Takeaways from Michigan’s win over Minnesota

The No. 12 Michigan Wolverines defated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 27-24 on Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium, improving to 4-1 on the season.

Here are key takeaways from the game.

Two turnovers and a blocked punt in the first half

Michigan’s defense tallied a fumble recovery (forced and recovered by Zeke Berry) and an interception (Jyaire Hill) in the first half, and Kechaun Bennett blocked a punt. Michigan scored a touchdown off the fumble recovery and another off the blocked punt, which led to Michigan heading into halftime with a 21-3 lead. Michigan looked like they were cooking and were about to absolutely annihilate the Golden Gophers, but things changed in the second half, which we’ll talk about in a bit.

Alex Orji with some good and bad

After throwing for just 32 yards against USC with Michigan’s rushing attack going for 290 yards, Orji threw at a slightly higher frequency against Minnesota. Orji was 10-of-18 for 86 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Orji’s interception came on a pass where Donovan Edwards and Colston Loveland were both wide open. If Orji locked onto Edwards it was have been a touchdown, and if he threw to Loveland sooner and more accurately it would have been a deep completion. Orji made a few other inaccurate throws throughout the afternoon but also showed some poise at times and stepped up in the pocket well.

Orji’s sample size is still very small this season as he became QB1 just a week ago. However, he’s gotta improve in a hurry because Michigan’s rushing attack is bound to be limited at some point this season and the passing game will be the deciding factor in winning or losing.

Kalel Mullings is the man

Running back Kalel Mullings continues to be Michigan’s brightest star on offense and without him the Wolverines would have lost against USC last week and Minnesota this week. Mullings rushed for 111 yards against Minnesota on 24 carries with two touchdowns and not only become Michigan’s lead back, supplanting Donovan Edwards (9 carries, 34 yards), he’s become one of the best backs in the nation.

Michigan finished poorly in all facets

Michigan’s had a 24-3 lead at one point but the game got way too close because Michigan’s offense couldn’t sustain drives and the defense gave up 21 second half points. Michigan’s defense allowed 12 first downs in the second half along with 144 passing yards. Further, Michigan allowed a 60-yard punt return in the fourth quarter that set Minnesota’s offense up in favorable field position. Minnesota cut Michigan’s lead to just three in the final two minutes and they even secured an onside kick that would be negated due to Minnesota being ruled offsides on the play. Things didn’t get much better when Michigan got the ball with 1:36 left. Minnesota had one timeout left and the Wolverines opted to run plays instead of just kneeling, which almost proved to be catastrophic. On second down Orji, out of the shotgun, fumbled the ball but luckily recovered the fumble. Michigan would go on to run out the clock and win the game, but there’s no way they should find their performance acceptable or pat themselves on the back. They could have easily lost this one against a team they haven’t lost to since 2014.

Wake up call

Some wins should be celebrated more than others, this one should have players and coaches going back to the drawing board to figure out what went wrong and how they can fix it. The mistakes they made against Minnesota, their inability to close them out when they had ample opportunties, their lack of a cohesive passing game, all will prove to be fatal flaws in games to come if they don’t improve in the areas in which they have weaknesses. Next up for Michigan is their first road game of the season against Washington, a team that is 3-2 after losing 21-18 to Rutgers on Friday. However, playing at Washington can get loud and rowdy and Huskies quarterback Will Rogers can put on an aerial assault on a given week. The version of Michigan Football against Minnesota won’t cut it against Washington, but they have a week to get better and find their battle rhythym once again. They were counted out against USC and they gutted that one out, it’ll take more of that from them if they make a playoff push this season.

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