Michigan may have beaten USC, but it wasn’t pretty all around. And if anything in particular stood out on the stat sheet, it was what Michigan did — or didn’t — do through the air.

Michigan only passed for 32 yards, marking the Wolverine’s lowest total through the air through at least 1996. The Wolverines also averaged just 4.6 yards per completion which marks the lowest of any game in Michigan history.

The last time the total came anywhere near that was in 1951, when the team averaged just 4.8 yards per completion against Michigan State.

In a way, it was remarkable, considering the last three teams to throw for 40 yards or less and still defeat an AP Top 25 opponent were Army (2023) and Navy (2o22). Those two teams are known for employing unique offenses that don’t rely on the passing game much at all, so Michigan is kind of an outlier on that list.

Regardless, it did seem that making the switch to Alex Orji at quarterback was the right move. That’s shown on tape, though, as it’s hard to see it reflected in a stat sheet that has him at 7-for-12 passing for 32 yards and 43 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Michigan will move on to face Minnesota in Week 5, and it’s likely the Wolverines try a similar offensive approach since this was the first game of the season without an interception by the offense.