Season Review: 2018 Michigan Football
1/15/2019 11:00:00 AM | Football
• Final Notes Packet | Season Review | Record Book | Last Time It Happened
• Team Captains: Ben Bredeson, Devin Bush, Karan Higdon, Tyree Kinnel
• Record: 10-3, 8-1 Big Ten Conference (Co-Champion, East Division)
• Final Rankings: 14th (Associated Press and Coaches Poll)
• Postseason: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. No. 10 Florida (L, 41-15)
The University of Michigan football team's 2018 season featured a 10-game win streak, major conference victories and three All-America student-athletes in what was a strong campaign for the Wolverines. This year's Michigan team was the third in four seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh to win 10 games, and the team's in-division finish is its highest since realignment.
U-M also was 7-0 at Michigan Stadium, winning each game by at double digits, with an average margin of victory of more than 29 points per contest. Michigan's total offensive output of 5,457 yards is the fifth-highest single-season total in program history, marking the second time in four seasons that a Harbaugh-led team has cracked the top five of that list.
The team excelled in all three phases, headlined by another excellent defense. That unit posted top-25 NCAA rankings in eight major categories and ranked top-three in the Big Ten in all eight. U-M finished second nationally in total defense (275.2 yards per game) while surrendering just 147.8 passing yards per game and 14 aerial touchdowns to 11 interceptions all season.
Offensively, the team showed balance with 24 passing touchdowns and 26 rushing scores. Michigan's time of possession differential of plus-111:52 on the season is the largest in program history, and it illustrates the team's commitment to ball possession and the run game. Through the air, it was the second time under Harbaugh that the team has had three 500-yard receivers (Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins, Zach Gentry).
On special teams, U-M recorded three different Big Ten Special Teams Players of the Week, and scored kick return (Ambry Thomas) and punt return (Peoples-Jones) touchdowns. The team blocked three punts and three field goals while setting its own records in the kicking game.
Team Highlights
• Dramatic improvement of offensive line play: Offensive line coach Ed Warinner was a key addition to the U-M coaching staff this season. Under his tutelage, all five starters earned All-Big Ten recognition, led by Jon Runyan (first team coaches, second team media) and Ben Bredeson (second team, coaches and media). The Wolverines allowed 23 sacks this season (1.7 per game), a 36 percent decrease from last season (36 sacks allowed), and also decreased negative plays 40 percent by allowing 59 tackles for loss to 83 one year ago. They blocked for Michigan's first 1,000-yard running back since 2011 in Karan Higdon, and helped give quarterback Shea Patterson the time he needed to record the sixth-highest single-season completion percentage (64.6) in program history. The team took better care of the ball, too; U-M's 12 turnovers were the second-fewest in program history (11, 1988).
• Another dominant season defensively: Led by Lester Family defensive coordinator Don Brown, Michigan's defense ranked among the nation's elite once again in 2018. The team finished the year leading the Big Ten in total defense, passing defense, pass defense efficiency, first downs allowed and third-down conversion percentage against. Five opponents were held to fewer than 10 points, including 41 total points allowed in three October games, and eight of 13 opponents recorded season-lows in total offense when playing the Wolverines.
• Bringing Paul Bunyan Trophy home: Michigan made the short trip to East Lansing to reclaim the Paul Bunyan Trophy in a rivalry matchup with the Spartans of Michigan State, and did so emphatically, with a dominant 21-7 victory over the home team. U-M held MSU to its worst performance in the rivalry in the past 20 seasons, limiting them to 94 total yards on offense and forced a 5-of-20 passing line from Spartan quarterback Brian Lewerke. MSU gained 15 total rushing yards while U-M had a complete effort in all phases of the game. Punter Will Hart boomed a 65-yarder, the Wolverines forced and recovered a fumble in the punt game, and Patterson hit Peoples-Jones for a 79-yard strike down the sideline for the game-winning touchdown. For the Wolverines, it was a memorable win.
• An Incredible stretch against Big Ten rivals: - Michigan dominated its opponents in October, and continued its play in early November, highlighted by an incredible stretch against Big Ten foes Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State. The U-M defense was especially potent, limiting those three teams to 4-of-34 combined on third-down opportunities, while the U-M offense used its run game to ice victories. The team registered rushing totals of 320 yards, 183 yards and 259 yards in those three wins.
Individual Highlights
• Higdon goes over 1,000 yards: After coming up six yards shy of the 1,000-yard plateau last fall, Karan Higdon passed that figure in the midst of his ninth game this season at Rutgers. Higdon became U-M's first 1,000-yard running back since 2011, and finished the season with 224 carries for 1,178 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns. Higdon finished his Michigan career ranked 13th in rushing touchdowns and 14th in rushing yards.
• Winovich joins all-time greats in TFLs: Fifth-year senior Chase Winovich returned for his final season as a Wolverine with both personal and team goals on the line. His production this season helped him reach a higher echelon of Michigan defenders. Winovich ended his U-M career tied for seventh among all Wolverine defenders in tackles for loss (45.0), tied with Glenn Steele's career total, and 10th in yardage (178). He is also tied for 11th in sacks (18.0) with former teammate Chris Wormley and tied for 13th in sack yards generated (114).
• Moody converts six FGs in record-setting debut: Freshman kicker Jake Moody handled kickoff duties all season for the Wolverines, but he was called into action to kick field goals as well when Quinn Nordin fell ill prior to the team's home finale against Indiana. Moody responded with an historic effort, converting field goals from 23, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 yards -- in addition to one extra point -- for six consecutive field goals made and 19 total points scored, which both stand as single-game records at Michigan. The six conversions are also a record for most made field goals in a Big Ten game. Moody finished the season 10-of-11 kicking field goals and was named Co-Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against the Hoosiers.
• Patterson Sparks Explosive Passing Game: Quarterback Shea Patterson threw 22 touchdowns this season, tied with Chad Henne's 2006 campaign for the fifth-best single-season total in U-M history. Patterson spread the wealth, hitting nine different pass-catchers to reach that total. The group was led by Donovan Peoples-Jones' eight receiving scores, the most by any Wolverine under Jim Harbaugh since Jehu Chesson had nine in 2015. Peoples-Jones also led the team with 47 receptions, followed by 38 from Nico Collins, who also had six touchdowns. Zach Gentry led the tight-end room with 32 catches for 514 yards and two touchdowns. That trio helped U-M rank second in the Big Ten in scoring offense (35.2 points per game) and pass efficiency (149.8).
• Secondary Makes History with Pick-Sixes: The U-M secondary has been among the nation's best each year it has been led by cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich, and this year was no different as safeties coach Chris Partridge joined the fold. The defense totaled 11 interceptions last fall, coming from seven different defenders. Cornerback Brandon Watson and safety Josh Metellus led the way with three apiece, and three of those six total interceptions were returned for touchdowns (Watson, two; Metellus, one). In fact, the Wolverines had four total pick-sixes, with one interception return coming from Lavert Hill, which tied for third in the FBS and matched with the 1988 season for most in a single season at U-M. The defense scored six total touchdowns. Only four Michigan players have returned multiple interceptions for touchdowns and two were on the team this year: Thom Darden (1969-71), Lance Dottin (1991), Hill (2017-18) and Watson (2018).
Honors and Awards
Devin
Bush
Chase
Winovich
Karan
Higdon
Jon
Runyan
All-Americans
Devin Bush (consensus; first team, Walter Camp, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, American Football Coaches Association)
Chase Winovich (second team, Walter Camp and American Football Coaches Association; third team, Associated Press)
Lavert Hill (third team, Associated Press)
All-Big Ten Conference (Coaches)
Offense
First Team: Karan Higdon, Jon Runyan
Second Team: Ben Bredeson
Third Team: Shea Patterson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cesar Ruiz, Michael Onwenu, Zach Gentry
Honorable Mention: Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Nico Collins
Defense
First Team: Devin Bush, Chase Winovich, Lavert Hill, Rashan Gary, David Long
Second Team: Josh Metellus
Honorable Mention: Josh Uche, Khaleke Hudson, Tyree Kinnel, Bryan Mone, Josh Ross
Special Teams
First Team: Will Hart
Third Team: Donovan Peoples-Jones
All-Big Ten Conference (Media)
Offense
First Team: Karan Higdon
Second Team: Jon Runyan, Ben Bredeson
Third Team: Shea Patterson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cesar Ruiz
Honorable Mention: Michael Onwenu, Zach Gentry, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Nico Collins, Sean McKeon
Defense
First Team: Devin Bush, Chase Winovich, Lavert Hill
Second Team: Rashan Gary, Josh Metellus
Third Team: David Long
Honorable Mention: Josh Uche, Khaleke Hudson, Tyree Kinnel, Kwity Paye
Special Teams
First Team: Will Hart
Third Team: Donovan Peoples-Jones
Other Big Ten Conference Awards
Zach Gentry -- Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
Devin Bush -- Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year
Devin Bush -- Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year
Will Hart -- Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year
Michigan Team Awards
Original Awards Presented by the M-Club of Greater Detroit
Bo Schembechler MVP: Chase Winovich
Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award: Noah Furbush
Robert P. Ufer Bequest: Jared Wangler
Roger Zatkoff Award: Devin Bush
Richard Katcher Award: Chase Winovich
Hugh H. Rader Memorial Award: Jon Runyan
Top GPA: Stephen Spanellis
Toughest Player Award: Ben Bredeson
Blue Collar Award: Josh Ross
Rookie of the Year (Offense): Ronnie Bell
Rookie of the Year (Defense): Aidan Hutchinson
Rookie of the Year (Special Teams): Jake Moody
Offensive Player of the Year: Shea Patterson
Defensive Player of the Year: Devin Bush
Special Teams Player of the Year: Joe Hewlett
Specialist of the Year: Will Hart
Offensive Skill Player of the Year: Donovan Peoples-Jones
Defensive Skill Player of the Year: David Long
Most Improved Player (Offense): Nico Collins
Most Improved Player (Defense): Carlo Kemp
Most Improved Player (Special Teams): Tyler Cochran
Co-Scout Team Players of the Year (Offense): Joe Milton and Jess Speight
Co-Scout Team Players of the Year (Defense): Hunter Reynolds and Adam Shibley
Scout Team Player of the Year (Special Teams): Jared Davis
Academic All-Big Ten (47)
Matt Brown, So., Undeclared
Devin Bush, Jr., General Studies
Jared Char, Jr., Business Administration
Camaron Cheeseman, Jr., Biology, Health and Society
Tyler Cochran, Jr., Business Administration
Jared Davis, So., Undeclared
Dane Drobocky, Jr., Undeclared
Jack Dunaway, Sr., Sport Management
Adam Fakih, So., Business Administration
Kenneth Ferris, Sr., Neuroscience
Joseph Files, Sr., Biology
Chuck Filiaga, So., Undeclared
Noah Furbush, Gr., Space Engineering Master's
Rashan Gary, Jr., General Studies
Jordan Glasgow, Sr., Business Administration
Louis Grodman, Sr., Movement Science
Tyler Grosz, Jr., Economics
Will Hart, Jr., Political Science
Joe Hewlett, Sr., Business Administration
Joel Honigford, So., Engineering
Dan Jokisch, Jr., Movement Science
Carlo Kemp, Jr., American Culture
John Luby, Sr., Economics
Jake Martin, Jr., Industrial and Operational Engineering
Ben Mason, So., Business Administration
Dylan McCaffrey, So., Undeclared
Jake McCurry, So., Business Administration
Matt Mitchell, Sr., Business Administration
Carl Myers, Jr., Sport Management
Ryan Nelson, So., Business Administration
Jameson Offerdahl, Sr., Mechanical Engineering
Kwity Paye, So., Health and Fitness
Donovan Peoples-Jones, So., Undeclared
Geoffrey Reeves, Jr., Neuroscience
Nate Schoenle, Jr., Business Administration
Alan Selzer, Jr., Business Administration
Carter Selzer, So., Business Administration
Stephen Spanellis, Jr., Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Ambry Thomas, So., Undeclared
Andrew Vastardis, Jr., Movement Science
Ryan Veingrad, So., Undeclared
Luiji Vilain, So., Undeclared
Jared Wangler, Sr., Real Estate, Rackham Graduate School
Jacob West, Sr., Biology
Brendan White, Sr., Mechanical Engineering
J'Marick Woods, So., Sport Management
CoSIDA Academic All-District
Jordan Glasgow, Sr., Business Administration
Big Ten Player of the Week
Jake Moody -- Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 19)
Chase Winovich -- Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 1)
Donovan Peoples-Jones -- Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 24)
Ambry Thomas -- Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 3)
Other National Awards
Jim Harbaugh -- George Munger Award Semifinalist
Don Brown -- Broyles Award Semifinalist
Devin Bush -- Associated Press Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Devin Bush -- Butkus Award Finalist
Devin Bush -- Bronko Nagurski Finalist
Devin Bush -- Lombardi Award Semifinalist
Devin Bush -- Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Semifinalist
Noah Furbush -- William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Karan Higdon -- Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
Karan Higdon -- Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Lavert Hill -- Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
Shea Patterson -- CFPA Midseason National POY Trophy Watch List
Shea Patterson -- Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist
Shea Patterson -- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist
Shea Patterson -- Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Shea Patterson -- Rose Bowl Game Player of the Week
Chase Winovich -- Associated Press Midseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Chase Winovich -- Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Chase Winovich -- Lombardi Award Semifinalist
