Michigan Football: Defensive statistics point out last season’s flaws
By Joel Greer
The 2014 Michigan football team’s offense was mediocre at best. Neither the passing game nor the running game showed the consistency needed to win just one marquee game. (i.e. Notre Dame 31, Michigan 0).
The defense, which looked better on a few stat sheets, didn’t exactly delight the Wolverine fans who were staying away from the Big House in embarrassing numbers.
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The defensive stats looked good against the run with Michigan finishing 15th nationally (117.1 ypg ). The Wolverines also finished 7th in total defense (311.3), 4th in first down defense (18.9), 20th in pass defense (193.7). and 27th in scoring defense (22.4).
Michigan finished 27th in scoring defense (22.4) , but even the casual Michigan fan might question if that stat is acceptable.
Second half woes
(From 1970 thru 1974 Bo Schembechler’s Michigan team allowed just 373 points, a 7.46 per game average).
The Wolverines last season were not exactly a second half team. After intermission, Notre Dame (10-0), Utah (13-0), Minnesota (20-17), Michigan State (21-8), Maryland (14-7) and Ohio State (28-14) took apart the Michigan defense.
Along with the positive statistics, the Michigan defense produced the following negative ones: 44th in team sacks (2.42), 46th in 3rd down conversion defense (3.82), 62nd in red zone defense (.829) 119th in passes intercepted (5) and 121st in turnover margin (-16).
Michigan, of course, has a new coaching staff, a pair of key players returning from injury, a multiple defense and a totally new attitude. The dog days of fall camp are nearly over, and the team will soon be travelling to Salt Lake City for the opener.
Defense is ready
Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin believes the defense is ready.
“Yeah, our guys, they enjoyed practicing together, playing together– they enjoy one another” Durkin said in his fall camp press conference.
“It’s been good, definitely. As you get into the middle of camp there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. I think they’re starting to get that now and we’re starting to back off a little bit, like I said, getting Utah prep, and I think they’re ready to go.”
Returning from an arm injury that sidelined him for all of the 2014 season (except Appalachian State) is Desmond Morgan, who will start at middle linebacker. A player similar in style to the graduated Jake Ryan, Morgan has been a solid performer, producing 229 total tackles in 30 career starts.
Interceptions on the rise
Also back from missing most of last season is free safety Jabrill Peppers, who could be Michigan’s most effective defender before long. Gone will be the paltry five interceptions Michigan tallied in 2014.
Peppers will also play cornerback, nickelback, return punts and possibly kickoffs. And yes, he might play some offense too.
Peppers to the rescue
“Jabrill is, as always – he brings it every day,” Durkin said. “He’s one of the hardest workers on the team and he’s very talented. There’s a lot of things he can do to help our team. It’s a matter of us figuring out where we need him most and where the best spots are for him to help us. But he’s been great. He’s been practicing every day and doing a great job.”
Also lost is defensive end Brennen Beyer who graduated, nickelback Blake Countess who transferred and Brian Mone who’s most likely out for the season with a broken ankle.
Mone was given a shot to win a defensive tackle slot, but now it looks like Willie Henry, Matt Godin and Mo Hurst will get most of the work there. Hurst and Chris Wormley can play both strongside defensive end and tackle.
Linemen can play defensive end
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Jeremy Clark (34) against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Glasgow will start off at nose with Mario Ojemudia and Lawrence Marshall sharing the weakside end position.
When Michigan abandons the 4-3 for the 3-4, there is no wideside end position (the wideside end can move to outside linebacker) so the tackles basically move to the two ends.
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis is banged up so Jeremy Clark will move to wideside cornerback this week and grad-transfer Wayne Lyons will take the opposite corner Raymon Taylor manned before he graduated.
With the multiple fronts, Durkin sees better pressure on the quarterback, which make things easier in the secondary.
Potential starters (4-3):
WSDE–Mario Ojemudia, Lawrence Marshall
SSDE–Chris Wormley, Taco Charlton
NT–Ryan Glasgow, Mo Hurst
DT–Willie Henry, Matt Godin
SAM–James Big Ross, Allen Gant
MIKE–Desmond Morgan, Ben Gedeon
WILL–Joe Bolden, Royce Jenkins-Stone
WSCB–Wayne Lyons, Channing Stribling
SSCB–Jeremy Clark, Jourdan Lewis
SS–Jarrod Wilson, Delano Hill
Next: U-M Football: Starting Lineup Taking Shape