2009 Week 3

Michigan rebounded nicely from their thrashing against Notre Dame by beating up Eastern Michigan to the tune of 41-6. Michigan would score early and often and were never threatened by the Eagles as they held them to only 2 field goals. While Michigan's defense was beaten like a red headed step child last week, they are the ones that began the touchdown scoring frenzy as Stevie Brown recovered a fumble and then flew 46 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. On Michigan's next possession, senior running back Brandon Minor would end the first quarter by rumbling for a 67 yard touchdown run to put Michigan up 17-3.

Stevie Brown returns a fumble for a 46 yard touchdown

Michigan's offense would get 242 rushing yards against Eastern Michigan's sieve-like defense while also passing for 191 yards. Michigan's defense was torched through the air to the tune of 234 yards, but their run defense was very solid and only gave up 31 yards on 33 carries. Brandon Minor would win player of the game honors by rushing for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 12 carries.

Really only one bad thing happened to Michigan and it happened late in the fourth quarter. By this time Michigan was giving it's second team some playing time and freshman quarterback Denard Robinson would strain his pectoral on an option play and will miss the next 2 weeks. This could pose a very interesting problem for coach Briggs. There is no doubt that freshman Tate Forcier is the Wolverines starter, but Robinson is a very similar type of quarterback and they are both suited to play the style of offense that coach Briggs is looking for. Because of this, Briggs knows that if Forcier gets injured he has Robinson to back him up. With Robinson out for a couple of weeks (which will include a crucial grudge match with in state rival Michigan State) this means that Junior Nick Sheridan will have to be the back up, and he is nowhere near as capable as Robinson.

This leads one to wonder if coach Briggs will continue to be as aggressive with Forcier as he has been thus far (Forcier is 2nd on the team with 25 carries, only 4 behind starting halfback, Brandon Minor). One can expect Minor to get many more carrier in these next couple of weeks, but this will also take away a huge part of the Wolverines' offense if Forcier is not allowed to run. We will have to wait until next week as the Wolverines host the Hoosiers in their Big 10 conference opener.