Junior CB Ross Taylor-Douglas races into a fierce Michigan defense to gain just 5 yards during Saturday’s spring game at the Big House. Damien Dennis/The Pit
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Blue Team squeaked out a 7-0 victory over the Maize Team Saturday as Michigan hosted its annual spring game at Michigan Stadium before what seemed to be a 75-percent full Big House.
Defense dominated the game as both offensive sides combined for just 333 yards. The Maize squad forced just one interception for two yards while the Blue Team intercepted the Maize twice with a 10 yards between both returns. Blue also forced a fumble while allowing just 53 yards on the ground.
The Maize Team had an even stronger rush defense, keeping the Blue side to 20 yards rushing.
“The defense played extremely well,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said following the spring game. “There’s been a lot of improvement in our secondary that showed up again today and the pass rush is improving. We got some rush and some push from our inside guys and we will continue to try and get the outside rush.”
Harbaugh continued to say that the outside rush is an area he wants his team to improve in, especially in the four-man rush to get pressure on the quarterback.
Chris Wormley was called one of the most impressive players for Michigan by Coach Harbaugh on Saturday.
“Today, he provided some real good pass rush on the inside,” coach said. “And any way we can get pass rush from a four-man line is what we need to do. … The edge will come but I thought we had some good interior pass rush today that showed up.”
Dennis Norfleet is a guy that will be looked at through the summer by not just fans but the coaching staff, as he may be called on to perform on all fronts for the Wolverines.
“We started playing Dennis as a nickel corner (in the spring) and he took right to it,” said Harbaugh. “From the first day, he was pretty darn good. I think you’re gonna look at Dennis possibly being a three-way player: offense, defense and special teams. I’m excited about that.”
Harbaugh also mention sophomore defensive back Jabrill Peppers as a standout player for the Michigan team this spring, saying he has the “IT” factor which equates to being really good at football.
“He’s brought great energy and enthusiasm for the game and his play has been really good,” the Michigan coach said.
The winning side tallied 155 yards of total offense, rushing for just 20 yards on 27 attempts but earning 135 through the air. Quarterback Shane Morris finished with a 11-for-24 mark for all 135 yards and one interception. He also carried the ball four times for a loss of 7 yards.
Junior QB Shane Morris will enter a position battle with true-freshman Alex Malzone for the fall’s starting role. Damien Dennis/The Pit
“I thought Shane did well and played with real courage in the pocket,” Harbaugh said of the junior. “He stood in there and made some good throws. … Shane had the one interception but that was off of a throw that really was on target and should have been caught. I was pleased with the way he played and I feel he will come out of this with some confidence.”
Bo Dever stood under center for a single pass, completing it but without a gain or loss.
For the Maize Team, Alex Malzone completed 15-of-27 attempts through the air for 95 yards, but threw two picks. Jehu Chesson through twice, completing just one of his two attempts for a 30-yard gain.
Malzone, a true freshman still currently enrolled at Brother Rice in Farmington Hills, Mich., really impressed Harbaugh and the coaching staff with his demeanor on the field and ability to perform under pressure.
“Anything is good for him,” Harbaugh said of Malzone. “He’s so young and should be in high school right now but he’s out there competing, 11-on-11 football in a game environment situation. That is valuable, valuable type of experience and he did good things.”
Harbaugh made note of Malzone’s ability to manage the game, control the huddle and make plays.
“Anything he gets right now — to play an entire, full spring game — as a true freshman is money in the bank,” the Michigan coach said.
The Michigan coaching staff doesn’t know who their quarterback will be come August, but Harbaugh is curious to see what will happen.
“If I look at it overall (following spring ball), Shane would be ahead,” Harbaugh said. “That competition will rage on into April and into May and certainly into July and August.”
Defense was perhaps the strongest factor in Michigan’s performance during the spring game, as both the Blue and Maize teams were held to a combined 333 yards total offense. Damien Dennis/The Pit
Harbaugh added that he will periodically throw up the depth chart for the team to see and let his guys know how their stock is improving or declining with the staff. After being asked if he knows who will start on the offensive line, he said yes but added no more.
During the spring game, the running game never looks like it will come Fall.
De’Veon Smith led all rushers with 50 yards for the Maize side while Wyatt Shallman earned 22 yards for the blue team.
“It’s been improving. It’s the thing that always takes the most time.,” Harbaugh said of his running staff. “For example, pass protection has been good. It was good today and I know we have good players up front and that shows up in the pass protection. The run game takes a little more time. Blockers are working in combination and that takes a little more time. The play out of the running backs is a process as well as they learn to run behind the line.”
Receivers on both sides showcased their skills as well, but Harbaugh made note that there is room for improvement among the receiving corps.
“Amar Darboh made some big catches,” Harbaugh said. “And that’s an area we keep working on, receivers that catch when it’s contested and make a tough catch.”
Darboh finished with four receptions for 75 yards to lead all wideouts on the day. It was Jaron Dukes, however, who notched the sole touchdown of the game off a 14-yard pass from Morris.
Also for the Blue Team, Jake Butt had four receptions for 30 yards, Joe Kerridge had one reception for 12 yards, Bo Dever had one reception for 4 yards and Morris had one reception for no gain.
On the opposing side, Freddy Canteen had six receptions for 36 yards, Maurice Ways had three receptions for 35 yards, Chesson had three receptions for 34 yards, Norfleet one reception for 7 yards and three other wideouts with 5 or less yards on one reception.
Michigan has five months before the Wolverines open the season on the road against Utah, allowing for plenty of time for the team to improve in the areas addressed during the post-game press conference.
Confidence is running high among not just Michigan fans, but Harbaugh and his coaching staff after the spring game.
Harbaugh said, bluntly, “I’m walking away right now with a really good feeling about the spring game.”
