Disruptive Michigan defense flashes some wrinkles in UNLV win

One of the biggest areas of focus for the Michigan Wolverines football defense heading into this season was generating an effective pass rush without blitzing, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has said on multiple occasions. But it doesn’t mean Minter isn’t going to get creative and bring some heat, as proven in the Wolverines’ 35-7 win over UNLV in week two.

Michigan blitzed from both the second level and the secondary, with much success. When sending five or more pass rushers, the Wolverines recorded 3 of their 5 sacks and 8 of their 12 pressures, according to Sports Info Solutions. Per PFF, Michigan blitzed on 21 of UNLV’s 36 dropbacks (58.3 percent). The week prior, in a 30-3 win over ECU, Michigan brought blitz on just 11 of 35 dropbacks (31.4).

ECU got the ball out much quicker, likely a reason why Michigan didn’t blitz as much, while athletic quarterback Doug Brumfield and UNLV let plays develop a bit more. The blitz bit Michigan on a few plays, when Brumfield threw right at it for nice gains, but the Wolverines were disruptive, living in the backfield with 10 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.

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Michigan’s defensive tackles had huge games, led by sophomore Kenneth Grant, who’s been a breakout star in the first two games. The defensive tackle trio of Grant (4 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), sophomore Mason Graham (5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks) and senior Kris Jenkins 5 tackles, 0.5 sacks) combined for 14 stops. The Michigan edge rushers also cleaned up, with senior Jaylen Harrell (1.5) and sophomore Derrick Moore (1) posting sacks.

The Wolverines bringing extra rushers forced the offensive line to pick up blitzes and left the defensive linemen in one-on-one situations.

“Any time we can free those guys up, try to get them into one-on-one matchups, get them out of those double teams, we can trust those guys to win,” Michigan graduate linebacker Michael Barrett said. “They used us a lot this week, moving around, trying to free up those guys and let those guys rock out. They always [do]. It doesn’t take much.”

Barrett added that Michigan has “pick plays” that allow one rusher to free up another, and that some of the blitz schemes attempt to funnel the quarterback a certain direction or toward a specific defender.

Michigan allowed just 4 yards per play overall and 5.3 yards per pass by Brumfield, who was 10-for-19 for 100 yards. The coverage down the field and disruption at the line of scrimmage work hand in hand. And when extra rushers are sent, those on the back end have more pressure on them, a risk of blitzing.

“When it comes to things like that, it’s really a full defense, it’s everyone, everyone comes together because if the coverage isn’t good, then the blitz doesn’t work, so we all have to work together in that aspect,” Barrett said. “I feel like if we can cover, we can get home. If we can get home, we can cover at the same time. So, we just have to work together in that way.”

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was impressed with the coverage, though the front-seven got most of the acclaim.

“That stood out to me that, yeah, we were getting pressure, and a lot of it because of so much fire zone,” Harbaugh said on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show. “And the coverage, usually, there are some holes in the back end, but our guys were closing them up fast.”

The Michigan defensive line has been impressive through two weeks, including with its depth. While the linebackers help the line out on blitzes, the latter’s job on run plays is to destroy blocks and make sure the linebackers stay untouched and can flow to the football.

“Just the push they always get on the front line,” Barrett said of what stands out playing behind the Michigan defensive line. “Their speed at that size. Those quick, twitchy movements always surprise me — how fast and how quick they can move at that size. Any time I can just sit back there and not be touched throughout a play, it’s always a great feeling. So, being behind those guys makes my job easier, for sure.”

The Michigan starting defense hasn’t allowed any points through two games, with the backups yielding a field goal against ECU and a touchdown to UNLV. The Wolverines rank tied second nationally with 5 points allowed per contest. Still, though, Barrett said they’re working to improve. He loves what he’s seen to this point, however.

Barrett was asked to describe the Michigan defense.

“If I could put it in a word, I would just say, ‘Tetris,'” Barrett said, referring to the old-school video game. “How we’re playing, we’ve got a lot of guys who are playing at a high level. We’re flying around, playing good. When we’re all on the same page, I feel like we can really be dangerous.”