The Wolverines’ rushing attack was dominant early in the season but has struggled in recent weeks. After averaging 194.8 rushing yards during a 4-1 start to the season, Michigan posted just 128.0 yards on the ground in four games since then.
The Michigan Wolverines’ rushing attack was dominant early in the season but has struggled to find a rhythm in recent weeks and it’s led to three losses in the last four games. In order to get back on track against the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers this weekend, the Wolverines need to reassess the offensive strategy and reestablish the ground game.
After averaging 194.8 rushing yards during a 4-1 start to the season, Michigan has posted just 128.0 rushing yards per game in the four outings since then. The Wolverines recorded 140+ rushing yards in four of the first five games including two performances with 290+ rushing yards but have three straight games with less than 120 yards on the ground.
“We can run the ball because we have great running backs and great offensive linemen, so we just have to execute to the best of our ability. Just keep working and do better,” Michigan right guard Giovanni El-Hadi said on Monday. “In the run game, all five offensive linemen have to do what we’re supposed to do and the running back has to make us right.”
The sharp decline in rushing production has been a concern for the Wolverines’ offense and it’s been a troubling turn for running back Kalel Mullings following a hot start to the season. Mullings tallied 540 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 77 carries in the first five games before managing just 170 rushing yards and one touchdown on 54 attempts since.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore told the media that Mullings doesn’t have much room to operate with defenders constantly closing in on him: “There’s always somebody in his face right now and it’s hard to make a guy miss. He did a good job getting back to the line of scrimmage. We have to be better as a team. It’s going to come down to execution.”
In addition to Mullings struggling to find success throughout the last month, running back Donovan Edwards hasn’t been much better. Coming off a season-high 95 rushing yards and one touchdown against the Washington Huskies in October, Edwards has racked up only 114 rushing yards in the last three games and hasn’t found the end zone at all.
There are several factors that have contributed to the ground game scuffling including injuries and inconsistency on the offensive line, as well as questionable play calling. If the Wolverines can improve the offensive strategy by diversifying play calling and strengthening run protection then the rushing attack should be able to return to playing at a high level.
“I feel like we should get the run game going first then start passing out of that but whatever the play call is, we all have to do our jobs. We have to be better and we will do better this week. In the run game and the pass game,” El-Hadi explained. “We’re a pretty physical offensive line and we play smart. We just have to keep doing that every play.”