Michigan dropped Florida, 33-17, in its season-opener Saturday in Texas.
ARLINGTON, Texas — At some point during the dog days of training camp, Michigan’s defense caught wind of some smack talk.
Jordan Scarlett, Florida’s leading rusher and one of the 10 players suspended for this game, made remarks recently that the Wolverines’ defensive front didn’t « move well. » The group couldn’t get « sideline-to-sideline, » he said.
Rashan Gary, Maurice Hurst, Chase Winovich — they all heard it. Then they did something about it.
« That was crazy for them to come out and say that to us, » said Hurst after Michigan’s 33-17 win over the Gators on Saturday in Arlington, Texas. « That added some fuel to the fire. »
On Saturday, Michigan’s defense got sideline-to-sideline. And beat the Gators to every other inch of the field while they were at it. Hurst, a 280-pounder, chased down a wide receiver screen in the first half. Gary and Winovich collapsed the pocket. Lawrence Marshall chased down a fumble. Noah Furbush, who played at end quite a bit, scored a touchdown.
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The front four took this to heart. But the rest of U-M’s defense used this as a battle cry in Texas. They’re young, but they’re not slow. Now Florida knows this.
And so does everyone else.
« I’m from south Florida, » grinned starting safety Josh Metellus, who had three tackles and a forced fumble. « I’m as fast as anybody. »
Michigan’s defense ruled the day inside AT&T Stadium, holding Florida to just 192 yards of total offense, nine first downs and 0.4 yards per rushing attempt. They racked up six sacks and 11 tackles for loss and made up for a rather sluggish afternoon from Michigan’s passing game.
With Michigan up, 10-3, and seemingly in control early in the second quarter, Speight’s first serious misfire of the day came after he sailed a throw a bit too high over the middle. Receiver Kekoa Crawford couldn’t haul it in, and the tipped ball allowed defensive back Duke Dawson to coast 48 yards for a touchdown.
Two minutes later, Speight badly overthrew Grant Perry in the flat, this time right at Florida defensive back C. J. Henderson — who ran 41 yards to pay dirt. Suddenly, with fewer than 50 yards of total offense, Florida found itself in front, 17-10.
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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh opted to pull Speight in favor of fifth-year senior John O’Korn for the Wolverines’ third and fourth drives of the second quarter. After the game, Harbaugh said he removed Speight to give his starter a chance to « calm down. » O’Korn’s second drive ended with a 55-yard field goal by redshirt freshman kicker Quinn Nordin, making it 17-13 at the break.
Speight returned to the game in the second half and Michigan never looked back. The Wolverines marched 75 yards on 10 plays, highlighted by a 28-yard rope from Speight to Grant Perry, and finished by a 3-yard Karan Higdon rushing touchdown. U-M regained the lead for good and Speight stayed under center the rest of the way.
The defense, meanwhile, continued to hound, harass and humble the Gators — who yanked starting quarterback Feleipe Franks in favor of fifth-year transfer Malik Zaire in the third quarter.
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But things only got worse.
« They physically took it to us, » Florida coach Jim McElwain said. « Give them their due. They beat us every which way they could up front, and we never had an answer. »
Michigan’s offense sputtered some after the break, leaving points on the field by way of incomplete passes and missed field goals. But none of it mattered. The Wolverine defense, at times, made a nine-point lead feel like 90 — as Florida quarterbacks were sacked five times in the fourth quarter alone.
The final nail in the coffin came with 1: 37 left to play, when Winovich crunched Zaire in the end zone to force a fumble. Furbush fell on it.
And suddenly, Michigan’s point was proven.
« We ain’t going to take nothing from nobody, » said inside linebacker Devin Bush Jr., who had 7 tackles (3 for a loss) and 2 sacks in his first career start. « We’re always going to apply pressure. »
Michigan finished the game with a 433-192 advantage in total yards. The team’s new-look offensive line — featuring right tackle Nolan Ulizio — paved the way for 215 rushing yards (111 by Ty Isaac) on 49 attempts.
Speight finished 11 of 25 for 181 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Black had two catches for 83 yards and a score.
Michigan (1-0) will look to fix its aerial issues — and continue its defensive dominance — next week against Cincinnati in Michigan Stadium (noon, ABC or ESPN) .
« Our defense was amazing, » Harbaugh said. « They played their best, and they played for Michigan and won for Michigan today. We’re very proud of that. »
Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner. Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!
