Michigan’s offense has picked up right where it left off last season. The defense has been somewhat hit and miss.
The Wolverines’ offense has looked sharp in the first half and Brandon Herron had a 94-yard interception return for a touchdown to stake Michigan to a 20-10 halftime lead.
The Broncos took the ball into to the end zone on the game’s first drive, marching 74 yards in seven minutes that was capped by a one-yard touchdown by Antoin Scriven for a 7-0 lead.
Michigan responded with a long drive of it’s own, eating up eight minutes on a drive that ended with a one-yard score by Fitzgerald Toussaint to tie the game.
The defense finally woke up after Western appeared poised for another long drive. Western quarterback Alex Carder drove the Broncos to the Michigan 4-yard line, but his 2nd-and-goal pass was tipped and intercepted by Brandon Herron, who returned it 94 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead. It was the longest interception return in school history.
The defense continued the inspired play, forcing a three-and-out to setup Denard Robinson and the offense for another scoring drive. Toussaint capped a nine-play, 66-yard drive with another short plunge from the goal line to give Michigan a 20-7 lead. Brendan Gibbons’ extra point was blocked.
Western was able to get into field goal range for John Potter in the final minute, and he converted a 36-yard field goal to cut the lead to 10.
First Half Statistical Leaders
Passing
Robinson, UM: 8/9, 61 yards
Carder, WMU: 17/24, 135 yards, interception
Rushing
Robinson, UM: 6 carries, 40 yards
Toussaint, UM: 8 carries, 25 yards, 2 touchdowns
Tevin Drake, WMU: 5 carries, 47 yards
Receiving
Jordan White, WMU: 9 catches, 96 yards
Kevin Koger, UM: 2 catches, 16 yards