Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a persevering win over Fresno State

The Michigan football defense began this year where they left off last year and got an interception on the third play of the game. Zeke Berry took the ball out of the air off of a tipped pass and it resulted in the first points of the season. On his first play from scrimmage, backup quarterback Alex Orji tossed it to a wide-open Donovan Edwards for six.

Each team's defense forced multiple punts in a row until the scoring returned in the second with a 41-yard Dylan Lynch field goal. Michigan football got three themselves before the break with the first of three field goals made on the night by the new special team's sensation, Dominic Zvada. The maize and blue were only up by a touchdown at half.

In the third the Wolverines got the ball and advanced it into Fresno territory for another three. Zvada was picture perfect from 53 yards. On a couple of drive's later the series stalled and Zvada boomed it from even further. This time it was a 55 yarder.

Then on the ensuing drive Fresno climbed to within six with a 19 yard touchdown pass from Mikey Keene to Raylen Sharpe. There was no safety help over top and Sharpe easily scampered to the endzone. Michigan's offense firmly responded with a drive led by Kalel Mullings and the offensive line. Mullings broke the longest run of the evening that put the Bulldogs flat on their backs.

Fresno's next drive was guided by the referees who made two egregious calls to push the Bulldogs down the field until Will Johnson had enough. Johnson stepped in front of the receiver and there was nothing but green grass in front of him. He capped the scoring with a exclamation point pick six.

Here are three of the takeaways from the Michigan football win.