The Wolverines mustered just 90 yards of first-half offense in a 24-17 loss.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The talk in the offseason was centered around all the changes.
A new (and better) quarterback. An improved offensive line. The same, stout defense that ranked third nationally and helped keep Michigan in games last year.
But all of that seemingly rang hollow on Saturday, as Michigan turned up flat on both sides of the football in a 24-17 loss to Notre Dame.
The Wolverines’ defense surrendered 233 yards of total offense in the first half, digging themselves a three-possession deficit early, while the offense struggled to convert drives into points all night long.
Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush’s 43-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Finke proved to be the difference, capping an impressive seven-play, 96-yard second-quarter drive.
By halftime, the 12th-ranked Fighting Irish had amassed touchdown drives of 76,95 and 76 yards, respectively. Michigan allowed 16 first-half first downs.
Michigan safety Josh Metellus ejected for targeting Notre Dame TE
The Don Brown-led defense dealt with personnel issues all night long. Starting safety Josh Metellus, a junior, was ejected 5:54 into the game for targeting. Then all-Big Ten linebacker Devin Bush missed a portion of the second half with a cramp in his right leg.
But just as the unit showed improvement, the Michigan offense failed to capitalize. A bobbled snap on a field-goal attempt resulted in no points, then quarterback Shea Patterson, in his first start under center for Michigan, watched his pass sail incomplete on fourth-and-4.
Michigan totaled just 90 yards of offense in the first half, and 307 for the game, as Patterson completed 20-of-30 passes for 227 yards and an interception. He faced pressure all night long, was sacked three times, and found himself having to scramble often.
The run-game didn’t help matters either, with Michigan’s rushing leader in 2017, Karan Higdon, totaling just 72 yards on 21 carries. Chris Evans only carried the ball two times.
Michigan-Notre Dame notes: first-team OL, jersey change
Notre Dame scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the game, with Wimbush leading a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive 1:25 into the game. Wimbush finished 12-of-22 for 177 yards and rushed 19 times for 59 yards.
The Wolverines were penalized seven times for 52 yards, some of which helped extend first-half Notre Dame drives. Tyree Kinnel was flagged for a face mask during the first drive of the game, with Metellus’ ejection coming a drive later.
Defensive end Chase Winovich (six tackles, one sack) was called for roughing the passer in the second quarter, helping set up a four-yard touchdown carry for Jafar Armstrong.
Armstrong scored twice on 15 carries for 35 yards, while Michigan’s lone offensive touchdown came on a three-yard touchdown run by Higdon with 2:18 remaining. Ambry Thomas returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown before halftime.
Warm, humid conditions contributed to players cramping on both teams. Patterson left the game in the fourth quarter to receive treatment. Redshirt freshman quarterback Dylan McCaffrey briefly replaced him, completing four of his six pass attempts for 22 yards.
Patterson and Michigan had the opportunity to tie the game late, but a final fourth-quarter drive ended in a Patterson fumble.
Michigan’s loss extends the program’s losing streak to AP Top-25 teams to 17, a stretch that dates back to 2006.
NOTES:
— Nico Collins caught three passes for a game-high 66 yards.
— Kicker Quinn Nordin converted his lone field-goal try, from 28 yards out, with 11:32 to go in the second quarter. A second field-goal effort was nixed on a mishandled snap.
— Will Hart, who began last season as the team’s starter, averaged 43.7 yards per punt.
