No. 10 Michigan hosts No. 3 Texas in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the early college football season, but the game failed to live up to expectations after 30 minutes. The Longhorns were better on both sides of the football, building a 24-3 lead heading to the locker room.
Here’s a breakdown of what we saw from Michigan’s offense and defense in the first two quarters:
Key statistics:
QB Davis Warren: 8 of 11, 49 yards, INT
RB Donovan Edwards: 6 carries, 33 yards
TE Colston Loveland: 2 receptions, 12 yards, fumble
The Wolverines’ first drive was stopped before it could even begin by a pre-snap penalty on the first play. Michigan’s offense isn’t built to absorb those kinds of mistakes, especially after all the personnel it lost this offseason.
The Wolverines put together a good, strong second drive, with a healthy mix of running and passing. Donovan Edwards seemed more patient and relaxed early this morning than he did last week, and Davis Warren made some nice throws during the drive that put Michigan in scoring position. Unfortunately, the Alex Orji experiment reared its ugly head and destroyed the momentum the Wolverines had built. His third down run was easily picked off, and Michigan’s offensive line couldn’t generate any pressure, leading to a field goal.
Things only got worse from there. Davis threw an interception on UM’s next drive on third and short, giving Texas a short field and giving them three points. Trailing by two touchdowns as the half drew to a close, Michigan lost the ball again on Colston Loveland’s unforced fumble.
Key statistics:
QB Quinn Ewers: 18 of 26, 203 yards, 2 TDs
RB Jerrick Gibson: 4 runs, 22 yards, TD
WR Gunnar Helm: 6 catches, 76 yards, TD
WR Matthew Golden: 4 catches, 39 yards, TD
Texas’ offense was a force to be reckoned with in the first 30 minutes. Aside from a holding penalty on their first possession that cost them four points, the Longhorns got everything they wanted, 279 yards of offense. Texas’ offensive line outgained Michigan’s defensive line in the first half, and that’s not a matchup the Wolverines could lose. Quarterback Quinn Ewers was efficient and composed, moving out of harm’s way when under pressure and finding open receivers further down the field. And the Longhorns’ running game made up just enough with 76 yards on the ground (four yards per run).
Texas didn’t need the two extra possessions the Wolverines gave them from those turnovers, but they took advantage and turned them into ten points before the end of the half. In short, a disastrous first 30 minutes for Michigan.
– For more coverage of the Michigan Wolverines, visit Michigan Wolverines On SI –
WATCH: Charles Woodson destroys Urban Meyer at Big Noon Kickoff
Injury report: Michigan Football reports 3 out, Jack Tuttle’s participation against Texas questionable
Game Predictions: No. 10 Michigan vs. No. 3 Texas
More coverage of University of Michigan athletics:
