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Michigan Football: Utes Spoil Coming Out Party for Harbaugh, Wolverines

By Alex Kolodziej

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If Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh planned on celebrating amid pleasantry under the crisp, Salt Lake City evening, the Utah Utes would spoil those plans.

And it took mere moments for Utah to establish its dominance en route to a 24-17 victory.

Utes running back Devontae Booker may have served as public enemy No. 1 for Michigan’s defense coming into the contest, but quarterback Travis Wilson labored a plethora of his additional skill players the opening series, ultimately jumping out of the floodgates to a quick 3-0 lead, Andy Phillips connecting on a field goal just minutes in.

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For a team that concluded 2014 with a -16 turnover margin, the Wolverines certainly picked up right where they left off. While Jake Rudock would saunter onto the field as the Wolverine signal caller, he appeared poised to answer Utah’s opening drive; that would subsequently be nullified by a Cody Butler-Byrd interception deep into Utes territory. Rudock culminated Thursday night with three interceptions, including a cherry-on-top pick six midway through the fourth quarter.

In regards to the tailback slot, a channel that most were anxious to witness who would receive time in the backfield, Harbaugh implemented three different backs in the initial offensive possession: De’veon Smith, Derrick Green and Ty Isaac.

Once Rudock settled down in drive number two, he opted for the dink and dunk, frequently hitting tight end Jake Butt and Amara Darboh with quick strikes. Placekicker Kenny Allen would knot the score at 3 late in the first quarter.

Wilson would halt any momentum in the following drive, flashing both his legs and arm, finding freshman wide receiver Britain Covey on a crossing pattern. That would set up Booker for a 1-yard scamper into the endzone, increasing the Utes’ lead to 10-3.

More miscues would hinder the Wolverines late in the second quarter, as Rudock tossed his second interception of the first half, and by that time, Michigan fans grew weary. Chants of Shane Morris flurried over social media, the Maize and Blue faithful growing restless.

Harbaugh’s faith in Rudock was all but imminent as the Iowa transferred continued to handle snaps as the second half broke open, but what appeared a sudden jolt of momentum was quickly inverted, as Kenny Allen would push a 44-yard field goal attempt wide right.

Once the ball was handed over to Utah, it was more Wilson and Covey, and the former would hit paydirt on a 14-yard quarterback keeper, stretching the lead to 14. Red towels waved, the confines erupted in cheer, and Alex Smith heads hoisted all throughout Rice-Eccles stadium.

Upon hitting Butt in double coverage for a score, Rudock and the Wolverines would cut the lead to a touchdown, and once Andy Phillips hooked a 46-yard field goal wide left the next Utah possession, the shift in momentum was gradually tiptoeing its way towards the Michigan sideline.

But a shade over eight minutes remaining, Rudock would fail to look off his receiver, subsequently throwing a pick six to seal the game for Whittingham and Utes.

Sep 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock (15) takes a snap against the Utah Utes in the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Rudock would add a late touchdown pass to Darboh with 54 seconds on the clock, but a failed onside kick would send the Wolverines packing for a long ride back to Ann Arbor.

For a kid that threw five interceptions on 345 attempts in 2014, Rudock appeared rattled throughout much of the game; but that shouldn’t belittle the defensive talent in Salt Lake City. They dialed up pressure at the right time, and once  Rudock failed to execute, the secondary did.

Bright spots? Absolutely. Jake Butt should be a mismatch nightmare for any opponent that measures up with Michigan, and wide receiver Amara Darboh stepped up immensely between the hash marks. There’s a wide gap for someone to step up at receiver, whether that be Grant Perry, Brian Cole, or perhaps another young wideout.

Listen, it’s a reformation. You can’t build a house with matchsticks, and those that yearn for an immediate rebuild are in over their heads. Utah’s stature should also not go for naught: it’s a top-tier program.

For Harbaugh, he’ll patiently wait to earn his stripes next weekend when Oregon State strolls over to the Big House.

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