The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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NOVEMBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 39 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2016 defense was better in is points al- lowed. Last season's defense allowed just 14.1 points per game, which was the second-best mark in the nation. This year's, however, is allowing 14.7, which ranks eighth best nationally. • Indiana has come incredibly close to beating Michigan several times over the last 10 years, but has never been able to finish the deal — that was the case once again in the Wolverines' 27- 20 victory on Oct. 14. The Hoosiers kicked a 46-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to send the game into overtime and ap- peared to have all the momentum. After surrendering a touchdown to U-M in the extra session, the Hoosiers had first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, but eventually saw their fourth-down heave into the end zone intercepted by Wolverine junior safety Tyree Kinnel. Indiana was one play away from victory two years ago in Blooming- ton. All the Hoosiers had to do was stop Michigan on a fourth-down play from the 5-yard line with six seconds remaining, but U-M converted and eventually won in double-overtime, 48-41. The 2010 matchup in Bloomington also came down to the final seconds. The game was tied with just 18 sec- onds remaining, when quarterback Denard Robinson scampered into the end zone from four yards out to give the Maize and Blue a 42-35 win. The 2009 matchup between the two programs was also a nail-biter. IU led by four at The Big House with 2:35 left in the game, before a 27-yard touch- down pass from quarterback Tate Forcier to receiver Martavious Odoms gave U-M a thrilling 36-33 victory. — Austin Fox Three Best Players 1. Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr.: Hurst has been an absolute monster all season on Michigan's defensive line, and is a big reason the Wolverines had the sixth-best run defense in the country (85.8 yards allowed per game) through games of Oct. 14. The Massachusetts na- tive could have gone pro after last year, but chose to come back to Ann Arbor for his fifth season, a decision that is so far paying dividends. His seven tackles for loss through six games ranked seventh in the Big Ten. 2. Sophomore linebacker Devin Bush Jr.: Bush has become one of Michi- gan's biggest playmakers in his first year as a starter. The sophomore burst onto the scene in the season-opening win over Florida, when he racked up career highs in both sacks (1.5) and tackles for loss (2.5). On Oct. 6, he was added to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to the nation's best de- fensive player. The sophomore is per- haps best known for his blazing speed and ability to get to opposing quarter- backs — his 4.5 sacks are the fourth- most in the Big Ten. 3. Redshirt junior defensive end Chase Winovich: Winovich has wreaked havoc on opposing offenses all season — through games of Oct. 14 his 5.5 sacks were tied for the most in the conference, and his eight tackles for loss were the fourth-most. He has also had several highlight-reel type plays this sea- son, most notably his sack of Florida quarterback Malik Zaire in the Gator end zone, which led to a fumble and Michigan touchdown. Key Play Junior running back Karan Higdon's 25-yard touchdown run against Indiana in overtime on Oct. 14 helped save Michigan's season. With the Wolverines coming off a loss to Michigan State the previous week, Higdon's score gave U-M the lead and the momentum. The Wolverine defense then stopped IU's offense on four downs during its overtime pos- session, allowing the Maize and Blue to escape Bloomington with a 27-20 win. Best Highlight Freshman receiver Donovan Peoples- Jones' 79-yard punt return against Air Force on Sept. 16. With the Wolverines holding a slim 9-6 lead early in the third quarter, Peoples-Jones caught an Air Force punt on his own 21-yard line and weaved through Falcon defenders be- fore eventually taking it all the way to the house. In a season that has lacked explosive plays for U-M, this one stands above the others. Surprise Performer Junior running back Karan Higdon gets the call here. Fifth-year senior run- ning back Ty Isaac has faded a bit since rushing for 247 yards in Michigan's first two games, while Higdon has asserted himself. His 200-yard effort against In- diana on Oct. 14 was the first time a U-M running back rushed for that many yards in a game since Mike Hart did so against Eastern Michigan (215) in 2007. Bold Prediction Redshirt junior quarterback Wilton Speight will return from injury in November and regain his starting job. Fifth-year senior John O'Korn has struggled mightily this year (54.9 completion percentage, one touchdown, four intercep- tions), so Speight's potential return could help give the offense a boost. Although many assumed Speight would miss the rest of the season (he was injured Sept. 23 at Purdue), Jim Har- baugh never confirmed it. The Wolverine offense needs all the help it can get, and the redshirt junior's impending return would certainly be beneficial. — Austin Fox Superlatives From Games Three Through Six Pro Football Focus has rated fifth-year senior Maurice Hurst Jr. as one of the top two interior defensive linemen in the Big Ten five times in his six games this year. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN