The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/873137
OCTOBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 29 Kinnel was the catalyst from his safety spot. In addition to leading the team in tackles, he had notched 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an inter- ception he returned for a touchdown against Cincinnati. More importantly, he handled his role as quarterback of the back four extremely well. "I felt like I was communicating well with my teammates," Kinnel said after the Florida game. "I felt I was pretty composed. I felt like I was run- ning to the ball pretty fast and making all my checks." He was outstanding against Cin- cinnati, Harbaugh added. "He would be another person to spotlight, our defensive player of the game, with sacks … tackles for loss, an interception for touchdown, [nine] tackles total," the head coach noted. Hill, Watson and sophomore safety Josh Metellus also played well, he added. The entire second- ary accounted for two touchdowns through two games (a pick-six by Hill against Cincinnati in addition to Kinnel's) and a forced fumble, that one coming on a Metellus hit against Florida. "We knew what we were capable of throughout camp and spring," Kinnel said after the Florida game. "We just wanted to show everyone we could fly around and play foot- ball. I think we did a pretty good job of doing that. Now we just need to get better every week." Brown was disappointed with a couple of long passes over Hill's head against the Gators, and Cincinnati missed on two deep opportunities, too, after receivers had gotten behind the defensive backs. But the defensive boss was pleased overall with the play of the second- ary, especially in one aspect. "We've all got to function together," he said after the Florida win. "There was a lot of communication on the back end … that's what struck me. I felt going in we would communicate well; in practice we could see it get better on a daily basis." ❏ Five Questions Emerging On The Defense Michigan's defense dominated for the most part in its first two opportunities, but there's still plenty to prove. Here are the questions we still have about the 2017 unit: 1. Are the Wolverines deep enough up front? The first-team front four has been dominant, as expected. They're providing pres- sure and changing the tenor of games even when they're not finishing sacks, led by fifth-year senior tackle Maurice Hurst. He's looked like an All-American through two games, whether the Wolverines have played in a three- or four-man front. The backups have been solid in the early going, particularly redshirt junior tackle Lawrence Marshall and sophomore end Carlo Kemp, but there are bigger tests to come. Guys like freshman tackle Aubrey Solomon also need to continue to emerge. 2. Can the defense hold up against bigger, run-it-at-them offensive lines? There aren't that many anymore, but there are a few. Michigan State ran the ball with some success against the Wolverines last year by going heavy, running right at linebacker Jabrill Peppers. Sophomore viper Khaleke Hudson is that guy this year, and odds are the Spartans — and certainly Wisconsin — are going to test him and the line. This is also where a guy like redshirt junior nose tackle Bryan Mone has to domi- nate. He has it in him, but he needs to do it consistently. 3. Does sophomore end Rashan Gary have it in him to take over games? Gary had one of his best games against Cincinnati, head coach Jim Harbaugh said, and he was very good against Florida, too. He'd notched six tackles, including a half sack, along with two quarterback hurries through two games, and he had laid some big hits. The sophomore was double teamed much of the Florida game, but had a number of one-on-one opportunities against Cincinnati. He has the poten- tial to get home on more of them, but can he do it? That could be a game- changer for an already outstanding defense. 4. Can the defensive backs avoid giving up big plays in the passing game? Florida hit for an early big play on a fade over sophomore Lavert Hill, and Hill gave up another on a long pass thrown short while he was un- able to track the ball. Cincinnati, meanwhile, had one overthrow and one ball dropped after receivers had gotten behind the Michigan defense, and head coach Jim Harbaugh admitted the Wolverines "dodged a few bullets" back there. One looked like a blown coverage, the other a fast receiver getting behind a defensive back. Either way, a better team would have scored 14, and this unit needs to be better. Defensive coordinator Don Brown isn't going to go conservative, so press-man coverage is on the itinerary. 5. Would this defense be able to withstand a few injuries? There are almost always a few, and the Wolverines have been relatively fortunate in avoiding them through two games. But the safeties would have to rely on a few guys who have yet to play much, including freshman J'Marick Woods, while the defensive line depth (as mentioned) remains a work in progress. The second-string linebackers, too, haven't had much experience, and there aren't many breathers on the schedule anymore to get backups some much-needed experience. — Chris Balas Sophomore cornerback Lavert Hill ran back his first career interception 24 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL