Michigan football vs. East Carolina: Live updates, commentary

Today, Michigan football vs. East Carolina will kick off at noon, officially beginning the Wolverines’ 2023 season. I am here in the press box at Michigan Stadium — follow along for live updates and commentary on the Wolverines’ first game of the year.

It’s game day. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/DXVU8jN9QS

— CJ Mangum (@cjmangum_) September 2, 2023

Michigan football vs. East Carolina — live updates and more

Pregame:

• We covered Michigan’s injury report earlier today, but it appears that a few of the top Wolverine stars are in good shape right now. Rod Moore and Will Johnson — both questionable — are just two of the top players who appear to be moving well on the field right now. No guarantee that they will see meaningful playing time, but they are looking good right now.
• JJ McCarthy and Alex Orji are the two quarterbacks that stand out the most to me during the Wolverines’ passing drills. Davis Warren definitely has an arm as well — I am curious to see who comes in during the later stages of today’s game.
• Kris Jenkins: large human being. That’s it.
• Alex Orji looked good returning kicks as well as at QB. Appears to be a great overall athlete for the Wolverines — which explains why Jim Harbaugh says he is a “secret” weapon.
• Michigan football is about to kick to ECU — Seven Nation Army is playing. It’s officially football season, folks.

First Quarter

• Michigan football forces a three-and-out — Makari Paige (questionable) is in the game.
• Wolverines take over at the 2-yard line after a long punt from ECU.
• Michigan football offense is struggling out of the gate — Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards can’t move the needle at the goal line, Wolverines punt it back to East Carolina.
• BIG PLAY: Mike Sainristil forces the first turnover of the year — he picks off an ECU past, and the Wolverines regain control of the ball at their own 43-yard line.
• The Michigan football offense finally gets some momentum — JJ McCarthy with an incredible pitch and catch to Roman Wilson for a first down.
• TOUCHDOWN: JJ McCarthy makes a move for an impressive touchdown connection with Roman Wilson.
• This Michigan defense can fly. Every run play, everyone is flocking to the football and hitting hard. Great early sign for the Wolverines.
• Of Michigan’s first three series on offense, two have been from within the Wolverines’ own 10-yard line. East Carolina is really pinning U-M deep right now.
• JJ McCarthy and Roman Wilson are cooking right now, and that might even be an understatement. Great things from the offense after one quarter.
• END OF Q1: Michigan football 7, East Carolina 0.

Second Quarter

• Blake Corum rips a MASSIVE run to start the second quarter. Michigan football picks up 39 yards and moves to the ECU 2-yard line.
• TOUCHDOWN: Blake Corum pushing in for a touchdown. Michigan leads 14-0.
• After a quiet first half, Blake Corum needed that big run and touchdown. More positive movement for the Wolverines’ offense, which appears to be shaking off some rust right now.
• East Carolina slipped a run outside there — not the best edge set by the defense. Wolverines go from first and long to second and four, which is less than ideal.
• BIG PLAY: Another interception for Michigan football. New transfer Josh Wallace records a pick during his first half of football as a Wolverine. *UPDATE: it got called back and ruled incomplete.
• ECU has to punt… again. Michigan football defense continues to impress.
• JJ McCarthy continues to impress — he is making some insane throws right now. *UPDATE: JJ McCarthy continues to make throw after throw. Impressive stuff from the junior QB.
• TOUCHDOWN: JJ McCarthy finds Roman Wilson… Again!
• An impressive first half for Michigan football, who had a lot of rust to knock off. Best player of the game so far has been quarterback JJ McCarthy, which is great news for the Wolverine offense right now. He is 15 of 15 since two early incompletions.
• HALF: Michigan 23, East Carolina 0

Michigan football vs. East Carolina — second half

Third Quarter

• The Michigan football offense is wasting no time getting back to it. JJ McCarthy has completed 17 straight now and is playing out of his mind.
• Another touchdown connection for JJ McCarthy and Roman Wilson. It really seems like Wilson is going to be WR1 this year.
• The offense has been really impressive since the first few minutes, but the defense has been the best part of the game so far for Michigan football.
• Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum are playing well, but it’s odd seeing Michigan football not have an elite running game. Today has been JJ’s game all the way.
• That fumble was disappointing but ultimately won’t be a huge deal.
• Two new QBs are warming up — Jack Tuttle and Davis Warren.

Fourth Quarter

• Davis Warren comes into the game at quarterback. The student section is voicing their displeasure with the state of Ohio right now.
• Some mistakes piling up at the end of the drive there — it’s only the backups, but feels very disappointing to come away with nothing. Score remains 30-0 Michigan football.
• A good 4th down stop for Michigan football keeps ECU off the board — for the time being, the shutout is still alive.
• Davis Warren is still in the game — looks like he will be QB2 this year.
• Overall, the defense was far better than I thought it would be. At the same time, even though JJ McCarthy was fantastic, I’d like to see more from the Michigan football offense next weekend.

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