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Report Card: Grading Michigan football in a 30-10 win over Fresno State

Chris Balasby: Chris Balas09/01/24Balas_Wolverine
Michigan standouts Donovan Edwards and Colston Loveland. (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Michigan standouts Donovan Edwards and Colston Loveland. (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Grading Michigan football in all facets of a 30-10 victory over Fresno State, one in which U-M put it away later than expected. The Wolverines were outstanding defensively for the most part and did enough offensively to win. The grades:

RELATED: Michigan 30, Fresno State 10: Notes, quotes, and observations — a work in progress
RELATED: Defense / ST notes – Interceptions by a ‘fast’ and ‘physical’ unit, long field goals highlight Michigan’s win over Fresno State

Michigan rushing offense: B-

Fresno State concentrated on stuffing the run and held the Wolverines’ run game in check much of the night because of it. Still, Michigan rushed for 160 yards and averaged 5 yards per carry on designed runs, senior Kalel Mullings leading the way with 92 yards and a 6.1 average. Junior Alex Orji provided a spark with his feet — 5 carries for 32 yards — though senior Donovan Edwards was held in check (11 carries, 27 yards). A late drive on the ground fueled by Mullings helped put it away … he’s probably going to need more carries going forward.

Passing offense: C-

The game plan was obvious — keep it simple and conservative and don’t turn the ball over. Michigan quarterback Davis Warren had one poor throw deep that was picked off, and had he led Fred Moore it could have been six. Beyond that, he dinked and dunked down the field and went to junior target Colston Loveland (8 catches, 87 yards, 1 touchdown) as much as he could. They’ll need more than 4.5 yards per attempt and 7.6 per completion going forward, but going vanilla in game one with a kid who hasn’t played a ton of football is understandable. He did okay given the leaky pass pro and dropped balls.

Michigan rushing defense: A+

Fresno State’s offense managed only 39 yards on 19 designed runs against a Michigan front seven that dominated up front. The Wolverines’ Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Rayshaun Benny were all over the place and created room for the linebackers to make plays. By the second half, Fresno had all but abandoned the run. Seventeen of the yards came on two carries — they managed only 22 yards on the other 17.

Passing defense: B

The Michigan defensive backs made two of the game’s biggest plays, a pick by sophomore Will Johnson and an 86-yard return to ice the game, and junior Zeke Berry‘s interception to set up the first score. Sophomore Jyaire Hill, too, was around the ball and played well. Fresno State had to abandon the run when the offense couldn’t move it on the ground, and Bulldogs quarterback Mikey Keene had a bit of success with 235 yards on 22 completions. Johnson gave up a few big plays before atoning, and could have had another against him had another Keene end zone throw been on target. This needs tightening up before next week vs. Texas.

Michigan special teams: A+

Kicker Dominic Zvada was all that was advertised and more, booming three field goals that not only added points, but prevented Fresno State from getting good field position if he’d missed. He was one of the game’s three stars. Tommy Doman can punt better than he did, but he still averaged 40.8 yards per kick and put his 7 kickoffs through the end zone. Michigan sophomore Semaj Morgan notched a 22-yard punt return and Mullings looked very good as the kick returner.

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