Michigan football opened the 2024 season with a win over the Fresno State Bulldogs. The game wasn’t always pretty—at times, it was downright flabbergasting. Game one of the Sherrone Moore era saw surprises and setbacks, but ultimately, success.
The short version is that the Wolverines locked down a 30-10 victory over a tough Mountain West opponent. The longer version is where things get interesting.
A TALE OF TWO QBS
The offseason hype around an Alex Orji-led Michigan offense fizzled with late-breaking news that Davis Warren would be QB1. The resulting offense was frustrating on the heels of last season’s well-oiled machine. Warren put in for 15 completions on 25 attempts for 118 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. Orji rushed five times for 32 yards and went 1/3 passing with a 3-yard TD. In tandem, an uninspiring performance.
To be fair to both players, the consistent rotation meant neither could get into much of a rhythm. The team’s most successful drive didn’t come until the fourth quarter, a 7-play, 75-yard march. Even then, it was six straight runs before Warren hit Colston Loveland for an 18-yard score.
Warren flashed intermittent promise, and his connection with Loveland is evident, but there’s much room for improvement. His interception was under-thrown to Fred Moore, who was open, as was Donovan Edwards up the sideline. Some throws were either behind receivers or too far in front, leaving teammates to either slow up and make catches or extend themselves and take big hits. Orji’s legs are the real deal, but the coaches are still concerned with his arm. He turfed an easy fourth-quarter throw to Tyler Morris, who was open for a first down if the ball had gotten there.
Moore is adamant that both quarterbacks will play, and they should, but this game plan, in particular, did not feel like it cohesively combined both passers’ strengths. There’s always hope that Kirk Campbell was playing it close to the vest before next week’s showdown with Texas. Even so, the play-calling and rotation left something to be desired.
OTHER PERSONNEL QUESTIONS
The center situation played out similarly to the quarterbacks. Longtime starter-in-waiting Greg Crippen got pipped by Dominic Giudice. Giudice proceeded to get the business on multiple failed plays. In particular, the Wolverines’ 3rd-and-inches run to start the second quarter went nowhere, in large part because Giudice got blown back. Crippen came in after another missed assignment (or miscommunication with Gio El-Hadi) forced Warren into a drive-killing sack. The speed bumps are understandable for a new starter, but center is an absolutely crucial position to lock down.
Otherwise, what was going on with all the player rotation in the first half? At first blush, it seemed like Michigan coaches weren’t giving the Bulldogs their due. The Bulldogs’ first scoring drive saw long stretches without either Will Johnson or Jyaire Hill on the field. Neither player had an injury, as far as anyone can tell. It felt too early – and a bit disrespectful to Fresno State – to take the starters out in favor of live snaps for the backups.
Second-half adjustments seemed to indicate a tighter personnel cycle, which is a positive sign for the coaching staff. It’s nice to open the season with a win, and important to get valuable film for your starters and your backups. However, that kind of toying around won’t fly against the juggernauts on the schedule – especially when they’re throttling opponents and scoring at will.
OFFENSIVE STARS – ONE STANDARD, ONE SURPRISE
Colston Loveland paced the pass-catchers with 8 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. He had one uncharacteristic drop, but was otherwise reliable and uncoverable. Regardless of how the quarterback situation shakes out, he will be a focal point for this offense and remains crucial to this team’s success. A notch forward on his Mackey campaign for the season.
The surprise was Kalel Mullings, who emerged looking like the top option on the running back depth chart. A quick reminder: Donovan Edwards is still on this team. That’s a big step for a guy who was playing linebacker just two years ago.
Mullings ran 15 times for 92 yards and looked impressive on almost every carry. He has an uncanny ability to rarely be brought down on first contact. His vision and patience, combined with his nimble feet and bruising ability to run through arm tackles, make him an ideal fit in Michigan’s rushing offense. He effectively led the charge on the 75-yard fourth-quarter scoring drive, consistently breaking tackles to grind out extra yardage and find first downs.
The flip side of this was a disappointing show from Edwards. In fairness, it seemed he drew the short stick on multiple plays. He was at times the victim of poor play calls, poor blocking execution, and poor quarterbacking. His 11 carries for 27 yards were hard-fought, and were more productive as the game progressed and the offensive line settled down, but you’d like to see a player with his talents make plays nonetheless.
DEFENSE – OOPS ALL PLAYMAKERS
Things started with a bang as new starting Nickel Zeke Berry picked off a pass that caromed off a receiver’s hands. Though Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant have generated headlines, it was EDGEs Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart who generated highlights in this one. Stewart in particular was ubiquitous, making 5 tackles including 2 sacks and 3 TFLs. Moore had fewer stats but was a menace in the backfield, forcing Mikey Keene to sail multiple rushed throws over his receivers.
Jaishawn Barham also flashed, in some cases quite literally. For his size, it seems impossible to be able to move as fast as he does. And yet…he does. An instant impact transfer. Will Johnson got dinged a couple of times for some overzealous coverage but was otherwise solid, then spectacular on a game-sealing pick-six. That was effectively the Wolverines’ third interception on the drive after previous picks by Quinten Johnson and Makari Paige were negated by penalties.
There’s serious talent on all three levels of this defense, and Wink Martindale called a great first game. All systems go for this unit.
OPPONENTS PAST AND FUTURE
Tim Skipper and the Bulldogs acquitted themselves well in this one, keeping things close far later than expected. Mikey Keene is for real, and they’ve got intriguing pieces across the roster. Fresno State should challenge for the top spot in the Mountain West.
Up next are the Texas Longhorns, who just defenestrated Colorado State. The lack of a true ‘statement’ by the Wolverines on offense means tempered expectations for the next game. Their defense should give them a chance, but if they can’t find an answer on offense, that game will be a rock fight.
If that sounds like a familiar predicament, you’re probably thinking about recent iterations of the Iowa. This Michigan offense isn’t yet as moribund as the Hawkeyes have been, but that’s essentially the takeaway from game one: figure out that side of the ball, or risk a serious comparison to Brian Ferentz.
