Defense / ST notes: Interceptions by a 'fast' and 'physical' unit, long field goals highlight Michigan's win over Fresno State

Michigan Wolverines football broke in 10 new starters on offense Saturday night, including at quarterback and all five offensive line spots. While the unit got going and helped seal a 30-10 victory over Fresno State with a 75-yard touchdown-scoring drive in the fourth quarter, this game was on the defense and special teams, and the Wolverines dominated in those two phases of the game.

Fresno State totaled just 247 yards (238 through the air and a lowly 9 on the ground) while the Wolverines feasted with 2 interceptions, 3 sacks and 6 tackles for loss.

Two bookend interceptions — one by junior nickel back Zeke Berry that got the party started in the first quarter and a pick-six from junior cornerback Will Johnson to put Michigan up 30-10 in the fourth — were the highlights.

“I feel like any turnover, that momentum will shift,” senior EDGE Josaiah Stewart said. “You just know the guys back there will do their job, and it’s great to have guys like Will and [graduate safety] Makari [Paige] back there. As a defense, we love it.”

The Michigan defense made a strong first impression under coordinator Wink Martindale, who runs the same system the Wolverines have had since 2021.

“I don’t feel like there are much changes,” Stewart noted. “With our mindset, we kinda carried over the same rules and mentality from last year, and we’re just gonna continue that. You know the saying, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ so we’re going to have that same mentality coming out every game.”

Stewart had a big evening with a team-high 5 tackles, including 3 behind the line of scrimmage, and 2 sacks. That marked Stewart’s second multi-sack outing of his Michigan career (2 at Nebraska in 2023) and fifth overall as a college football player.

“That’s been our mantra all camp, just playing fast, playing hard and physical,” Stewart said. “We came out there, we knew just set the tempo early, set the tone for the game and have that same mindset throughout all four quarters.”

Fresno State’s total of 9 rushing yards are the lowest amount Michigan has given up in a game since surrendering just 1 in a 10-3 win over Iowa Oct. 5, 2019.

Junior defensive tackle Mason Graham did his part with 4 tackles, and classmate Kenneth Grant was also productive in eating up blocks.

“We have Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant in the middle, so it makes it pretty hard for them to run it inside,” Stewart said with a laugh. “But nah, just the defense, running to the ball, swarm mentality. Especially stopping the run, it’s our mantra. Stopping the run, you leave them left-handed, throwing the ball all day, so you kinda expect plays.”

“Having the front seven that we have, they played hard, stopped the run as best they could today,” Berry said. “They were prepared, ready to play and hit another team other than our teammates. So the performance they put on today was outstanding.”

Dominic Zvada puts Michigan on the board

Michigan junior kicker Dominic Zvada put on a debut as great as the defense’s. The Arkansas State transfer hit from 45, 53 and 55 yards, seemingly with ease. His 55-yarder was the sixth-longest kick in Michigan history and carried more distance than any Wolverine field goal since Jake Moody nailed a 59-yarder in the Fiesta Bowl Dec. 31, 2022.

He put Michigan up 10-3, 13-3 and 16-3 … scores that were necessary in the middle of the game since, at one point, the Wolverines were up only six points, 16-10, for over four minutes of fourth-quarter game time.

“It’s just a great opportunity to get game reps, get used to the atmosphere, get used to the field and just the speed of play,” Zvada said. “So I’m really thankful that my coaches believed in me to put me out there. It was just a great night.”

Michigan’s offense totaled only 18 first downs and went 4-of-11 on third down. The Wolverines didn’t convert on third down until late in the second quarter, with most of their drives fizzling out. Zvada ensured that when Michigan did get into enemy territory, it came away with points.

“It’s fun to watch him kick the ball and know that once we get into his range, we’re guaranteed points,” senior quarterback Davis Warren said.

Zvada explained what his range is.

“It usually depends,” he noted. “In-game, I try to tell them 37, 38 yard line. That’s just kind of a baseline. So that’d be a 55-yard kick. But depending on the circumstance, I can go back to 60. The furthest I’ve ever kicked is 65, but that was with a little wind. So we’d have to see.”

Michigan had two stellar kickers before Zvada in Jake Moody (2018-22) and James Turner (2023). The Chandler, Ariz., native might be the next in line, and he’s received some pointers from both.

“James Turner has actually been a really, really big part of … he’s been around,” Zvada said. “He was around all fall camp, just kind of helping me out when he wasn’t working out with NFL teams. He’s been kinda around at practice, talking to me. He’s picking my mind, and I’ve been picking his mind, asking him questions. Just, ‘Walk me through your pregame. Walk me through your mind when we get the ball back.’

“And then, yeah, I got to hang out with Moody when he was here over the summer, which was awesome. I got to pick his brain, too. He’s a really cool guy. Both of them, just awesome dudes. They answered every question I’ve had. Love them, and I thank them.”

Miscellaneous Michigan football defense / special teams notes

• Four defensive players made their first career start at Michigan: Stewart, junior linebacker Jaishawn Barham, Berry, junior linebacker Ernest Hausmann, sophomore cornerback Jyaire Hill and junior EDGE Derrick Moore. Stewart (Coastal Carolina), Barham (Maryland) and Hausmann (Nebraska) all started at their previous schools.

• Berry’s first-quarter interception was the first of his career. It gave Michigan a short field, starting on the Fresno State 31-yard line, setting up a touchdown that put the Wolverines up 7-0.

• Fresno State had just -16 rushing yards in the second half.

• The Bulldogs were limited to 2 of 11 on third down.

• Johnson’s 86-yard interception return for a touchdown was the fifth-longest pick six in Michigan history. It was the longest since Brandon Herron against Western Michigan in 2011 (94 yards). His interception was the eighth of his career.

• Senior defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny racked up his second career sack, and he totaled 2 tackles for loss.

• Junior linebacker Jimmy Rolder recorded the first full tackle for loss of his career. He had a half-TFL in 2023.

• Seventeen different Michigan players notched a tackle.