How Michigan prevented “The Game” from being ruined by Marvin Harrison Jr.

admin | November 30, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

We examine the effects of Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Michigan vs. Ohio State game.

Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of Michigan, was aware of how difficult it would be to contain Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. going into the game.

“He’s an excellent player. Perhaps a better phrase to use would be “you gotta slow him down,” Harbaugh stated.

Harrison Jr. was slowed down, but he did get some mileage versus Michigan, with five receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, while he was aiming for Harrison Jr., Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord threw two interceptions. The result of the game was significantly impacted by these interceptions.

The first interception: After Will Johnson overran the route, Blake Corum scored a touchdown run to give Michigan a 7-0 lead.

The second interception: Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord was under pressure from Michigan’s Jaylen Harrell, an edge rusher. McCord made the deadly mistake of rushing the throw and going for Harrison Jr. With only twenty-five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Michigan safety Rod Moore intercepted it off and completed the comeback.

Harrison Jr. said he hadn’t “ever gotten doubled more in a game” following Michigan’s 30–24 victory over Ohio State. In addition, Michigan accomplished something this season that Harrison Jr. isn’t used to: Will Johnson and other Michigan corners engaged him in physical play at the line of scrimmage and touched him. Jesse Minter, the defensive coordinator for Michigan, devised an amazing strategy that restrained Harrison Jr.’s output.

He’s most likely among the top collegiate receivers of the previous 15 to 20 years. Minter told the media on Wednesday that he was one of the best NFL draft prospects at that position in a very long time. Outstanding skill set and mobility. They can line him up in a variety of ways, so you need to have a number of answers. We have complete faith in our guys. Will was sometimes the only person on him, and Mikey was occasionally the only person on him. We definitely wanted to try to restrict his potential to ruin the game.

Harrison Jr. frequently ruins games, but one in particular stood out to Minter: in Ohio State’s 20-12 victory over Penn State, Harrison Jr.’s 11 receptions for 162 yards and one score was the difference between victory and defeat.

“It was a fairly evenly matched game when I watched them and Penn State, and his offense made all the difference,” Minter said. “Even though he still caused us some damage, there are a few plays we’d like to see returned. It was definitely a major part of the game plan to be able to at least partially contain him and prevent him from really being able to ruin the game.”

Harrison Jr. will finish his Ohio State career 0-3 against Michigan.