The first 30 minutes in Ann Arbor were all Michigan, as the No. 12 Wolverines held a 21-3 lead over Minnesota at halftime. This is what stood out in the first half for the Maize and Blue…

Offence

• Get on the road early: Michigan got off to an excellent start offensively, getting the ground game going early and mixing in some passing attempts from Orji to keep the Golden Gophers honest. The Wolverines took their first possession 79 yards, capped by a 27-yard touchdown run from running back Kalel Mullings. Michigan was helped by an illegal tackle by Minnesota, but it was an impressive opening drive nonetheless. It was the third game this season in which the Wolverines scored a touchdown on their opening possession (Fresno State, Arkansas State).

• Michigan expands its passing game approach: The coaching staff did a good job of getting Orji some easy completions on the opening scripted drive for the Wolverines, but it’s clear there’s still a limited playbook for the redshirt sophomore quarterback. Orji completed just 4 of 8 pass attempts for 36 yards in the first half, but did get a small dump-off pass to wide receiver Tyler Morris for an 11-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Michigan still has no semblance of a downfield passing game, which is a combination of Orji’s limited accuracy, ability to get past one receiver and the receiver’s inability to get open.

• Kalel Mullings is RB1: The graduating senior made his first start at running back, and he is the guy Michigan leaned on most at running back. Mullings had 45 yards on eight carries (5.6 yards per carry) in the first half and scored two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Donovan Edwards was limited to just 13 yards on four rushing attempts. The Wolverines only ran for 71 yards in the first half and were held to 107 total yards, but some of that had to do with the defense and special teams setting them up with short fields. More about that below…

Defense

• Zeke Berry says ‘Give me that!’: In a game with wet conditions and two grind-it-out violations, field position and turnovers are an important component. Michigan nickelback Zeke Berry made the biggest play of the first half for the Wolverines’ defense, stripping Minnesota wide receiver Daniel Jackson of the ball after a reception. Berry’s forced turnover put Michigan’s offense at the Gophers’ 16-yard line and set up UM’s second touchdown of the day. Huge individual effort from the redshirt sophomore.

• More turnovers and ‘special’ teams games: Michigan played out that first punt over field position and set itself up with another short field when Keechun Bennett blocked a Minnesota punt, giving the Wolverines the ball at the 11-yard line. That led to Orji’s touchdown pass to Morris, giving the Wolverines a three-point lead. That was followed by an incredible interception of UM cornerback Jyaire Hill, who tapped the foot as he fell out of bounds. Michigan has dominated field position and it is the main reason why they have built a huge lead.

• Michigan’s big boy party: We’re starting to get the kind of dominance from Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant that we expected this season. Graham was a one-man wrecking crew in the second quarter, with two sacks in the frame and four total tackles. Grant, Rayshaun Benny and Derrick Moore also played in Minnesota’s backfield. In the first 30 minutes, Michigan had four sacks and eight tackles for loss.

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