Michigan football grades vs. ECU: Passing game, coaching set the tone in season opener
Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia grades Michigan football on a scale of A to F after the Wolverines' 30-3 win over East Carolina to open the season Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium:
Offense: B-plus
If this were a grade solely for J.J. McCarthy or the passing game, it would be an A-plus. But, as surprising as it sounds, it was the run game which actually held back what would otherwise have been a nearly flawless day on offense. Let's start with the good: McCarthy was close to perfect, completing 26 of 30 passes for 280 yards — his most in a game at Michigan Stadium — for three touchdowns and no turnovers. Also, he showed that he has plenty of trusted receivers, with Roman Wilson (six catches, 71 yards, three touchdowns), Cornelius Johnson (five catches for 71 yards) and Colston Loveland (four catches for 57 yards) all getting in the mix. The run game, outside of two big Corum runs (gains of 37 and 21) never got going. Take those out of the equation, and U-M ran 22 times for 50 yards in the first three quarters. Yes, ECU had a top-20 run defense last year and dedicated a number of resources to the box, but still, it wasn't quite the classic Michigan's run game performance.
Defense: A-minus
The defense didn't allow any points until East Carolina's moral-victory field goal soared through the uprights as time expired. But ECU using a timeout to kick a field goal against U-M's third unit is hardly anything to hold against Minter's group. The unit was frustrated by not getting home for any sacks, but that was part off ECU's design, used quick passes and short drop backs. To counter, the Wolverines were able to keep two safeties deep; Minter's stated goal was to "not allow any big plays" and to do so despite missing two of the team's three best secondary players is a notable accomplishment. The Wolverines started with one defensive line grouping on the field (Braiden McGregor, Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham and Jaylen Harrell) which forced a three-and-out, then put the other on the field (Josaiah Stewart, Kenneth Grant, Cam Goode and Derrick Moore) for the second series, which forced an interception. Those linemen ate up blocks, allowing linebackers Ernest Hausmann (team-high six tackles) and Junior Colson (five tackles, two for loss) to clean up. Nearly half of ECU's offense (113 out of 235 yards) came in the fourth quarter when Michigan called off the dogs.
Special teams: C-plus
There were signs the post-Jake Moody era kicking game will be OK, however it's still clear the program's best kicker will be missed. Saline native and Louisville transfer James Turner got the start at placekicker and had an up-and-down day, going 4-for-5 on extra points and 1-for-2 on field goals. Turner missed the extra point on U-M's third touchdown (facing the south end zone), something Moody never did, going a perfect 148-for-148 across his career. At the end of the first half, the senior nailed a 50-yard field goal as time expired, giving him a new career long. He later missed a 52-yard kick in the fourth. New punter Tommy Doman booted twice on the afternoon, one of which went 45 yards, the other went 44. Outside of that, the Wolverines had three punt returns for 14 yards and a gaffe on the first punt, when Jake Thaw let a ball (which landed at the 30) roll inside U-M's 5 in the first quarter.
Coaching: A
Seemingly without much effort and without risking anybody to injury, the Wolverines steamrolled an opponent their acting head coach referred to as "giant killers" earlier in the week. This ECU team isn't last year's ECU team, but to put together a well-rounded performance like Saturday and to do so without the head coach, or offensive coordinator, is a testament to the entire staff. U-M had a good game plan in place, knowing the Pirates would load the box against the run, and acting offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell took full advantage. The offense constantly got Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson in favorable, one-on-one matchups down field, while the defense didn't get overzealous going for sacks. Instead, U-M dialed back the pressure and forced the Pirates to keep everything in front of them. Through three quarters (when starters were in), U-M outgained ECU, 398-118.
Contact Tony Garcia at apgarcia@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @realtonygarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan grades vs. ECU: Domination everywhere except ... run game?
