Michigan’s Robinson dazzles, defense sputters

The 2011 college football season is young, but last weekend against Notre Dame, Michigan may have pulled off the most exciting comeback we’ll see all season.

The Wolverines capped off a flurry of scores in the final 1:12 of the game with a strike from quarterback Denard Robinson to wide receiver Roy Rountree with just two seconds left to pull off the monumental 35-31 comeback victory.

“The way Michigan battled back was just outstanding,” said former Indiana coach Bill Mallory on Monday’s teleconference. “They did what good teams do. They believed in themselves when no one else did.”

Robinson was impressive as usual, but the Michigan defense struggled against Brian Kelly’s offense. Mallory was surprised how the Michigan secondary struggled.

“I talked to Michigan defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison, after the game,” Mallory said, “and he said they (Michigan) should have been in different coverage, maybe a Cover 2. He said they tried to blitz but should have been more conservative.”

Gene Stallings is known for his defenses at Alabama and Texas A&M, and despite Mattison’s explanation, Stallings still couldn’t understand what Michigan must have been thinking.

“You can double cover any receiver if you want to,” Stallings said. “Why single cover their best receiver (Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd)? It doesn’t make sense to do that unless you’re blitzing.

“People play 5 short, 2 deep, or 3 deep, or 4 short. Sometimes I don’t know what they’re thinking.”

Regardless, Michigan made the plays when it counted most and moved to 2-0. Defense or not.

(Image courtesy of Flickr, LI Phil)

Print Story