The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2025 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan's special teams were under the microscope head- ing into the season, other than Dominic Zvada. The elite kicker was ex- pected to pick up where he left off after making 21 of 22 kicks last year, including several of more than 50 yards. But Zvada struggled in the first three weeks, missing two kicks he'd normally make including a 32-yarder in a loss at Oklahoma. It was part of a rough start overall for the specialists, coming to a head against Central Michigan in a game in which the punt return unit continued to struggle. Junior Semaj Morgan had misplayed a few balls in the first three games, and against the Chippewas he got wiped out by his own man on one catch. Though interim coach Biff Poggi said after the Central Michigan game they'd give it a serious look, Morgan was back there again in a 30-27 win over Ne- braska. He returned 1 of 4 punts for mi- nus-1 yard. Through four games, Morgan ranked 80th out of 81 returners nation- ally with a 1-yard average (7 returns, 7 yards). In short, this is one group that needs to improve. Freshman Andrew Marsh, meanwhile, ranked 40th nationally with a 20.3-yard average on 6 kick returns. Michigan ranked 50th in punt return defense, al- lowing 3.83 yards per return, while net punting was a disappointing 105th out of 134 teams at 37.14 yards per kick. Senior Hudson Hollenbeck wasn't listed among the top 75 punters in the NCAA's official stats log. The Michigan kick return defense was good for 24th, allowing only 14.86 yards per run back … that was the highlight of the special teams performances, other than kickoffs. Senior transfer kicker Beckham Sunderland has been impres- sive, high and long on his kickoffs. He notched 13 touchbacks on 19 kicks in his first four games in showing off his big leg. The best news, though — Zvada's resurgence against Nebraska. His 56- yard field goal was one of 3 makes on 3 attempts, a third-quarter bullet that proved to be one of the plays of the game. The score was tied 17-17, and had he missed, the Cornhuskers would have had great field position with a chance to seize momentum. Zvada kicked off twice a week earlier (128 yards, 1 touchback) and missed his only field goal versus CMU (47 yards), though he hit it well. Poggi didn't ap- pear concerned after the game, though, insisting he'd come around. "[Special teams coach] JB [Brown] does a great job with him," Poggi said. "My feeling on kickers has always been this — I think he's the best kicker in the country. He's in a little bit of a slump, and you stay the heck away from him. Just … not too many voices in his head. You figure out those demons yourself, kid, and start knocking them through the little yellow poles that are sticking up." Zvada responded with an outstanding showing against the Cornhuskers — im- proving to 7-of-9 overall on field goals and 17-of-17 on PATs at the bye week — and he will be relied upon for more of the same the rest of the year. ❏ Michigan's Special Teams Need To Improve Placekicker Dominic Zvada had his best game of the season thus far against Nebraska Sept. 20, making all 3 of his field goal attempts, including a key 56-yarder that matched his career-best distance in a game. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL