Ann Arbor, Mich — Sherrone Moore energized the crowd in the Big House, pumping his fist and shouting in the end zone before his first game as Jim Harbaugh’s full-time replacement.
Despite a slow start on offense in Moore’s debut, the defending national champions eventually made key plays on both sides of the ball, turning a close game into a decisive 30-10 victory over Fresno State on Saturday night.
Davis Warren and Alex Orji each threw touchdown passes, Will Johnson returned an interception for a score, and No. 9 Michigan (1-0) showcased their new quarterbacks behind a revamped offensive line. Moore’s passion was evident from the beginning.
“That’s just who I am,” Moore said. “I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I was excited, so I expressed it, but I was so excited to watch our boys play.”
The Bulldogs (0-1) kept the game competitive, trailing by just four points late in the second quarter and 16-10 midway through the fourth before Michigan pulled away.
“It was going our way,” said Fresno State interim coach Tim Skipper. “I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage in the first half and did a good job on both sides of the ball. We had opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize. They have the heart of a champion, and it just got away from us at the end.”
Warren, who won the starting quarterback job over Orji, threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland, extending Michigan’s lead to 23-10 with 5:43 remaining. Johnson then sealed the game by intercepting a pass and returning it 86 yards for a touchdown.
The game began with Orji connecting with Donovan Warren on a 3-yard touchdown pass, but Michigan’s offense struggled until late in the game.
Warren finished 15 of 25 for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception, a solid performance for a former walk-on who overcame leukemia in high school.
“I was definitely reflecting on the people who helped me get here, my family, and those who supported me,” Warren said.
Colston Loveland, a preseason All-American tight end, caught a career-high eight passes and nearly set another personal best with 87 receiving yards. Kalel Mullings led the Wolverines’ rushing attack with 92 yards on 15 carries.
Fresno State’s Mikey Keene completed 22 of 36 passes for 238 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Raylen Sharpe in the fourth quarter that brought the Bulldogs within six points. However, he also threw two interceptions. Jalen Moss added six catches for 97 yards for Fresno State, including an impressive leaping catch on the sideline.
UP NEXT:
Fresno State: Hosts Sacramento State on Saturday, following Sacramento State’s 42-24 loss to San Jose State.
Michigan: Prepares to face No. 4 Texas at home on Saturday after Texas’ 52-0 win over Colorado State.
