What follows are some notes I jotted down while watching Big Ten Network's airing of yesterday's Michigan-Eastern Michigan game, a game in which the Wolverines awoke from an early slumber to win 31-3.
- Thomas Gordon gave credit to Kenny Demens for forcing the fumble that Gordon recovered on EMU's opening drive, but in fact, defensive end Jibreel Black made the strip as he pursued running back Javonti Greene from the backside. The stat guys had it right; Gordon had it wrong. Black made some nice plays, but coach Hoke didn't "feel" Black as much as he felt other guys on the line.
- Asked in the postgame press conference whether he had issues throwing behind receivers, Denard Robinson said no. Taking the entire game into consideration, I'd agree with Robinson. In general, his throws were too high, and other times too low. But on Michigan's opening drive he threw behind Vincent Smith (Robinson's post-play gesture suggested Smith didn't run the route properly) and Junior Hemingway, on a play Hemingway, frankly, didn't exert enough effort on.
- There are a number of promising freshmen and sophomores getting quality playing time on defense, which obviously bodes well for the future. The following guys will have at least two years of eligibility remaining after this season: Jake Ryan, Frank Clark, Jibreel Black, Thomas Gordon, Courtney Avery and Brandin Hawthorne. That's a strong core to build around.
- Ohio State's Luke Fickell might have been a two-time state wrestling champion, and Nebraska's Bo Pelini scares the beejeebers out of me, but the baddest coach in America might be Eastern Michigan's Ron English. I walked behind him in the Big House tunnel after the game and his back simply explodes out of his shirt. This guy is jacked.
- Thomas Gordon's one-handed interception was exceptional in real-time and even better on TV. A one-handed catch is often a misnomer, as the hand, arm, and body generally work as a unit to make the grab. But Gordon's INT was truly a one-handed catch. Incidentally, the double pass EMU called on that play doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The Eagles, at that point of the game, had been moving the ball well on the ground. Why stray from that? Then again, if it works, it's a great call. The second pass should have never been thrown, as Gordon was all over the intended receiver.
- In two weeks against Minnesota, punter Will Hagerup will return from a four-game suspension, giving Michigan a weapon it has lacked. Matt Wile has been serviceable, but his punts don't go high or long enough, and he's unable to bail out the offense after a bad drive, like when they failed to pick up a yard after Kovacs' goalline stop. Hagerup is capable of uncorking a 47-50 yarder in that situation.
- Speaking of Kovacs, he does not miss tackles, and his speed and athleticism have improved significantly. If there's a better player on Michigan's defense, I haven't seen him. Not only is Kovacs a candidate for All Big Ten honors, he's a candidate for All American honors.
- In three games, No. 1 receiver Roy Roundtree has three catches. He was targeted just once, from what I could tell, in Saturday's game, on a ball thrown low. If Denard's passing woes continue, so will Roundtree's lack of productivity. Obvious statement, I recognize.
- Taylor Lewan dominated whoever was on the right side of EMU's defensive line. Absolutely destroyed him on Denard's TD run. Lewan plays with an attitude, and thus far, he has done a good job of harnessing it and not committing stupid penalties.
- I think squib kicks are generally garbage unless they are executed on the final play of a half to prevent the ball from being fielded by a good returner. Wile was ordered to hit a squibber with 39 seconds to go, resulting in EMU beginning its drive at UM's 47 with 33 seconds to go. That's enough time to run four plays, at least, so I'd much rather kick deep and make EMU and its run-only offense travel a fair distance. Instead, without even attempting a pass, they were able to get into position to attempt a 50-yard field goal. The kick was no good, but they should have never even been in that good of a spot to put cheap points on the scoreboard.
- I like Vincent Smith as a third-down back. I'll even like him as an every-down back if he produces like he did Saturday. I do not, however, like him as a kick returner. His north-south speed is pedestrian-like. Not having Darryl Stonum hurts Michigan here.
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