Michigan stuffed the stat sheet in a 63-6 decimation of Delaware State. The Wolverines rolled up a school record 727 yards of offense while averaging 10.1 yards per play. Neither Carlos Brown nor Brandon Minor played in this game. That didn’t slow down the Michigan rushing attack as they tallied 461 yards rushing on 54 carries (8.5 ypc) and 6 TDs.
Brandon Smith blocks the punt
Tate Forcier played in the first series and directed Michigan on a 5 play 45 yard TD drive. On Michigan’s next possession Rodriguez rotated Denard Robinson in at QB. He would lead the Wolverines on a 7 play 72 yard TD drive. On Delaware State’s ensuing possession Brandon Smith blocked a punt that was scooped up by Brandon Graham, who rumbled 2 yards into the end zone for his first career TD and the rout was on.
Denard Robinson was 3 of 4 passing with 2 TDs. On both TD passes Robinson was being pressured and hit. He was still able to keep his eyes down field and connect with Kelvin Grady and Martel Webb on the scoring strikes.
By halftime it was 49-3 and Michigan had compiled 442 yards of offense and 25 first downs. The only lowlights were a Denard Robinson fumble and a long kick off return for the Hornets that set them up for their field goal.
Rich Rodriguez was able to ease off the throttle in the second half. Nick Sheridan led two drives in the third quarter but both resulted in failed 4th down conversions. Michigan tacked on two more TDs in the 4th quarter when sixth string running back Michael Cox scored on two TD runs.
Michigan was able to play 84 players in the game, including 9 for the first time in their careers. Rodriguez said, “It was as pleasing as anything to the team getting some of those fourth- and fifth-year guys in there to get a chance to play a little bit. That really got them excited.”
Vincent Smith
Vincent Smith led Michigan’s ground game with 17 carries for 166 yards (9.8 ypc) and a touchdown. Smith was decisive running the ball making nice cuts and showing his quickness, vision, and toughness while churning out his first 100 yard game.
In addition to his touchdown, Brandon Graham also had 3 tackles and 2 sacks. The two sacks bring Graham’s career total to 24 and moved him into a five-way tie for third place among Michigan’s all-time career sack leaders. He needs one more sack to reach the second spot, currently held by James Hall. Mark Messner owns the school record with 36.
It was a good day for the Grady brothers. Kevin Grady rushed 8 times for 73 yards and TD. Kelvin caught 2 passes for 48 yards and his first career TD. Michigan had 11 different players catch a pass in the game. Included among those 11 were Je’Ron Stokes, Terrence Robinson, Michael Cox and Brandon Moore who all caught the first pass of their career.
This was a game Michigan was supposed to win and they did so in dominating fashion. After the game, Delaware State coach Al Lavan said, “They [Michigan] played hard, they played fast, and essentially they dominated us. I was not shocked, but I was surprised at how much the domination was.”
Good news for Michigan is they were able to rest Forcier and Minor (who could have played according to Rodriguez). They will need both of those players next week when Penn State comes to town.
Notes: The 63 points are the most Michigan scored in a game since a 63-13 win over Minnesota in 1992. The 461 rushing yards are the most for Michigan since a 1992 game against Iowa when they racked up 480 yards.
Michigan picked up 34 first downs in the game and did not punt the ball.
The Wolverines completed the non-conference portion of their schedule with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time since 2006. U-M is also 5-0 at home for the first time since 2006.
The nine Wolverines who played for the first time were; senior wide receiver Zac Baker, senior/junior wide receiver Nick Koenigsknecht, sophomore/freshman quarterback Jack Kennedy, junior/sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Ware, junior/sophomore linebacker Karl Tech, sophomore/freshman linebacker Paul Gyarmati, junior/sophomore placekicker Scott Schrimscher, junior/sophomore linebacker Rusheed Furrha, fifth-year senior offensive lineman Ohene Opong-Owusu.
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