Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports

Hassan Haskins blew it on critical fourth down play in Michigan loss

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 11/30/19

Michigan made numerous costly errors in their 56-27 loss to Ohio State on Saturday. One of the more notable ones that swung the game in the second half came on a fourth down run by Hassan Haskins.

The Wolverines were down 42-27 after scoring a touchdown and getting a 2-point conversion early in the fourth quarter. They forced a stop and got the ball back. After coming up short on a third down pass, Michigan decided to go for it on a 4th-and-1 down 42-27 from their own 29. The decision to go for it was the wise one. The playcall — a direct snap to Haskins — also worked. The problem was the execution.

Haskins had a hole to the right that was open but instead rushed to the left into a pile of Buckeyes. He ended up getting stuffed for a 1-yard loss.

Follow 74 for a touchdown. Instead the back does whatever the hell he wants and the OL get blamed for it pic.twitter.com/FTZQfBAkYc

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 30, 2019

Hassan Haskins showing off his Trent Richardson vision on that 4th down play pic.twitter.com/OxMsYvwUN2

— Larry Brown (@LBSports) November 30, 2019

Had Haskins followed Ben Bredeson into the hole on the right, he might have had a touchdown and the game would have been 42-34. Michigan would have been right back in it. Instead, Michigan is getting criticized for a “dumb decision” and “bad playcall.” It wasn’t. It was a smart decision and good call. Haskins just ran the wrong way.

When you think about all the mistakes Michigan made, they didn’t deserve to win the game. They had so many horrible errors in the first half that killed their ability to upset a stellar Ohio State squad.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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