The Wolverine

Michigan Receives Passing Marks During Non-Conference, But Must Improve Key Areas LEARNING CURVE F BY MICHAEL SPATH ollowing a bye, Michigan will begin Big Ten play Oct. 6 with two losses on its sched- ule for the first time since 2008 (when U-M went 1-2 in the non-conference). The Wolverines are not satisfied with their play on either side of the ball, but do feel there have been some positives they can build on. We grade each position group with commentary on what has trans- pired and what must improve over the next eight games. Quarterback Grade: B- Summary: With senior Denard Rob- inson, Michigan has to take the good with the bad. In four games, he has generated 18 plays of 20 yards or more, including five rushes. He has accounted for 10 touchdowns and is averaging 319.5 yards of total offense per game, ranking first in the Big Ten and 16th nationally. However, he also ranks 71st nationally and eighth in the conference in pass efficiency with a 129.40 rating, and is completing 54.4 percent of his passes. In Michigan's two defeats this sea- son, albeit against strong defensive opponents, Robinson completed 24 of 50 attempts (48.0 percent) for 338 yards with one touchdown and six interceptions, while rushing for 117 yards and a score, with a fumble, on 36 carries (3.3 yards per rush). In two wins, he completed 30 of 49 attempts (61.2 percent) for 499 yards with five touchdowns and two picks, and rushed for 324 yards and three scores on 30 carries (10.8 yards per attempt). Going Forward: Robinson promised he will be accountable to his team- mates and coaches after a four-inter- ception, five-turnover effort in a loss 20 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2012 at Notre Dame. Michigan just needs him to limit the glaring miscues that have now made him the all-time leader in interceptions at U-M (38, one every 17.9 passes). If he can cut down on the costly errors, and con- tinue to make big plays with his feet and his arm, the Maize and Blue will compete for the Big Ten title. Running Back Going Forward: With the line play- ing better against Notre Dame — U-M averaged 4.8 yards per carry and had 182 positive yards rushing before sacks (minus-21 yards) — and Toussaint seemingly finding some rhythm after his one-game hiatus, the Maize and Blue should be a bet- ter running team in conference play. Toussaint has a long way to go to 1,000 yards, and might not reach that milestone again, but the primary ob- jective is to create a better balance and force defenses to stop keying Grade: C+ Summary: After last year's breakout season for Fitzgerald Toussaint, U-M expected its running backs to lift the burden off Robinson's shoulders to an even greater extent this fall. That hasn't been the case, though. Toussaint was suspended for the first game of the season, and even upon his return the redshirt junior has rushed for only 150 yards on 36 attempts in three contests (4.2 yards per carry) while the Wolverines' ball carriers have just 276 yards total in four games. Michigan's offensive line has ac- cepted significant blame in the ground game woes, failing to gener- ate much of a push along the line of scrimmage in creating holes for the U-M backs, but Toussaint and Co. are not without culpability for the struggles. exclusively on Robinson, who has accounted for 57.8 percent of Michi- gan's rushing. Senior Vincent Smith, meanwhile, has settled back into his role as a third-down back, and U-M should benefit from the return of junior full- back Stephen Hopkins, who was out the past two games with an injury. Wide Receiver Grade: B+ Summary: Perhaps the biggest ques- tion mark offensively coming into the year due to a lack of game-break- ing, big-play targets, and a dearth of proven performers after fifth-year senior Roy Roundtree and redshirt junior Jeremy Gallon, the wide re- ceivers have been the year's most pleasant surprise so far. Gardner, who has a team-high 11 catches, 195 yards and three touch- downs, but an entire corps that has stepped up to fill the voids of Mar- tavious Odoms and Junior Heming- way. It's not just about junior Devin Gardner has been a threat, aver- aging 17.7 yards per catch, but ju- nior Drew Dileo has emerged as a dependable target (five grabs), while redshirt sophomore Jerald Robinson (three catches) has come on and ju- nior Jeremy Jackson (two) is a solid option also. Gallon and Roundtree, meanwhile, have performed nicely as No. 2 and No. 3 receivers in this offense — the ideal roles for both — combining for 19 receptions, 251 yards and a touch- down. Going Forward: Gardner's injury status was a big concern after he boarded the team bus in a sling fol- lowing the loss at Notre Dame. If he is out for any extended amount of time, U-M loses its No. 1 playmaker and every receiver in the lineup has to step up his game by one slot, with Gallon and Roundtree being a No. 1 and a No. 2, Robinson and Dileo tak- ing greater snaps, and on and on. One injury, thus, can have a ripple effect on a position that has enjoyed In Michigan's 2-2 start this season, senior quarterback Denard Robinson completed 24 of 50 attempts for 338 yards with one touch- down pass and six interceptions in the two losses, while connecting on 30 of 49 throws for 499 yards with five touchdowns and two picks in the two victories. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL

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