Game balls from Michigan football's 30-10 win over Fresno State
ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Wolverines earned a season-opening win over Fresno State on Saturday night in Ann Arbor by a score of 30-10. There were some up-and-down moments, but still, plenty of standout players in the debut of head coach Sherrone Moore.
Here are the game balls for the Week 1 victory as handed out by The Wolverine’s panel of Chris Balas, Clayton Sayfie and Anthony Broome.
Chris Balas: TE Colston Loveland (8 catches, 87 yds, TD)
On a night when Michigan’s offense struggled to move the ball and establish its identity, it leaned on one of its stars to move the chains and rack up yards in the passing game. Junior tight end Colston Loveland was targeted 9 times in Saturday night’s game and figures to be one of the focal points for this team all year long. The only returning starter on offense from last year’s national champions made the most of his opportunities and delivered a huge touchdown with a little more than 6 minutes to go to give a little bit of breathing room in a game that was too close for comfort for too long.
Clayton Sayfie: EDGE Josaiah Stewart (5 total tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks)
It felt like he was everywhere on Saturday night. Josaiah Stewart was praised earlier this week for his motor and being one of the hardest-practicing players on the roster despite how talented and proven he is. In the season opener, it looked like he has a chance to be the next great Michigan pass rusher and a tone-setter in the edge room for this defense. With as much talent as U-M has up front, someone is going to have to take advantage of the extra attention the tackles get. Stewart could be primed to feast this season and Saturday was a taste of what might be in store.
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Anthony Broome: CB Will Johnson (3 tackles, 1 INT for TD, 1 pass defended)
Will Johnson did not have his best night at the office on Saturday night and sold out for a few big plays that turned into chain-moving sequences for the Fresno State offense. But on a night when the offense did not have its fastball, the former five-star recruit proved once again why he is the best cornerback in college football. A pick-six late in the game sealed the Michigan victory with a little more than four minutes to go. The Bulldogs were driving to make it a one-score contest, but Johnson called game and leaves Week 1 with the Turnover Buffs he made famous.
Michigan honorable mentions
• Senior QB Davis Warren: First career start at Michigan, 15-of-25 passing, 118 yards, TD, INT
• Graduate RB Kalel Mullings: 15 rushes, 92 yards, 6.1-yard average per carry
• Sophomore right tackle Evan Link: First career start at right tackle, played entire game
• Senior DT Rayshaun Benny: First game back from Rose Bowl injury, 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
• Junior nickel Zeke Berry: First-career interception on opening drive of the game in first-career start at nickel
