WATCH: Michigan's Ronnie Bell reels in 76-yard touchdown
Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell has made his presence known in the Wolverines’ season opener against Western Michigan, with his largest contribution so far — a 76-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Cade McNamara — putting the Wolverines up 17-7.
Bell was subsequently injured and later carted off the field after suffering a lower right leg injury on the ensuing punt.
Michigan after a slow start on Saturday led Western Michigan just 10-7 in the second quarter. The Wolverines offense, which had not yet had a breakthrough play, held possession on third-and-3 from their own 23-yard line. McNamara, a junior quarterback from Reno, Nevada, took a shotgun snap and found Bell in single coverage.
With pure speed, Bell was able to outrun the last line of Western Michigan’s secondary and reel in a perfectly-placed pass from his quarterback, which he proceeded to take to the house for a 76-yard touchdown.
Bell’s touchdown reception may not even be his best play of the day, as he had one more highlight earlier in the contest that was ultimately called back due to offensive pass interference. McNamara, on Michigan’s previous possession in the second quarter, dropped back in the pocket and again found Bell in single Coverage. Bell appeared to have used his arm to push the Western Michigan defender, making a slight window of separation. He capitalized on the tiny window, reeling in an unbelievable one-handed catch on the sideline, toe-tapping his way to what would’ve been a first down. However, the play was called back by the referees following the pass interference flag.
Bell, a senior, was a All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2019, and last season led the Michigan Wolverines receiving corp with 26 receptions, 401 yards and a touchdown. He entered his senior season at Michigan having played 32 games and catching 82 passes, while registering 1,304 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His 76-yard touchdown catch on Saturday was the longest of his career, beating his previous best of 71 yards in 2019.