Free Press sports writer Michael Cohen grades Michigan football on a scale of A to F after the Wolverines’ 42-27 win over Ohio State on Saturday:
Free Press sports writer Michael Cohen grades Michigan football on a scale of A to F after the Wolverines’ 42-27 win over Ohio State on Saturday: SHAWN WINDSOR: Michigan, Hassan Haskins prove there are new heights to reach under Jim Harbaugh As the wins piled up in the early part of the season and Michigan ran the ball, ran the ball and ran the ball some more, the natural question was whether the Wolverines could maintain that style through a Big Ten schedule. That coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis designed a game plan predicated on demolishing Ohio State in the trenches speaks to their confidence in this year’s offensive line. That U-M executed the plan to near-perfection is a testament to the force of those linemen themselves: left tackle Ryan Hayes, left guard Trevor Keegan, center Andrew Vastardis, right guard Zak Zinter and right takle Andrew Stueber. It was a quintet that carved open significant holes for tailback Hassan Haskins, who rumbled for 169 yards on 28 carries and reached the end zone five times to tie a school record. A bell cow all season, Haskins summoned the strength and determination to bludgeon an Ohio State defensive front whose run defense had excelled in recent weeks. He is, without question, the offensive MVP of this team. There were additional contributions from backup Blake Corum, who chipped in a crucial 55-yard run to set up a score in the second half during his first game back from an injured foot/ankle. And wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, whose 37-yard diving catch on a frozen rope facilitated one of Haskins’ touchdowns. And quarterback Cade McNamara, who shook off an early interception to finish with 13 completions on 19 attempts for an efficient, game-managing 159 yards. McNamara never fumbled, never took a sack and orchestrated the offense with aplomb as the Wolverines scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions from the end of the second quarter through the latter stages of the fourth. So many questions were asked about U-M’s offensive identity. Saturday was a tremendous demonstration of how powerful that identity has proven to be. RAINER SABIN: Why this win completely changes narrative about Michigan, Jim Harbaugh The final statistics for Ohio State’s passing attack are impressive: Quarterback C.
