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                 | 
        
| AF | 
| MICH | 
No. 7 Michigan leans on kicking game, beats Air Force 29-13
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Wilton Speight handed the ball to Ty Isaac, who was stopped for a loss, and No. 7 Michigan had to settle for a field goal. Again.
The Wolverines overcame their offensive struggles, with Donovan Peoples-Jones returning a punt 79 yards for a score and Quinn Nordin tying a school record with five field goals in a 29-13 win over Air Force.
While the Wolverines are still undefeated, they have a lot of work to do on offense. In the red zone, their struggles have played out for all to see and Speight didn't hide his feelings in one, raw moment Saturday.
Michigan has had 10 drives inside opponents' 20, including four against the Falcons, and has scored only one TD with those opportunities.
Speight had an option to call a run or a pass when Isaac was tackled behind the line in the third quarter and reacted to the result by flailing his arms.
''I should probably keep that in,'' the quarterback said. ''Obviously, the frustration built up. They fooled us. We thought we had the look we wanted and as soon as I went down to focus on the snap, they brought the house.''
Instead of criticizing his team's lack of production in the red zone, Jim Harbaugh gave credit to Air Force's coaching.
''They definitely called the better play on some of our red-zone throws and runs,'' Harbaugh said.
The Wolverines (3-0) didn't lead by more than three points until Peoples-Jones' touchdown early in the third quarter, and late scores turned a closely contested game into a relatively lopsided score.
The Falcons (1-1) failed to convert a pass until Arion Worthman threw a short slant to Ronald Cleveland and the receiver turned it into a 64-yard TD with 11:54 left in the quarter that pulled the service academy to within three points. That was their only completion of the game.
''It felt like there were 13 guys out there sometimes,'' Worthman said. ''They were flying around there for sure.''
Air Force had won seven straight, dating to last season, including a win over No. 20 Boise State.
THE TAKEAWAY
AIR FORCE: The young Falcons should leave the Big House encouraged that they were competitive in a game they were expected to lose by three-plus TDs.
MICHIGAN: The Wolverines are off to an awesome start on defense and special teams, but their woes on offense will catch up to them against better competition.
JUST FOR KICKS
Nordin helped Michigan pull away with field goals in the third and fourth quarters. Mike Gillette (1988), J.D. Carlson (1990) and K.C. Lopata (2008) also kicked five field goals in a game for the Wolverines.
ON OFFENSE
Speight was 14 of 23 for 169 yards, missing some targets and having some passes dropped. Isaac ran for 89 yards on 16 carries for the Wolverines. He was slow to get up after getting tackled on his last carry in the fourth quarter and didn't return, but replacement Karan Higdon didn't think it was a serious injury.
''I'm pretty sure he's good,'' said Higdon, who sealed the victory with a 36-yard TD run with 1:02 left.
Worthman ran for just 60 yards on 26 carries, directing Air Force's triple-option offense, which wasn't very effective when the option was to throw. Worthman was 1 of 7 and his replacement, Nate Romine, threw an interception on two attempts.
''They're a stout group. Impressive squad,'' Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. ''Certainly may win a bunch of football games this year. Their size, their athleticism, they're a pretty complete group.''
UP NEXT
AIR FORCE: Hosts San Diego State on Saturday in their Mountain West opener.
MICHIGAN: Plays at Purdue on Saturday in their Big Ten opener before coming home to play rival Michigan State for the first time at the Big House since the Spartans turned a botched punt into dramatic victory.
---
More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
| Team Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 0 | 0 | 
| Rushing | 0 | 0 | 
| Passing | 0 | 0 | 
| Penalty | 0 | 0 | 
| 3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| 4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 | 
| Total Plays | 0 | 0 | 
| Avg Gain | 0 | 0 | 
| Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 | 
| Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 | 
| Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 | 
| Yards Passing | 0 | 0 | 
| Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 | 
| Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Touchdowns | ||
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 | 
| Passing TDs | 0 | 0 | 
| Other | ||
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 | 
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 | 
| Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Return Yards | ||
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Safeties | 0 | 0 | 
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | 
| 
                                         
                                                A. Worthman 
                                                2 QB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    A. Worthman | 1/7 | 64 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                N. Romine 
                                                6 QB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    N. Romine | 0/2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                T. McVey 
                                                33 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    T. McVey | 11 | 62 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                A. Worthman 
                                                2 QB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    A. Worthman | 26 | 60 | 0 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                P. Wilson 
                                                36 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    P. Wilson | 8 | 21 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Cleveland 
                                                3 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    R. Cleveland | 2 | 14 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                N. Romine 
                                                6 QB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    N. Romine | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                R. Cleveland 
                                                3 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    R. Cleveland | 0 | 1 | 64 | 1 | 64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                G. Sanders 
                                                7 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    G. Sanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Sanders 
                                                7 LB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    J. Sanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Reffitt 
                                                85 TE
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    R. Reffitt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. McVey 
                                                33 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    T. McVey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | 
| 
                                         
                                                M. Griffin 
                                                2 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Griffin | 9-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                G. Kauppila 
                                                22 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    G. Kauppila | 8-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Flor 
                                                50 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Flor | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                S. Coppola 
                                                97 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    S. Coppola | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                G. Ross 
                                                44 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    G. Ross | 6-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Floyd 
                                                29 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    K. Floyd | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                S. Vereen 
                                                6 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    S. Vereen | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                B. Baldwin 
                                                15 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    B. Baldwin | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Sanders 
                                                7 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Sanders | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Darby 
                                                57 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    R. Darby | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                C. Moorhead 
                                                96 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    C. Moorhead | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Evans 
                                                51 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Evans | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Ksiazek 
                                                48 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Ksiazek | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Fifita 
                                                99 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Fifita | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Capra 
                                                90 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Capra | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                C. Gessler 
                                                95 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    C. Gessler | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Bullard 
                                                16 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    R. Bullard | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS | 
| 
                                     
                                            L. Strebel 
                                            11 K
                                         
                                                                                
 
  | 
                                L. Strebel | 2/3 | 50 | 1/1 | 7 | 
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                C. Scott 
                                                91 P
                                             
                                            
 
  | 
                                    C. Scott | 6 | 38.5 | 0 | 54 | 
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| 
                                         
                                                T. McVey 
                                                33 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    T. McVey | 3 | 15.0 | 17 | 0 | 
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | 
| 
                                         
                                                W. Speight 
                                                3 QB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    W. Speight | 14/23 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                T. Isaac 
                                                32 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    T. Isaac | 16 | 89 | 0 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Higdon 
                                                22 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    K. Higdon | 12 | 64 | 1 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                C. Evans 
                                                12 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    C. Evans | 6 | 30 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                E. McDoom 
                                                13 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    E. McDoom | 2 | 6 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Hill 
                                                80 FB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    K. Hill | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                W. Speight 
                                                3 QB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    W. Speight | 3 | -3 | 0 | 8 | 
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                T. Black 
                                                7 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    T. Black | 0 | 5 | 55 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Peoples-Jones 
                                                9 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    D. Peoples-Jones | 0 | 2 | 52 | 0 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                Z. Gentry 
                                                83 TE
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    Z. Gentry | 0 | 1 | 30 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                E. McDoom 
                                                13 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    E. McDoom | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                G. Perry 
                                                88 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    G. Perry | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Isaac 
                                                32 RB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    T. Isaac | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Crawford 
                                                1 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    K. Crawford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | 
| 
                                         
                                                D. Bush 
                                                10 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Bush | 9-2 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                C. Winovich 
                                                15 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    C. Winovich | 7-2 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. McCray 
                                                9 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. McCray | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Metellus 
                                                14 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Metellus | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Hudson 
                                                7 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    K. Hudson | 5-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Long 
                                                22 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Long | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                L. Hill 
                                                24 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    L. Hill | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Gary 
                                                3 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    R. Gary | 3-3 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                N. Furbush 
                                                59 LB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    N. Furbush | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Hurst 
                                                73 DL
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Hurst | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                B. Watson 
                                                28 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    B. Watson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Woods 
                                                26 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Woods | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Kinnel 
                                                23 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    T. Kinnel | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS | 
| 
                                     
                                            Q. Nordin 
                                            3 K
                                         
                                                                                
 
  | 
                                Q. Nordin | 5/5 | 49 | 2/2 | 17 | 
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                W. Hart 
                                                17 P
                                             
                                            
 
  | 
                                    W. Hart | 3 | 37.0 | 1 | 45 | 
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| 
                                         
                                                K. Crawford 
                                                1 WR
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    K. Crawford | 2 | 17.0 | 19 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                B. Hawkins 
                                                20 DB
                                             
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    B. Hawkins | 1 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 | 
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| 
                                         D. Peoples-Jones 9 WR 
                                                                                        
 
  | 
                                    D. Peoples-Jones | 2 | 52.0 | 79 | 1 |