After Michigan’s first two drives of the game stalled, momentum was necessary on the road against Wisconsin.
On drive No. 3 things were different, Michigan found pay dirt.
Michigan’s path to their first score went the creative route — a good, old fashioned flea flicker.
Flea flickers always boil down to execution and the element of surprise — both feats were accomplished when quarterback Cade McNamara found Cornelius Johnson for a 34-yard touchdown.
@UMichFootball gets tricky with it for the first TD of the game! pic.twitter.com/6NWnemRtr7
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 2, 2021
McNamara handed the ball off to Hassan Haskins, who promptly flicked it back to McNamara. The offensive line protected and gave enough time for McNamara to throw an absolute strike.
McNamara’s abilities were questioned heading into the Wisconsin tilt, due to throwing for just 7 yards in the second half last week versus Rutgers. However, Michigan coaches have remained steadfast in their confidence of McNamara.
“I think he’s made great decisions. We’ve pushed the ball downfield pretty well. I think he’s averaging 10-yards (per) attempt, which is pretty good,” quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss said this week. “When you look at the plays individually, he’s had some big passes where he’s thrown the ball down the field. I think we’ve done that well. Certainly, it’s a work in progress and we want to keep at it and add stuff to the offense. Keep getting better at it. But I think we’ve done a fairly good job of that.”