The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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OCTOBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 35 get out there, try to live up to it." At the same time, the Wolverines didn't do their job in getting off the field against an elite quarterback in Quinn Ewers, who finished 24-of-36 passing for 246 yards and 3 scores. Texas was 8-of-10 on third- down conversions in the first half and 10- of-16 for the afternoon. That was deflat- ing and kept the Maize and Blue defense on the field, on their heels. Michigan was sliced and diced, with Ewers completing 7 passes of 20-plus yards. The Wolverines are an aggressive unit under Martindale — that's what he's known for — but Texas used that against them in throwing screens and other short passes to the flat, getting its weapons out in space. Michigan missed 8 tackles, many in the open field. "Guys just have to tackle," head coach Sherrone Moore said. "Guys have to make plays. Guys aren't in position or not com- municating. There are too many wide- open things happening. That's the big piece for us. We've got to get those fixed." To their credit, the Wolverines made strides after the loss to Texas, putting forth a stellar defensive performance for most of a 28-18 win over Arkansas State. The main rotational players allowed only 3 points (it could've been 9 had it not been for 2 missed field goals), before the re- serves gave up 15 fourth-quarter, garbage- time points. Through three quarters, the Red Wolves only mustered up 149 total yards, including just 12 yards rushing. "I just thought they all did their job," Moore said of his starting defense. "They did exactly what they were coached to do. They weren't trying to press to make plays. They just made them. "Coverage was sticky. Run lanes were shut down. Everything was gapped out. They made a couple plays here and there, but they did a really good job and played our style of ball. It was really good to see and watch those guys rally." MICHIGAN FRONT SEARCHING FOR MORE DISRUPTION The Wolverines had only 4 sacks (tied for 91st nationally) and 13 tackles for loss (tied for 101st) through three games this year. They created 7 negative plays in the Texas (4) and Arkansas State (3) tilts com- bined, after notching 6 tackles for loss versus Fresno State. Getting in the backfield and affecting the quarterback will be key going forward, with six opponents left on the schedule averaging more than 400 total yards per contest. Senior edge Josaiah Stewart is one who can make it happen, and he showed that in the opener, posting 5 tackles, including 3 for loss and 2 sacks. "That's been our mantra all camp, just playing fast, playing hard and physical," Stewart said. The rush defense has been good, for the most part, allowing only 70 yards per game despite Texas running for 143 and a score. "We have [junior defensive tackles] Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant in the middle, so it makes it pretty hard for them to run it inside," Stewart said with a laugh. Those two combined for 12 tackles and 2 pass breakups in U-M's 2-1 start, a rela- tively quiet beginning to the season as far as stats go. Building depth on the line remains a focus of the coaching staff. Senior defen- sive tackle Rayshaun Benny returned from his Rose Bowl injury with a sack against Fresno State, and he's been productive with 10 tackles, including 2 for loss. The hope is others join him soon to help spell Graham and Grant and make for a more well-rounded front line. COMPETITION IN THE SECONDARY Junior cornerback Will Johnson's 86- yard pick six against Fresno State was the fifth-longest interception returned for a touchdown in program history, and it put Michigan up 30-10 late in the fourth quarter. Johnson had given up some yard- age in coverage throughout the game but bounced back with the big play to put an exclamation point on the victory. "I feel like it was the angriest inter- ception because they were trying him all game," junior edge Derrick Moore said with a smile. Johnson recorded 10 tackles, including 1 for loss, 2 pass breakups and a quarter- back hurry through three games, coming off being named a first-team All-Ameri- can by Sports Illustrated in 2023. The cornerback spot opposite Johnson has been much less steady, with sopho- more Jyaire Hill getting the bulk of the snaps but graduate Aamir Hall, an Albany transfer, mixing in. Hill has missed 3 tack- les (second most on the team, behind 4 from junior linebacker Ernest Hausmann) and been picked on in coverage, giving up 15 receptions, per PFF. Hall gave up a touchdown against Texas but had 2 pass breakups the next week against Arkansas State. "You're seeing guys take the next step on D," Moore said after praising Hall. "It's great to see, and we love the competition." Michigan's pass defense left a lot to be desired against the Longhorns and ranked 90th in the country with 234.3 yards al- lowed per contest. Its 6.1 yards given up per pass, though, stacks up much better, tied for 47th nationally. Graduate Makari Paige, one of the few returning starters from last season, has headlined the safety position. He notched his second career interception versus Ar- kansas State and was third on the team with 13 tackles this season. ❏ Early Defensive Snapshot STRONGEST POSITION GROUP: Defensive line — Michigan held Fresno State (9) and Arkansas State (12) to less than 15 rushing yards apiece. MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: Junior defensive tackle Mason Graham — While he's had a relatively quiet start to the season, the 6-foot-3, 320-pounder has totaled 9 tackles, including a half-stop for loss, and 6 pressures. He routinely faces double teams, freeing up teammates. MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Senior defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny — He's coming off a serious injury late last season and had a slow ramp up in fall camp, but he's come back with a vengeance early on in 2024, posting 10 tackles to lead the defensive line, 2 stops for loss and 1 sack. He had 27 tackles with 5.5 for loss in 14 outings in 2023. IMPACT NEWCOMER: Junior linebacker Jaishawn Barham — He's had his ups and downs, but the Maryland transfer is the only first-year Wolverine defender who's stepped into a starting role. He was tied atop the team with 14 tackles through three games. POSITION THAT NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT: Linebacker — The Wolverines had to replace two NFL Draft picks in the middle of the defense (Junior Colson, Michael Barrett), and the linebacking corps struggled when the competition was the stiffest against Texas. Junior Ernest Hausmann missed 3 tackles, per PFF.