Michigan Defense Responds to Challenges of Triple Option

By Katie Conklin

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Late in the first quarter Saturday (Sept. 16), the University of Michigan defense found itself in a potential make-or-break moment.

Air Force was marching down the football field, its ground game relentless. The Falcons' patented triple-option offense placed them six yards out of the end zone with three chances to score.

Michigan's defense wouldn't have it, though. Catching on to the Falcons' strategy, sophomore Lavert Hill made a stop for no gain. The next play, second down, senior Brandon Watson and senior Chase Winovich split from the line to make a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. Air Force faced third-and-goal.

That's when sophomore Devin Bush stepped in. Quickly reading the quarterback, Bush shot the gap for a sack and 13-yard tackle for loss. Air Force had to settle for a field goal.

Bush has earned a sack in all three games of the 2017 season, tallying four in total. Against the Falcons, he one-upped his previous career high for tackles in a single game as well, setting his new record at 11.

"I thought both teams played really good red-zone defense today," said J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh. "We had the right calls at the right times and pushed them back out of opportunities to score touchdowns."

Air Force's triple-option offense, one the Wolverines are not likely to see again this season, provides a lot of inherent challenges. With a wingback flanking the quarterback on each side and another one lined up behind, there are plenty of ways for a play to go.

In order to prepare for that, Michigan relied heavily on its scout team, headlined this week by Joe Hewlett.

"Joe Hewlett, he ran the whole scout team," Bush said. "He did a great job imitating the quarterback we played today, and it was almost like a simulated team. He did a great job this whole week. He was ready."

Winovich also felt ready. Raised playing classic wing and triple-option offense, Winovich adjusted to the Falcons' many offensive choices after only a few looks. However, peewee football didn't prepare him for the Air Force speed.

"It was a battle. We knew exactly what they were trying to do," Winovich said. "But I've never been cut with that explosiveness before. There's no hesitation. They're just going. It was different. But as the game goes on, you feel it out and get more and more comfortable and see things, and I think that's partially the reason I was able to have a better day production wise. I was really able to pick up on their cues as time went on."

Winovich boasted seven tackles against the Falcons, including one sack. Another major producer for Michigan today was captain and graduate student linebacker Mike McCray. He had 11 tackles, same as Bush.

"I thought they responded very well," Harbaugh said of the defense. "For the most part, with the exception of a few drives, I thought we shut them down. I thought we won all three phases (offense, defense, special teams)."

And with the 2017 Big Ten opener next week against Purdue, that's exactly what the Wolverines will have to continue to do to see success.