did in the second half, next week vs Wisconsin, the game will be over by halftime. Pound the rock, create open wide receivers, and dominate the game in Camp Randall.
As always GO BLUE.
