Big plays and a stifling run defense set the tone for Michigan on Saturday as the Gophers fell in the battle for the Little Brown Jug, 33-10.
“We are where we are, and I’ve been through this before,” said P.J. Fleck. “We are exactly where we’re supposed to be, no matter anybody’s opinions or judgements…we got whooped. On the way to being a champion, on the way to being successful, you have to understand what it feels like to be whooped. And we got whooped.”
BY THE NUMBERS
3 Rushing touchdowns of over 60 yards for the Wolverines. The story of the game was Michigan’s ability to break a tackle or two near the line of scrimmage and burn the defense to the end zone.
13 Tackles, 6.5 (!!!) for a loss, and a forced fumble for Michigan’s Khaleke Hudson. The sophomore DB was all over the field on the defense, and forced the big fumble of Demry Croft in the second half.
“Heck of a ball player,” said Rodney Smith of Hudson. “He did his job, made plays all over the field. He had a huge impact on the defense today.”
5 Minute advantage for the Gophers in time of possession. Surprising given the score, but it makes sense when three Michigan drives end in 60-plus-yard touchdowns.
2 Rushing yards per attempt for the Gophers who had just 90 total for the game. The five sacks didn’t help, but Minnesota couldn’t get anything going between the tackles, and had trouble beating Michigan’s athletes on the edge.
“They’re a good defense,” said Smith. “We knew they were going to make adjustments. They just did a good job on the interior of stopping what we wanted to do between the tackles.”
P.J. Fleck noted the physical difference between his front five and Michigan’s d-line.
“We’re not strong enough,” said Fleck. “We’re one of the least experienced and youngest football teams…we had to go against these grown men over here…we got thrown around a lot today.”
25 Pass attempts total for the two teams. A big reason for that? 84 combined rushing attempts. That sounds like old school Big Ten football.
60 Minutes of a rain delay before the game. These delays this season are getting old.
“We’ve been in four rain delays the entire year, we’re really prepared for it,” said Fleck.