On Sunday’s throughout the Michigan football season we will be handing out game balls (electronically) on Maize n Brew.

Yes, we will be doing so even when Michigan loses like they did last night to Notre Dame 24-17.

While it was most definitely a sucky outcome for players and fans, not all is lost this season, and there were a handful of good performances to go around in this defeat.

Offense

Grant Perry

Perry was there when they needed them against ND, and looked like a go to guy in a pinch for Shea Patterson. Perry hauled in some tough catches in key situations to extend drive for Michigan.

In all, Perry snagged 5 receptions for 48 yards.

Honorable Mention- Nico Collins

Collins is filling Tarik Black’s shoes and showed potential on a couple plays, including a beautiful 52 reception where he torched the defense. If Michigan’s offense is to have success on deep patterns, Collins will have to keep this type of thing up.

Defense

Chase Winovich

Yes, Winovich did have a borderline roughing the passer call against him that turned what would have been fourth down field goal attempt on the next play into a first down 4 yard touchdown run instead. But Winovich was lights out most of the night, in the opponents backfield aplenty.

In all, Winovich recorded 6 tackles (3.5 for loss), and 1 sack. Winovich was very close to sacking Brandon Wimbush on many occasions, but Wimbush was a slippery guy on Saturday night and kept evading the pass rush.

Special Teams

Ambry Thomas

This one is a no-brainer. With Michigan down in the game 21-3, a spark was necessary, and Thomas gave the team just that. Thomas returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and made a lot of nice cuts along the way to finding paydirt.