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.
Final thought: Due to the last three seasons, people who watch Michigan football are out of practice. The game vs. Fresno State, maybe a B-minus, is how most seasons start. The beauty of college football is that well-coached teams get better throughout the year.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) September 1, 2024
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.
1. The quarterback play was unimpressive
Davis Warren got the nod and finished the night with a 60% completion rate. He made one throw that I'm sure he wishes he could have back when he floated one deep to Frederick Moore, but the ball was underthrown and picked off by Cam Lockridge.
Alex Orji, on the other hand, only attempted two passes. One was poorly thrown into the dirt to Tyler Morris and the other was a touchdown to Donovan Edwards. He made his hay on the ground with 32 yards rushing.
All in all, I don’t think Davis Warren has had a bad night. He’s not being put in a position to be successful and he’s not getting support from those around him. That’s a problem.
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) September 1, 2024
This appears to be the plan going forward. Warren will get the majority of the snaps because he is a better passer and Orji will be sprinkled in to run it most of the time. It will be interesting to see if Jack Tuttle factors into this when he returns from the injured list. Something else to be aware of is how Warren stared down his receivers. He did it all night long and you can't rely on that with Texas on deck.
2. Fresno State carried the rock more times then they had rushing yards
The official stat is 22 carries for nine yards. That is not even half of one yard for an average. Fresno's longest run of the night was for nine yards. Their leading rusher didn't even break the 25 yard mark in the loss. Mikey Keene was responsible for the negative yards because he was sacked three times by Michigan's vaunted front line.
Keene was turned over twice and was living on the edge until that second interception finally happened. Quinten Johnson appeared to have a pick, but the ball hit the ground and was overturned. A play later Makari Paige caught a tipped pass out of the air, but the play was nullified because of one of the most disputed calls in the win. T.J. Guy got whistled for roughing the passer, after the replay the crowd was letting the refs have it for the remainder of the drive.
Michigan’s path to victory against every team on their schedule will be in the hands of their defense. We all knew this going in and tonight proves it. Wolverine D is strong enough to shut down every offense they face.
— HUGE (@Hugeshow) September 1, 2024
Not long afterward Will Johnson jumped the route and took it to the house to send the Michigan football faithful home satisfied with a 20-point win. Unsportsmanlike conduct was called following the play, but the result still stood and Fresno really didn't threaten again.
3. Dominic Zvada looks Lou Groza worthy already
The Arkansas State transfer was one of the most impactful players under the lights for Michigan football. He connected on three field goals of 45 yards or more with relative ease. He scored as many points as the offense did.
Zvada is comfortable from around the 40 yard line as we saw Saturday night and has made a 65 yard kick in an offseason video before. By the time he leaves Ann Arbor Zvada will win Michigan some tight games. He has an NFL leg and may break Jake Moody's record of the 59 yard field goal he made in the 2022 Fiesta bowl.
Game to @dominic_zvada. Stellar debut
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) September 1, 2024
As for the return part of the game, Kalel Mullings may become too valuable to return kickoffs, if he wins the starting running back job. Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan didn't make an impact in the passing game, however, they looked a little more electric when returning punts. That battle may carry on until one separates themselves from the pack.