Report Card: Grading Michigan football in a 21-16 win over Purdue

Michigan survived a closer than expected game with Purdue to improve to 7-2 overall, and now enters the bye week with time to heal. The Wolverines were without several players in the victory but should get some back for the game with Northwestern in two weeks.

We grade U-M in all areas following the 21-16 win.

RELATED: Michigan 21, Purdue 16 — Notes, quotes, and observations

Michigan rushing offense: A

Sophomore Jordan Marshall is the latest Michigan back who always seems to get the most out of each carry, joining guys like Mike Hart, Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins in always falling forward. He ran for 185 yards and didn’t lose yardage on any of his 25 carries, averaging 7.4 per rush, had a big touchdown run again (54 yards) and three scores overall, including one from nine yards in which he broke out of a scrum.

Veteran Bryson Kuzdzal added 23 yards on 4 carries and freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood scrambled, mostly, for his 44 yards. The young offensive line has been much better in the run blocking department this year.

Passing offense: D

Underwood seemed jittery in the pocket again and was off target even on the run, missing on several of his throws. He had a couple passes dropped, receivers didn’t find the ball on a couple others, and he was off target on several more. He finished 13 of 22 for 145 yards and a pick in the red zone when it appeared Donaven McCulley was open in the end zone, and his longest pass play came on a trick play flea-flicker to tight end Zack Marshall for 37 yards.

The pass blocking continues to be a bit leaky, adding to the pass game woes. Overall, though, it’s just not good enough right now. This was not a good defensive football team they played.

Michigan rushing defense: C

The numbers weren’t gaudy — 138 yards rushing, 3.5 per carry — but the sack-adjusted total was 161 gross (4.5 per rush) and two backs went for 4.5 per run or more. The Purdue offensive line seemed to get push against the Michigan front seven, establishing the line of scrimmage, and that might have been one of the game’s bigger surprises. In addition, Purdue ripped off four runs of 10 yards or more and the backs notched 13 of 4 yards per carry or more.

We expected more of the front seven, banged up or not.

Passing defense: B-

Again, no huge gainers here, but Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne completed 19 of his 24 throws for 133 yards and a score and probably outplayed Underwood. He was sacked three times but never seemed flustered. The Boilermakers had 138 passing yards total and averaged 6.9 per completion. Four of the completions went for 15 yards or more.

Michigan special teams: D-

Punter Hudson Hollenbeck had a shank and a punt blocked, and the Michigan return teams were anemic again. Semaj Morgan lost two yards on a punt return and frosh Andrew Marsh took two out of the end zone he shouldn’t, averaging 17 yards on two returns. For Purdue, Michael Jackson III averaged 27 yards on three kick returns, too. Something needs to change here.