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Wednesday, October 6, 2021

2021 Michigan vs. Wisconsin Awards

 

Cornelius Johnson

Let's see more of this guy on offense . . . Cornelius Johnson. Johnson caught 2 passes for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns. He's averaging 24.5 yards per catch, and that's mostly against the starters. (Daylen Baldwin is averaging 25.8, but that has largely come late in blowout wins.) But through five games, he has just 10 receptions overall, or 2 per game, in other words. A receiver of his caliber should be getting more touches.

Hit the jump for more.


Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . Blake Corum. Corum has been getting a heavy load of work (22.8 touches per game) and took a couple hard shots against Wisconsin. Michigan needs him healthy down the stretch. Do what you need to do to win each game, but also I hope Michigan gives him enough rest that he can be healthy down the stretch.

Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . nobody.

Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . nobody.

Play of the game . . . Cade McNamara to Blake Corum. I have to agree with reader Roanman here and say that a short dumpoff to Corum was a huge play. In a 0-0 game during the first quarter, Michigan faced a 3rd-and-7 near its own goal line. McNamara dropped back to pass in the end zone, could not find anyone, and then was pretty quickly pressured by Wisconsin's defense. Feeling pressure coming from his left, McNamara scrambled and found Corum for 7.5 yards, but only after Corum stopped blocking and slipped out of the backfield during the scramble drill. That got Michigan some breathing room and avoided a 2-0 deficit that could have resulted from a sack in the end zone.

MVP of the game . . . Cade McNamara. A lot of people might say Aidan Hutchinson (National Defensive Player of the Week to some outlets) or David Ojabo (2.5 sacks) would be the MVP, but that doesn't really jive with my thinking. In this game - which was considered almost a toss-up going in - I think Michigan would have played well defensively without either one of those players. Wisconsin didn't have much firepower on offense. The real question was whether Michigan would be able to throw the ball well enough to score against a stifling run defense, and McNamara performed admirably. He finished 17/28 for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns, and those numbers include a few early drops that left some questions about how the day would go. Obviously the day ended up going pretty well overall with the 38-17 victory.

3 comments:

  1. Good post. I'd still side with Hutch as MVP, because dude is everywhere & involved in everything. Stats tell a great deal, but not all. Film shows an absolute terror, one who OL must tackle if they hope to slow him down

    On CJohnson, he's the type of WR that PennSt, Sparty & others would kill us with. Kid is a weapon; we should use him more!

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  2. Not quite as impressed with Johnson as you are Thunder. There was a ball or two he could have had in this game and I haven't noticed him breaking open as clearly as I'd like. The first TD was a good play though. He's our top WR right now and a solid player overall but my eyes are on Wilson for a breakout after last week. Speed kills and he has it.

    Agree on managing Blake's workload to the extent possible. If you're ever up big (hey Northwestern how are you?) and can give some of his carries to Edwards or Dunlap, go ahead.

    Also agree with the play of the game but the narrative makes it sound like McNamara made the play there when it was mostly about Corum's YAC, especially getting 2 extra yards after he was stopped. Michigan would have been punting there if it wasn't for Corum being a shifty, strong, and low-to-the-ground back who was able to squeeze forward after getting hit. That was a difference-making play right there.

    I'd give Hutch the MVP as well. I'm on team QB-blame over team WR-blame on the "drops". There were too many inaccurate throws in that first half. But Cade settled in and with Wisconsin focused on the run he delivered.

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    Replies
    1. Corum was an absolute beast on this play. But, as Roanman points out, this play happens if Cade doesn't get away AND make a play:

      - Peters doesn't see the rush, and takes a concussion-causing hit
      - Shea doesn't see the outlet

      - McCaffrey tries to run, and he too takes a big hit

      - Milton spins around, turning his back to the pressure and - if he escapes the safety - throws one right into the chest of a surprised defender


      Corum is the highlight, but Cade is critical to that play

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