Wojo: Harbaugh magic needs time to fix offense

Salt Lake City — Jim Harbaugh can lift a program and light a fervor. But apparently, it's not so easy to fix an offense.

The plan was (and still is) to play physically, grind it out and avoid mistakes. Jake Rudock was chosen as the man to execute the plan, and at times, he did. But he also did the one thing he couldn't, the one thing this Michigan team can't overcome.

Rudock threw three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and Michigan lost to Utah in Harbaugh's debut, 24-17 Thursday night. The Wolverines brought back their old-school all-white uniforms, symbolizing their return to old-school ways. But if it's to happen at a reasonable rate, they can't lapse into nasty old habits.

They still struggled to run the ball, and missed on several big plays. The defense did a solid job containing star back Devontae Booker but couldn't stop quarterback Travis Wilson. If you're into comparisons, the Wolverines looked markedly better than a year ago, when they lost at home to the Utes 26-10, but the turnovers looked remarkably similar.

It was the type of tough, pounding game Harbaugh craves, and that's probably why he was upbeat afterward. He knows his team is missing key elements, such as explosive playmakers, and he knows he'll need Rudock to perform. The senior transfer started, as expected, over Shane Morris primarily because he doesn't take unnecessary chances.

Interceptions burn Rudock in Michigan debut

Conclusions shouldn't be drawn too early, and there's no doubt Rudock will remain the starter. But this game was squandered in a way few expected. Rudock threw only five interceptions with Iowa last season, and tossed his first on his first drive here. The final one was the dagger, swiped by Justin Thomas and returned 55 yards for a touchdown with 7:58 left.

"Jake was seeing the field extremely well, making really good throws," Harbaugh said. "The second interception was probably the only throw that wasn't a good accurate throw. … Say this about Jake, he throws an interception for a touchdown, then comes back and leads a touchdown drive. I thought that was outstanding. He shook off that play and came fighting back, as did all of our team, which you like to see."

Showing leadership

Predictably, the Wolverines alternately showed promise and flaws, although Harbaugh sounded far more encouraged than discouraged. Against an attacking defense that led the nation in sacks a year ago — Sack Lake City, they called it — Michigan's line didn't allow one. It also didn't create many running holes, although De'Veon Smith missed a few. In a way, Smith might embody this team — he's spirited and plays hard, but hasn't shown the ability to break a big one.

It's no secret Harbaugh plans to lean on his experienced defense while he figures everything else out. But for stretches against Utah, the offense looked very limited. At other times, Rudock got comfortable, hitting sure-handed tight end Jake Butt again and again. Butt and receiver Amara Darboh made clutch catches, but were overshadowed by Rudock's mistakes.

"Part of your job as a quarterback is to protect the ball, manage the game, whatever cliché you like," Rudock said. "You can say I maybe pressed on that one corner route (the pick-six). Obviously you don't want to do that, you don't want to press."

After Thomas' pick made it 24-10, Harbaugh grabbed Rudock on the sideline and tried to pump him up. On all three interceptions, Rudock was looking for freshman receiver Grant Perry, so there was some obvious miscommunication. But just as damaging, Rudock overthrew a wide-open Jehu Chesson on two deep passes.

Rudock earned the job over Morris for his low-risk tact and accuracy, and if those elements are lacking, it's trouble. But leadership also matters, and in a tough situation, Rudock hung in, and afterward shouldered the blame.

"(The first interception) was a miscommunication on my part and the receiver's part, and obviously I gotta be better than that," Rudock said. "I put more blame on myself than Grant."

Relying on the run

Outside of the mistakes, the Wolverines played a decent road opener. They committed only three penalties, actually outgained the Utes 355-337, and for the most part, looked well-prepared.

Rudock marched the offense smartly on its opening drive, but on third down from Utah's 21, he misfired — or Perry misread — and Cory Butler-Byrd intercepted. Obviously the Utes were well-prepared too, and were well aware of all the Harbaugh hype.

"We were just trying to get through this and pay no attention to it," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "Our players paid attention to it and played with attitude, which was good."

Rudock's turnover issue should be fixable, especially with such a dependable tight end, and he completed 27 of 43 passes for 279 yards. But it's concerning if Michigan, yet again, can't run the ball. Smith plows hard but finished with 47 yards, and no one else had more than 12.

Harbaugh's power offense doesn't work without a running game because the defense doesn't respect the play-action pass. That puts tremendous pressure on the quarterback, and on this night it showed, as Rudock forced throws. One thing is certain — Harbaugh will keep hammering with the run until the Wolverines get it done.

"I thought we were playing a little bit tentative in the first half, not coming off the ball as confidently as we need to," Harbaugh. "And (the backs) did miss some holes. They're all things to grow and improve from, and I though we did that as the game went on."

This was baptism by ire for Harbaugh, entering a raucous environment — largest crowd in Rice-Eccles Stadium history (47,825) — against the type of tough team he's trying to construct. It's the type of team he built at Stanford and with the 49ers, and few doubt he'll build it at Michigan.

Michigan's experienced defense showed some punch, especially along the line. And its only redshirt freshman starter, Jabrill Peppers, was all over the field, sometimes hitting big, sometimes missing big.

The primary questions remain on offense, and they're everywhere. The line is back virtually intact, and for a variety of reasons, it was shredded last season. Can coaching make that big of a difference? Well, that's what this is all about, with Harbaugh replacing Brady Hoke and bringing a well-respected (and well-paid) staff.

The challenges are just getting started, with Oregon State and BYU coming to Ann Arbor two of the next three games. Harbaugh and his staff are trying to figure out who fits where, and until they do, you won't know exactly what you're getting from the Wolverines, or from their quarterback.

Bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com

Twitter.com/bobwojnowski