Photos by Aaron J. Thornton
The College Football defending National Champion Michigan Wolverines started the season with a win over the Fresno State Bulldogs in Ann Arbor on Saturday, but there is still work to be done if they want to repeat and win the title again. Riding college football’s current longest winning streak of 15, the No. 9-ranked Wolverines started slow but settled in and scored 20 points in the second half of the game to come away with the 30-10 victory.
It’s certainly a new era in Ann Arbor after losing Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh and a record number of players to the NFL. Michigan has a number of new faces playing and starting, including Senior Quarterback Davis Warren who received the start over Junior Alex Orji. New Head Coach Sherrone Moore, known for not holding back on his emotions, came out with an abundance of energy as he ran straight out of the tunnel and over to the student section to fire up the crowd during warmups.
The game started with Michigan winning the coin toss, electing to defer and receive the ball first in the second half. On Fresno State’s opening drive, they quickly felt the wrath of one of college football’s best defenses as Michigan’s Zeke Berry intercepted a pass after just a couple plays. Thanks to Berry, the Wolverines would start their first drive from the Fresno State 31 yard line. Led by Warren at QB to get them inside the 10 yard line, Michigan would end up scoring the game’s first points as Orji entered the game and found Donovan Edwards in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown reception. Each team would then end up scoring a first half field goal to make the score 10-3 in favor of the Maize and Blue at halftime.
In the third quarter, it proved to be a defensive battle for both teams. Michigan would eventually get close enough to make a field goal to add to their lead and go up 13-3 but that was all the points that were scored for the quarter.
Over the past few seasons, Michigan has been known to be a second half team, dominating its opponents in the final two quarters of play. The Wolverines added another field goal early in the fourth quarter to add some cushion to their lead and go up 16-3 over the Bulldogs. Fresno State then put together a fourth quarter drive of their own to score on a 16-yard pass from Mikey Keene to Raylen Sharpe with about 10 minutes left in hopes of a comeback.
However, not to be outdone, Michigan would then come up with another successful drive going 75 yards downfield and getting their second touchdown of the game. This time it was Warren hooking up with his star Tight End Colston Loveland for an 18-yard touchdown with just under six minutes left in the game.
Both teams’ offenses appeared to have come alive late in the contest. Time was running out on the Bulldogs and they knew it leading to Fresno State QB Keene becoming a bit more aggressive. On first down, he threw to a receive and was intercepted. However, a review of the play showed the ball hit the ground and it was thus ruled an incomplete pass. On the very next play, Keene stepped back, threw the ball and was intercepted by Michigan’s Makari Paige who returned it to the Fresno State 12 yard line. But wait, there was a flag. Roughing the passer was called and the interception was negated. The 110,000 fans at Michigan Stadium, mostly in maize and blue, erupted, especially after replay on the big screen showed what they thought as a light shove and an Oscar worthy acting flop. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs fight continued. After a few more plays and another personal foul penalty against Michigan, Fresno State was threatening again as they were within the red zone. Now it was first and goal to go for the Bulldogs and Michigan’s defense would ultimately prevail again. This time, not surprisingly, it was all Big Ten and All-American Corner Will Johnson who picked off Keene’s pass and ran it back 86 yards for a touchdown to make the score 30-10 Michigan after the extra point.
In the end, Johnson’s pick six was thrilling. The defense as a whole played well and despite giving up over 200 yards in passing, they held the Bulldogs to just nine total rushing yards for the game. The game ball could go to any of several players. Josiah Stewart, Michigan’s Defensive End, performed well tying the team for a high in tackles with five (three for losses) and had two sacks.
On the offense, Loveland had a career best day with 87 receiving yards and a touchdown. Running Back Kalel Mullings ran hard for 92 yards leading all rushers in the game.
Then in special teams, Arkansas State transfer place kicker Dominic Zvada impressed and looks to be a weapon for the Wolverines. Zvada ended 3-3 on field goals and made good on all three extra point attempts as well. Two of his field goals were longer than 50 yards (53 and 55 yards) giving the team something to be excited about going forward. Michigan’s previous kickers (James Turner last season and Jake Moody in 2022) were both very reliable and Zvada is already showing he will likely continue that at the kicking position.
Michigan’s Quarterback battle continues to be a conversation as it has been all summer. After the game, Coach Moore spoke during the post-game press conference about his decision to start Warren over Orji against Fresno State saying, “Him (Davis) and Alex both had a really good training camp but ultimately, he won the job. He was consistent, took care of the ball, and made plays against the defense”.
Michigan (1-0) will stay home and host the No. 4-ranked Texas Longhorns (1-0) at Michigan Stadium next week in a top-10 matchup. Fresno State (0-1) will look for their first win as they host the Sacramento State Hornets (0-1) at home.
Final Score: Michigan 30 – Fresno State 10
About Post Author
