[NU Sports] Michigan comment

[Tom Maycock]

> don't remember a single one in the 2nd half. Also, when it became
> apparent 
> that Mesh had snuffed out the screens, why did we keep throwing them?

I actually zipped throught the Michigan game tape the other night, and
noticed a few things. One of them had to do with the screens. At the
game, I was surprised we kept calling these. Watching the tape, the
problem didn't appear to be that Michigan knew what was coming, as much
as the fact that the o-line simply missed critical blocks. 

It was not a good game all around for #51 or #52 from what I could see.
Aside from just the holding penalties, there were missed blocks,
breakdowns from not getting help, etc. The good news is that I'll bet
those guys bounce back strong this week.

> time on offense that we were really spinning our wheels.  Hard to
> tell, as our play selection and execution was lousy.  

No, I think the play selection was actually fine--I didn't think so at
the time, mind you. But in watching it again, I think it was really
only the execution was flawed for the most part.

For example, we had at least one, and I think two, very successful
running plays in the 2nd half. Both called back for holding.

Worse, the coaches actually called plays good enough to overcome
several of those holding penalties. And Baz delivered passes good
enough to convert them! But those passes were dropped. 

If I recall correclty, Fields dropped two potential 1st down catches
(including one that would have been good for about 30 yards down the
field), Philmore dropped one, and I think Sutton also dropped one that
might have been good enough for a 1st.

Some of those were "tough" catches, in all cases the O-line provided at
least enough protection, and Baz delivered a catchable ball, and the
receivers just didn't come through. Had even one of those been caught,
the game might have changed. You're back to first and 10, and suddenly
have the whole offense available again.

As with the O-line, I'm expecting that we'll see the receivers step it
up a notch this week.

Michigan's D played very well, and put a lot of pressure on our
offense. But the plays were still there to be made. But to my eyes, on
at least one critical play in each 2nd half drive, someone failed to
make a play. 

Tom