Michigan Offensive Line Among Four Finalists for Joe Moore Award
12/9/2021 12:00:00 PM | Football
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The offensive line for the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan football program was selected as one of four finalist units for the Joe Moore Award, it was announced Thursday (Dec. 9). The Joe Moore Award has been presented since 2015 to the top offensive line unit in college football.
The Wolverine line is joined by those from Air Force, Kentucky, and Oregon State as finalists this year. This is the first time U-M has been recognized as a finalist unit.
Michigan's offensive line has anchored a unit that ranks as one of the nation's most balanced this season, averaging 223.8 rushing yards and 228.1 passing yards per contest while gaining 2,910 rushing yards and 2,965 passing yards. U-M leads in the nation in offensive plays of 50-plus, 60-plus, and 70-plus yards this season.
U-M is second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally in scoring at 37.7 points per game. The Wolverines have run 906 offensive plays for 5,875 yards, an average of 6.5 yards per play, with the yardage total ranking as the second-best mark for a season in school history. U-M leads the Big Ten and lists 10th nationally in rushing (223.8 yards per game) paving the way for an FBS-leading 39 rushing touchdowns.
The Wolverines lead the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (2.08 avg.) and is third in fewest sacks allowed (0.77 avg.), having allowed just 27 tackles for loss and nine sacks this season. All five positions earned all-conference recognition, with four of the five starters earning first or second-team accolades: Andrew Stueber (first team);Â Ryan Hayes, Andrew Vastardis, Zak Zinter (second team);Â and Trevor Keegan (honorable mention).
The offense has a 1,000-yard back in Hassan Haskins (1,232 rushing yards) and has a chance at a second in Blake Corum (939). On 455 carries by non-quarterbacks, U-M ball carriers have generated just 21 negative rushing yards.
