8 — Friday, October 28, 2016 Sports The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Wolverines seek to remedy offensive woes It was back to basics this week in practice for the No. 11 Michigan hockey team. The Wolverines (3-1-1) escaped last Saturday’s game against Michigan Tech with a tie despite being outplayed and outshot by the Huskies, 45-18. As Michigan prepared for a road series against Vermont and Dartmouth this upcoming weekend, it returned to the methods that had been successful in the past, such as sharpening up its “systems of play” and its offense with and without the puck. “We just feel we were on our heels last weekend and never really got going,” said Michigan coach Red Berenson. “That’s been a little bit of the story in every game. We just thought our team had to work harder in practice. We have to work harder in every drill, our effort and execution had to be better this week, and I think it is.” Added senior defenseman Nolan De Jong: “There’s a few things we had to tidy up, whether it was our entries and our decision-making, but also some of the stuff around the net, whether it’s the offensive zone or the defensive zone. But I think we’ve had a really good week of practice so far and the coaches seem pretty happy with it, so I think we’re ready to go, and we’re excited to get to Vermont and get things going again.” Michigan has been outshot in every game this season, but according to De Jong, improvement can be made by limiting the quality of scoring opportunities opponents generate, rather than just limiting the total number of shots. He believes the teams the Wolverines have played this year “kinda throw pucks in everywhere.” For Michigan, it comes down to reducing the number of Grade-A chances that opponents receive, whether it’s by making sure everyone on the ice picks up their defensive assignment or boxes out hard in front of the net. The Wolverines have also been practicing their offensive game. Michigan has struggled to sustain a consistent even-man attack recently, something its coach attributes to sloppiness with and without the puck. “If you’re going to pass me the puck, give it to me on my stick, not at my feet or not up here where I have to catch it,” Berenson said. “Give me a signature pass, and then I’ll take it, handle it and I can pass it to him. You give me a bad pass, (and) I’ll never get it away to him. I’ll be on my ass because you gave me a bad pass. “So little things like our passing (and) our play without the puck (have) to be better. We have to be more dialed-in in our zone — we were circling away instead of playing the man or getting our stick on the puck. We were getting outmuscled and outhustled on the puck. We can’t play like that and win games.” With a home series against No. 4 Boston looming in just two weeks, Michigan will look to fine-tune its offensive and defensive play this weekend in two games the Wolverines are favored to win. The Catamounts finished 15-22-3 last season and are off to a 2-1-1 start this year, while the Big Green finished 18-16- 1 in the ECAC last season and have yet to play a regular season game this year. And while Michigan is one of the youngest teams in the nation, Vermont and Dartmouth aren’t far behind — the Catamounts have nine freshmen on their roster, while the Big Green have 11. It will be a good chance for the Wolverines to clean up their play before entering the bulk of their schedule. That opportunity isn’t lost on Berenson, who hopes to see specific improvements from his team against Vermont and Dartmouth this weekend. “We’re looking for better zone play in the offensive zone and more puck control, and we’re looking to get out of our zone quicker,” Berenson said. “We can’t be stuck in our zone for a minute at a time and then hope that the other team doesn’t score. We’ve got to get the puck out quicker, we’ve got to do better with it in their zone and then little parts of the game, like faceoffs have to be better, blocked shots. Our power play and penalty killing are still pretty good right now, but they can be better.” ORION SANG Daily Sports Writer AMELIA CACCHIONE/Daily The Michigan hockey team has only lost once this season, but the Wolverines have been consistently outshot. Behind enemy lines with Riley Bullough Michigan State linebacker Riley Bullough has captured the attention of his in-state rivals, specifically redshirt sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight. “They’ve got a bunch of good guys in the box, with their leader Riley Bullough,” Speight said Tuesday. “That dude is an angry guy. He wants to get in the quarterback’s kitchen on every play, so I know I have to get the ball out as quickly as possible.” Being from Traverse City, Mich., Bullough is no stranger to the in-state rivalry. His brother, Max, was also a linebacker for the Spartans and currently plays in the National Football League for the Houston Texans. Bullough was recently ejected for targeting in the first quarter of the Spartans’ matchup with Maryland, but because the call was made in the first half, he’ll be eligible to play against Michigan. In four games this season, he has 26 tackles and four for loss. He was out for three straight games due to injury earlier this season. The Daily talked with Bullough at Big Ten Media Days in July to discuss the rivalry, what it takes to be successful in the Big Ten and his cross-country-star sister, Holly Bullough. The Michigan Daily: So the talk is that your sister is the best athlete in the family? Riley Bullough: Yeah, it always is. But she really is, she’s special. She’s coming here to run track and cross country so she’ll be (in East Lansing) in August. So it’s exciting for her, but yeah, she’s a freak athlete. She works out like three times a day and eats insanely healthy, so she probably is the best athlete. Q: Does this team relish when people — opponents, media, whoever — overlooks them a little bit? RB: Yeah, at this point, I feel like it’s part of our identity. I feel like every year, there’s people doubting us. But I guess we like it, because we seem to play pretty well. That’s just what we plan on doing again this year. Q: Was it tough being Max’s little brother? RB: It was a lot of fun. We had fun growing up. But him coming here and doing the things that he did — I wouldn’t say it was tough, it just put the expectations that much higher. I was expected to do what he did and more, so I just kinda cherished that and relished that. Q: With the way that the MSU-U of M game ended last year, does that even take the intensity up a notch, not that it needs it? RB: I think for sure. I’m sure they think that we kinda stole that game from them. But that rivalry every year is huge, especially if you grew up in Michigan. You’re either the team down the road or you’re Michigan State. There’s no in-between, so that’s just kind of how it is, and I think that’s the way it should be. FOOTBALL KELLY HALL Daily Sports Editor ALLISON FARRAND/Daily Riley Bullough (30) spoke with the Daily at Big Ten Media Days in July. Breakdown: Michigan’s ‘D’ has edge Prior to the start of the season, this Saturday’s contest between Michigan and Michigan State was expected to be one of the defining games of Big Ten play. Oh, how things have changed. The Spartans have lost their last five games and sit at 2-5 on the season. They are now fighting an uphill battle to become bowl- eligible. The Wolverines, meanwhile, are 7-0, ranked No. 2 in the country and very much in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. But even with the stark contrast in the directions their seasons have taken, nothing is predictable when these two teams meet. The Daily broke down what to expect when they take the field: Michigan pass offense vs. Michigan State pass defense Here’s guessing Michigan throws for about 225 yards against the Spartans. Through seven games, the Wolverines are averaging 225.9 yards through the air, and Michigan State is giving up 225.4. It’s probably unlikely those numbers will hold exactly, but hey, we might as well have fun with this statistical coincidence. In non-numerical analysis, the Wolverines are hoping redshirt sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight can build on what may have been his best start of the year against Illinois. Speight completed 16 of 23 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Against the Spartans, he faces a unit that has certainly had its ups and downs. Two weeks ago, it allowed Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson to throw for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a 54-40 loss. The week before that, Michigan State held BYU standout Taysom Hill to just 138 yards passing. The defense that shows up against the Wolverines could make the difference in deciding whether Michigan throws for 225.4 or 225.9 yards. Edge: PUSH Michigan rush offense vs. Michigan State rush defense This matchup should be a little more clear-cut. Michigan boasts the nation’s 11th-ranked rush offense and comfortably rotates four backs to do its damage. The Wolverines could be without freshman Chris Evans, who sustained a concussion against the Fighting Illini, but depth should not be a concern. Sophomore running back Karan Higdon continues to put together a breakout season with 214 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games, and senior De’Veon Smith is still his usual workhorse self. Redshirt junior Ty Isaac has seen an increased role this season, too, and could get even more reps if Evans can’t play. And then there’s the Hammering Panda. Redshirt junior fullback Khalid Hill has been a force at the goal line this season for Michigan, and he has the stat line to prove it. Hill has 25 yards rushing on 15 attempts, but more than half of them (eight) are touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown this season, which likely makes him the most productive fullback in the country. Michigan State, meanwhile, is having a down year in rush defense, and it’s 66th-ranked unit will likely have its hands full all game against an offense that has proven a commitment to smash- mouth football. Edge: Michigan Michigan State pass offense vs. Michigan pass defense The big question is who starts at quarterback for the Spartans. Redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke started in their 28-17 loss to Maryland last week, but senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor is still an option after he missed last week’s game with an injury. But whoever it is, he won’t be in for a fun day. Michigan’s pass defense is currently giving up the fewest yards in the nation, and its cornerbacks are playing at a truly elite level. According to Pro Football Focus College, opponents are 11-for-39 for 131 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions while throwing at them. Michigan State’s receiving corps is strong with players like R.J. Shelton and Donnie Corley, but even they likely won’t be enough to overcome the Wolverines’ stingy secondary. Edge: Michigan Michigan State rush offense vs. Michigan rush defense It doesn’t get any easier for Michigan State’s offense on the ground. The Wolverines are giving up just 96 yards on the ground per game this year, good for fourth-best nationally. The Spartans, meanwhile, are averaging a modest 155.29 yards a game. Michigan’s 63 tackles for loss are also fourth-most in the nation, which doesn’t bode well for an offense that will already have to be cautious in the passing game. L.J. Scott has carried the load for the Spartans early in the year, racking up 464 yards on 93 carries, and Gerald Holmes has tacked on 272 of his own. But against Michigan, it’s a whole different challenge. The Wolverines rotate two full defensive lines, keeping them fresh for constant pursuit in the offensive backfield. If Scott gets hot, Michigan State could have a real chance on Saturday. If he doesn’t, it could get ugly. Edge: Michigan Special teams The Wolverines have had some notable struggles in the kicking game, but Saturday, all eyes will be on the punter. Fifth-year senior Kenny Allen is averaging 42.3 yards per punt, and he has consistently given the Wolverines strong field position. But after Michigan State’s unforgettable botched-punt return touchdown to snatch victory at the end of last season’s meeting, Allen just needs to keep special teams mistakes to a minimum. The Wolverines rank 14th in the country in special teams efficiency, compared to 70th for the Spartans. Sophomore Tyree Kinnel has developed a penchant for altering punts, and redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers is the ultimate weapon on returns. Michigan will need Allen to be solid kicking field goals, but as long as the Wolverines can avoid major mistakes, they should be in good shape against an average unit on the other side. Edge: Michigan Intangibles: The Wolverines say they’ll treat Saturday like a championship game, but that’s how they say they treat every game. To the Spartans, this game could salvage their season. Michigan State sits at 2-5, and without a win Saturday, the season can’t be considered anything other than a disappointment for a team coming off a College Football Playoff appearance. For Michigan, a loss could have dire playoff ramifications. And while the Wolverines will no doubt be out for revenge, the Spartans will be absolutely desperate to snap their losing streak and spoil a potentially special season for their rival. Edge: Michigan State Prediction: Michigan 31, Michigan State 9 MAX BULTMAN Managing Sports Editor FOOTBALL