One of Michigan football's secrets to early season success: Low penalty count
Given the forcefulness of Michigan football’s performances in the first three games of the season, it’s easy for fans to get excited about J.J. McCarthy winning the quarterback competition or wide receiver Roman Wilson churning out big plays or the highly effective blitz packages.
But one of U-M’s most noteworthy traits from the nonconference schedule is far less explosive, far less exciting and far less sexy. Through three games, the Wolverines are tied with Air Force for the fewest penalties in college football with 2.7 infractions per game.
“I feel like guys have been trained and really take those coaching points to heart,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said in his weekly news conference, “and then put them into action on Saturdays.”
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Harbaugh’s club began the season with just a single penalty in the win over Colorado State: a holding penalty on backup guard Reece Atteberry that erased a 15-yard gain. So clean was Michigan’s play in the season opener that tailback Blake Corum joked about needing to reduce the penalty total from one to none when asked where the team could improve. And while the Wolverines haven’t actually zeroed their penalty count in subsequent blowouts of Hawaii and Connecticut, the mistakes remain few and far between.
Michigan was flagged three times for 35 yards against the Rainbow Warriors: a sideline interference penalty during a punt (15 yards); an illegal block in the back from reserve tight end Carter Selzer during a punt return (10 yards); a defensive holding penalty on two-way freshman Amorion Walker (10 yards).
U-M was flagged four times for 24 yards against UConn: a holding penalty on wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (10 yards); a pass interference call on cornerback DJ Turner (4-yard spot foul); an illegal substitution on defense (5 yards); a false start on reserve offensive lineman Dan Taraboi (5 yards).
In total, Michigan’s primary contributors committed just two of the team’s eight infractions. The early penalty rate is significantly lower than Michigan’s tallies from the last five seasons: 4.9 penalties per game in 2021 (tied for 20th nationally); 5.8 penalties per game in 2020 (T-56); 6.2 penalties per game in 2019 (T-67); 6.8 penalties per game in 2018 (T-91); 6.6 penalties per game in 2017 (T-95).
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“It’s been a high emphasis put on it,” Harbaugh said. “An example would be the way the defense hits a quarterback, you know? Every time we’ve had free runners, I mean, they do a great job of keeping it in the strike zone, in the legal strike zone, keeping their head out of it. Mike Sainristil and any guy that’s gotten near the quarterback, just really focusing on the technique and to the best of your ability to do your job without getting those penalties.
“Same with hitting defenseless players. Makari Paige had a tremendous hit in the game (against UConn) that broke up a pass. But it was textbook: shoulder pad, not leading with the crown and all those things that are coached and really put into action. Those coaching points and the guys being able to think in split second and reactions.”
Replacing Cade McNamara
On Monday, Harbaugh told reporters there was no update about the severity of quarterback Cade McNamara’s leg injury suffered late in the first half against Connecticut. McNamara is expected to miss several weeks minimum.
Without him, the Wolverines have another quarterback competition for the right to play behind McCarthy. Harbaugh said the trio of Texas Tech transfer Alan Bowman, sophomore Davis Warren and true freshman Alex Orji are in contention for that spot.
“Seeing very good things from them in practice and when they’ve gotten in in the games,” Harbaugh said of his reserve quarterbacks. “I think we have good confidence in all three.”
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Numbers game
As Michigan emptied its bench in lopsided wins over Hawaii and Connecticut, backup center Greg Crippen remained on the sideline for both games despite no indication of an injury.
Harbaugh was asked about Crippen during his Monday news conference and told reporters he’s among the candidates for a potential redshirt. Crippen, who serves as the understudy to starter Olu Oluwatimi, logged 15 snaps in the opener against Colorado State. Players can participate in up to four games and still qualify for a redshirt.
“There’s nothing wrong with him,” Harbaugh said. “He’s good. One of those things where there’s a possibility of redshirting him this year. We’re gonna see how that goes. Can’t predict the future, but if Olu can stay healthy and play in there, then there’d be a shot at getting that year back for Cripp. That’s why he’s only played one game.”
High noon
The kickoff time for Michigan’s first road game at Iowa on Oct. 1 will kick off at noon Eastern on Fox, it was announced Monday afternoon.
The Wolverines and Hawkeyes will kick off at noon Eastern on Fox.
Contact Michael Cohen at mcohen@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_Cohen13.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jim Harbaugh: Reserve Michigan QBs can replace Cade McNamara
