Michigan’s defense didn’t make it easy on itself against Rutgers, but the second half told the real story in a 28-21 win. After giving up 21 points before the break, the Wolverines slammed the door after halftime and, for the second straight week, did not allow a completed pass in the second half. The final numbers reflected the grind: two sacks, four tackles for loss and just 123 passing yards allowed.
Pro Football Focus painted the clearest picture of who drove that effort. Chase Taylor, Jonah La'ea and Enow Etta finished as Michigan’s top three defensive performers, each doing damage in different ways as the Wolverines steadied the game.
Taylor was the highest-graded defender on the field for Michigan, posting a 75.5 overall mark over 29 snaps. He was especially strong against the run with a 74.2 run-defense grade and added a 76.0 tackling grade.
He also flashed as a pass rusher, earning a 71.8 grade there while producing two quarterback pressures, including a sack and a quarterback hit. Taylor ended with one tackle and one defensive stop by PFF’s charting.
La'ea followed with a 72.1 overall grade across 27 snaps. His best work came against the run, where he posted a 74.9 run-defense grade and a 72.2 tackling grade. He had one tackle and one defensive stop, and while his pass-rushing grade was a more modest 55.9 over 10 pass-rushing snaps, PFF still credited him with a solid outing on the interior.
Etta rounded out the top three at 71.7 overall across 32 snaps. He logged a 65.1 run-defense grade and a 74.8 tackling grade, but his biggest impact came when he attacked the pocket. Etta generated two quarterback pressures, including a sack and a batted pass, and finished with two tackles and a tackle for loss in the official box score.
Michigan’s front overall was active. PFF credited the Wolverines with 14 total quarterback pressures, along with three sacks, five quarterback hits and six hurries.
Nate Marshall led the group with three pressures despite playing only 12 defensive snaps. Taylor, Etta, Troy Bowles and Chris Bracy each added two pressures.
The secondary, though, had a rougher day by PFF’s numbers. Smith Snowden posted an 83.1 pass-rushing grade, but his 55.4 coverage grade was far lower. He was targeted three times and gave up one catch for 80 yards and a touchdown, with the long score coming after he fell down on the play.
Bracy’s day was uneven as well. He recorded six tackles and a sack, but his overall defensive grade came in at 44.9, and his 34.4 coverage grade was a clear problem. Nathaniel Staehling finished with Michigan’s lowest overall defensive grade at 40.4 and a team-low 29.5 coverage grade.
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