Highlights, gut reactions to 2023 Michigan Football spring game

Michigan football wrapped up spring practice on Saturday with their annual scrimmage and here are our gut reactions to the win for the Blue team. 

It was great to see the Michigan football team back on the field on Saturday. The Wolverines played a real game and it felt like it.

The Blue team grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Alex Orji to AJ Barner but the Maize squad wasn’t going to take the loss without a fight.

Davis Warren converted a fourth-and-three to Peyton O’Leary. Then, he bombed one to O’Leary to get Michigan in range for the tying score. The Maize team went for two and Warren hit a pass to O’Leary who was incredible for Michigan football to score the 22-21 win.

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It was an exciting finish to a fun game. The defense controlled the first half and the Maize team turned the ball over twice, including an interception thrown by J.J. McCarthy. He also threw some darts including a touchdown pass to tie the score right before the half.

All the quarterbacks had their moments. The two defenses also did a good job of getting to the quarterback and forcing some turnovers. It was a fun game to watch for four quarters and here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions to Michigan spring game

• Peyton O’Leary was spectacular and it’s time to talk about him when we talk about the wide receiver depth chart. He caught six passes for 121 yards and made big play after big play. It didn’t happen by accident and he’s earned a real shot this fall.
• Amorion Walker had a rough day. He covered O’Leary for much of the day and was just off a bit. Yet, you need to remember this was his first “game” as a cornerback and it’s going to take some time to make that transition. He looked like a guy thinking a little too much. He’ll be just fine with more reps.
• The pass rush impressed. Jaylen Harrell was great and Josaiah Stewart had a sack too. I also liked what I saw from Derrick Moore. Overall, I feel better about the edge rushers following the spring game.
• J.J. McCarthy let one get away (the interception) but was sharp as a tack after. McCarthy threw some dimes and capped his day with a touchdown pass.
• The tight end room is loaded. Barner, Colston Loveland, and Matthew Hibner all made plays on Saturday.
• The backup running backs looked good too. It seems like focusing on running back has helped Kalel Mullings — his vision was much improved. I also understand the buzz about Benjamin Hall too and Freddy Moore (WR) for that matter.
• Michigan football’s QB room is in very good shape. All four guys put points on the board and were able to complete passes down the field. Davis Warren once again looked like a guy capable of starting down the road.
• Raheem Anderson is going to be tough to beat out. I like to re-watch the game to study offensive line play but on first look, he was spectacular.
• The Wolverines look every bit like a Big Ten title favorite.
• That was a lot of fun to watch.
• Go Blue!