ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Boasting their largest crowd for a season opener since 2015, #8 Michigan dominated Colorado State from the start of the game, 51-7. Michigan added over 400 yards of total offense as Cade McNamara saw limited time at quarterback going 9-of-18 for 136 yards and one touchdown as five different players scored a touchdown.
“I thought the preparation by the players and coaches coming into the game, and the thing that strikes me the most is that in season openers is when you get blown coverages or muffed punts, bad exchanges, turnovers, and we really had nothing. We had one penalty on the offense and no turnovers along with no communication issues or delay of games – it’s just a tip of the cap to the players and coaches for the preparation coming into this game,” said head coach Jim Harbaugh.
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The defense allowed just over 200 yards of total offense recording seven sacks, one interception, 11 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Mike Morris had two sacks and an interception as Junior Colson posted 10 tackles. In the first half, the defense forced four punts, had an interception, and turnover on downs shutting out CSU for a 23-0 lead.
Blake Corum saw limited action with one touchdown and 80 yards rushing on 13 attempts. Roman Wilson led the team with 65 yards receiving on two catches with a touchdown.
Harbaugh comments on McNamara saying, “I thought he was really good. He had a couple balls dropped and he executed well and you have to give credit to the quarterback when the ball is moving well, score points, and I thought he had a really good game.”
The first half featured three field goals by Jake Moody from 31-yards, 26-yars, and 34-yards as Michigan took a 23-0 lead. Wilson had the first touchdown of the year on a 61-yard pass from McNamara and Corrum recorded the other touchdown of the half from seven-yards out.
Michigan’s first touchdown of the second half came on a scoop-and-score from DJ Turner as he went 45-yards making it 30-0. J.J. McCarthy added a 20-yard touchdown run along with a one-yard run from Donovan Edwards and a four-yard score from Alex Orji.
Michigan will host Hawaii on Saturday, September 10, at 8:00 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
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