[dropcap]C[/dropcap]oming into the season, the Michigan football team faced a lot of uncertainty in many aspects of the group as a whole.
But after a 28-7 win over UNLV on Saturday, the team has one aspect of the game to hang its hat on to this point in the season, the defense.
U-M’s defensive unit flexed its muscles yet again, forcing four turnovers and holding the Rebels to just 235 yards of total offense and under 100 on the ground.
After kicking off to begin the game, it didn’t take the Wolverines offense long to tak e the field as Channing Stribling ended UNLV’s first drive with a interception that he returned to the Rebels 32.
Seven plays later, quarterback Jake Rudock found De’Veon Smith in the flat on a 5-yard pass to put U-M up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
“Last game our first drive was horrible,” he said. “So we said, next game our first drive has to be starting off strong. I just figured if I could make a play, put our offense in a great position.”
After forcing a quick three and out on UNLV to begin the second quarter, the Wolverines offense found the endzone five plays later on a 36-yard run on a end-around by Jehu Chesson to take a 14-0 lead.
U-M would force yet another punt by the Rebels and would strike quick on offense next time out.
Running back Ty Isaac shook off multiple defenders to break away from the UNLV defense for a 76-yard touchdown run to give Michigan a 21-0, capping a 4-play, 90-yard drive. The score was the first touchdown of Isaac’s career.
“Within the design of the play, you kind of have to pace yourself,” Isaac said. “It’s one of those plays that you can’t run it too fast and so I just tried to take my time to let it develop.”
U-M coach Jim Harbaugh credits Isaac for his effort and ability to read the play and find a gap in the vulnerable Rebels defense.
“It was a fantastic run by Ty,” he said. “We didn’t block it right and it was not blocked the way we drew it up and I thought it was going to be a tackle for loss. It was the darnest thing that I have seen in a long time.”
When Harbaugh took over the helm for U-M, he brought with him a grind-it-out style on offense. It may be ugly, but in this game looks are deceiving.
The Wolverines took that attitude and ran with it again this week, as they rushed for 254 yards, led by Isaac who carried the ball eight times for 114 yards and a touchdown.
“It looked like it did in practice,” Isaac said. “Everybody did their jobs and as far as contributing, it feels good. It really feels good when you can get on the scoreboard and help your team win.”
Even though the Wolverines pounded the ground game yet again, the passing game continued to have its woes.
Rudock struggled once again, completing 14-of-22 passes for 123 yards a touchdown and interception. The interception was his fifth of the year and sixth total turnover thru six games.
However, Harbaugh was quick to defend his fifth-year quarterback, continuing to hold faith that things will turn around moving forward.
“I’m not as concerned with statistics.,” Harbaugh said.. “His job is to win football games. i thought he did a good job and managed the game well but there are still things to get better at.”
As Rudock continues to get a grasp on the offense, he continues to have back up with a deep running back core that is looking to turn a corner of its own.
“I think that’s the nice part about us having such a deep running back group,” Isaac said. “If one guys not going, them somebody else in the room will be able to go.”
Harbaugh also gave praise to the unit, as the continue to improve on a weekly basis with a different contributor each week.
“It’s starting to define itself,” Harbaugh said. “All of the running backs are doing a good job of not turning the ball over. “Three games without lost fumble
With the cushion that they started with though, there was never really any pressure on the offense to get into a shootout for points after building the 21-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Wolverines would increase the lead to a 28-0 lead, after fullback Sione Houma punched it in for a 1-yard run. Houma got the ball after failing to reach the endzone on the previous run and Harbaugh gave the senior another crack at his first career touchdown.
“The first one I was still juggling it and just trying to catch it,” Houma said.. “On the second, it was all on the o-linemen. When he told me I was going to get it again, I wanted to make sure I took full advantage of the opportunity,”
The U-M defense didn’t allow a point until that final period, when quarterback Blake Decker found Devonte Boyd for a 6-yard pass.
Until that point, the U-M defense didn’t allow the Rebels past midfield and to only 75 yards of offense. That number would have been even lower if not for an early apparent sack, where Decker was taken down but never touched the ground, getting up for a 16-yard run.
“I think our defense was on the spot,” Harbaugh said. “They were anticipating more and using their instincts better, taking good risks. We’re taking good risks and getting pass break up and interceptions and we have to have that so the offense has that fear to throw the ball.”
With yet another dominant performance in the run game and on defense, many U-M fans will be quick to use the term “We’re back”, getting comfortable with success that they haven’t seen much of in nearly a decade.
However, Harbaugh will be quick to dismiss all of that chatter, as he looks to continue to push his team to keep a edge that they still have a lot of work to do.
“Satisfied is a word I’m never going to use in football,” Harbaugh said. “Just trying to improve, never satisfied and never comfortable, but I am happy.”
“Numbers wise, with how the d-line is doing yes,” he said “Technique wise, and making sure we do everything right, not quite. We clean that up practicing hard every week and just getting better through game play.”
Michigan will get its second test of the season, as they bring in BYU to Michigan Stadium for a noon kickoff next Saturday.
The home attendance for the home crowd against UNLV was announced at 108, 683.
