Run Chart: UMass

Woah. Sorry this is just coming out now. I did this later than usual to begin with because I was stuck between doing this first and typing up a complete evisceration of the defense after this fiasco. And then I did this and thought I clicked publish. But I have this nasty habit of not logging into Blogger for days at a time when I don't have anything planned to post...so this just sat there, unpublished but finished. Bah.

Bowling Green should be done by tomorrow, hopefully.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun split slot left	Smith	Zone read handoff	1	Robinson	Schilling, Omameh

1st and 10: Correct read by Denard, but both Schilling and Omameh get beaten on the inside. Blah.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB draw	9	Shaw, Molk, Omameh, Dorrestein	-
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Shaw	Zone read dive	6	Schilling, Molk, Omameh	Robinson
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB blast	-1	-	Omameh
1-G	Shotgun H-back	Shaw	HB dive	4	Schilling, Molk, Omameh	-
2-G	I-form heavy	Shaw	HB dive	1-TD	Molk (0.5), Omameh (0.5)	-

1st and 10: Probably the most basic play in our playbook. Molk and Omameh double down on the playside DT, while Dorrestein kicks the DE out and Shaw hits the linebacker. An easy gain for Denard.

1st and 10: This might be nitpicky, but I think Denard makes the wrong read. The LB/S who was covering Roundtree in the slot blitzes and crashes down on Shaw along with the readside defensive end. The linebacker scrapes outside, but even he's got his eyes on Shaw. If Denard pulls this, it's probably an explosion play. Luckily the interior OL mashes the UMass DL back and Shaw has an easy six despite unblocked guys on the edge coming after him.

1st and 10: Omameh gets beaten inside by the DT here, and the tackle makes the play, but it was because Denard had to cut back because UMass had this play sniffed out with a run blitz that occupied the lead blocker (Smith) and took away the hole created by Schilling and Huyge.

1st and goal: Schilling gets inside leverage on the backside DT. Molk stalemates the playside DT, which is fine down near the goalline. The strongside linebacker foolishly jumps way too far inside, and Omameh makes sure he stays there.

2nd and goal: Molk and Omameh double and smash the playside DT back, allowing Shaw to easilly dive in.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun split H-back	Robinson	Zone read keeper	20	-	-
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR trips right	Robinson	-	-7	-	Robinson
2-17	Shotgun 5 WR	Robinson	Pump fake draw	7	-	Molk (-0.5)

1st and 10: This is a new formation. The tight end is in as the H-back, but there are two half backs in the game as well, flanking Denard. I should -1 Denard for the absolutely wrong read - the DE keeps perfect contain, it should be a handoff - but it feels wrong to minus someone who then delivers a stiff arm and runs for 20 yards, so I'm not going to.

1st and 10: Denard bobble. He was definitely not focused early on in this game.

2nd and 17: Hmm. This is actually on the umpire. Molk has the linebacker lined up, which would've given Denard a few extra yards at least, but the ump moves directly into Molk's path, which allows the linebacker to evade him and trip Denard as he goes by. Blah.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
2-5	Shotgun slot right	Robinson	QB off tackle right	16	Shaw, Koger, Dorrestein	-
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB off tackle left	8	Huyge, Koger, Shaw	-
2-2	Shotgun slot right	Shaw	Zone read handoff	0	-	Robinson, Shaw
3-2	???	Robinson	???	16	-	-
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR trips left	Smith	Zone read handoff	5	Robinson, Omameh, Molk (0.5), Schilling (0.5)	-
2-5	Shotgun 4 WR trips left	Smith	Zone read handoff	-1	Robinson	Molk

2nd and 5: Shaw hits the strongside linebacker and gets enough of him. Koger mashes the DE inside while Dorrestein pulls around and plows the middle linebacker. Open space for Denard.

1st and 10: Huyge and Koger get nice blocks on the perimeter, with Huyge mashing his guy and Koger possibly getting away with a little hold. Lead blocker Shaw gets enough of the middle linebacker to turn this from 4 yards into 8.

2nd and 2: Slightly nitpicky on the Denard minus I guess. The end doesn't wildly crash down, but he's shuffling his feet; this play gains more if Denard keeps the ball IMO. Regardless, he hands off, the line doesn't create much, and Shaw tries to do what he always does and cut back. Doesn't work.

3rd and 2: Sigh, BTN.

1st and 10: Correct read by Denard this time, and the OL gets blocking. Omameh reaches the second level and sort of pops the linebacker, while Molk and Schilling double the weakside DT and crush him backwards.

2nd and 5: Another correct read by Denard to handoff, but Molk doesn't lay a finger on the defensive tackle and this play gets blown up. Almost seems like there was a missed assignment on the line, because it wasn't a case of Molk whiffing or getting smoked; he is headed to the second level the whole way like he's assuming Schilling or Omameh has the tackle. He gets the minus either way, because he either missed the guy he was supposed to block, or didn't assign the correct blocking (which is his responsibility as the center).

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	Pump fake draw	4	Molk, Dorrestein	-

1st and 10: Good job by Molk and Dorrestein creating a huge hole for Denard, and downfield blocking could've made this a big play, except Denard slips on the turf.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB blast	2	-	Huyge
2-8	Shotgun heavy	Grady	Reverse	15	Shaw, Stonum, Dorrestein	-
1-10	Shotgun heavy	Shaw	Zone read dive	9	Huyge, Schilling, Molk, Robinson	-
2-1	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB blast	3	Huyge	-
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	Zone read keeper	6	Webb, Huyge	-
2-4	Shotgun H-back	Shaw	HB dive	34-TD	Webb, Omameh, Molk, Schilling	-

1st and 10: Huyge gets no push against the defensive end, and is then muscled aside. Meh.

2nd and 8: Interesting concept here, with Shaw moving against the grain and serving as a lead blocker for a reverse. Dorrestein also peels away into the second level. Those two plus Stonum get good blocks for Grady.

1st and 10: Good decision by Denard on the handoff. Huyge blocks down on the blitzing linebacker, while Schilling gets the DT and Molk gets to the second level to get another linebacker. And easy nine yards.

2nd and 1: Kind of a mucky play. Decent enough push from Huyge and the OL, and although Shaw whiffs on the lead block, this is more on Denard here. Cavernous opening on the right side, but he decides to cut left. Meh. He then insanely thinks about pitching it. You could even tell from my seat in the corner that he thought about tossing it to Shaw, which would've been ridiculous.

1st and 10: There doesn't even appear to be any read here. There's no defender unblocked, so I wonder if this was a designed keeper. Either way, Webb and Huyge drive their guys backward, and this is an easy gain.

2nd and 4: Webb cracks back from the H-back position to nail the unblocked end, while Omameh, Molk and Schilling seal the inside to create an enormous hole for Shaw...so enormous that even though he inexplicably stops as soon as he receives the handoff, he still has time to restart and zip through untouched. Very bizarre.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Ace twins left	Smith	HB dive	4	Molk (0.5), Schilling (0.5), Omameh, Dorrestein	-
2-6	Shotgun ace twins left	Robinson	QB off tackle right	9	Webb, Dorrestein, Omameh (0.5), Molk (0.5)	Smith
1-10	Shotgun heavy	Robinson	QB counter left	4	Lewan	Koger, Schilling
1-10	Shotgun heavy	Smith	Zone read stretch	5	Lewan, Molk, Robinson	Schilling
2-5	Shotgun slot right	Smith	HB dive	11	Lewan, Molk (0.5), Schilling (0.5)	-
1-10	Shotgun slot right	Smith	HB dive	7	Lewan, Molk, Schilling, Dorrestein	-
2-3	Shotgun ace	Robinson	Zone read keeper	8-TD	Lewan, Koger, Robinson	-

1st and 10: UMass run blitzes, so this is contained, but not because of poor blocking. Molk and Schilling double the DT, and Omameh and Dorrestein seal nicely. Also, hello Taylor Lewan.

2nd and 6: Webb with a beautiful kick out block on the DE, driving him far away and creating a huge gap after Dorrestein seals inside. Molk and Omameh obstruct the other DT. Smith actually misses his block as the lead blocker.

1st and 10: Interesting wrinkle here. Denard fakes the handoff to Smith and runs the opposite way with Koger the H-back as the lead blocker. Only problem is Koger gets beaten (along with Schilling), forcing Denard to go wide. He's able to go wide though because Taylor Lewan has locked onto the linebacker on this side of the field and driven him back about seven yards before burying him in a shallow grave on the shores of Lake Michigan. Goodness.

1st and 10: I like the concept of this play. Koger peels back and serves as a lead blocker for Smith on the edge. Molk gets pushed back a bit by the DT, but keeps him at bay well enough. Lewan latches onto the DE and mauls him, but Schilling whiffs rather badly on the linebacker, who tackles.

2nd and 5: Straight handoff. Lewan again erases the DE, and with Molk and Schilling doubling the DT and sealing him off, Smith has a big hole to zip through.

1st and 10: Lewan actually probably gets away with a hold here, but it does the job. Schilling and Molk hit the playside DT again, with Schilling then advancing onto the linebacker. Dorrestein contains the slanting backside DE, as the idiot BTN guy says Smith is hit in the backfield two yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

2nd and 3: The end shuffles inside a bit, and actually shows good instincts in popping out towards Denard, but it's still a good choice to keep. Lewan mashes the DT inside and Koger blocks the safety near the one yard line. Denard flies into the endzone.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Shaw	HB dive	50	Webb (2), Lewan	-
1-10	Shotgun H-back	Smith	HB dive	3	Schilling, Omameh	Molk
2-7	Shotgun H-back	Smith	HB dive	8	Lewan, Schilling (0.5), Molk (0.5)	-
1-10	Shotgun ace	Shaw	Zone read handoff	7	Robinson, Lewan, Schilling, Molk	Koger
2-3	Ace 2 WR	Shaw	HB dive	4-TD	Koger, Lewan	-

1st and 10: Webb kicks the end out while Lewan just crushes the DT inside, and Shaw has another huge hole. He then makes a man miss and breaks a tackle and is off and running. Webb picks up another huge block on some poor bastard way downfield.

1st and 10: Schilling turns one DT outside, and Omameh comes around and mashes the other, but Molk misses the linebacker on the second level, keeping this to three yards.

2nd and 7: Lewan erases the DE again, and again Molk and Schilling double team the DT. More easy yardage for the UM running back.

1st and 10: Correct read by Denard. Lewan and Molk own the defensive tackles, allowing Schilling to get to the second level and nail a linebacker. This would be a touchdown if Koger doesn't miss the block on the safety inside the 5.

2nd and 3: Koger and Lewan block down, and it's more than enough for Shaw to muscle through for the score.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	I-form twin WR right	Smith	HB blast	1	Lewan	Schilling
2-9	Shotgun slot right	Robinson	QB off tackle right	8	Koger	-
3-1	I-form twin WR left	Smith	HB iso	-2	-	-

1st and 10: Lewan locks onto the DE and drives him back, but Schilling surprisingly loses leverage and gets overwhelmed by the DT, and the play is blown up.

2nd and 9: Koger opens up the edge here with a good block on the defensive end. Jeremy Jackson (hello!) gets tossed aside by the corner...who then whiffs on the tackle anyway, so no minus to the coach's kid.

3rd and 1: Lloyd Carr approves of this incredibly predictable playcall that has sketchy execution because it turns an obvious blitzer loose unchecked, blowing up the aforementioned predictable play. Blah.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	I-form heavy	Shaw	HB iso	7	McColgan, Molk (0.5), Omameh (0.5)	-
2-3	I-form heavy	Shaw	HB iso	2	McColgan, Dorrestein (2)	-
3-1	I-form heavy	Shaw	HB iso	2	Lewan (0.5), Schilling (0.5)	-

1st and 10: McColgan nice lead block, Molk and Omameh double the DT.

2nd and 3: McColgan again, along with Dorrestein with a spectacular pancake on the defensive end.

3rd and 1: Hurray, we win.

Game Chart:

	Yay	Nay	Total
Huyge	4	1	3
Lewan	10.5	0	10.5
Schilling	8.5	4	4.5
Molk	12.5	2.5	10
Omameh	8.5	2	6.5
Dorrestein	9	0	9
Stonum	1	0	1
Koger	5	2	3
Webb	5	0	5
McColgan	2	0	2
Shaw	4	1	3
Smith	0	1	-1
D. Robinson	7	3	4
TOTAL	77	16.5	60.5

Some thoughts:

• Hello Taylor Lewan!
• Other than that...this is what an offensive line is supposed to look like against an FCS opponent. Can't read much into it other than that squashed an opponent that they were supposed to.
  

Comprehensive chart:

	UConn	ND	UMass	TOTAL
Huyge	4	-4	3	+3
Lewan	N/A	N/A	10.5	10.5
Schilling	8	-3	4.5	+9.5
Molk	10	8	10	+28
Omameh	-6	6.5	6.5	+7
Dorrestein	4	4	9	+17
Koger	-2	5	3	+6
Webb	2	3	5	+10
Grady	1	-1.5	N/A	-0.5
Odoms	1	2	N/A	+3
Roundtree	1	3	N/A	+4
Stonum	0	N/A	1	+1
Stokes	N/A	-1	N/A	-1
T. Robinson	1	N/A	N/A	+1
McColgan	1	1	2	+4
Shaw	-2	-2	3	-1
Smith	4	4	-1	+7
Gardner	1	N/A	N/A	+1
D. Robinson	-2	1	4	+3
TOTALS	26	26	60.5	+112.5

Run Chart: Notre Dame

Note: As Brian did last week, formations containing the tight end as the H-back will now be designated as such.

However, this week Michigan debuted a slight wrinkle from the normal H-back formation.

This is the "Shotgun H-back" formation Michigan featured prominently against UConn:

The H-back flexes back against the grain at the snap, and, as Martell Webb displayed last week numerous times, nails the unblocked end.

However, in the new formation that came into play against Notre Dame...



The H-back is lined up on the opposite side, and in this case serves as a pure lead blocker. This came into play during the 87 yarder. In the Run Chart, this formation will be called "Shotgun heavy."

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun heavy	Robinson	QB power left	4	Huyge, Koger	Molk, Schilling
1-10	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	QB lead draw	2	-	Schilling
2-8	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	QB keeper left	3	-	Huyge, Shaw

1st and 10: Very basic. Huyge and the H-back Koger do a good job escorting traffic away, but Ian Williams has gotten leverage on Molk, and Schilling, despite being right there, chooses to bypass Williams to go after Manti Te'o. Williams tackles.

1st and 10: Huyge actually gets away with a hold here, but this is all on Schilling. He's too slow getting to the second level, and Carlo Calabrese stuffs this play in its tracks.

2nd and 8: Huyge can't contain Kapron Lewis-Moore, who sheds the block to derail this play, along with a failed cut block by Shaw on the linebacker. FYI, this play directly sets up Roundtree's touchdown on the next possession. Exact same formation, exact look, and on this play Terrence Robinson came wide open down the seam as the linebacker came down when Denard showed run.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun heavy	Shaw	Zone read handoff	4	Robinson, Huyge, Schilling	Shaw
2-6	Shotgun 4 WR trips left	Shaw	Zone read (?) handoff	1	-	Huyge, Shaw

1st and 10: Lewis-Moore stays at home, so correct read on the zone play by Denard. Schilling mashes Sean Cwynar inside here, and Huyge puts a hat on Te'o, but this is poor vision by Shaw. Omameh, Molk and Dorrestein have all picked up their blocks on the right side here, and there is reasonable room for Shaw to slip through if he takes it that way, but instead he chooses to immediately cut upfield with it.

2nd and 6: Not sure what's going on here, as Denard gives the appearence of a zone read, but there's nobody being read on the play. And once again, as the right side of the line plus Molk solidly locks onto defenders to create a sizable hole, Shaw once again displays well below average vision and tries to cut upfield again, where Lewis-Moore has muscled Huyge backward, forcing some spinorama nonsense that Shaw unfortunately has a history of. No surprise, Vincent Smith is in to start the next possession.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
2-1	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	QB lead draw	9	Smith (+2), Schilling	Huyge, Robinson
1-G	Heavy offset	Hopkins	HB dive	1-TD	-	-

2nd and 1: Huyge gets driven back by Lewis-Moore again, forcing Denard to bounce outside. Smith locks onto Te'o, and Schilling gets to Calabrese on the second level, but as Denard scoot by Te'o disengages from Smith and punches the ball out. -1 to Denard because it was definitely hanging out there to be stripped. An extra +1 to Smith for hustling and diving on the ball.

1st and goal: Not giving anything out here, just a case of hoping your mass of humanity is stronger than theirs and your running back falls forward for a yard. This happens. Notable on the field in this formation: Taylor Lewan, William Campbell, Quinton Washington.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	Zone read keeper	36	Robinson, Roundtree	Grady
2-10	Shotgun 5 WR	Robinson	QB draw	6	Molk	Schilling, Grady
3-4	Shotgun slot left	Shaw	Delayed counter draw	1	-	Schilling

1st and 10: Perfect read by Denard. The end is actually blocked, by Te'o is blitzing and there's nobody else nearby, so he yanks it from Shaw and puts a move on Brian Smith. Roundtree pops Zeke Motta a dozen yards downfield, springing Denard really loose. Kelvin Grady, lined up at the other slot on the other side of the field, doesn't get Harrison Smith. If he does, Denard runs for a 92 yard touchdown.

2nd and 10: Molk moves Ian Williams out of the way so Denard can scoot right up the middle, but Schilling is just a step slow and can't get Anthony McDonald on the second level. Also, Kelvin Grady can't hold the block on Darius Fleming long enough.

3rd and 4: This is that dreaded counter draw that destroyed Michigan's defense for so long. Poorly timed here, as Notre Dame is blitzing. It still may have gotten a first down if Schilling was able to restrain Ian Williams.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun H-back	Smith	HB dive	2	Schilling, Molk	Huyge
2-8	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	QB blast	14	Omameh, Koger	Dorrestein
1-10	Shotgun split slot left	Smith	Zone read stretch	4	Molk	Dorrestein

1st and 10: This is the staple play from the UConn game. The H-back Koger cracks back to pop the unblocked end, and normally this would be a plus, but the end (Kerry Neal) is too tenative and the block doesn't factor in anyway. Schilling and Molk double Williams, but Huyge doesn't stay on Lewis-Moore long enough, and KLM tackles Smith for a minimal gain.

2nd and 8: Denard blasts through the right side as Omameh and Koger get enough (not all, but enough) at the line to spring him through. Dorrestein is too slow to get to Gary Gray in time, so Denard "only" gets 14. Te'o may have made this play right where Gray did regardless. Denard is shaken up, and we all want to die.

1st and 10: Maybe a handoff all the way since it's Gardner at QB, but whatever. Dorrestein gets blown back, which ruins the stretch play. Molk has calmly escorted Ian Williams down the line, so there's some room when Smith cuts up.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB sweep right	2	Omameh	Schilling
2-8	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB sweep left	7	Smith, Koger, Molk	-
3-1	I-form twins right	Smith	HB dive	2	McColgan, Huyge, Schiling	Molk
2-10	Shotgun heavy	Robinson	QB power right	87-TD	Koger, Dorrestein, Molk, Omameh (+3), Roundtree (+2), Odoms	-

1st and 10: Omameh locks onto Ethan Johnson and drives him back, but Ian Williams gets the best of Schilling again. Much more impressed with Williams so more in this game than in the 2008 or 2009 games.

2nd and 8: What onions by Vincent Smith here. Brian Smith is blitzing right into the place where this play is going, he could've created a disaster, but V-Smith chops his legs out from under him, springing Denard. Koger latches onto Te'o, and Molk mashes Ian Williams. Williams actually makes the tackle here, but when a defensive tackle is making the play eight yards downfield and wasn't dropping into a zone, it's usually because he got owned by an interior offensive lineman.

3rd and 1: McColgan gets a decent enough lead block, and Huyge and Schilling double Lewis-Moore. Of startling note: Williams drives Molk violently back here, to the point where they almost took out Smith in the backfield.

2nd and 10: Freakshow time. H-back Koger picks up Kerry Neal, who was waiting on the QB run. Huyge occupies Ethan Johnson, and those two blocks are enough for Denard to get to the second level. Molk also mauls Cwynar. Now the real fun. In one of the coolest things I've ever seen from an offensive lineman at any level, Patrick Omameh locks onto Te'o, drives him back a solid five yards so hard and so fast that he uses Te'o to trip Harrison Smith and take him out too. He then buries Te'o in the Notre Dame Stadium turf for good measure. After this, Roundtree executes a devastating cut block downfield on the outside on Motta, Odoms chases off and stymies Darrin Walls enough, and it's a trail of vapor from here as Denard is gone. My god, this is a thing of fuckin' beauty.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
2-6	Shotgun H-back	Robinson	QB blast	1	-	Robinson, Omameh

2nd and 6: Ethan Johnson sheds Omameh rather easily to make the tackle, but I have no idea why Denard stops and cuts back here, the right side looks to be reasonably open, and he stops and ends up trying to reverse his field.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun trips left	Smith	Zone read handoff	0	-	Huyge
3-10	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	Pump fake draw	3	-	-

1st and 10: Hard to determine if this is a misread by Denard, the end is blocked and Te'o and Brian Smith are on the edge, so it's probably the right call, but I'll leave it alone. Regardless, Lewis-Moore knifes inside of Huyge far too easily and tackles for no gain.

3rd and 10: This is really on Denard again, he makes the wrong cut and runs right into tacklers.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR trips right	Robinson	QB blast	3	Dorrestein, Shaw	-
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR trips left	Shaw	Zone read handoff	5	Dorrestein	Robinson
2-5	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	Pump fake draw	19	Omameh, Molk	-
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR trips left	Robinson	Zone read keeper	1	Robinson	Omameh
1-10	-	-	-	-10	-	Molk (-2)
2-15	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	Pump fake draw	8	Molk	-

1st and 10: Dorrestein seals inside and Shaw blocks Brian Smith on the lead, but Te'o isn't picked up and contains this.

1st and 10: I'm going to be a stickler here and subtract from Denard, because even though the read end stays square and doesn't recklessly crash down on the RB, he's still shuffling his feet toward Shaw, and would be flat footed if Denard pulls it here. Dorrestein blocks down on Ethan Johnson which allows Shaw to pick up five, but this play goes for more if Denard keeps it, IMO.

2nd and 5: Omameh and Molk get good blocks to provide a hole, but the bulk of these yards are a result of Denard's pump fake to Shaw in the flat getting Te'o to bite.

1st and 10: End is coming down here, so a good decision to keep by Denard, but a) Omameh whiffs on Calabrese, and b) Harrison Smith is coming down from his safety spot the whole time. Simple case of ND sniffing the play out.

1st and 10: Holding on Molk.

2nd and 15: This is the type of playcall that infuriates Michigan fans in 2008 and 2009 because it was called with below average (Threet, Sheridan) and barely above average (Forcier) running QBs. With Denard, this is an easy eight yards due to his Denardness (and Molk occupying Calabrese on the second level).

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun heavy	Robinson	Zone read keeper	0	Robinson	Robinson
2-10	-	-	-	-10	-	Omameh (-2)

1st and 10: Correct read by Denard in keeping, but he tries to make it something bigger by bouncing outside instead of going straight upfield. If he goes straight, he picks up 4-5, instead Motta and Te'o string it out and he gets nothing. Denard also actually has Roundtree wide open on the bubble, and still had time to get rid of it once Motta committed to the run.

2nd and 10: Holding on Omameh.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun H-back	Smith	Zone read stretch	3	Robinson	Huyge, Dorrestein
2-7	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB power right	4	Smith, Webb, Odoms	Omameh
1-10	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	QB power left	5	Huyge, Molk	-
1-10	Shotgun slot right	Smith	HB dive	6	Omameh, Dorrestein, Molk, Webb	-
2-4	Shotgun H-back	Smith	HB dive	0	-	Huyge, Schilling

1st and 10: Looks like the right read, but Huyge getting pushed back (and then discarded) by Lewis-Moore forces Smith to cut upfield, and Dorrestein's cut block on Ethan Johnson fails spectacularly.

2nd and 7: Vincent Smith as the lead blocker smacks Carlo Calabrese. Martell Webb occupies Ethan Johnson, and Odoms locks onto Darrin Walls and drives him down the field. Omameh though, can't get to Te'o in time.

1st and 10: Not especially dazzling blocking here, but Huyge and Molk get enough of Nwankwo and Williams so Denard can get a decent gain.

1st and 10: Webb seals Ethan Johnson outside, Omameh just wrecks Cwynar, Molk seals Calabrese, and Dorrestein catches Te'o offguard and bulldozes him. Good stuff.

2nd and 4: ND blitzes here, and Schilling doesn't pick it up. This is compounded by Huyge getting mauled badly by Kapron Lewis-Moore.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
2-5	Shotgun heavy	Robinson	Zone fake/QB power right	11	Koger, Dorrestein, Omameh	-
1-24	Shotgun slot right	Robinson	QB draw	11	Molk, Omameh	Stokes

2nd and 5: Denard gives a token appearence of a zone read, but it's for a nanosecond; this is a QB run all the way. H-back Koger and left tackle Dorrestein get great kick out blocks on Ethan Johnson and Kerry Neal, and Omameh locks onto Te'o again and blasts him not once but twice.

1st and 24: Molk and Omameh do their jobs in creating a lane. We have a Je'Ron Stokes sighting! Unfortunately it's of him mostly just standing there as Gary Gray sidesteps him to hold this down.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun ace	Robinson	QB power right	1	-	-

1st and 10: Denard slips.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
2-10	Shotgun 5 WR	Robinson	QB draw	12	Molk, Schilling, Grady (0.5), Omameh (0.5)	-
2-3	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB power right	2	Dorrestein	Schilling
3-1	-	Robinson	QB sneak	0	-	-
4-1	Shotgun ace	Robinson	QB power right	1	Omameh	-
2-5	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB power left	0	Webb	Huyge
1-G	Shotgun ace	Robinson	QB power left	2-TD	Dorrestein, Molk, Omameh	-

2nd and 10: Molk and Schilling double Ian Williams and drive him back. Kelvin Grady gets a nice block on Calabrese from the slot, and just as Calabrese is shedding him Omameh steps in to finish him off.

2nd and 3: Dorrestein kicks Darius Fleming out with ease, but from the other side, Schilling is too slow (slightly impeded by Molk) in getting to Calabrese, which allows Calabrese to tackle.

3rd and 1: Nobody really screws up egregiously here, I think everybody in maize and blue expected to catch ND's D-line off balance here. Instead the Domers get under our guys and stuff this play.

4th and 1: Denard runs up behind Omameh, who gets just enough push to pick up the conversion.

2nd and 5: This might actually be more on Denard for not picking up the blitz and letting the OL know, but regardless, Huyge kicks out to pick up the blitzer, but this also catches Shaw off guard and takes him out of the play. If Shaw picks up the blitzer and Huyge goes downfield to block, this play likely ends in the endzone, as Webb pancakes Kapron Lewis-Moore, but because the left tackle stayed in, there are multiple unblocked defenders, and the play goes nowhere.

1st and goal: Dorrestein cuts Ethan Johnson from the backside, and that combined with Molk reminding Ian Williams who his daddy is creates a cavernous cutback lane for Denard, who zips through it and dives in as Omameh gets one final blast at Te'o. Celebration time, bitches.

Game Chart:

	Yay	Nay	Total
Huyge	4	8	-4
Schilling	4	7	-3
Molk	12	4	8
Omameh	11.5	5	6.5
Dorrestein	7	3	4
Koger	5	0	5
Webb	3	0	3
Grady	0.5	2	-1.5
Odoms	2	0	2
Roundtree	3	0	3
Stokes	0	1	-1
McColgan	1	0	1
Shaw	1	3	-2
Smith	4	0	4
D. Robinson	5	4	1
TOTAL	63	37	26

Some thoughts:

• Schilling crashes down to earth because ND had two very good linebackers and Ian Williams was not the laughably movable object he was the last two years.
• ...But yeah Molk still owned him when they matched up.
• Much better from Omameh. The 2* who was a 250 pound DE in high school crushed the 5* all-world linebacker multiple times, with brutal efficiency.
• I was very impressed with the tight ends.

Comprehensive chart:

	UConn	ND	TOTAL
Huyge	4	-4	0
Schilling	8	-3	+5
Molk	10	8	+18
Omameh	-6	6.5	+0.5
Dorrestein	4	4	+8
Koger	-2	5	+3
Webb	2	3	+5
Grady	1	-1.5	-0.5
Odoms	1	2	+3
Roundtree	1	3	+4
Stonum	0	N/A	0
Stokes	N/A	-1	-1
T. Robinson	1	N/A	+1
McColgan	1	1	+2
Shaw	-2	-2	-4
Smith	4	4	+8
Gardner	1	N/A	+1
D. Robinson	-2	1	-1
TOTALS	26	26	+52

You'll Never Walk Alone

Michigan 28, Notre Dame 24; 2-0

Around 7:20 PM eastern time on Saturday, as the adrenaline just barely began to slow down, Rich Rodriguez stood on the Notre Dame Stadium turf, answering postgame questions from NBC's eye candy Alex Flanagan, who at one point said, "Rich, we've all seen what you've gone through these past two years", which lol no you haven't. But she concluded the interview with a simple yet poignant statement that was much deeper and encompassing than she realized.

"Just keep doing what you're doing."

Ever since Rich arrived, almost three years ago now, he has been trying to "do what he does." As each day brought another loss or another controversy or another negative story or another personal attack, the people who have wanted him to do what he does have become fewer and scarcer. I'm sure at times, even when surrounded by family and ever-loyal followers, Rich has felt alone, as if he's the only one who believes in what he's trying to do.

By the time the carnage Denard Robinson inflicted on Notre Dame started to settle and the sun faded toward the horizon in South Bend, I bet Rich felt differently; that he has finally found the life preserver he needs; that at long last, through the wind and the rain, he'll never walk alone again.

I went somewhat catatonic around the time Kyle Rudolph rumbled across the goalline late in the 4th quarter, my mind just overloading with the madness and bloody insanity of it all. I sat back on my couch, my arms crossed, my head slowly shaking back and forth. Even as the drive that slayed a dragon began to progess, I was muttering to myself, "This thing just isn't going to work out, is it?"

A few minutes later, our latest savior gave us a reason to believe. He dares us to dream, and gives us the audacity of hope.

His health remains the hot button issue, especially because if he's Batman, then his Robin is currently in an Orlando high school. Our running backs aren't awful (and contrary to popular belief, their absence on Saturday isn't all on them), but there definitely isn't a Steve Slaton or Noel Devine here; no running mate for our superstar. So as risky as it may be, running Denard like a running back is, at present, our #1 weapon. We'll hold our breaths after every tackle, tighten up until he gets up. At the moment, it appears simple: if Denard stays healthy, this ship is, in some form anyway, straightened. If Denard stays healthy, Rich will be our football coach, the clouds of uncertainty will part, and slowly but surely, order will be restored.

There is reason to restrain optimism and remain cautious. The defense is still shaky at best, with issues that remain glaring and will be pressed by all future opponents. Cameron Gordon would be perfect, absolutely perfect at one of the box safety spots. He's not a slow-footed linebacker playing safety like Cato June was, but he is definitely not the burner you need at the back end, and his instincts are still very much a work in progress. If it were possible to play him closer to the line of scrimmage, we'd be better off, but there's nobody else back there right now, so we have to make do and try to minimize the damage. Other issues exist, too. The pass rush isn't really there, the linebackers are still erratic (though both Ezeh and Mouton made some very impressive plays on Saturday), and we don't have a field goal kicker.

But for now, at the moment, we have a weapon capable of covering up all those issues. And while we are in the same spot we were at this time last year - 2-0 after a dramatic last minute win over Notre Dame - it's easy to see how this is different. The passage of time allows one to obtain a perspective not feasible in the heat of battle. Lost in the euphoria early last year but clearly visible now is the fact that much of the success Tate Forcier had at the start of 2009 came from improvisation and making plays when the original play broke down. This made him wildly exciting early on, but that style, predictably, gradually degraded as his feet got too happy and his ball security got looser and looser. This year, through two games, every big play and every touchdown Denard has produced has been within the offense. It was breathtaking last year when Tate scrambled and directed traffic and fired a laser to Junior Hemingway in the opener against Western, and it was ridiculous when he bobbed and weaved his way through the pocket on the penultimate play against the Irish (when Laterryal Savoy almost caught the touchdown Greg Mathews would one play later). But now? A pump fake bubble screen springs Terrence Robinson wide open down the seam. A designed quarterback draw springs Denard 37 yards to the endzone against Connecticut. A fake quarterback draw has Roy Roundtree wide open for a touchdown at Notre Dame. A designed QB off tackle play turns into an 87-yard freak show that had every jaw on the floor. All within the offense, all executed to near perfection. That's why this has staying power, as long as Denard stays healthy.

That's why Rich Rodriguez has staying power, as long as Denard stays healthy. And as long as Denard is healthy, Rich shall walk through the storm with his head held high, and he won't be afraid of the dark. And he'll never walk alone.

Run Chart: UConn

Greetings. The Run Chart is back for 2010, and as I mentioned previously, I am on pace for a trip to the psych ward if what happened on Saturday repeats itself very much.

For the newbies in the audience, the Run Chart first appeared in 2007 under a much swankier name - the Hart Chart, named for...well, obviously. Unfortunately Mike Hart's eligibility ran out, so it's got a boring title now. Oh, if only we could recruit another Hart...

Anyway. The Run Chart serves as a micro-UFR, one of the staples of MGoBlog. Where Brian analyzes every play on both sides of the ball and highlights the performances, I focus solely on the rushing attack. It was simpler in 2007. There were handoffs, and large people either blocked or missed. With the spread option, it gets a bit trickier, because a large portion of the offense involves intentionally leaving certain defenders unblocked, and decision making is a much bigger factor too.

In the end, it boils down to this. On any given running play (QB scrambles on broken plays do not apply), there are blocking assignments, and if you watch a play enough, you can figure out who was supposed to do what. Many times, it's pretty straight forward - did so and so successfully prevent the defender right in front of him from making a play on the ball carrier or not? However, as the zone read permeates itself into our lives, an adjustment has to be made, so instead of simply charting the blockers, I have to account for the quarterback and if he made the right choice to hand off or keep.

Yays and nays are given only for actions relevant to the play in question. If the play is a zone dive right up the middle, it's highly unlikely that anything involving the wide receivers will be relevant to the play, so no matter what they do, it isn't charted.

So, without further adieu...Run Chart 2010, commence.

Your offensive line, from left to right: Huyge - Schilling - Molk - Omameh - Dorrestein.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	I-Form 2 WR twins left	Shaw	Off tackle right	6	McColgan	Koger
1-10	Shotgun trips right	Robinson	Playaction pumpfake keeper	9	Dorrestein, Odoms	Omameh (-2)
2-14	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	QB blast	22	Shaw, Schilling, Molk, Huyge	Dorrestein
1-10	Shotgun 3 WR slot left	Robinson	"Zone read keeper"	10	Dorrestein, Omameh	Huyge
1-10	Shotgun split slot left	Shaw	Dive	5	-	-
2-5	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB blast	4	Huyge	Roundtree, Shaw
3-1	I-Form heavy	Shaw	HB blast	2	McColgan	Omameh, Dorrestein
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Shaw	Zone read dive	4	Dorrestein	Robinson
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Shaw	Zone read handoff	-1	-	Robinson (-2)
2-11	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB blast	10	Huyge, Schilling, Molk	-
3-1	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB blast	3	Huyge, Schilling, Molk	-
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Smith	Zone read dive	12-TD	Molk, Roundtree	-

1st and 10: Basic I-form play to start out with as we're pinned at the 4 yard line. Omameh actually gets beaten inside here, but since it's an off tackle play and not an iso, it's alright. McColgan doesn't deliver a killshot like Moundros did in his limited time at fullback last year, but he mashes the boundary corner well enough. Koger scrapes the playside DE but isn't quick enough getting to the linebacker.

1st and 10: It's hard to tell if this is how this play was supposed to go. The entire offensive line blocks down save for Dorrestein, who kicks the "read" end out, creating an alley for Denard once he pulls the ball from Shaw and gives a little fake like he thought about throwing a bubble screen. I'm pretty sure this was designed to get Denard running the whole time. Odoms gets a nice block on the corner outside. However it's all negated when Omameh is flagged for a late hit.

2nd and 14: This should've been a freakazoid play. I'm taking 70, 80 yards, maybe a touchdown. The left side of the line plus Molk and Shaw as a lead blocker perfectly set Denard loose into the second level, but Dorrestein misses the one block that would've set him loose down the sideline with only the cornerback sprinting full speed from the opposite side of the field between him and the endzone. Dorrestein knows he missed it too, as he is visibly upset when Denard is tackled.

1st and 10: This is a weird, chaotic play. There is nobody unblocked being read here, so I don't know how this is a zone read. Regardless, Huyge blocks down but is beaten inside and spun to the ground by the defensive tackle, whose aggression and burst actually put him upfield past Denard after he pulled the ball from Shaw. Omameh and Dorrestein get just enough of their men to allow Denard to improvise and peel around outside to open field for ten.

1st and 10: First, "shotgun split" means the QB is flanked by backs on each side. As for the play, another messy one that's hard to dicipher. There is once again no read, but Denard's holding the ball out there like it is. Shaw immediately cuts upfield where there is a mess of humanity and a natural hole as a result of the backside defensive end rushing upfield. Shaw falls forward for five. Messy.

2nd and 5: Huyge does a good job turning the end outside to create a hole. I'm probably being a little hard on the Trotwood kids here. There is no deception in the play here, so the linebacker that Roundtree fails to block is immediately moving in as Denard takes the snap and moves ahead, so it may be unrealistic to expect Roundtree to get this block. Shaw doesn't hold up (not a surprise) as the lead blocker either, as his man wraps up Denard.

3rd and 1: McColgan leads the way just fine on 3rd and short, but this is nearly blown up because the right side of the offensive line gets beaten rather badly. Dorrestein just gets blown by, while Omameh gets muscled straight back. We barely convert.

1st and 10: Robinson hands off on the first true zone read play, and Dorrestein gets enough of the linebacker to allow Shaw to get four yards instead of two, but...I think Denard should keep this. The read end actually plays this pretty well, he doesn't recklessly crash down on Shaw, he plants himself and keeps his feet shuffling, prepared to go either direction, and he ends up tagging Shaw. In that circumstance, there may not be a real "right or wrong" choice, but if Denard pulls this from Shaw, he's matched up one on one with a defensive end who is standing still, and the safety is racing down toward Shaw from the get go. This could've been a big gain (if not a touchdown) if Denard keeps this.

1st and 10: There's no doubt on this one. Schilling, Molk, Omameh and Dorrestein block down, with Huyge kicking out the backside defensive end. This makes Greg Lloyd, the MIKE linebacker, the read here, and he is hurdling toward Shaw the whole way. If Denard keeps this, there is no one between him and the safety 12 yards upfield. No splitting hairs here, this was a mistake.

2nd and 11: Huyge again kicks out the strongside DE with ease, creating a sizable gap. Molk crushes the playside DT, pancaking him as Denard zips through. Schilling acts as a screen of sorts on the MIKE linebacker Lloyd.

3rd and 1: Same thing essentially. Huyge turns the end away, while this time Molk and Schilling double the playside tackle. This gets held down because UConn saw it coming (since we just ran it), but the execution was enough to convert the 3rd and short.

1st and 10: I have no idea how Smith slips through the line here. Molk escorts the weakside DT away, but Schilling gets pushed basically right into Smith by the playside DT. Somehow Smith squirts through and sheds an unbelievably pathetic tackle attempt by the safety coming down into the box. Right after that, flashing across the screen is Roy Roundtree latched onto the other UConn safety who came down, and he's just running him right past Smith as he crosses the goalline. This was a little sloppy.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Shaw	HB dive?	4	-	Webb
3-1	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB blast	3	Molk	Omameh
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	Zone read keeper	12	Robinson	-
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Shaw	???	5	-	-
2-5	Shotgun slot right	Robinson	QB blast	32-TD	Webb, Dorrestein, Grady, Smith, Omameh	-

1st and 10: Somebody makes a pretty egregious mistake here. Martell Webb is lined up at the H-back spot here, just off the line of scrimmage, and he cracks back against the grain at the snap, presumably to nail the unblocked end who is coming down...except he runs right past the end, who would have Michael Shaw dead to rights if not for a freakish cutback by Shaw. I don't think this was a read mistake by Denard; I think this was a handoff all the way designed to look like a read with Webb having the task of erasing the read end. Michigan introduced this wrinkle against Notre Dame last year with a bit of success with Kevin Koger nailing the unblocked man and helping to spring Brandon Minor into the secondary. Needless to say, it needs some tuning in 2010.

3rd and 1: Omameh is beaten by the backside DT, and this would've been bad if not for Molk latching onto the strongside DT and essentially picking him up and moving him away. Ironically Molk's dominance on the poor guy obstructed Schilling from getting to the linebacker, which helped contain this play.

1st and 10: See, now this gives me pause about the first play on this possession. This looks like the same thing. End crashes down unblocked, Martell Webb runs past him...except the difference is here that Denard ninjas the football out of Michael Shaw's belly and has room to zip through for a dozen yards. So was the mistake on the first play just a misread by Denard in that he handed off when he should've kept? Or was this an adjustment as a result of that previous play? Feedback welcome.

1st and 10: ABC/ESPN putzes around and botches this play a bit, so skip it. Looks similar to the last play and the first play, with Shaw once again Houdini'ing his way out of a TFL. I'm leaning toward this being a mistake on Denard's part now, but I'm not sure.

2nd and 5: Here's an interesting little wrinkle. Similar to the straight QB runs from earlier, except this time Webb, again in the H-back role, motions in at the snap to serve as another lead blocker in addition to Smith. Webb, Omameh and Dorrestein spring Denard past the line, Smith swings outside to latch onto the outside linebacker Scott Lutrus, and Kelvin Grady finishes the blocking by running upfield from his slot position to cut off the safety. From there it's dreadlocks and dilithium to the endzone. "That's six."

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Shaw	Zone read dive	15	Dorrestein, Omameh, Stonum	-
1-10	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB blast	-3	-	Omameh, Robinson

1st and 10: There might not actually be a "read" on this play, as Koger peels back against the formation to nullify the unblocked end on the backside. Similar to the ND game last year, this may be a handoff all the way with the illusion of it being a read play. Operating under that assumption, no yay to Denard to handing off. Dorrestein kicks the strongside DE out while Omameh pins the tackle inside, creating a huge hole for Shaw. Stonum doesn't actually "block" the boundary corner here, but he occupies him.

1st and 10: Omameh gets pushed back and beaten by the DT here (who makes the tackle), but mostly this is on Denard for mysteriously cutting back. There wasn't a real hole right up the middle, all stalemates, but instead of settling for 2-3 yards, Denard tries to bounce outside for more - except he bounces right into his right guard being shoved into his face.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun slot right	Grady	Reverse	-3	-	Grady
2-13	Shotgun slot right	Robinson	QB blast	7	Webb, Schilling, Molk	Omameh
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Smith	Zone read dive	4	Webb	Molk, Omameh
2-6	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB blast	-2	-	Omameh, Dorrestein
3-8	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB draw	10	Huyge, Smith, Roundtree	-
1-G	Shotgun slot right	Shaw	Zone read dive	4	Webb, Schilling, Molk	-
2-G	Shotgun ace	Shaw	Zone read handoff	3-TD	Robinson, Schilling, Molk	-

1st and 10: Nobody really to blame here, reverses work when the defense overcommits. UConn stayed at home here. -1 to Grady to fumbling.

2nd and 13: Webb moves from the H-back position to play the role of lead blocker, and he pops a linebacker. Schilling and Molk both do their jobs well, Schilling occupying the backside DT and Molk getting to the MIKE linebacker. Omameh is beaten by the strongside DT though, and although Denard actually sheds the tackle, he is slowed down enough to hold this down.

1st and 10: Again, I don't think there's a real read here. Webb again cracks back to pop the unblocked end (and does so very well). Omameh again cannot occupy the defensive tackle long enough for the ball carrier to get through cleanly. Molk also whiffs (!) on the linebacker, who combines with the DT to tackle.

2nd and 6: UConn catches both Omameh and Dorrestein offguard here with a hard slant to the left by their entire defensive line. This gets two players past the aforementioned U-M linemen, and leaves Denard dead to rights in the backfield.

3rd and 8: UConn is caught offguard this time. Huyge smashes the DE inside, and Denard easily gets the first down with the help of downfield blocks by Smith and Roundtree.

1st and goal: Again, I'm almost positive there's no read here. Once more, Webb cracks back and again delivers a shot to the unblocked end, which allows Shaw to zip through - with the help of a good inside-out block by Schilling and Molk seeking out the linebacker.

2nd and goal: I think this IS a true read, and there really is no wrong option here I think, but because the end doesn't crash down violently on the RB, the handoff is absolutely the way to go, and usual work from Schilling and Molk gives Shaw enough room to power into the endzone.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	Zone read keeper	8	Robinson	-
2-2	Shotgun trips left	Robinson	QB blast	6	Smith, Molk	Omameh
1-10	Shotgun trips right	Smith	Zone read handoff	0	-	Robinson

1st and 10: Great stuff here in that it's so simple really, but something that is just starting to bloom in this offense - a perfectly executed zone read play. The end sells out on Shaw all the way, and Denard snakes the ball out of his gut and zips through untouched for an easy eight yards.

2nd and 2: Smith does well as the lead blocker, and Molk absolutely zeroes in on the MIKE linebacker and erases him from the play. Once again though, Omameh cannot stymie his man long enough for the ball carrier to get by.

1st and 10: And then...the other side of the coin. The end is coming down on Smith the whole way, yet Denard hands it off instead of yanking it. Predictable result.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Smith	Zone read dive	4	-	Webb
2-6	Shotgun slot left	Robinson	QB sweep right	3	Molk, Dorrestein	Omameh
1-10	Shotgun slot right	Smith	Zone read dive	1	Webb	Omameh
2-9	Shotgun slot right	Smith	Zone read handoff	3	Robinson	Huyge
2-6	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB sweep left	5	Huyge	Molk, Omameh
3-1	???	Robinson	???	3	-	-
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Smith	Zone read dive	4	Schilling, Omameh	Molk
1-G	Shotgun ace	Robinson	QB sweep left	5	Huyge	Webb, Dorrestein
2-G	Shotgun ace	Robinson	Zone read keeper	-3	Robinson	Robinson (-2)
3-G	Shotgun slot right	Robinson	QB sweep right	0	-	-

1st and 10: Webb actually misses the block from the H-back position here, and Smith uses his physicality to fall forward.

2nd and 6: Molk latches onto the DT and drives him backward, and Dorrestein just absolutely crushes the DE to the ground. Omameh though, can't get to the linebacker quick enough. There might've been a crack for Denard to slip through instead of going all the way to the sideline, but overall this seems like it developed too slowly for anything big to happen.

1st and 10: I really should come up with a different name for this play, there's no actual read going on here. Webb again pops the unblocked end, but - again - Omameh struggles with the tackle and ends up getting squashed back. Not terribly impressive today...

2nd and 9: DE stays home and it's a true read, and Denard correctly hands off. Unfortunately Huyge somehow whiffs on a linebacker who was barely moving. Hm.

2nd and 6: Huyge expertly escorts the playside DE out of harm's way, but Molk surprisingly gets muscled backwards, forcing a play designed to go to the outside to now go inside as Denard cuts up. This wouldn't be a huge problem...if Omameh doesn't run past about three or four defenders without touching one of them.

3rd and 1: ESPN/ABC fail.

1st and 10: First play that features the H-back (Webb) cracking back against the formation but not being a factor, as the unblocked end is caught up in the wash. Omameh (finally) and Schilling get good pushes against their men, but Molk somehow misses the linebacker who makes the tackle. Looks like he just lost him in the chaos and he wasn't where he expected him to be.

1st and goal: Huyge mashes the playside DE, but Webb whiffs on a linebacker, forcing a cutback, whereupon the weakside defensive tackle is able to make the play because he successfully avoided a cut block attempt by Dorrestein.

2nd and goal: +1 to Denard for correctly pulling the ball on the zone read. -2 for fumbling it inexplicably when it looks like he was going to go in standing up.

3rd and goal: Eh, not a fan of the playcall. Too conservative for my taste here, compounded by the fact that UConn blitzes and has more defenders than we have blockers.

Down	Formation	Runner	Play	Yards	Yay	Nay
1-10	Ace 4 WR	Shaw	HB dive	5	Molk, Schilling, Omameh	-
2-5	I-form twins left	Shaw	Off tackle right	-9	-	Omameh, McColgan, Shaw (-2)
3-14	Shotgun 4 WR	Robinson	QB draw	14	Smith, T. Robinson, Grady	-
1-10	Shotgun slot right	Gardner	Zone read keeper	-4	Gardner	Koger, Gardner
2-14	Shotgun slot left	Smith	Zone read dive	13	Gardner, Dorrestein, Omameh	-
3-1	Shotgun ace	Robinson	QB blast	4	Koger, Dorrestein	Stonum
1-10	Shotgun slot left	Smith	Zone read dive	5	Schilling, Molk, Omameh	Koger

1st and 10: Great work by the interior OL here. Schilling and Omameh seal the DTs outside flawlessly, and Molk radar locks the MIKE linebacker. Shaw is untouched for five yards. Molk stays down and has to come off, and I recall saying something resembling "FUCK SHIT BALLS JESUS NO WHY" in a tone that could only be described as suicidal.

2nd and 5: Er...yikes. Omameh is just humiliated by the defensive tackle here, and McColgan can't handle the boundary corner. Shaw makes things much worse by turning a 3 yard loss into a 9 yard loss. He is properly eviscerated for this. That's not a mistake a player in his 3rd year can make.

3rd and 14: The kind of play that a year ago, we raged about because Forcier would only pick up five or so and we punt. Now...a bit different. The sub-six footers rule the day as Grady, Smith and Terrence Robinson all pick up escorting blocks en route to the first down. Denard stays down, and I say something resembling "Why I do say old chap, this contest between you and I seems to be a bit rigged if I do say so myself" in a tone that could only be describled as cultured.

1st and 10: Easy but correct decision for Gardner to pull the ball on the zone read as the end crashes down irresponsibly on Smith. Koger doesn't do a very good job blocking the linebacker, but it would've been enough if Gardner goes straight up field instead of trying to get to the outside. This is a comfy 5-7 yard gain if he goes straight, instead it's a 4 yard loss.

2nd and 14: DE stays home, Gardner 2-for-2 on zone read decisions. Omameh and Dorrestein with excellent down blocks, with the latter helping to escort the tackle away and seamlessly transitioning to the linebacker.

3rd and 1: I'm not terribly thrilled with calling a running play for the guy who just went back in after getting dinged up, but it's not my call. Either way, UConn smells this out a bit. Koger and Dorrestein pin the DE inside, allowing Denard to easily get the edge and the first down. Could've gotten a little more if Stonum had done anything besides stand there and watch the corner.

1st and 10: Again, no read here, Koger as the H-back cracking back. Schilling and Omameh successfully turn the tackles inside out, and Molk sticks the linebacker. Koger though, doesn't actually block the unblocked end, he gives him a shove, which actually propels the end right into position to make a tackle.

Charting ceases here, as our final drive is designed to simply chew up the clock.

Game Chart:

	Yay	Nay	Total
Huyge	6	2	4
Schilling	8	0	8
Molk	12	2	10
Omameh	7	13	-6
Dorrestein	8	4	4
Koger	1	3	-2
Webb	5	3	2
Grady	2	1	1
Odoms	1	0	1
T. Robinson	1	0	1
Roundtree	2	1	1
Stonum	1	1	0
McColgan	2	1	1
Shaw	1	3	-2
Smith	4	0	4
Gardner	2	1	1
D. Robinson	5	7	-2
TOTAL	68	42	26

Some thoughts:

• 4 of Denard's 7 negatives came on two plays in which I gave him a -2 apiece: one zone read where he had a dozen yards of empty space to run through if he kept, and the fumble inside the five that probably prevented a touchdown. Overall this is where the metric is flawed, as it's inconceivable to watch what he did last Saturday and come up with a negative number. Sue me.
• Steve Schilling and David Molk...holy balls, stay healthy.
• Patrick Omameh...a work in progress. Seven positive plays is good, but 13 negatives is, I believe, a record for the (short) time I've been doing this. When Coach Rodriguez said in his Monday presser that some people on the OL definitely had to do better, it's clear now who he was talking about.
• Huyge and Dorrestein with sturdy performances run blocking. +4 is probably around the ceiling for them.
• Smith looked better as the lead blocker than Shaw.
• Webb looked much better as the H-back than Koger.