Michigan Wolverines Football 47, WMU 14: Notes, Quotes & Observations

Togetherness, toughness, adjustments, big plays … Michigan showed it all in a 47-14 trouncing of Western Michigan, a positive sign toward proving last year’s abysmal, 2-4 showing was an anomaly.

But don’t drink the Kool-Aid just yet. There are bigger tests ahead, starting next week against a Washington team that’s bigger, stronger and better in all areas than the Broncos team the Wolverines pounded Saturday.

Still … there was a lot to like for an opener.

Both of Michigan’s lines seemed to improve as the game progressed, and the offensive line, especially, passed its test against a team that — frankly — it should have. But the combo blocks, the communication and the running backs’ improved patience (especially second-year frosh Blake Corum, who looked explosive in waiting for the holes to open) … it was encouraging.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis both promised more commitment to the running game, and they stuck with it, even when the fans started groaning at some of the first half play calls. It was part of a game plan that seemed to have much more of a purpose, setting up play action, reverses and big plays that looked like Michigan football and the Jim Harbaugh of old.

There was plenty of variety, and after the first quarter, domination most didn’t predict.

“Both the lines I thought played really physically,” Harbaugh said. “They were in shape; they were well prepared. I felt the whole team — players, coaches, everybody together — we had the team well prepared for this game.

“Overall, great effort, and I loved how our guys played.”

It was how you’d expect a Michigan team to play in an opener against an overmatched opponent. The Broncos are expected to make some noise in the MAC with talented quarterback Kaleb Eleby, but there’s a reason the Wolverines were heavily favored. They’re more talented, and while there aren’t All-Americans or future NFL talent at every position, there’s enough that — when coached correctly — you get the outcome you saw Saturday.

As predicted, Mike Macdonald’s defense gave up an early scoring drive that sent Michigan social media into a tizzy, though even that might not have happened had defensive end David Ojabo not taken a stupid taunting penalty on a second-down play. He got in the receiver’s face after a big hit by cornerback Vincent Gray, giving the Broncos a first down instead of third and long.

Simply put, that can’t happen against the better teams on the schedule.

The Wolverines gave up chunks of yards in the flat early, and cornerback Gemon Green was in position but didn’t play the ball on a third down long ball over his head, a second opportunity to get off the field on the first drive. WMU scored to tie the game at seven, and many were probably thinking ‘here we go again.’

Adjustments, though, were key, and Macdonald had the answers. That would be the Broncos’ only meaningful touchdown — their second came when it was 47-7.

“Good adjustments, good defensive effort all around,” Harbaugh said. “That was good defensive football. Three and outs started coming, and pressure. They’re good … they’re good at what they do. We knew that going in. They didn’t turn the ball over. They play extremely sound, so … the quarterback is really good; the receivers are really good. We were able to make some defenses on the ball in the air, get some big pass break-ups.

“We needed some change-ups, to show some different looks. We needed to disguise some coverages, and [McDonald] was able to get that all in. To have all that in for the first game, that speaks volumes of what our players understood, knew and executed.”