ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In a game that was important for both teams, especially for Michigan, which was already coming off a loss, the Wolverines came out on top in the first half. Michigan took an early 14-0 lead on a running game. The Wolverines’ defense stifled USC’s offense with constant pressure on quarterback Miller Moss. Michigan went into halftime with a 14-3 lead.

But then the Trojans came. USC fought tooth and nail in the second half, while the Michigan offense failed to score any first downs until late in the fourth quarter. But then Kalel Mullings’ show came on. He ran 63 yards into USC territory with less than two minutes left in the game. The Wolverines had a fourth down and goal at the Trojans’ two-yard line, and Mullings scored a touchdown from there that put Michigan ahead.

Although Michigan collapsed in the second half, their late-game heroics sealed the deal and made it 3-1 with a 27-24 victory.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

Michigan was on top in the first half. The Wolverines could do no wrong. Michigan dominated the trenches on both sides of the ball and was up 14-3 at halftime. Alex Orji, Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings were great running in the first half and the UM defense put pressure on Miller Moss.

Everything worked until it stopped.

USC came out of halftime the better team. The Trojans scored a couple of touchdowns while Will Johnson’s pick-six was the Wolverines’ only source of offense. Michigan made mistake after mistake, like Donovan Edwards’ fumble in the fourth quarter and Kenneth Grant’s fumble after a USC fumble. The Trojans scored touchdowns after both.

The Wolverines’ plays got better and Michigan’s offense was lifeless. Once the Trojans figured out how to stop Michigan’s running game, USC was in control.

But all that was needed was one final drive. Kalel Mullings was the star and performed heroics, having a tremendous 63-yard run to get the ball into USC territory before scoring a touchdown on fourth down and goal.

The Wolverines didn’t run a passing attack on Saturday, but they didn’t need to in the first half. The second half was a different story, but again, the management didn’t even allow them to get going in the air. Michigan was content to run the football and let the defense do the dirty work.

Alex Orji under center did exactly what Michigan hoped he would do. He not only took care of the football, but added a new facet to the Michigan offense with his running ability. Orji made precise moves, helped move the chains with his legs, and created space for his running backs.

Orji finished with 32 yards through the air and 43 yards on the ground. While we don’t know exactly what Orji could do if Michigan needed him to win, we do know that the Wolverines’ running game is even more dangerous going forward. But there will be a game where Michigan will have to rely on his arm, and that’s the million-dollar question.

It’s Week 4 and Michigan is still struggling with some fundamental aspects of defense. Tackling remains a problem and that’s a problem across the defense at every level. We’ve seen missed tackles from Mason Graham, the linebackers and all the way down to the secondary.

But what about communication? The Wolverines constantly look lost on defense. We sit in the press box and see players with their hands up, looking like they don’t know where to line up, and then the game starts. On a couple of USC scoring drives, the Wolverines were in the zone and the USC receiver just walked by them without either player picking him up.

Whether it is Wink Martindale’s plot or a personnel issue, it must be resolved.

Michigan entered the game ranked 91st nationally with four sacks in three games. Josaiah Stewart was the only starter on the D-line to record a sack before Week 4. But on Saturday, all four starters did what every Michigan fan wanted to see them do: create havoc.

Michigan’s defense collapsed in the second half, but that wasn’t the fault of the front four. All 11 defensemen have to be used, and without Josaiah Stewart, Derrick Moore, Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, the game wouldn’t have been as close.

Miller Moss was sacked four times and the Michigan front was in the backfield quite often.

The Wolverines’ secondary was once again a problem against an elite passing offense.

Michigan still opted to bring in center Dom Giudice while rotating with Greg Crippen. The Wolverines need to pick someone and stick with them. It’s Week 4, we’re heading into Week 5, and the Wolverines need some continuity on the O-line going forward. What’s baffling is that right tackle Evan Link has had a ton of problems in pass defense this season, but no one is replacing him.

We also got to talk about Jyaire Hill and his secondary. Hill was one of the better tacklers for Michigan and had a great first half. But those issues came back in the second half and he looked lost in coverage several times. It wasn’t just Hill’s problem, others had problems too, even the veteran Makari Paige. Hill made some really nice plays for Michigan, including a PBU late in the fourth quarter.

Michigan has some tough decisions to make going forward, but the key is to put the right players on the field and stick with them.

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