Third-down defense among frustrations Wolverines endured against Penn State
Michigan freshman safety Ray Vinopal (20) and junior safety Jordan Kovacs (32) tackle Penn State tailback Evan Royster during the first half of Penn State's 41-31 win on Saturday night.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Freshman safety Ray Vinopal hadn’t seen much action on the football field until he started his first college game Saturday night against Penn State.
It didn’t take him long to identify a key problem for the Michigan defense.
“We get teams in a lot of third downs and let them off,” Vinopal said minutes after the team’s third consecutive loss. “If we make a couple third-down plays, all of the sudden we’re not such a bad defense.”
Such a scenario hasn’t happened in a while. Third down, particularly third-and-long, has been a sore spot for the Wolverines all year. It was no different in Saturday’s 41-31 defeat.
Penn State converted 10 of 16 third-down, including 3 of 3 on its opening drive that culminated in Evan Royster’s first touchdown run of the night, giving the Nittany Lions a 7-0 lead.
On the season, Michigan has allowed opponents to converted 44.8 percent of their third-down attemps (52 of 116), which ranks ninth in the Big Ten conference.
Penn State converted three 3rd and 10s throughout the course of the game. Afterward, Rich Rodriguez acknowledged the third-down struggles.
“That’s the most frustrating part,” he said. “Usually on third and long, you can limit them in what they do, and … they got to kill the clock and then still got a first down.”
At the end of the third quarter Saturday, Rodriguez gathered every member of the defense on the field near the 40-yard line and implored them to stop the Nittany Lions.
On the ensuing drive, they did.
Denard Robinson retaliated with another touchdown that brought the Wolverines within 38-31. But Penn State converted a key 3rd-and-5 on its next drive and positioned itself for a field goal that made it a two-possession game.
On the final drive of the game, the Nittany Lions converted a fourth-down attempt via a fake field goal that allowed them to run out the clock.
“Obviously, you want to get stops and get off the field, you know?” linebacker Jonas Mouton said. “We need to make no mistakes, clean up the little things and keep working.”
The late-game sequence was symbolic of the problems Michigan endured all night. Under the guidance of quarterback Matt McGloin, a former walk-on making his first career start, Penn State compiled 435 yards of total offense -- six under the average Michigan has allowed per game this season.
The Wolverines (5-3 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) made several defensive changes during the off week to try and stem the hemorrhaging, moving Vinopal into the starting lineup and safety Cam Gordon to the hybrid linebacker position.
But the changes couldn’t mask the team’s youth.
At various times Saturday night, the Wolverines used true freshmen Carvin Johnson, Cullen Christian, Terrence Talbott, Courtney Avery and Vinopal in the secondary.
Inexperience has been a regular source of frustration for Rodriguez this season.
“Some people say you’re just making an excuse,” he said. “But there’s a difference. I’m a realist. The reality is there’s a true freshman and another true freshman and a redshirt freshman and whatever playing.
“We’ve got a few upper classmen trying as hard as they can defensively. Our youth gets picked on somewhat. Our young guys have to grow up in a hurry. That’s it.”
Pete Bigelow covers the Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2551, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
mike from saline
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 8:03 a.m.
Old saying; " a camel is a horse designed by a commitee." RichRod was a choice for head coach made by a commitee of 3 [Bill Martin, Lloyd Carr, and Mary Sue Coleman], 2 of which, should have had nothing to do with it. This has turned out to be Lloyd Carr's revenge. My guess is he's loving every minute.
Sevans68
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 7:28 p.m.
I'm not going to say I know all about the talent on defense but in Rich Rods first year there were a lot of returning players who went on to play in the NFL, so there is definitely something that doesn't mesh. I agree that the 3-3-5 isn't going to work and I had never heard of it until Rich Rod toyed with it in 2008. I wonder how much influence he has in GRob running the 3-3-5 as I never remember him running it before? Did GRob get to choose the defensive position coaches or are they Rich Rod guys? A lot of what I see in LBs unable to get off blocks, poor tackling form and poor technique from the secondary (more that just being young). Lack of defensive recruits is definitely a Rich Rod problem.
grantwstephens
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 7 p.m.
@ 81wolverine: My point is LSU has lost 1 game and it was against a team with an offense quite like ours and leaps and bounds better than anyone we have seen in the big ten. The reason their defense, 10th in the nation at 15 PPG. Our D, 89th in the nation at 30 PPG. So... if you were to cut all of our opponents points in half for the rest of the season who will we have lost to? Iowa, W; Penn St., W. We would tie State and how many of you on this site are going to tell me the third down stops and punts we would get that the Offense would not score. Thats what I thought. So in conclusion, I hope LSU would pay Les Miles to leave. Maybe we could get some D. and after year have the possibility to be back on the right track. Unless you think that RR and GRob have it going the right way. I would love to see Les come back to Ann Arbor. Well have to see what happens when Alabama visits LSU next weekend (OH NO if LSU pulls this one off.) Even if Im wrong about Les being a good choice it doesnt hurt to keep the opportunity open Right?
truebluefan
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 6:53 p.m.
azwolverine -- Michigan didn't run the 3-3-5 until late in the 2008 season against Purdue. It was all 4-3 before and after that game. That 2008 defense had nearly all Lloyd Carr's players and many of them seniors, running the same style defense that Lloyd ran when he was coach. They still gave up a ton of yards and points. RR didn't force the 3-3-5 until Michigan showed they couldn't stop anyone with the 4-3. This points to the fact that the talent level on D dropped off a ton after 2006 and 2007. RR is trying to rebuild it now. Granted, the rebuilding is not going great and the fault for that is partially on RR. I am as frustrated as any Michigan fan here. But I am going to support my Wolverines through good and bad. I trust Mr. Brandon will make the right decision at year's end.
clarklaker
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.
rich rod is the head coach and the 3-3-5prevent is all rich rod.its time to move on and renew integrity in ann arbor.
81wolverine
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:54 p.m.
@grantwstephens: Les Miles? Are you kidding? LSU fans would PAY US to take him right now for a reason. I think our offense is on the right track. That's not our problem. Even special teams, shaky as it is, will get better as the players get experience (and we find a frickin kicker!). But, the defense is another issue. They're getting worse this year, not better. With an extra week to prepare, any decent coach would have had the team better prepared than this. Greg Robinson doesn't appear to know what he's doing, as hard as that is to believe of a person with his experience. But how else can you explain the continued, same mental errors week after week? How can you explain the ongoing bad penalties? How can you explain guys constantly being in the wrong place at the wrong time? How can you explain their inability over the past two seasons to force turnovers? On top of that, they put almost no pressure on the QB yesterday. The interior line was manhandled all game. And the linebacking - don't get me started. Whatever happens with RR after this season, some big changes have to be made with the defense. Robinson refusing to talk to the media is the icing on the cake - he needs to go.
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
"Third Down Defense?" They can't stop the run. They can't stop the pass. What defense? There is no defense!
grantwstephens
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
I love Rich Rod and have always supported him and said he needs four years. I love the explosive, exciting offense he has built and it is one of the best statistically in the country. However, as we all know offenses dont win championships. I agree with him that the reason we cant win is defense. I also agree with him that its because of the youth. Whats funny to me is how we are the only defense in the country to be starting almost exclusively freshmen and sophomore DB's for three straight years. How is that even possible? You know what would be perfect demoting RR to OC and bring a new defensively minded HC. I dont think anyone would complain if that happened. Or, 2 HC's RR and A defensive guru. Everybody start to cheer for LSU to start losing. If Les Miles becomes the new coach the transition wouldnt be too bad I dont think.
A2D2
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.
An open question for AnnArbor.com:. When will you become pro-active in your sports coverage and start giving us profiles of potential head coach candidates for UM?. You might as well get in front of this story - you know it's going to happen...........
dale renner
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
RR is in over his head and he know's it. But he also doesn't care. He knows the end is near but how long Mich will drag this out is the question. Nebraska recovered from their mistake hire and we can do the same. Martin is the one to blame for this and where is he now? It's funny how low keal he has become during the football season. You want to know how to get rid of him.............hit Mich right in the purse strings. Stop filling the Big House every weekend, let the luxary sweets go empty, stop buying Mich Gear. Do this and he will be fired within days.
Michigan_Jayhawk
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
Third down troubles, what about the first and second down troubles?
Jaxon5
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:16 a.m.
Michigan is completely incapable of beating Illinois at this point. This coaching staff thinks it is smarter than everybody else, only it's not smart enough to realize it is outclassed by every team in the Big 10. Indiana and Purdue have done more with their talent than Mich. Discount Minnesota due to the coaching change. Bottom rung is the place for Michigan. Shameful.
newe82
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:01 a.m.
I never thought I would say this, but who cares. I have given up on this team until they get rid of Rich Rod. Do yourself a favor and go out and enjoy your Saturday's and forget about this team. As soon as the Big House is half empty the AD will be forced to get rid of this huge mistake.
azwolverine
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:33 a.m.
ohio, RR will not stop with the 3-3-5. It's what he knows, and like his spread, it's what he will stick to for better or worse. It doesn't matter who the coordinator is, he will force the 3-3-5 on him and it will fail. Period. Robinson never ran a 3-3-5 in his career until RR shoved it down his throat. Is that Robinson's fault? No, it's his boss' fault. Remember Scott Shafer, who had successful stints at Northern Illinois and Stanford under Harbaugh before he came here? He was forced to run a 3-3-5 under RR and...drumroll please...it FAILED. Shafer is now the DC at Syracuse and guess what? He's having great success running a defense he believes in (NOT the 3-3-5). So, as much as people want to blame Robinson for this debacle, it's not completely his fault. Partially, yes. But the buck stops at RR for force feeding this pathetic brand of defense to his coordinators. Yeah, Robinson isn't getting the job done, but a big reason for that is his boss.
Rich Call
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:07 a.m.
It is really pathetic to have to watch the defense. I agree that the 3-3-5 is not working ( how long does it take for them to get it). I cannot believe that the talent is not there. You give a receiver 10 yards off the ball and they will beat you - sometimes they still get beat long - unbelievable. I think the opponents hope they will get a 3rd down, because there is almost a 50% chance they will make it. Another potential good season shot.
UMfan2001
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.
I hate of hearing the comment "there are a lot of young guys in the defense". RR is the one letting those veteran players leave the program cause he wanted his own style of player. You reap what you sowed, Dear Rich
clarklaker
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.
the problem is rich rod
heartbreakM
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
How did it get this bad? (unbelievable)
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:34 a.m.
I watched RichRod yelling at the defense last night and the first thing that went through my head was, "I bet the defensive players are wondering who this guy yelling at them is?". After 3 years, if there is a problem with true Freshmen playing, then that's RichRod's fault. He totally ignored the defense and it's biting him on the rear end.
Sean T.
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
Damn you, Lloyd Carr!
tommyf0412
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:15 a.m.
It's not the coaches, it's the youth, it's the youth. That's what they all want you to believe. Time to go RR. Sorry, you are just not made out to be at this school. Don't let the door hit you where the good lord split ya.
Richard
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 6:21 a.m.
I am so sorry to write these because I do love my Michigan team,but it is difficult to sit here and watch a team that went 5-0 now at 5-3 and you have to wonder are we going to sit out and watch another 5-7 year, no I hope not. Illinois comes to the Big House next week, this defense needs to grow up. Having the coach reprimand the defense was the best thing he could have done. There is no need of any defense just stand there and let the opposing team run all over them. Wakeup boys, this is big college action. Next week with the Illini coming in, this defense had better smarten up fast. It is a good thing I am not out there coaching because I would not put up with it. If you want to go to a bowl game, NOW is the time to act not last week, not the last game of the season. If you think it is bad now, wait until Nebraska comes in. That team will be no picnic. Wakeup guys, act like Michigan players, not Michigan 4th graders.
3 And Out
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:29 a.m.
yup more RR excuses...3 years in... enough already dude, you suck.
3 And Out
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:28 a.m.
another photo of arm tackles there....common theme for Rich Rod Error photos
ohiowolverine
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:06 a.m.
I'm tired of hearing how young the D is. Stop with the stupid 3-3-5 and run a defence that puts pressure on the QB where he doesn't have all day to find recievers and you might be able to stop someone. You play the recivers on the line and hit them when they come off so they don't have a 10 or 15 yard head start on you. You have to slow them down, put pressure on the QB and then maybe your DB's will be able to cover them. Maybe it's just me but didn't most of these players play Jr and Sr High school ball? That makes 7 years of practice at blocking and tackling, did they all forget how when they got to AA?