The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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OCTOBER 2018 THE WOLVERINE 27 ference this year, compared to 34.0 percent in the first three games a year ago. The Wolverines were also tied for 34th in turnovers lost with three compared to five at the same time last year, though Patterson was fortu- nate to have a pass go through a de- fender's hands in the win over SMU. Michigan is allowing 2.0 sacks per game, down from 2.77 a year ago (111th), and Patterson's ability to move has been a big part of that. He's escaped at least three sure sacks. The line is still a work in progress in that respect. The Wolverines also allowed 5.3 tackles for loss per game in the non-conference, which is tied for 55th nationally. Harbaugh, though, said he was pleased with the progress being made up front. The line rebounded from a difficult showing against Notre Dame — in which both turn- overs (an interception Patterson threw off his back foot and the game- clinching fumble on U-M's last drive) were the result of pass protection breakdowns — by paving the way for 308 rushing yards against WMU. "I thought they were good," Har- baugh said of the line after the 49-3 win over Western. "I thought it was an improvement. They took another step this week, getting on the right guys, not turning anybody loose in protection, giving the quarterback a chance to step up in the pocket so he can feel some space around him and see where everybody is. "They blocked really well in the run game, hat on a hat. Just good, Junior quarterback Shea Patterson has helped the U-M passing attack improve, and after three games he ranks 21st nationally and second in the Big Ten with a passer rating of 171.2. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN