The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Turnovers Still A Concern For Michigan Hoke said in his opening statement. "Right now, we've got a major-league When Michigan head coach Brady problem, and we've got to fix it, beHoke addressed the media after his cause that's not going to win you team narrowly escaped Connecticut championships." As of Sept. 21, the Wolverines had 24-21 (which was a week after the coughed up 12 turnovers on the seaWolverines narrowly escaped Akron 28-24), he made no bones about what son, which was tied for second to last nationally. Western Kentucky led issue had him most concerned. "You can't give the ball away," the country in turnovers surrendered with 15. Of the 10 teams with the most turnovers in the country (see chart), Michigan was the only team that had navigated the early weeks of the season without a loss. Five of the teams had yet to win a game, and the 10 schools (including Michigan's 4-0 mark) had combined for a 12-25 record in the first four weeks of the season. Redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner was the biggest culprit, with eight interceptions and two lost fumbles. Gardner was tied with Washington State's Connor Halliday and Western Kentucky's Brandon Doughty for the most interceptions thrown by a quarterback this season. "If he was a running back, two fumbles would equal pine, or riding the bench," Redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner was respon- former U-M lineman and sible for 10 (eight interceptions and two fumbles) of TheWolverine.com analyst David Moosman said. "We Michigan's 12 turnovers in its first four contests. photo by cyle nunemaker need him to protect the ball