With clear blue skies and a crisp spring breeze it almost felt like it was a fall Saturday in Ann Arbor. This season is going to be a memorable one as Coach Harbaugh has returned to be the savior of one of the cornerstones of college football. Fresh off almost a decade of failed coaches and teams, there is a buzz in Ann Arbor that one can feel upon arriving to the stadium. That buzz lead to fans and students lining up almost 4 hours before the game kicked off.
Also,
2014 Attendance: 15,000
2015: 60,000
This man has a lot to do with that.
Postgame Videos
Coach’s thoughts on spring game and what he looks for out of his team.
Coach’s stance on who is the frontrunner for the QB job and using “the good ole depth chart” to motivate players.
Coach talks about Norfleet’s move to defense and the development of Malzone.
Coach tells the media what sets Peppers apart from other players he’s worked with.
Peppers shares how his injury helped him on and off the field.
Peppers talks about why he stuck with Michigan, and what the biggest misconception about the team is.
Peppers shares that winners run when they win competitions in practice.
Final Thoughts
I have not bought or sold my stock in Shane Morris, if I had to make a choice based on today’s performance I would hold the stock.
De’veon Smith looks to become the lead horse in the backfield as none of the other backs have showed his combo of power, speed, and willingness to hit the hole.
Peppers is going to go first team All-B1G this season now that he is at safety.
Michigan needs 3 things to be successful
1. A Quarterback has to emerge as a bonfide starter and he has to prove to his teammates he is ready.
2. Wideouts need to get open more often and catch more contested balls.
3. A running back or tandem of backs needs to get it going. None of the backs on roster right now are burners so the offensive line is going to have to get some chemistry to create a more efficient offense.
Stats
Offensive MVP – Team Blue – Quarterback – Shane Morris – 11/24, 1TD, 135yds
Defensive MVP – Team Maize – Linebacker – Joe Bolden – 13 Tackles, 1 Sack, 3 TFL
Team Maize – Safety – Jabrill Peppers – 4 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU
Team Maize – Running Back – De’Veon Smith – 7 rushes for 54 yards
Team Blue – Wideout – Amara Darboh 4 Rec, 75yds
Game Recap
1st Quarter.
Team Maize took the ball first and De’Veon smith broke the game open with a 35 yard rumble on the opening play. Malzone converted a long 2nd and 18 and showed some pocket presence evading any type of rush but was stallworted on a 3rd and 10 on the Blue teams 28 yard line. The ensuing pass on 4th and 10 was broken up but an offside penalty gave him another shot. A failed double pass would lead to a turnover and Team Blue’s ball. Jehu Chesson hauled in a catch on the drive as well.
On Team Blue’s first attempt Shane Morris took the field and quickly found himself in a 3rd and six situation. He completed the pass but was way short.
Maize went with Malzone once more but switched out Smith for Derrick Green. Another screen would leave the offense facing a 3rd and 7 inside Maize territory. A seemingly surgical downfield pass was quickly intercepted and gave Team Blue the ball once more. True to form, two screen passes were called in succession leaving the Blue offense with a 3rd and 12. Team Maize would get an interception of their own.
With another 3rd and long the Maize offense went for it with a downfield throw but Malzone’s throw would again sail high. Team Blue took over on their own 10 yard line to stat their next drive and that would end the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
Antonio Whitfield made his debut getting caught behind the line and once again the Blue offense was forced to convert a 3rd and 14. This play ended with no open wideouts and scrambling for his life. Somewhat similar to last year.
Maize would take over and ride Derrick Green to another first down but Desmond Morgan had other plans and picked off the Malzone pass.
Blue took back over and handed the ball off to Ty Isaac but were again faced with a 3rd and long. Morris came out in the gun and found a man for the first down but Darboh couldn’t hold on to the pass.
Maize kept Malzone in the game and tried to work their way out of their own territory and were faced with a 3rd and 14 from their own 11 yard line. Malzone came out in the gun and found no one open once again. Cue up the “virtual punt” and Team Blue would take over from the 49 yard line.
Faced with a 3rd and 5 Morris came out in the gun and couldn’t find his timing to connect with an open Jake Butt. With just under 5 minutes to go the score still remained tied.
With 2 minutes left in the half it was hard to tell if anyone, even the fans were winning. Neither quarterback showed any dominance and the wideout group couldn’t get any type of open. Team Blue took the ball from their own 25 in an attempt to break the scoring drought. A quick offensive burst, a pick, an offsides call, and a readjustment of clock threw off their tempo.
With exactly 1 minute on the clock, team Maize took the field and started off their drive with another false start call. With a 3rd and ten looming Team Maize went to the shotgun formation but threw to flats once more.
Team Blue took the field on the 48 yard line with 44 seconds to go in the first half. Morris, would take the snap from under center. Wyatt Shallman rumbled forward to give Team Blue and 2nd and 1 with 36 seconds to go. After a Morris incomplete pass it was now 3rd and 1. Maize came out in the gun and went after Darboh once more. Darboh hauled in the pass to put the Maize team on the 14 yard line. Morris then found Jaron Dukes in the corner for the first and only score of the day.
Halftime Recap
There was not much to be excited about in two quarters of football. Neither offensive line gained much ground and more importantly, the quarterbacks looked to have no chemistry with anyone they were throwing the ball to. 3 interceptions in the first half is certainly something that will be addressed at the postgame presser. There is worry brewing in AA as this spring game is looking a lot like last year. No offensive consistency, no clear cut leaders, and lots of defensive stops. One can only hope that the defense is just that good and the offense will find itself in the waning months of summer or the Wolverines may be in some serious trouble.
3rd Quarter
Maize opened up the second half on offense and got off to quick start with a holding call on first down. Despite a 3rd and 15, Morris was able to find Jake Butt for the first down once again. Faced with a 3rd and 9, Team Blue dumped off a pass to Jake Butt once more and were faced with a 4th and 1 on their own 44 yard line. Morris floated one in to fullback Joe Kerridge for the first down. Once Peppers broke up the pass on 2nd down the Blue offense was faced with a 3rd and 9.
Team Maize took over on their own ten yard line and handed the ball off to fullback Joe Beneducci for 1 yard. Maize was then faced with a 3rd and 8 and could not get to the sticks. After another virtual punt the Blue offense took the field from the 43 yard line. Whitfield tried to stretch out the defense but was stopped behind the line by veteran linebacker Joe Bolden. Morris couldn’t escape the pressure on 3rd down and forced another 4th and long for the Blue offense.
Maize took the field from their own 22 yard line and put De’Veon Smith into the backfield once more. On first down the young back rumbled for 8 yards and had one of the longer runs of the day thusfar. He was given the ball again on the ensuing play and converted the first down. Maize did find a spark after their second attempt at a double pass was successful to end the 3rd quarter on Team Blue’s 28 yard line.
4th Quarter
Maize continued it’s drive from the previous quarter and was faced with a 3rd and 6 from the Blue 28. Sadly, Smith put the ball on the ground and created the 4th turnover of the day.
Blue got the ball and was faced with a 3rd and 5 from their own 33. Morris came out in the gun once more and wrangled a bad snap to get the ball to Butt once more. The pass would fall short and force a 4th and 1 for the Blue offense. After the virtual punt, Malzone took the field once more. After a few plays it was once again 3rd and 8. Malzone came out in the gun and was unable to convert.
Blue took over on their own 29 with 6 minutes left. When faced with a 3rd and 9 they once more put Morris in the gun and he uncorked one only to have it sail just a little too high for the streaking wideout. Maize would get the ball on the 30 yard line after the virtual punt. Malzone ran out of bounds on 1st down, and couldnt connect on a curl route and was faced with a 3rd and 12 from deep inside their own territory. Jehu Chesson couldn’t get ahold of the ensuing pass and Blue would get the ball with just over 4 minutes to go.
Morris and the Blue Team took over from the 32 yard line and he could not connect on his first pass. Second down saw Morris scamper forward to give the team a workable 3rd and 3. Morris found Darboh to keep the chains and clock moving with just over 3 minutes left in the 4th. Maize would call their first timeout with 2:43 left in the game. Facing a 3rd and 9 to essentially win the game, Team Blue came out in the gun and gave Morris another shot deep to Darboh.
Maize and Malzone would get the ball with 2:33 left in the game and down 7. They started the drive off with two short gains and were faced with a 3rd and 7 from their own 14 yard line. Brian Cole broke open across the middle and did not advance but Canteen caught the next ball to get Maize a first down.
1:16 left and Canteen catches another pass to make it 2nd and 4. Rise wash repeat and the they ran the same play to get a first down on the next play. 50 seconds and clock is ticking, Malzone throws the ball away and stops the clock. Another hitch is thrown and it’s 3rd and 4. Malzone comes out in the gun but the play has to be re-done due to a false start. With 16 seconds and clock running, the penalty forced 6 seconds left and Malzone would connect on an out and end the game. Team Blue Wins 7-0.
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