Jim Harbaugh highlights stars of Michigan’s win against Western Michigan

After struggling on the offensive side of the ball in recent years, the Michigan offense rolled Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon 47-14 in the Wolverines’ season opener. 

Six receivers and six running backs scored touchdowns in the game and Michigan played 73 players, so the win was clearly an all-hands-on-deck effort. 

“They were well-prepared,” Harbaugh said Saturday following the game. “I thought the whole team – players, coaches, everybody together – had the team well-prepared for this game.”

Following the game, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh highlighted a few stars that had a big day. 

“I just want to start with [Daxton] Hill,” Harbaugh said. “He was all over the field today, making plays in the secondary: pass break ups, physical tackles, playing behind the line of scrimmage on the screen passes and the bubbles. I just thought he had a tremendous game.” 

Hill, a junior defensive back, led the team with six tackles and a pass break up. Harbaugh also gave a shout out to defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who had four tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack.

Dominant offensive performance headlined the win

Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara led an offense that totaled 551 yards of offense. Harbaugh, who had a reputation for being a quarterback whisperer before coming to Michigan but who has struggled to back up that reputation, was very content with the quarterback play on Saturday.

“Cade McNamara, I thought he played a very efficient, you know, seeing the field well, making the right throws, all the right decisions,” Harbaugh said. “He was our team. All the drives he’s been in, about 66% [of them] we score points when he’s out there.”

McNamara went 9-for-11 with 136 yards and two touchdowns before true freshman J.J. McCarthy replaced him midway through the third quarter. McCarthy’s first touchdown in a Michigan uniform was a 69-yard throw under pressure across his body.

Running back Blake Corum had the most all-purpose yardage for Michigan with 111 yards rushing, 22 yards receiving and a 79-yard kickoff return. 

“Blake Corum, tremendous game,” Harbaugh said.

Severity of Bell injury unknown

“Just worried about Ronnie Bell right now. He had to come out of this game, and that’s the biggest concern. He’ll get an MRI tonight and we’ll find out the severity of the injury,” Harbaugh said. 

Michigan wide receiver Bell was carted off the field Saturday following a 31-yard punt return with an apparent leg injury. The senior had pulled down a 76-yard touchdown catch just minutes earlier.

The top returning receiver for Michigan, Bell led the team in receptions and receiving yards each of the last two seasons. 

Harbaugh is now 5-2 in season openers while at Michigan. The Wolverines welcome Washington to the Big House next Saturday night.