Field Level Media
Aug 31, 2019
No. 7 Michigan's new-look offense didn't waste time showcasing its talents during the season opener against Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
Senior quarterback Shea Patterson went 17-of-29 passing for 203 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Wolverines to a 40-21 win over the Blue Raiders at Ann Arbor, Mich.
It was the first game for the Wolverines under new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, who promised a more up-tempo attack after being hired over the offseason.
Michigan collected 453 yards of total offense and outrushed Middle Tennessee, 233-67.
After Middle Tennessee took a 7-0 lead on a 18-yard touchdown run by quarterback Asher O'Hara with 12:52 left in the first quarter, the Wolverines scored 24 unanswered points.
Patterson hit wideout Tarik Black for a 36-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left in the first to give Michigan a 10-7 lead, then threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to wideout Nico Collins with 12:54 remaining in the second quarter to make it 17-7 Michigan.
The lead grew to 24-7 on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Patterson to tight end Sean McKeon with 7:08 left in the second quarter.
Middle Tennessee cut its deficit to 24-14 with 2:12 left in the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown pass from O'Hara to Jarrin Pierce, but Michigan went ahead 27-14 at halftime on a 27-yard field goal by Jake Moody.
The Wolverines then broke the game open with two touchdowns in the second half, the first being a 6-yard scoring run by backup quarterback Dylan McCaffrey with 53 seconds left in the third quarter that put Michigan ahead, 33-14.
Michigan then took a 40-14 lead with 6:37 remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by Ben VanSumeren.
Middle Tennessee scored a late touchdown with 1:06 left on a 59-yard pass from O'Hara to wideout Jimmy Marshall.
Freshman running back Zach Charbonnet ran for 90 yards on eight carries for Michigan.
O'Hara went 22-of-32 passing for 217 yards for Middle Tennessee.
--Field Level Media