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Recap: Michigan Runs Over Purdue
Michigan 36 Purdue 14
Well, if there is going to be a second-half, post-MSU-loss collapse for Team 132 it hasn’t started yet. Michigan spent a few hours on their Saturday afternoon handling a fairly weak Purdue team.
In reading some post-game columns and going through the post-game presser – the theme is that Michigan has conquered demons of the the past and will have little to do with a season-ending collapse. At this point, that theme is appropriate. But, what’s being shoved to the side a bit, is that Michigan has yet to have what I would call a strong conference win. Beating Northwestern on the road was nice, but Northwestern isn’t what they were expected to be. Minnesota was obviously miserable and somehow pulled off a W at home against Iowa yesterday. And Purdue showed some life in a win against an Illinois team that is in the midst of a solid three game losing streak. You’ll hear more about it next week as they are Michigan’s opponent on Nov. 12th, but man, Illinois has been unwatchable the past few weeks.
I will tell you this. If you would have dialed me up prior to the season’s start and asked me, “Going into November, would you be good with …
… being a one-loss team entering November?”
… having the 35th ranked defense (7th in scoring D by the way)?”
… the 8th ranked rushing offense in the country”?
Yes, yes and yes. Inferior conference competition aside, Michigan is entering November with one loss, which is nice because the past is still uncomfortably close in the rear view mirror.
What Team 132 needs to prove now is that they can go on the road and play well against less-than-average to average-at-best B1G teams. Iowa is beginning to look miserable with that loss to Minnesota, but you can’t expect to go on the road and get an easy win against a team like Iowa. So, in essence, the next two weeks are huge for this team. Iowa and Illinois look terrible and Michigan should beat the both.
So, the 7-1 record going into November exceeds the typical expectation for this team. What are witnessing here? Better coaching. Bottom line, I think this team is more focused than year’s past and they are most definitely coached to a higher level. Listen to the players and coaches representing Michigan’s defense talk about their focus, intention and philosophy. The message is consistent and smarter than what we’ve heard for the past three seasons under D coordinators that aren’t named Greg Mattison.
On to the Box Score
Standing out on offense:
- 53 rushing attempts (6.4 avg/carry) – highest single-game total this season
- 535 total yards – the third time this season Michigan’s O has surpassed the 500 mark
- 7 for 13 on third-down conversions
- 2 field goal attempts…2 made field goals !!
On defense:
- Held Purdue to 3 out of 13 third-down conversions
- Allowed 14 points (only 7 points when it mattered)
- Held Purdue to 89 rushing yards
- Safety!
- 4 sacks
- 7 TFL’s – highest single-game total this season
Denard Answers Appropriately
From the post-game presser. Denard and Fitz are asked about the infamous collapses of seasons’ past. The question and Denard’s answer...
Denard had his bad throws yesterday, but had his solid throws as well. All in all, Denard managed the game well yesterday when Borges wasn’t taking the ball out of hands. For a few minutes there, I’m yelling at Borges for robbing D-Rob of any possible rhythm and putting Gardner in there. I like Devin and think he’ll be a great starter when his time comes, but right now, I don’t know if it’s worth disrupting Denard’s rhythm. It’s not that the sets with Devin don’t work at all, because they have been successful, but it just seems like it’s too big a part of this offense. I’d be good with seeing Devin’s current snap count be cut in half.
Fitz Toussaint Shows All in One Play
Fitz showed why he is the best back Michigan can put on the field in one play. Roll the tape…
Speed, vision, incredible shiftiness, and quick cutbacks are all on display during that 59 yard gem from Fitz. He looks as healthy as he’s looked all season. Fitz looks the best he’s looked in his career at Michigan for that matter. I still love me some V Smoov though, he plays his role very well and always impacts the game.
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Photo cred Det. News.
