Credit goes to Michigan’s dominant effort, of course, but BYU played three exhausting games with dramatic finishes against quality opponents to start the season.
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After his offense was able to muster just 105 yards against the Wolverines, the lowest output for a BYU offense in 41 years, Anae said the Cougars “need to get back to the drawing board” and challenge themselves to find some leaders, especially on offense. Now, not only is this program ahead of where most expected it to be at this point in Year 1 of the Harbaugh era, but this particular team looks improved enough to potentially upset one of the Big Ten’s top dogs – who just happen to be Michigan’s biggest rivals.
Smith started the game leading the Wolverines with 53 carries, 206 yards rushing and three TDs over the first three games.
As the Wolverines’ running game was concerned, Smith continued to address where his talent places him among the Wolverines’ tailbacks by making a number of precision cuts throughout the day.
Quarterback Jake Rudock managed the game effectively, and while he got lucky on at least one ill-advised pass that could have been a pick-six for BYU, he was not intercepted.
Michigan wide receiver Amara Darboh (82) rushes on Brigham defensive back Michael Shelton (18) in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on Saturday. Tailback De’Veon Smith took a handoff into the scrum and emerged, breaking tackles and rumbling for a 60-yard touchdown. Smith has 205 rushing yards on the season.
“People can get caught up in statistics and obviously there were some good stats coming out of that last game, and the last couple, but we can make a lot of improvement”, Durkin said Monday night on Jim Harbaugh’s radio show.
Question: Eugene “Geno” Green of College Sports Overload asks Smith, “what was going through your mind (during the run)?” BYU returned one punt for five yards and four kicks for 49 yards.
And with a signature win over a ranked opponent now in its pocket, Michigan and its defense are in a position to keep on rolling. Though Michigan didn’t force any turnovers, they didn’t have to.
The team did not turn the ball over, but struggled to get first downs.
Darboh became a United States citizen on Thursday.
The only notable mistake by the Wolverines was on fourth and 16. There was definitely miscommunication between the coaching staff and O’Neill judging by reactions from both parties after the play. The Wolverines dismantled BYU in a manner they’d yet to dismantle anyone thus far in 2015.
Jones was 19 of 33 for 288 yards but hit only 6 of 14 in the second half when he threw his only interception. Michigan will throw the Buckeyes a fastball regular-season finale.
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BYU football is back in action next Friday at 8:15 p.m. against UConn. Some fans are even guaranteeing that Michigan will take down Michigan State when they meet on October 17th at the Big House.
