On the first weekend of September, the long awaited college football season finally began. Many fans are still riding the high of Michigan’s universal victory last season. The Wolverines are now expected to deliver another perfect succession of win after win. However, their first game of the new season has many viewers scratching their heads and second guessing themselves.

Michigan’s shocking lack of an offense against Fresno State likely has to do with the loss of some of their best players to the NFL draft. Notable players including J.J. McCarthy (QB), Zak Zinter (OL), Blake Corum (RB), and Cornelius Johnson (WR) all made the difficult decision to enter the draft which took place this past April. While leaving the Wolverines at a disadvantage, these former players have also made room for new faces to rise to the challenge of continuing Michigan’s domination.

Thanks to both new and familiar players, the Wolverines were still able to lock in the win for their first game. West Bloomfield’s very own make up three of Michigan’s starting players: Donovan Edwards (RB), Semaj Morgan (WR), and Makari Paige (DB). Edwards and Paige both have the additional honor of being team captains.

The first touchdown of the game was skillfully executed by Donovan Edwards on a catch thrown by Alex Orji (QB). At 2nd and goal Orji took advantage of a wide open Edwards who found plenty of room to run straight into the end zone. Dominic Zvada (K), the new hotshot kicker transferred from Arkansas State, did not disappoint with the extra point either. Michigan stood with a 7-0 lead until the middle of the second quarter. Between the first two scores of the game, Josaiah Stewart (EDGE) and Derrick Moore (EDGE) tag-teamed a killer sack of Fresno’s Mikey Keene (QB). Several minutes later, Cam Lockridge (DB) of Fresno State intercepted what would’ve been a Michigan touchdown, thus keeping a tight game. 

Balancing out Fresno’s prevention of a Michigan touchdown, mid-second quarter, Will Johnson (DB) stopped a potential Fresno touchdown by applying pressure to Bulldog intended receiver Mac Dalena (WR) who was set to be ready for the catch in the endzone. This forced Fresno State to go for the three point field goal from forty-one yards rather than a touchdown. Dylan Lynch (K) locked it in for Fresno making the score 7-3. Throughout the second quarter viewers saw Kalel Mullings (RB) and Colston Loveland (TE) really shine with their respective running and receiving games. Conversely, Edwards seemed to really struggle with gaining any yards at all; there were even a couple times he lost yardage. On a more positive note, Zvada managed to finish out the first half of the game with a forty-five yard field goal bringing up the total to 10-3. 

In the third quarter, Zvada made another three point kick, this one from a whopping fifty-three yards. These were the only points scored throughout the entire quarter. Tyler Morris (WR) joined Loveland in being a key catcher, gaining significant yardage for Michigan. Additionally, Wolverine Rayshaun Benny (DL) who was previously responsible for forcing a Fresno loss of yards, executed a lightning fast sack in the mid third quarter.

In the final quarter of the game, a total of 24 points were scored, more points than both teams had compiled in the previous three quarters combined. Semaj Morgan started the quarter off strong with a solid first down catch. Zvada delivered his best kick of the game; extending fifty-five yards to the field goal, it was just under his fifty-six yard record. Fresno State picked up speed with an explosive drive delivering three first down passes in a row and leading to their only touchdown of the game, courtesy of Raylen Sharpe (WR). Loveland cashed in Michigan’s second six-pointer of the game on an eighteen yard touchdown reception. Less than a minute later Makari Paige beautifully intercepted a Fresno pass for a twenty yard return. Unfortunately, this gain was stolen by the referees due to a call of roughting the passer. However, Will Johnson more than made up for this loss with his thrilling pick six at the end of the fourth quarter. The final score of the game totaled to 30-10 with a wonderful Wolverine win. 

Although the Conquering Heroes seemed to be off to a shaky start, they were still able to deliver for the fans. Viewers were able to get a sense of which players are looking the strongest for this season. The team would’ve been in deep trouble without Morris and Loveland who stole the receiving game as well as Edwards and Mullings who dominated in running. Not to be forgotten, Zvada was a shocking star throughout the game, earning respect from his new Michigan fans. 

These players have a long road ahead of them for the rest of this season as football-lovers across the country watch on the edge of their seats for the Michigan Wolverines to prove themselves as the defending national champions.