Michigan Football Rolls Over Hawaii to Start Season 2-0

Photo Credit:  Aaron J. Thornton

For the second week in a row, the Michigan Wolverines football team scored over 50 points, this week dominating the underdog Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 56-10 in a night game at Michigan Stadium.  The start of the game was delayed about an hour due to lightning in the area causing for the stadium to be evacuated and players having to return to their locker rooms, however that did not disrupt the momentum of the Wolverines who led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.  Behind the first career start for Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the offense put up over 400 yards in the first half alone where they led 42-0 at the break.  Needless to say, Kicker Jake Moody had a busy night, going 6 for 6 on extra points.  Wide Receiver Ronnie Bell, who suffered a season ending leg injury last year, led all receivers with 76 yards and 1 touchdown.  After the game, he said it felt really good to get his first touchdown of the season.

Michigan’s defense did their job, finally giving up a field goal in the third quarter of the game.  The Michigan starters on defense overwhelmed Hawaii, holding them to 47 total yards in the first half.  It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter that the Rainbow Warriors finally put the ball in the end zone against the Wolverines’ backup players.  Hawaii came in conscious of Michigan’s defense and you could tell, as the Rainbow Warriors Quarterback Joey Yellen got rid of the ball quickly all night to avoid being sacked.  Despite the dominance, Michigan only had one sack in the game.

All eyes were on McCarthy, the Sophomore QB for Michigan, who went almost perfect in his first start, completing 11 of 12 passes for 229 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.  Cade McNamara, who started all last season as well as the season opener, came in late in the first half but couldn’t find a rhythm.  He ended up completing 4 or 6 passes for just 26 yards, was sacked twice and threw an interception in the game.  With the great play of McCarthy, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh announced that he would be the starter for next week’s contest.  Harbaugh stated “He’s earned it” in reference to McCarthy during the post game press conference.  

Next up for the Wolverines is another home matchup against the Huskies of the University of Connecticut next Saturday.  Hawaii will travel home to host Duquesne University in Honolulu next week.

Final Score: Michigan 55 – Hawaii 10