New Era? No problem for Michigan
The reigning CFP national champions took the field for the first time since their title just a few months ago, and although there are a lot of new pieces with this team, the culture remains unchanged.
Sherrone Moore had his debut as a non-interim head coach and quarterback Alex Orji, had high praise for their leader who he believes has paid his dues.
“It’s been awesome. Me and Will (Johnson) were just talking about it the other day, we brought it up in a team huddle after practice. If it had been anyone else it wouldn’t have felt right, we didn’t think about it until a few practices in. This is our guys, this is a Michigan man that’s a guy who went from Tight end to O-line, to OC, to head coach. He’s earned it, everything he’s done he’s just different, the way that he does things. He’s family, he’s a big role model for us, it’s nice being around him. He’s a great guy to have camaraderie with and interact with, it’s awesome,” Orji said.
The team seemed to build on that camaraderie Orji mentioned in this one, as although the team lost multiple starters and their head coach, the team looked as fluid and talented as they did last year.
For a spring game, Michigan got exactly what they wanted as it was competitive throughout, with the Maize team edging out a 17-7 victory in a true display of Michigan football.
For the victors, it was veteran Davis Warren and young gun Jayden Dengal behind center, with the former really stealing the show. Warren finished 6/9 for 136 yards and 2 TDS, showing an ability to stretch the field with improved accuracy, which is something he worked on throughout the offseason.
“Obviously it’s different, everyone has to take a step up. I think every quarterback has done a great job at taking a step up and improving their game and working on something. I know for me I’ve had some things I’ve been working on to improve and be the guy. We are all just trying to take a step up and I think for my own game, I’ve done a lot to try to be capable of who I’m being and show what I can do,” Warren said.
Alex Orji and Jadyn Davis were at the helm for the blue team and with Orji taking a majority of the snaps, he was able to put his best abilities on full display.
He finished 13/18 for 103 yards and although he was unable to punch it in through the air, he scampered 18 yards into the end zone in the 1st quarter and helped put his team out to an early lead. His dual threat ability was on full display in this one, as he was able to extend multiple drives with his legs. Orji’s ability to hurt teams in a variety of ways is something that could potentially give him a leg up in what is developing to be a tightly contested QB battle, and OC Kirk Campbell is happy with his new look offense’s ability to be explosive.
“We’ve got really good running backs and an offensive line. The names on the back of the nameplates may change, but we got really good players coming back, guys that are chomping at the bit for an opportunity. I don’t think that will change, we are still going to be aggressive, but we have players that are more explosive than we have had in the past,” Campbell said.
Alongside the quarterbacks, those weapons Campbell mentioned were on full display as the offense was able to break through for a couple explosive plays during this rendition of the Maize and Blue game.
It was bombs away for the Maize team, as Fredrick Moore caught only 2 balls, but they went for 76 yards, including a 48-yard TD strike from Warren. Alongside him, Kendrick Bell also caught 2 balls, going for 53 yards which featured a 42-yard bomb, also from Warren.
Kendrick, brother of Ronnie Bell, made the switch to WR not too long ago and doesn’t look like he missed a beat, but before making that transition, he spoke with his brother about it, who at first was apprehensive about his little brother playing a position that he hasn’t in quite a while.
“I wouldn’t say he was excited for it; I haven’t played receiver in a very long time. He wasn’t too excited, but after I sent him my film, he was like you got it. I just kept continuing to go at it, and he was happy at it,” Bell said.
It’s not a Michigan offense unless the tight ends are feasting, and although the numbers weren’t extremely gaudy the love was being shared, as 8 different TEs caught balls- with Marlin Klein leading the way, catching 4 of 5 targets for 36 yards. Projected starter Colston Loveland hauled in both of his targets for 14 yards, playing a majority of his snaps in the 1st quarter.
The RB unit was in action for the first time since 2020 without Blake Corum, and like the rest of the offense, they did not downgrade with the loss of their superstar.
Donovan Edwards, who had 100 yards rushing in the National Championship and is the expected starter, played the first drive for the blue team and carried it 5 times for 33 yards, getting 2 first downs with his legs. Tavierre Dunlap handled the bulk of the carries for the Maize team who were trying to hold their lead, and he finished with 15 touches for 66 yards, alongside Benjamin Hall who had 11 totes for 33 yards on team Blue.
Edwards is a returning player on this team who played a major contribution last year, and after the game he gave his thoughts on his teammate’s improvement, and how he believes all of the quarterbacks are suited to lead the offense, based on what he’s seen throughout the spring.
“From my teammates aspect I loved it because that gives them confidence, they’re able to emerge into what they are capable of being. Alex Orji he’s gained a lot of respect from the guys and that’s high praises because being able to play quarterback you have to be able to command the offense, and I feel like he’s in that position where he can command the offense. All the quarterbacks in the room are in that position as well and working really great, the reads are where they are supposed to be and there’s always room for improvement, we can all have great days but it’s just as Michigan players we always want to get better even if we have a great day,” Edwards said.
The All-Maize aspect of this game spread to the defensive unit as well, as Kechuan Bennett had a sack and 2 TFL and the team racked up 4 sacks and 8 TFL as a whole. Dj Waller had the only interception of the day, taking it for the blue team, while they also added 3 PBUs as a unit.
Overall, for the Wolverines a lot to be proud of and a lot to work on, as the job is never finished— but one thing is for certain is that the New Era in Ann Arbor may very well not be much different than the past era.