The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
offensive plays into the game after an injury to Burzynski. "He was likely to play anyway because his physicality and progress in practice, and our goals as a football team, dictated that he was ready to go and could help us, so that was the plan," Funk said. Sticking With What Works While no one can be certain, knowing that IU ranks among the worst rush defenses in the country (111th, allowing 221.0 yards per game through Oct. 19), the Michigan offensive line seemed to take a dramatic step forward against the Hoosiers, helping U-M's ball carriers to 248 yards and seven touchdowns on 54 touches (4.6 yards per carry). "We didn't have a lot of play-kills — 10 guys playing and one guy not, and because of one guy not executing his assignment, our runner is hit in the backfield or the quarterback is sacked," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "The technique wasn't always perfect but our kids didn't cause the play to fail, very often. "Now, we have higher standards than that, but if you call a play you want to know everyone is blocked to the point of attack so the running back has a chance to do something, and they did a pretty good job of that." Tailbacks were dropped five times behind the line of scrimmage, though, so the Maize and Blue are not all the way there yet, and with the stout rush defenses of Michigan State (No. 1 nationally, 59.1 yards allowed per game), Iowa (No. 16, 114.9) and Ohio State (No. 7, 92.4) coming up, the challenges will be greater for the Michigan line. "We need consistency and physicality — that's what wins a championship," Funk said. "Defenses are going to make a great play every now and then. Those guys are on scholarship, too, and you're going to get caught in tough situations schematically, but if you're consistent in your assignments and techniques, and play physical — that's our goal for this offensive line in November. "If you do that, and take it one game at a time, I feel like good things will happen." Bosch is expected to join the starting lineup against Michigan State at left guard while Magnuson and Kalis will duke it out at right guard, Glasgow remains the center and Lewan and Schofield will continue to man the tackle posts. In a perfect world, the five that finished the game against IU will start every game in November, but to do that they must prove they are the best men for the jobs each week. "We're not eliminating anybody," Borges said. "We still have some talented kids in the wings, and we want to keep this competitive. "Do we want those five guys that played against Indiana? Yes we do, but that being said, we got to this point because we've kept it competitive. We have guys that can still make it, and the year is long. "You don't want to be shuffling offensive linemen right now, but that's where we are. We'll see where we are after the State game." ❏