Although Michigan was the clear favorite going into Saturday’s game against Maryland, the Terrapins really gave the Wolverines a fight all the way to the end. Michigan’s victory came from big plays; the running game was not their strongest suit, and quarterback JJ McCarthy did not have many standout moments. Rather, the Wolverines prevailed by unorthodox means by making crucial plays. DT Cam Goode’s pressure on the quarterback resulted in another safety, Mike Sainristil made two huge interceptions, Tommy Doman punted and trapped Maryland deep with time running out, and he also blocked a punt, which led to a safety.
The Wolverines achieved a remarkable feat by working as a cohesive one, making history as the first collegiate football team to win 1,000 games.
Five important takeaways from Saturday’s victory over Maryland are as follows:
Kenneth Grant
JJ McCarthy
Mike Sainristil
It seems like Mike Sainristil always comes through with a big play when Michigan most needs it. He had two huge interceptions on Saturday that kept Maryland from maybe gaining the lead in the closing minutes of the game. Sainristil consistently steps up to the plate in the most dire circumstances. It seems premature to discuss his legacy at the University of Michigan, given that his tale in Ann Arbor is yet unfinished. Having said that, I am confident that, when all is said and done, he will go down as one of the all-time greats. a man of integrity, a real leader in every sense of the word, and a reliable person week by week.
The Offensive Line
The rushing attack is a little trickier, and neither Blake Corum nor Donovan Edwards have really shown us any really big holes up front. There are a number of men in this group who will be selected in the next NFL Draft, making it an excellent group. If they want to compete for a national championship, they’ll also need to play better together for the rest of the season.
Sherrone Moore
That being said, there are some worries about the forthcoming game against Ohio State because of the style of play we’ve seen over the past two weeks, with Moore leading the charge. Michigan’s dedication to the rushing approach has been quite one-dimensional, and while it has occasionally worked, the Wolverines are also known for their inability to move the ball forward. I don’t know how much of this offense’s performance over the past two weeks has to do with JJ McCarthy’s possible nagging injury, but Michigan can’t afford to give up points on numerous plays when playing the Buckeyes on Saturday.