Fansided

Utah Utes defeat Michigan Wolverines 24-17 final score: Harbaugh loses UM debut

By Cody Williams

Sep 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Kenneth Scott (2) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines cornerback Channing Stribling (8) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) in the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Kenneth Scott (2) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines cornerback Channing Stribling (8) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) in the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines couldn’t get it done against the Utah Utes

Jim Harbaugh’s return to college football started off with a loss as the Michigan Wolverines fell to the Utah Utes in Rice-Eccles Stadium by a final score of 24-17. Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock, who won the starting job over Shane Morris, turned in a lackluster performance in his first start as he threw three interceptions on the evening, including a pick-six with Michigan only trailing by a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Rudock’s errors are certainly at the forefront of the minds of Michigan fans after the loss in the season-opener.

Rudock’s issues, however, highlight the bigger problem for Michigan in this game in that they allowed the Utes to gain a sizeable lead. With Rudock and a mediocre offense, that was something the Wolverines couldn’t afford in this game. The Wolverines defense could not allow Utah to jump ahead by more than one score to have a hope of getting a win. While the Michigan defense played well at times, including limiting Heisman hopeful running back Devontae Booker on the ground, but it was the dual-threat of Utah quarterback Travis Wilson that the Wolverines couldn’t contain. Wilson wasn’t perfect, but his play-fakes and ability to take off helped the Utes gain a two-score lead that Harbaugh and Michigan weren’t able to ever recover from.

Three Stars

1. Utah quarterback Travis Wilson went 24-33 for 208 yards and one interception through the air while rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts.

2. Michigan tight end Jake Butt caught eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown on an incredible grab and the highlight of the night from this game.

3. Utah’s Justin Thomas recorded the 55-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that sealed the game for the Utes.

Odds

Utah was favored by 4.5 points in this game, a spread which was covered with the seven-point victory for the Utes. Although the late score by Michigan made it close, the game hit the under as the over/under was set at 46 points.

Next Week

Utah will look to stay undefeated next week on Friday, September 11 at 9 p.m. ET as they take on in-state rivals, the Utah State Aggies, again at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT

Michigan and Harbaugh will look to rebound from their losing start next Saturday, September 12 as they play their first home game of the season in Ann Arbor, MI with the Oregon State Beavers coming into town. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET.

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