Quinn Ewers says the Texas offense responded to Wink Martindale’s defense by ‘fighting fire with fire’

In 2023 Michigan had the best defense in the nation ranking No. 1 in fewest points per game (10.4) and yards allowed (252). Now a year later with plenty of new starters and a new defensive coordinator in Don “Wink” Martindale, No. 10 Michigan gave up lots of yards and points to No. 3 Texas in a 31-12 defeat.

Texas had 389 yards of total offense for the game and was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 24 of their 31 points before halftime.

Michigan’s defense ranks No. 109 in returning production (47%). Some of the inexperience showed against a Texas team that ranks No. 30 in offensive returning production (74%).

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers put on a clinic. It didn’t seem to matter if Michigan was playing man or zone coverage, or if they pressured or just simulated pressure — Ewers was consistently a step ahead and showed why he’s considered one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Ewers was 24-of-36 for 246 yards with three touchdowns.

Part of Ewers’ success can be tied to what he expected Martindale to dial up in the game. Ewers expected pressure.

“We knew their defensive coordinator likes to blitz and likes to kind of win games with his calls,” Ewers said.

Martindale, whose last two previous positions were as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants (2022-23) and the Baltimore Ravens (2018-21), has had some of the highest blitz-rate totals in recent NFL history. The Ravens were No. 1 in blitz rate in three of Martindale’s four seasons as Baltimore’s DC.

Martindale said this offseason that he’s more aggressive, “sometimes to a fault”, than Michigan’s prior two defensive coordinators, Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter, who both were on Baltimore’s staff with Martindale at one point.

Michigan totaled one sack, nine QB hurries, and three QB hits.

“For us to do what we did and kind of fight fire with fire, it felt good,” Ewers said.

While Ewers pointed to the blitz of Michigan as what he prepared for, Martindale’s aggressive tendencies were by no means why the Longhorns had sustained success on offense in the first half. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore felt missed tackles and missed assignments were at the forefront of the defensive struggles.

“It’s tackling,” Moore said. “We’ve got to make sure we wrap up because they had 135 yards after contact.”

While it wasn’t a good day for the Michigan defense against Texas, they can still hold their head high on how they finished the game, allowing just one touchdown in the second half.

“That gives you some sign that there’s resolve there,” Moore said. “But now we’ve got to put the things in place so in the first half it doesn’t go the way it did.”

Michigan’s defense will look to get back on track next week against Arkansas State, a noon kickoff at Michigan Stadium.