Michigan football spoke of how it planned to expand its passing game.
If Saturday's season-opener against East Carolina was a chance to send that message, it came through loud and clear. Even with coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore absent from Michigan Stadium (serving program-imposed suspensions in relation to an on-going NCAA investigation into recruiting violations), the Wolverines appeared in midseason form.
J.J. McCarthy completed 26 of 30 passes for 280 yards and three scores, all to newly anointed No. 1 wide receiver Roman Wilson as part of his six-catch, 78-yard performance while Blake Corum ran in a score and the defense nearly pitched a shutout as No. 2 Michigan football hammered East Carolina, 30-3, to kick off the 2023 season.
Sherrone Moore was also serving a one-game suspension related to the investigation. That didn't seem to slow down the Wolverines, including McCarthy, who threw for 280 yards and three touchdown passes in the win.
Harbaugh and Moore, according to McCarthy, watched Saturday's game together as they served their suspensions.
The team's Harbaugh tribute carried over to the game. Before calling their first offensive play, Michigan's entire starting offense held up four fingers as a way to acknowledge Harbaugh.
NCAA investigation after he allegedly held meetings with two recruits during a COVID-19 dead period. Harbaugh is also accused of texting a recruit outside a contact period. Harbaugh was reportedly dishonest when questioned by the NCAA about those violations. The NCAA's investigation is still ongoing, and Harbaugh could face further punishment once it concludes.
Michigan coaches will get a chance to lead the team. Harbaugh named four different coaches who will serve as the team's head coach while he's suspended. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will coach the team against East Carolina on Saturday.
The offense picked up in the second half where it left off in the first, with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, again punctuated with a McCarthy-to-Wilson connection on third and long with a perfect pass to the back corner of the end zone.
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