Report Card: Grading Michigan in a 45-20 win at Maryland

Michigan overcame a 7-0 deficit and dominated Maryland on the road, a momentum-building victory heading into a huge game with Ohio State. A playoff berth is likely at stake when the Buckeyes come to town, and a potential Big Ten title game berth is possible, too, if Oregon loses at Washington. 

We grade the Wolverines in all facets of a 45-20 victory over the Terps.

RELATED: Michigan 45, Maryland 20: Notes, quotes, and observations — as ready as they’ll ever be

Michigan rushing offense: A–

That’s four games in a row now with 200-plus yards rushing on offense, and that was with a third string running back toting the rock. Jordan Marshall was ready to go, but former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal carried 20 times for 100 yards (5.0) per carry. His long was only 19, and the Wolverines missed the explosive Justice Haynes and Marshall runs, but he did exactly what he needed to and allowed Marshall to rest his injuries.

And how about Tomas O’Meara in clean-up time? Eight carries for 71 yards, long of 37 … you can only hope to contain this guy.

Passing offense: A-

Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood got away with one on a sidearm pass that should have been a pick six, one that might have kept this one closer for a while. That would have made it 14-7 in the first quarter. 

But his poise, his feel when he needed to escape the pocket, his touch on a touchdown to frosh receiver Andrew Marsh (5 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD) and on a ball over the middle to tight end Zack Marshall … he was on it today. He completed 16 of 23 for 215 yards and two touchdowns — that’s 70 percent — and protected the ball. We’re liking the direction, though there were two sacks and the pass protection still needs to improve. 

Michigan rushing defense: A

Teams have essentially stopped trying against the Michigan defensive front, and Maryland was no different. Starting running back DeJuan Williams managed more than three yards on only three of his 12 carries. His 20-yarder to start the game and quarterback Malik Washington’s 23-yard keeper accounted for 43 of the Terps’ 71 yards on the ground. A fantastic performance. 

Passing defense: B-

Washington completed only 19 of 39 passes, but let’s be honest — it could have been more. He missed a few deep balls, had a couple balls dropped, and the Terps still notched 276 yards passing. To be fair, 66 came on a touchdown drive on which the Michigan fourth string was on the field, but there were still six “big” plays in the passing game … and again, it could have been more.

Three Terrapins receivers had 62 yards or more, and the pass rush — though it managed three sacks — wasn’t consistent. Washington had a lot of time to throw on many of his passes.

Michigan special teams: A-

The Wolverines finally figured it out in the return game. Frosh Marsh is a stud, and he provided a huge kick return to set up a touchdown drive and some nice punt returns. They finally have an answer there. 

Recovering a first quarter onside kick with a heads up play was big, and it helps when you don’t have to punt (zero kicks!). But kicker Dominic Zvada missed another field goal, from 38 yards. We hope the 46-yarder he made late will boost his confidence.