Wolverines’ woes looking familiar
SOUTH BEND, IND. — No. 14 Michigan looked a lot like the team that went 8-5 last season, struggling to make plays on offense Saturday while the defense tries to keep the Wolverines in the game. In the end, against a rival, they came up short. It all seemed so familiar.
Defensive end Chase Winovich insists Saturday night’s loss to No. 12 Notre Dame did not feel the same to him — and this season won’t be the same for Michigan.
“I think the trajectory is we’re coming together in the locker room,” Winovich said. “The defense still feels like maybe going into the game we had some different expectations. But at the end of the day you give up 24 points ... Just puts a lot of pressure on your offense.”
Credit the star defensive end for accountability, and Michigan’s defense did make key mistakes that aided Notre Dame’s offense, but the other side of the ball remains the biggest concern after a 24-17 loss that included one offensive touchdown for the Wolverines. Michigan averaged 4.4 yards per play. Top RB Karan Higdon carried 21 times at 3.4 yards per carry. Michigan’s longest run was 10 yards.
The Wolverines allowed three sacks, all game-changers. One knocked them out of field goal range. Another turned a second-and-goal from the 2 into third-andgoal from the 10. The last caused Shea Patterson’s fumble with less than a minute left that sealed the game.
The offensive line was a problem last year and it did not distinguish itself against the Irish, but those sacks were not all on them. Patterson, a transfer from Mississippi, made some poor decisions in the face of pressure. Leading up to the opener, he said Michigan’s offense is capable of attacking in multiple ways. “Very comfortable with this offense,” he said. “Diverse and going under center and shotgun and different formations, get the ball in open space. Run the ball and pass the ball downfield. I’m really comfortable with it.”
There were moments when Patterson’s five-star skill set flashed. He hit Nico Collins for 52 yards early in the third on the type of deep throw that has been rare for Michigan in recent years. He showed mobility. Still, it is hard to pinpoint Michigan’s offensive identity. Not being able to run the ball consistently will do that to a team. Losing talented receiver Tarik Black to a foot injury a week before the game hurt.
Michigan’s defense mostly lived up to its billing after a shaky start. The Irish averaged 4.4 yards per play, and in the second half managed just 69 yards and five first downs. On all three of Notre Dame’s first-half TD drives, Michigan defenders committed personal fouls.