The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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receptions for 41 yards. Perry also caught some undesired attention for his route running learning curve in the opener, but him breaking into the lineup so early says something. One often-overlooked factor in- volved a noticeable difference in how Michigan's receivers were blocking for runs and outside screens. They're getting after it like Wolverines of old on the edges, springing some plays for more than they've earned in the recent past. JAKE BUTT LEADS TIGHT ENDS Butt is the stud of this stable, pe- riod. Through three contests, he'd al- ready made 14 catches for 132 yards and one touchdown, providing Ru- dock with a tall and talented target in clutch situations. Still, Michigan coaches made clear they intend to get plenty of tight ends in on the act. Senior A.J. Williams caught two passes for 24 yards in the opening three games, while redshirt freshman Ian Bunting emerged to make three grabs for 45 yards in the early going. Michigan's offense, three weeks in, remained perhaps the greatest ques- tion mark of the three-phases of the game for the Wolverines. Their scor- ing average of 26.7 points per game ranked 86th in the nation. Again, Harbaugh isn't dwelling on those sorts of numbers. He's aiming for wins and improvement, and shut- ting out all of the other noise. "Satisfied is never a word I'm ever going to use associated with foot- ball," Harbaugh insisted. "Like com- fortable. I just don't ever associate it with football. We're always trying to improve. We are never satisfied, never have been. I've never met too many players who have been satis- fied in football." ❏ A Look Ahead Michigan's offense still has a story to write, following three weeks of answering questions and raising others. Here's a look at some storylines worth watching over the next two months. Running Backs Race: Redshirt junior Drake Johnson became Michigan's most effective running back over the last several games of the 2014 campaign. Then a second anterior cruciate ligament injury to the same knee took him out of action in an Ohio State game that hung in the balance, until shortly after his departure. Johnson is looking to regain his role as major contributor, while junior tailback De'Veon Smith demonstrates the hard-charging style that won him the job this fall. Redshirt sophomore Ty Isaac has skills both running and catching the football, although pass protection isn't his strong suit, and junior Derrick Green isn't going away. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh loves competition, and at this key spot, it's ongoing. Turnover Smooth-Out: Turnovers proved a crucial element in Michigan's woes of the past few seasons. The early returns weren't good in this department in 2015,