Preparing to face Notre Dame and an offense that put up over 500 yards of total offense in the first week, the University of Michigan has a veritable weapon on defense in fifth-year senior linebacker Brandon Herron
He was named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week yesterday for his efforts in U-M’s 34-10 victory over Western Michigan Saturday.
Herron, in his first career start, recorded a career-high eight tackles, his first career interception and became the first Wolverines player in the modern era (since 1948) to record two defensive touchdown returns in the same game.
With the score tied 7-7 with 6:58 remaining in the second quarter, Herron intercepted a pass at the U-M six-yard line and scored on a 94-yard return to give the Wolverines their first lead of the game. It marked the longest interception return for a touchdown in Michigan history. Then, with 9:27 left in the third quarter, Herron recovered a fumble following a Jordan Kovacs sack and sprinted 29 yards for a touchdown, giving Michigan a 27-10 lead.
Herron has played in 32 career games and totaled 42 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
One of the biggest question marks for big blue the season is the defense. And that’s understandable given how they had one of the worst defenses among all schools in the BCS automatic qualifier conferences last season. It’s too early to say much better they’ll be in 2011. But Herron’s performance is a good step in the right direction and cause for optimism.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site that generates millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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