Michigan Football: Report Card Grades for the Wolverines First Game

Before Saturday’s 34-10 victory over Western Michigan, most Wolverine fans were unacquainted with No. 58 on defense.

Before Saturday, fifth-year senior Brandon Herron never started a game for Michigan, contributing only 34 tackles in 31 games.

Herron twice thrilled the Michigan Stadium crowd Saturday by turning a pair of Western Michigan miscues into Wolverine touchdowns. In the second quarter, Herron grabbed a deflected pass and rambled 94 yards for a score.  In the third quarter, Herron scooped up a Bronco fumble and raced 29 yards for another.

Sure the touchdowns were great, but Herron’s consistent play at weak-side linebacker may pay even bigger dividends. The 6’2”, 221-pounder from Stafford, Texas, finished the day with eight tackles, the same as free safety Thomas Gordon. Strong safety Jordan Kovacs lead the team with 10.

Offensively, Fitzgerald Toussaint seemed to solidify his hold on the featured back position, while Michael Shaw might have claimed the No. 2 spot.

Head coach Brady Hoke decided to keep running back Stephen Hopkins, offensive guard Ricky Barnum and linebacker Marell Evans out of the lineup for disciplinary reasons. Linebacker Cam Cordon was held out because of a back injury, but his status for Notre Dame is uncertain. The three suspended players will return Saturday.

Before we turn our attention to the Fighting Irish, let’s hand out grades for the Western Michigan game. .            

Quarterback

While his numbers were down, Denard Robinson looked comfortable in the new scheme. He completed nine of 13 passes for only 98 yards. A pair of his tosses, however, were either thrown away on purpose or severely affected by the weather. Robinson spread the ball around to six difference receivers and hit Junior Hemingway with a 37-yarder.

Starting with an 11-yard run on the first play, Robinson totaled 46 rushing yards on eight carries. Fortunately, he was never sacked or hit very hard.

Grade: B 

Running Backs

As the game went on, Fitzgerald Toussaint seemed to get stronger. He hit the holes quicker and began to run over people. Michael Shaw and Vincent Smith, the only other ball carriers, looked stronger too.

Toussaint finished with 81 yards and two touchdowns, while Shaw totaled 55 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown run.

Stephen Hopkins, who was No. 1 throughout the spring, missed the game due to disciplinary action. He'll be back next week.

At fullback, John McColgan kept his streak alive of never carrying the ball for Michigan.

Grade: B+ 

Offensive Line

The Wolverines were forced to play without starting left guard Ricky Barnum, who was also suspended for one game, But Mike Schofield took over, and the line didn't miss a beat. Like the offensive backfield, the line appeared to wear down Western as the game went on. 

Pass protection was excellent at times, as Robinson often had all day to throw. There's certainly room for improvement but don't think back to last year's group. They were not very good, especially late in the season.

The offensive line should get a pretty good test against Notre Dame, especially trying to contain inside linebacker Manti Te'o.

Grade: B+ 

Defensive Line

The defensive line was a no show. Other than Ryan Van Bergen breaking through to recover a fumble, the starters were not impressive. Craig Roh failed to make a tackle, Mike Martin had one, Will Heininger had two and Van Bergen was credited with three.

Michigan did force some turnovers, but those were primarily caused by safety Jordan Kovacs and linebacker Jake Ryan.

For the most part, Western running back Tevin Drake had an easy time finding holes, gaining 65 yards on 10 carries. 

Grade: D 

Linebackers

With Cam Gordon missing from the lineup, the linebacking unit became very inexperienced. While Kenny Demens was making his eighth consecutive start, Brandon Herron and Jake Ryan were making their first.

Herron, who was named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his two touchdown returns, had the game of his career with eight tackles, and Demens held his own with six. 

Ryan, who was credited with tipping the pass on Herron's first score, was otherwise fairly quiet.

Grade: B+ 

Secondary

Until defensive coordinator Greg Mattison began blitzing heavily, Michigan's pass coverage was almost nonexistent. Safeties Jordan Kovacs and Thomas Gordan had the bulk of the tackles, which helped keep Western's longest play down to 24 yards.

Troy Woolfolk's injury forced the Wolverines to play a sophomore and a junior at the corners for much of the game.

It's obvious the Wolverines need help at cornerback. Maybe freshmen Gregg Brown and Blake Countess can contribute more as the season progresses.

Grade: B-  

Special Teams

The obvious problem with special teams was on Michigan's kickoff coverage. The Broncos' Dervon Wallace returned six kickoffs for an average of 31 yards per return. On each return, it looked like Wallace had a chance to go the distance.

In contrast, Kelvin Grady returned three kicks for an average of 19.

"Our kickoff coverage was not even close to where we need to have it," Coach Hoke said on the Michigan Sports Network postgame show. "I thought kicking the ball itself, we got one PAT blocked, and we need to be stouter in the middle. I think (Brendan) Gibbons did a nice job, and I think Matt Wile did a nice job on the punts and the kickoffs."

Grade: C 

Coaching

Let's face it, Brady Hoke and his staff took over a lousy football team. Sure the offense was good at times, even spectacular. But as each season went on, the offensive effectiveness went downhill.

The defense and kicking game was as bad as it gets, so it is obvious Hoke, Greg Mattison and Al Borges have plenty of work ahead of them.

In the kicking game, it looks like freshman kicker/punter Matt Wile will hold down the fort until punter Will Hagerup returns from his four game suspension.

Offensively, Coach Borges is moving in the right direction. We'll see elements of both power football and the spread. Robinson will only get better as the season moves forward.

On defense, Coach Mattison showed how he can make adjustments. His second-half blitz packages totally turned the game around.

Grade: B+   

Intangibles

On offense, you can only wonder how long it will take for the two offensive packages to mesh. Last season, Michigan lacked a decent ground game, Other than Robinson himself. Maybe Stephen Hopkins can overcome his off-field problems and become the power back everyone predicted.

No one expected Greg Mattison to create a miracle. It will no doubt take a couple of seasons to build the type of defense he's accustomed to. The Wolverines will need Mattison's expertise along with several mirrors to get through this season.

Look for good things to happen on special teams. The coverage teams will definitely improve, while the kicking game will be solidified before the Big Ten season begins. 

Grade: B