Michigan’s return to the Big House to begin their journey in search of a third-straight Big Ten Championship began in style with a 30-3 win over East Carolina.
With defensive coordinator Jesse Minter calling the plays, the Wolverines first affair was a dominant showing – though not without its blemishes.
After an offseason that suggested we might see one of the team’s best offensive units in well over a decade, Michigan’s first drive of the season was a 3-and-out for no yards, after getting pinned at their own 2-yard line to start. However, their second series on defense allowed them to showcase a consistent strength, as senior cornerback Mike Sainristil picked off ECU quarterback Mason Garcia on a 3rd-and-9 attempt. From there, more or less, the Wolverines never looked back.
Aside from gaining no yards, the other differentiator between Michigan’s inopportune first drive and the rest of the opening half was that quarterback JJ McCarthy didn’t drop back once – but that changed in a hurry. The junior, who took the reigns of the offense last season, looked polished and composed in the team’s first outing. If there was any glaring takeaway on the offensive philosophy that the Wolverines brought to their home opener, it’s that this team wants McCarthy to use his legs a little less and his eyes a lot more — at least for now.
But it’s hard to argue with results, and McCarthy was putting it on his receivers early and often.
Perhaps the best catch of the half was made by Cornelius Johnson on the opening play of the team’s third drive – a crossing route where the senior stopped on a dime to high point a fastball from his quarterback for 20 yards. Moments later, on the first play of the second quarter, running back Blake Corum found the edge for the most explosive play of the day: a 37-yard run that was stopped at the East Carolina 2-yard line. The senior would take it to the house on the following play.
Roman Wilson had a big afternoon. Through the first three quarters, the shifty receiver had six receptions and three touchdowns – the last of which came on arguably McCarthy’s best throw of the day: a 15-yard dart through a tight window in double coverage. The drive put Michigan up 30-0 early in the third quarter. McCarthy would end the day going 26-30 for 280 yards and three touchdowns, and was pulled in the fourth quarter to offer reps to fellow third-year quarterback Davis Warren.
East Carolina wasn’t without their bark, but a menacing bite would never materialize. Sophomore Mason Garcia got the start under center for the Pirates, but was spelled for junior Alex Flinn early in the second quarter after going 2-for-5 with 14 yards and a pick. For what it’s worth, ECU looked much more efficient on the offensive side of the ball after the adjustment. Flinn went 6-for-11 with 52 yards, and played essentially all of the second and third quarter before being relieved by Garcia after the Michigan margin had ballooned beyond salvage.
Perhaps the Pirates’ most outstanding play came on a near pick by DB Shavon Revel – the junior got one hand out to break up what would have been a layup TD pass to AJ Barner, but couldn’t corral the ball for the interception.
In the final seconds, East Carolina thwarted the Michigan shutout with a 33-yard field goal, giving the Wolverines the 30-3 win.
The Wolverines next matchup is September 9 at home against UNLV.
Story will be updated.
