The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547256
NOVEMBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 29 anyone really expected at this point," de- fensive coordinator Jay Hill said at the end of September. "They've been physi- cal. They picked up the scheme well. I think they're doing a really good job … " T h ey 've exc e e d e d eve r y t h i n g . They're playing like NFL-style lineback- ers right now, so we need them to con- tinue to do that." SECONDARY: B The Wolverines have been good on the back end … for the most part. There were some breakdowns in the first half of the season, including blown cover- ages for touchdowns against UTEP, Oklahoma and Penn State. There was bad luck combined with boneheaded plays on the last drive against Iowa in a 20-19 loss, some missed opportunities for interceptions, and then some missed tackles at Minnesota. Senior Jyaire Hill, meanwhile, strug- gled in coverage against Penn State, while fellow senior Smith Snowden also had issues against the Nittany Li- ons after giving up a few big plays at Minnesota. On the very back end, though, grad- uate safety Rod Moore continued his comeback with a diving interception against PSU, and he has been very solid. However, Memphis transfer Chris Bracy has been the most consistent of the safeties. His forced fumble on a sack and interception against the Nittany Lions were two of the game's biggest plays. "Chris Bracy is a heck of a football player. He had the two takeaways, the interception and then the strip-sack … didn't actually recover that, but he's the one that caused it," Whittingham said. "And he's a vicious tackler, and a very efficient tackler." The Wolverines still need more depth at both corner and safety, but the start- ers have been playing relatively well. SPECIAL TEAMS: D There's a lot to this grade, of course. Kicker Trey Butkowski hasn't had many opportunities, but he has cashed in on the ones he's had, including a few big field goals against Iowa and Oklahoma in going 4-for-4 in the first six games. Punter Cam Brown had been solid-plus in the first five games, though his gun- ners didn't help him against the Gophers in allowing a few touchbacks, but he turned in a subpar game against Penn State. Brown averaged only 36.7 yards on 6 punts against the Nittany Lions, though he was still averaging 41.9 per punt in the season's first half. Beyond that, the Wolverines are near the bottom of the NCAA in kick cov- erage, due in part to a 99-yard return for touchdown that pretty much lost the Iowa game, and punt return man An- drew Marsh lost 2 fumbles that changed momentum for the worse against West- ern Michigan and Minnesota. He was replaced by freshman Salesi Moa, who at least caught the ball against PSU. "I thought he did some good things. One time we had a fair catch where there was some room there, and we would have liked to see a return," Whittingham said. "But for a first-year guy that hadn't done it at all this season in the game, I thought he did a nice job. He will continue to be that guy at least in the near future." This unit was supposed to be an up- grade, but Kerry Coombs' group overall has been a disappointment through six games. ❑ Transfer safety Chris Bracy forced a fumble on a sack and hauled in an interception against Penn State to help U-M secure a 21-18 victory. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Kicker Trey Butkowski connected on con- sequential field goals against Iowa and Oklahoma and went 4-for-4 in the first six games. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL