Team 136 Game Recap: Michigan Controls the Line and Clock vs Oregon State

Michigan 35 – Oregon State 7

In the first series of the game, Michigan allowed OSU’s offense to do whatever they wanted, including driving right down the field and sticking it in the end zone. OSU finished the first quarter with 136 total yards. By the end of the game, they had 138.

After 26 minutes of action, the Wolverine offense only saw a 40-yard field goal by kicker Kenny Allen. But the four minutes that followed changed the direction of the game for good.

Game Changer

Following running back, De’Veon Smith’s one-yard touchdown that put Michigan up 10-7, Wolverine’s defense forced the Beavers to punt with less than two minutes left in the half.

And that’s where the game changed.

OSU punter, Nick Porebski, thought he pinned the Wolverines at the two yard line with his initial punt, but an illegal formation penalty forced a replay of the down. This replay allowed long snapper, Ryan Navarro, to send the ball over the Porebski’s head, setting up yet another one-yard touchdown from Smith. Going into the half, Michigan led 17-7 and never looked back.

Controlling the Clock and the Game

After the half, the Wolverine offensive line continued their dominance. With superb technique and improved pad level, they wore down the OSU defensive line. Unlike last week against Utah, Michigan dominated possession and sustained drives during several parts of the second half.

In the third, Allen added another 29 yard field goal. Smith and Derrick Green capped the scoring, each adding rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Green finished with 35 yards and the final score of the contest with 3:19 left in the fourth quarter. Ty Isaac also added 35 yards rushing on six carries.

Jake Rudock managed the offense well. He completed 18 passes for 180 yards, but did have one poor decision that led to an interception as he threw late and behind Jake Butt on a simple completion. As for the rest of the receiving group, Amara Darboh led the way again by hauling in four passes for 50 yards.

Defense

Chris Wormley picked up where he left off. He added a sack and three tackles for loss, giving him six for the year.

Safeties Delano Hill and Jabrill Peppers weren’t tested much through the air, but did make a few exceptional plays coming up on the run. Hill and Peppers both had tremendous open field tackles that stopped potential big plays for OSU. Cornerback, Jourdan Lewis, left the game with a concussion and will be reevaluated this week.

Next Week…

UNLV plays their odds at the Big House. Coming off a 37-3 loss to UCLA, UNLV will be looking for its first win of the season with first year coach Tony Sanchez. Expect another ground dominating performance as the Wolverines look to solidify their identity on offense.