The record-breaking streak is over.
After 29 straight games of regular-season domination, the Michigan football team was bested by No. 3 Texas on Saturday. The Wolverines were the underdogs for the first time in over a year, and they showed exactly why.
The Longhorns’ offense operated like a well-oiled machine, providing a stark contrast to Michigan’s middling attack. Unable to overcome Texas (2-0) on either side of the ball, the Wolverines (1-1) lost their first regular-season game since 2021, 31-12.
Hoping to take an early lead, the Longhorns opted to receive the opening kickoff. Their opening drive didn’t go quite as planned as they failed to score any points, but it simultaneously didn’t inspire confidence in Michigan’s defense.
The Wolverines allowed Texas to convert on 3-of-4 third downs, the lone miss on a 24-yard touchdown pass that was nullified by a holding penalty. Texas subsequently failed to convert on the replayed third down and missed its field goal attempt, giving Michigan a lucky break.
That luck didn’t transfer to the other side of the ball, though, and the Wolverines’ first offensive drive ended after a three-and-out. To make matters worse, Michigan’s punt took an extreme bounce in the Longhorns’ direction, handing Texas fantastic field position. Starting on their own 44-yard line, it only took the Longhorns six plays to find the endzone, as quarterback Quinn Ewers hit tight end Gunnar Helm for a 21-yard touchdown.
The Wolverines responded with a solid drive of their own, highlighted by a 22-yard flea-flicker pass from senior quarterback Davis Warren to graduate receiver C.J. Charleston. But after failing to convert on third and short, Michigan settled for a field goal.
Ewers efficiently picked apart the Wolverines’ defense drive after drive, racking up 203 yards in the first half alone. And Michigan’s offense only helped his cause, shooting itself in the foot multiple times.
On consecutive drives, Warren threw an interception and junior tight end Colston Loveland fumbled, setting up a Texas field goal and touchdown, respectively. Fumbling with one minute left in the half not only prevented the Wolverines from narrowing their hefty deficit, it extended the Longhorns’ lead to 24-3.
Michigan’s offensive woes continued in the third quarter, and the Wolverines once again settled for a field goal. Warren and Loveland connected for a 24-yard pickup on third down, but Michigan promptly stalled out on its next third-down attempt, setting up junior kicker Dominic Zvada’s 52-yard field goal.
The Texas offensive machine quickly emerged to show up the Wolverines. Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo ran a jet sweep for 55 yards, and Ewers sealed the deal — on third down — with his third touchdown of the day.
Then, Warren answered with his second interception of the day.
Michigan managed to prevent Texas from capitalizing on the interception, finally making a stand on third down to force a punt. The Wolverines even converted on one third down and one fourth down on their next drive before turning the ball over on another fourth down. With less than two minutes left in the game, Michigan scored its only touchdown, a 31-yard pass from Warren to sophomore receiver Semaj Morgan.
The score was far too little too late as Texas had made its mark. And with the 31-12 loss, the Wolverines’ impressive string of regular-season victories came to an unceremonious close.
The post Michigan no match for efficient Texas offense in 31-12 beatdown appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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