PFF snap counts, grades from Michigan Football’s loss to Ohio State

Michigan entered The Game hoping to close the regular season with a statement win, but instead left with a jarring 27-9 loss to Ohio State — a performance defined by stalled drives, protection issues and a defense that couldn’t generate enough disruptive plays to swing momentum.

Using data from Pro Football Focus (PFF), here are the snap counts and best and worst performers from the loss.

• Donaven McCulley – 37 \ 73.9

• Jordan Marshall – 16 \ 60.4

• Micah Ka’apana – 1 \ 60.0

• Greg Crippen – 44 \ 59.7

• Bryson Kuzdzal – 28 \ 58.0

• Bryce Underwood – 44 \ 57.4

• Deakon Tonielli – 5 \ 57.4

• Brady Norton – 4 \ 57.1

• Andrew Sprague – 43 \ 57.0

• Giovanni El-Hadi – 44 \ 54.7

• Blake Frazier – 44 \ 53.9

• Channing Goodwin – 16 \ 53.1

• Jake Guarnera – 44 \ 51.2

• Jalen Hoffman – 17 \ 49.7

• Zack Marshall – 17 \ 49.2

• Andrew Marsh – 39 \ 47.3

• Kendrick Bell – 13 \ 46.2

• Marlin Klein – 28 \ 40.5

1. Donaven McCulley — 73.9

2. Jordan Marshall — 60.4

3. Greg Crippen — 59.7

4. Bryson Kuzdzal — 58.0

5. Bryce Underwood — 57.4

Despite the offense’s broader struggles, Donaven McCulley delivered one of his most complete outings of the year. His three catches for 46 yards accounted for most of Michigan’s receiving production in a game where separation was otherwise rare.

1. Marlin Klein — 40.5

2. Andrew Marsh — 47.3

3. Kendrick Bell — 46.2

4. Zack Marshall — 49.2

5. Jalen Hoffman — 49.7

A major theme from the loss was the inability of Michigan’s receiving group to create separation or sustain drives. Marlin Klein recorded the team’s lowest offensive grade on the day, while Andrew Marsh posted his worst mark of the year since Week 1. Kendrick Bell and Zack Marshall also struggled, leaving the offense high and dry.

• Jimmy Rolder – 60 \ 78.4

• Jyaire Hill – 68 \ 75.2

• Rayshaun Benny – 47 \ 73.6

• Damon Payne – 40 \ 73.4

• Trey Pierce – 49 \ 70.8

• Cole Sullivan – 61 \ 66.0

• Cameron Brandt – 31 \ 66.0

• Jaishawn Barham – 40 \ 65.3

• Tre Williams – 27 \ 65.2

• Mason Curtis – 4 \ 65.1

• Enow Etta – 24 \ 64.7

• TJ Metcalf – 70 \ 64.5

• Ike Iwunnah – 3 \ 63.6

• Chase Taylor – 6 \ 62.9

• Derrick Moore – 47 \ 60.6

• Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng – 8 \ 58.8

• Troy Bowles – 16 \ 58.3

• Zeke Berry – 62 \ 56.1

• Brandyn Hillman – 56 \ 53.1

• Jordan Young – 4 \ 53.0

• Jaden Mangham – 40 \ 50.1

• TJ Guy – 34 \ 46.7

• Caleb Anderson — 6 \ 45.0

1. Jimmy Rolder — 78.4

2. Jyaire Hill — 75.2

3. Rayshaun Benny — 73.6

4. Damon Payne — 73.4

5. Trey Pierce — 70.8

Saturday wasn’t all bad for every Wolverine. Jimmy Rolder turned in one of the most balanced individual performances this season, finishing with the team’s highest defensive grade thanks to tackling and run defense marks that led the entire unit this week.

Jyaire Hill delivered a resilient effort in coverage, including an early interception that briefly shifted momentum. The interior trio of Rayshaun Benny, Damon Payne and Trey Pierce formed arguably the most reliable part of Michigan’s defense, consistently battling Ohio State’s offensive front and preventing the Buckeyes from completely taking over between the tackles.

1. Caleb Anderson — 45.0

2. TJ Guy — 46.7

3. Jaden Mangham — 50.1

4. Brandyn Hillman — 53.1

5. Zeke Berry — 56.1

Michigan’s secondary bore the brunt of Ohio State’s passing attack. Jaden Mangham, Caleb Anderson and Brandyn Hillman each recorded the three lowest coverage grades on the defense, while Zeke Berry allowed seven receptions on 10 targets. The group was placed under heavy strain early and often, and Ohio State capitalized almost every time it found a mismatch.

Michigan didn’t just lose on the scoreboard. In fact, this data reflects a team that was out-executed in almost every facet of the game. The Wolverines’ inability to sustain drives, protect the pocket or win in the secondary created a cumulative effect that Ohio State exploited as the game wore on.

There were meaningful bright spots on defense, but overall, this matchup laid bare the difference in consistency, discipline and explosiveness between where Michigan is and where it must get to. The path forward is clear: cleaner execution, stronger pass protection, more reliable receiver play, and greater defensive stability, especially against high-caliber opponents.