Observations on the win over Middle Tennessee State, 40-21
Michigan converted four red zones for 19 points; Middle Tennessee converted two red zones for 14 points. The Blue Raiders scores 14 points off 2 Wolverine turnovers, and Michigan scored 7 points off 2 Middle Tennessee turnovers.
Offense gained 26 first downs, 453 yards in 78 plays with 233 on the ground and 220 in the air with 5 of 14 on 3rd and 4th down conversions. Shea Patterson was 17 of 29 for 203 yards and 3 TDs; he ran for 28 yards after 2 sacks were deducted in 9 carries plus a turnover on a fumble. Dylan McCaffrey led the Wolverines in the second half with 8 carries for 42 yards for a TD, and was 2 of 2 for 17 yards. Tarik Black caught 4 passes for 80 yards and a TD. Nico Collins caught 3 passes for 49 yards and a TD. Sean McKeon caught 2 passes for 37 yards and a TD. Zach Charbonnet got the start, and gained 90 yards on 8 carries plus caught 2 passes for 9 yards; Christian Turner gained 49 yards on 11 carries. Ben Vansumeren got his first score as a Wolverines with 4 carries for 7 yards and a TD. Michigan held a 6 and a half minute time of possession advantage that resulted in 9 more offensive plays. DQ Thomas led the Blue Raiders with 10 tackles.
Defense held Middle Tennessee to 301 net yards, 16 first downs, and was 3 of 8 in 3rd down conversions with 67 yards on the ground and 234 yards in the air. Two Blue Raider quarterbacks were 26 of 41 with one pass intercepted; Asher O'Hara was 22 of 32 with 2 TDs and one interception, and ran 13 times for 59 yards with 3 sacks netting 32 yards and a TD. Khaleke Hudson led the defense with 8 tackles, Brad Hawkins had 7 stops, and both James Ross and Jordan Glasgow had 6 tackles each; Glasgow had two sacks. Vincent Gray really looked good at cornerback with 4 tackles as did Ambry Thomas with 2 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. The Wolverine Defense held the Blue Raiders to 9 punts and two turnovers, but gave up 2 red zones touchdowns and a big play 59 yard TD by Jimmy Marshall in the final minute of the game.
Special Teams were good except for LaVert Hill's punt return fumble turnover. Jake Moody hit two field goals, and his kickoffs were all fair caught with one touchback; as a result, the kickoff team was not really challenged on returns. Quinn Nordin hit the extra points, and Will Hart punted 5 times with two downed inside the 5 yard line. Freshman Giles Jackson impressed with 3 kickoff returns for 76 yards. In all, the Wolverines played 9 freshman in the first game: Zach Charbonnet, Mike Sainristil, Daxton Hill, Chris Hinton, D.J. Turner, Cornelius Johnson, Karsen Barnhart, Anthony Solomon, and Erick All; Mazi Smith did not play although he was expected to.
Donovan Peoples-Jones couldn't play due to injury with a boot on his foot, Jon Runyan, Michael Dwumfour (hand), and Donovan Jeter also didn't play due to injuries; hopefully, they'll all be able to heal before the Wisconsin game on September 21. There were not too many surprises in the player participation, but there were a few including walk-ons Jess Speight and Griffin Korican participating.
Michigan has a lot of work to do! They were not as impressive as advertised. They have some good players, but showed a lot of weaknesses tonight in all three phases of the game; they did not look like a National Championship Playoff contender. Go Blue!
Fall Camp and Game Week
Chris Partridge and Jay Harbaugh on August 28
Ronnie Bell and Will Hart on August 27 Josh Ross Jordan Glasgow
Jim Harbaugh Press Conference on August 26 LaVert Hill Nick Eubanks Devin Gil Game Week Update
Kwity Paye, Shea Patterson and Cesar Ruiz on August 22
Michigan Defense excited for Next Chapter on August 21
Ben Bredeson, Carlo Kemp and Khaleke Hudson named Captains for Team 140
Ed Warriner and Anthony Campanile on August 19
Ben Mason Josh Uche Jon Runyan Nico Collins on August 15
Offense increasing Tempo
Shaun Nua and Ben McDaniels on August 14
Big Ten Bus Tour on August 13: Jim Harbaugh Shea Patterson and Jon Runyan Carlo Kemp and Josh Metellus Josh Gattis
Harbaugh Press Conference on August 13: Part I Part II
Official Roster out on August 5
Players reported to Fall Camp on August 1; first practice on August 2
Jim Harbaugh on July 20 49 minute podium session Press Conference
Ben Bredeson, Khaleke Hudson and Jordan Glasgow represented the 2019 Michigan Wolverine Football squad at Big Ten Kickoff Luncheons and Meetings Wolverines address Hype