Sherrone Moore, The first game of the season is rarely flawless, and Michigan football’s opener was no exception. The Wolverines secured a 30-10 win, but Fresno State narrowed the gap to just six points in the fourth quarter.
Offensively, it was a tough night. Michigan didn’t even reach 300 total yards. Starting quarterback Davis Warren completed 15 of 25 passes for 118 yards.
While it looked rough at times, Warren stepped up when it mattered, leading a crucial touchdown drive capped by an 18-yard pass to Colston Loveland. Loveland also hauled in a 20-yard catch, the second-longest gain of the night for the Wolverines. Both Michigan quarterbacks threw touchdown passes, as predicted, but Warren dominated the snap count.
There’s no reason to expect that to change. Alex Orji will still have a role—he’s a strong runner and, hopefully, can throw well enough to keep defenses honest. If I were a defensive coordinator facing him, I’d stack the box with 8-9 guys, something Texas will likely do. However, Michigan might still win that battle if their offensive line performs as it did during the long touchdown drive.
Beyond that, there were struggles, but I’m not too concerned about the O-line—yet. The quarterback play, though, is worrisome. Here’s what Sherrone Moore told NBC Sports after the game:
“Did a really good job just managing the offense and doing things the right way. Super happy for him, and we’ll keep using him, keep using Orji, but both those guys did a really good job,” Moore said.
Michigan’s ability to score twice in the red zone was encouraging, as was the touchdown drive when it mattered most. This should serve as a confidence booster.
Keep in mind, Michigan is missing 10 offensive starters from last season. With several key players returning, this team is bound to grow throughout the season, just like the quarterbacks.
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