Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from the spring game

The Maize team won the Michigan football spring game on Saturday and here are three takeaways for the Wolverines as they wrapped up spring ball. 

On a cold day to begin April, we got the first glimpses of the 2023 Michigan football team. J.J. McCarthy started for the maize side and overthrew Marlin Klein which forced an interception by Quentin Johnson on the opening series of the day. Jack Tuttle forged the blue squad to an early 7-0 lead thanks to a Kalel Mullings short touchdown run. Leon Franklin fumbled on the next drive.

A few plays later the defensive line got pressure on Tuttle which allowed Zeke Berry to grab a turnover for the maize team. McCarthy finally got the maize on the board before the break with a five-yard touchdown pass to Jake Thaw to nod it up at seven going into the locker room.

Davis Warren took over for McCarthy in the third and got things going for the maize offense with a long pass to Matthew Hibner on third down. Hibner lost his balance and cost himself a surefire trip to the endzone on the play. They went for it on fourth down and goal on that possession moments later, and did not convert.

Tuttle reentered the contest and fumbled, it was caused by newcomer Ernest Hausmann. The blue side got the ball right back with a pick by Myles Pollard on the ensuing play. Freshman Ben Hall ripped off a 30-yard run to close the third but didn’t score until two plays later to give the blue a 14-7 advantage to get the fourth underway.

Warren responded for the maize with a big gainer to Peyton O’Leary, who had a big day statistically. It set up a Leon Franklin score to tie it at 14.

On the next series, Alex Orji connected with Fredrick Moore, and in turn, A.J. Barner caught a crossing pattern for six, a short time afterward. The maize drove the field next time out and Franklin got in again. They went for two and O’Leary outworked Amorion Walker for the 22-21 win over the blue.

Here are three takeaways.