Written by Ryan Musich
Arlington, TX - Deep in the Heart of Texas in Arlington, Texas, two top 25 teams went to war. As #11 Michigan went head to head against #17 Florida to open the 2017-2018 College Football season. Michigan, having come off a year where they felt they got snubbed by the playoff committee and Florida coming off of an underwhelming season under 2nd-year coach Jim McElwain. Florida would be without 10 players in this game because of “misusing school-issued funds.”
Florida would receive the kickoff and Wide Receiver Tyrie Cleveland would quickly down it in the end zone for a touchback. The first play of the game for Florida would result in the first penalty of the game, as Michigan would be called for a late hit on the ball carrier. Michigan linebacker Devin Bush would be the player penalized for the Wolverines. The early action would not stop there, as on the next play Red Shirt Freshmen Quarterback Felipe Franks for Florida would hook up with Wide Receiver Josh Hammond on a deep ball down the sideline. The play would go for 34 yards. On the next play, Franks would fumble the snap but quickly fall on it. After some stout defensive play from the Wolverines, the Gators would settle for three points as kicker Eddy Pineiro would knock through a 46-yard field goal. Florida’s first drive of the season would be a 6 play 46-yard drive. Quarterback Wilton Speight would lead Michigan’s offense out for their first drive of the season. Michigan had a few of their key offensive players back this season as Speight and Running Backs Chris Evans and Ty Issac highlight what is projected to be a high powered offense this season under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. Michigan moved the ball into the red zone with ease on their first drive but it stalled after what seemed like a touchdown pass, was called back as the Wolverines were flagged for an ineligible receiver. Michigan kicked a field goal and tied the game. The drive was a 14 play 68-yard drive. Florida’s next drive would stall out fast. After an incomplete pass and a 2-yard screen pass, Franks got swallowed up by Wolverines linebacker Devin Bush for a sack and a loss of 4 yards. Michigan's next drive was highlighted by a hand off up the middle to Evans, who broke it to the outside for a gain of 29 yards. This gave Michigan the ball in Gator territory. The next play was the play of the first half, as Speight connected with freshman wide receiver Tarik Black on a play action pass that resulted in the Wolverines first touchdown of the season. The play went for 46-yards and put the Michigan Wolverines up 10-3. The drive was a 3 play, 75-yard drive. Florida started the next drive at their own 25-yard line. It did not start well for Florida as on the first play Franks tripped over his own feet for a seven yard loss. On 3rd and long, Franks scrambled for 16 yards and earned the first down for the Gators. At the end of the 1st quarter, Michigan was on top 10-3. Defense would highlight the first quarter. The only blemish on either side was the 46-yard touchdown pass by Speight. Florida started the second quarter by going three and out. After it seemed like Michigan was crafting a solid drive, Speight would try a deep post route over the middle, but the ball was tipped by the Wolverine receiver and was intercepted by Florida defensive back Duke Dawson. Dawson returned it 48 yards for a touchdown. After the extra point, the game was tied at 10-10. Michigan's next possession resulted in another interception by a Florida defender. This time, cornerback CJ Henderson intercepted it and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. That was back to back possessions for the Wolverines that resulted in defensive touchdowns for the Gators. The touchdown would put Florida on top 17-10. Michigan's next drive did not involve Speight as Harbaugh benched him. The new quarterback for the Wolverines was University of Houston transfer John O’ Korn. Anew quarterback did not change anything as Michigan went three and out. You could tell that the momentum was clearly on the side of the Gators. Even on 4th down, Florida was able to bust through the line and get a hand on the punt, resulting in a 12-yard punt. Florida took over in Wolverine territory. It was a quick series for the Gators as they were forced to punt. Michigan would come back on their next possession and knock through a 55 field goal to pull a little closer as the score would be 17-13 Florida. After a drive that resulted in another punt, Michigan put Speight back under center to run the first half clock out. The score at halftime was 17-13, with Gators on top. The story of the first half was defense. Out of the 30 total points scored, only one offensive touchdown was scored. There were two defensive touchdowns. Both scored by Florida. Four sacks in the first half combined by both teams as well. Florida also only had 91 yards of total offense in the first half. Michigan’s offense came out of the half looking like a well-oiled machine. Speight was back on the field and came out looking like a new player. Speight’s passes were a lot more accurate and had a lot more zip on them as well. The Wolverines had a 10 play, 75-yard drive capped off by running back Karan Higdon's three yard touchdown run. The touchdown & extra point put Michigan back out front for good. On the kickoff, Florida ended up fumbling the ball, giving Michigan back possession. Michigan wouldn’t do much with it as they ended up with just a field goal, extending their lead 23-17. Next drive for Florida resulted in another fumble as Bush recovered a fumble by Franks. Halfway through the 3rd quarter, Notre Dame transfer quarterback Malik Zaire into the ball game to try and get some movement on the offensive side of the ball. Zaire’s first possession did not go well as Florida again, went three and out. Zaire did start to get the Florida offense performing a bit better as the 3rd quarter came to an end. The opening quarter of the 2nd half definitely belonged the the Wolverines as Michigan led 26-17 after three quarters. On the first play of the 4th quarter, Zaire was sacked and Florida was forced to punt. Michigan got the ball back and Isaac opened the drive with a 22-yard run. Michigan ended up missing a 52-yard field goal but that wouldn’t end up hurting them as the Michigan defense started to tee off on Zaire. The Florida offense was unable to do anything the entire 4th quarter. When Michigan got the ball back, the ball moved down the field. The drive was highlighted by a 48-yard pass downfield by Speight to Nick Eubanks. Kicker Quinn Nordin could not extend the lead as he missed a 32-yard field goal wide right. The teams would trade three and outs the rest of the way and Michigan would take this one 33-17 after a Michigan defensive touchdown. This game would have been a blow out without Florida’s two interceptions for touchdowns. It was an absolutely dominant 2nd half from the Wolverines. Michigan's pass rush was also a problem for Florida the entire night as Florida's quarterback rarely had time to throw and if they did, they had to throw it quickly. After the game, Coach John Harbaugh had a few interesting things to say. He mentioned that he showed his team a letter last night to motivate them. The letter was written by a military soldier that had served in a team full of 18-year-olds and that team had won a battle that they had faced. The reason for the reading of the letter was to help motivate his team of 18-year-olds. Harbaugh also acknowledged how well his Offensive and Defensive Lines played as well. In the end, this was a tough physical game on both sides but Michigan's offense was able to put them over the top and win the game. Next week, Michigan returns home to the Big House to face off against the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
Writer - Erik Slaby
Arlington, TX- On Florida’s opening drive, wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland took the opening handoff for a four yard gain, but at the end of the play there was a personal foul for a late hit by Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. That added 15 yards to the end of the run. On his first pass as Florida’s starting quarterback, Felipe Franks completed a 34 yard deep pass to wide receiver Josh Hammond. On the ensuing play, Franks fumbled the snap but luckily, was able to recover the ball for a four yard loss. Following a running play that resulted with a one yard loss, Florida offensive lineman Martez Ivey was flagged for a false start, costing Florida five yards. On 4th down, Florida kicker Eddie Pineiro drained a 46 yard field goal.
Aided by a penalty a big play from Franks and Hammond, Florida had some success of their first drive but were ultimately thwarted by penalties. On Michigan’s first drive, the mystery of who Michigan’s starting quarterback would be was answered when quarterback Wilton Speight led the offense to the field. Florida’s defense performed well on the first couple plays but on 3rd down, Speight was able to scamper through the middle of field for eight yards, resulting in a 1st down. On 2nd down and nine, Florida defensive back Chauncey Gardner Jr. was flagged for pass interference, giving Michigan the ball in Florida territory and a 1st down. Florida defensive lineman Jordan Sherit came up with a big play when he sacked Speight for a 7 yard loss. On 3rd down and 13, Michigan running back Ty Isaac powered through the teeth of the Florida defense for a 36 yard gain. Michigan had the ball at the Florida 16 yard line and the drive seemed to stall for a bit but on 3rd down, Michigan running back Chris Evans had a 6 yard run to the left for a 1st down to keep the offense rolling. Florida’s defense then buckled down and stopped Michigan three times. On 4th down, Michigan went for it and appeared to score a touchdown on a two yard pass from Speight to wide receiver Kekoa Crawford, but Michigan was flagged for having an ineligible receiver downfield. On the replay of 4th down, Michigan kicker Quinn Nordin drilled a 25 yard field goal through the uprights. Michigan’s offense had some success on that drive as it was a 14 play, 68 yard drive that took 6:59 off the clock. Ultimately though, much like Florida, penalties and their own mistakes hampered them. After a quick three and out by the Florida offense, the Michigan offense got back on the field and set out to redeem themselves from their previous drive and redeem themselves they did. On 2nd down, Evans shot through the Florida defense and scampered down the left side for a 29 yard gain. This gave Michigan great field position on the Florida 46 yard line. On the very next play, after a play fake, Speight completed a deep 46 yard pass to wide receiver Tarik Black for a touchdown. At that point, Michigan led Florida 10-3 with 3:01 left in the first quarter. On Florida’s next offensive series, Franks seemed to be a bit uncomfortable in the pocket. Especially on the first play of the drive when he tripped over his own feet coming out of a play fake, resulting in a seven yard loss. On 3rd down and 15, Franks continued to look uncomfortable in the pocket but he was able to run for a 16 yard gain to give Florida a 1st down. On the ensuing 3rd down, Franks was unable to muster up anymore magic, as his pass fell incomplete and Florida was forced to punt. After a booming 55 yard punt from Florida punter Johnny Townsend and an 18 yard return from returner Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan began the drive at their own 26 yard line. On the ensuing 3rd down, Michigan appeared to convert it on a nine yard pass from Speight to wide receiver Grant Perry but after the play, Perry was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Two plays later, on 3rd down and nine, Speight’s pass was high and tipped by Crawford, right into the hands of Florida defensive back Duke Dawson. He returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown. On the ensuing series, history repeated itself once again for Michigan. Deep in their own territory on 3rd down, Speight overthrew his intended receiver and Florida defensive back CJ Henderson intercepted the pass and returned it 41 yards for another defensive touchdown. Florida gained their first lead of the game, leading 17 -10. The Michigan offense returned to the field for the third straight series but with a change at quarterback. It appeared that Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was displeased with Speight’s performance on the last two drives and benched him. Quarterback John O’Korn replaced Speight but Michigan was unable to get anything going as they went three and out. It went from bad to worse for Michigan on 4th down as the punt was blocked by Florida, giving them great field position at the Michigan 37 yard line. The Florida offense was unable to do anything with that great field position and after solid defense from Michigan, Florida went to attempt a field goal. Michigan caught another break though when Piniero hooked the 47 yard field goal to the left and missed. On Michigan’s next offensive series, they started off hot with a beautiful deep pass from O’Korn to Black for a 37 yard gain. On 2nd down, O’Korn was sacked by Florida defensive lineman Cece Jefferson for a four yard loss. On 3rd down, nothing was open downfield for O’Korn and on his way out of the pocket he was tripped up for a one yard loss. Nordin made the drive a success for Michigan when he was able to kick a 55 yard field goal. It was close, but he managed to have enough leg to make the field goal. It was the longest field goal in a college football game at AT&T Stadium. On Florida’s next drive, Cleveland was able to adjust beautifully to catch a 31 yard pass from Franks. On 3rd down and 3, Florida running back Mark Thompson appeared to run for a touchdown from midfield but the play was called back due to offensive holding. On the ensuing play, the Michigan defense stood strong and was able to force Florida to punt. On Michigan’s next drive, Speight was back in the game at quarterback for Michigan, pinned back deep in their own territory at their own seven yard line. It was unclear why O’Korn was removed from the game given his success on the previous drive. Michigan appeared to want to just get back in the locker room and regroup as they ran the ball four times to run the clock out. At halftime, Florida led Michigan 17-13. |
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