U-M squanders chances in Rodriguez's debut
by John Heuser | The Ann Arbor News Saturday August 30, 2008, 11:24 PM
The chances were there, plenty of chances in the University of Michigan football team's 25-23 loss on Saturday.
After being routed in the first half, the Wolverine defense yielded little to Utah in the second. Michigan's special teams blocked a punt in the fourth quarter, the defense forced a fumble and the offense scored twice off those turnovers.
The crowd, which had begun to trickle out only minutes earlier, stood as the Wolverines tried to complete the rally with one series, then another, then it came down to one last play. It would have taken a miracle.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Threet hit freshman running back Michael Shaw short over the middle. In a perfect Michigan world, Shaw pitches to a teammate who breaks free and somehow the Wolverines complete the 85-yard touchdown.
There was nothing perfect about the play, which gained just 7 yards, or about the debut for Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
The offense, led by two untested quarterbacks who were protected by an inexperienced line, failed to control the ball or score on a drive that began in its own territory. A veteran defense surrendered 313 first-half yards before stiffening. The special teams made several exceptional plays, but it wasn't enough.
"I think they played hard and stayed in the game," Rodriguez said of his team. "We got a little lift in the second half and had a chance at the end."
The Utes, coming off a 9-4 season in which they won eight of their final nine games, celebrated on the field afterward, gathering with their red-clad fans in the southwestern corner of the stadium.
Cameras snapped pictures following the win, one that receiver David Reed said became too tense for him in the final quarter.
"We kind of did survive it," Reed said. "We could have put them away much better, but we got the W. That's all that matters."
Where Utah dominated early was in the passing game. Quarterback Brian Johnson threw for 253 yards in the first half as the Utes built a 22-10 lead. What the Utes never figured out - first half or second -Â was how to stop committing penalties. They ended with 15 for 137 yards and cost themselves scoring opportunities.
"We can't shoot ourselves in the foot offensively," said Johnson, who was confronted far more frequently by Michigan defenders in the second half. Four of Michigan's six sacks came after halftime, including one in which Wolverine lineman Adam Patterson knocked the ball free and linebacker Austin Panter recovered.
"I think maybe coming out in the second half guys were maybe a little more awake, we had our eyes wide, we knew what was at stake," said linebacker Obi Ezeh, who intercepted a Johnson pass. "In the first half, we were a little slow."
No so during the final two quarters, in which the Wolverines held Utah to 28 total yards. What Michigan was never able to do, however, was find the offensive performance to match its defense.
Redshirt sophomore Nick Sheridan started the game and completed 11 of 19 passes for 98 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Threet, who played most of the second half, completed eight of 19 passes for 69 yards, including a touchdown.
"I thought they competed well, they didn't look flustered out there," Rodriguez said of his quarterbacks. "I thought they managed the game OK."
But neither could do enough through the air to overcome a Michigan running game that barely broke into positive yardage. Freshman running back Sam McGuffie started the game and took the most carries - eight - but finished with 5 yards. Three other backs carried the ball as well. All four players combined for 34 yards.
"The running game was a huge disappointment, our offense didn't give our defense much chance to rest," Rodriguez said, "and we couldn't establish any long drives."
The best part of Michigan's game was its special teams plays, highlights of which included a blocked extra point by nose tackle Terrance Taylor, the blocked punt by Mark Moundros and a forced fumble in the first quarter on a punt return when Tim North knocked the ball free, and Kevin Leach recovered at the Utah 26-yard line.
After a Utah pass interference penalty gave the Wolverines another first down, Sheridan soon found freshman running back Michael Shaw for a touchdown pass. It was the first touchdown of the game, the first TD pass for Sheridan and the first TD reception for Shaw. The first victory this season for Michigan and its new coach? That will have to wait.
"I told them I was proud of the way they competed, the way they hung in there," Rodriguez said. "I didn't want anybody pointing any fingers ... As long as they keep a good attitude, we'll be OK."
John Heuser can be reached at jheuser@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6816.
