Michigan football grades vs. Texas: Brutal performances on offense ...

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Davis Warren: 'Standard hasn't changed' after Michigan loss to Texas

Michigan Wolverines quarterback Davis Warren said the reigning national championship team's "standard hasn't changed" after losing 31-12 to Texas.

Free Press sports writer Jared Ramsey grades Michigan football on a scale of A to F after the Wolverines' 31-12 loss to Texas on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor:

Offense: D

If it weren’t for two field goal drives and a Davis Warren touchdown pass in garbage time, Michigan would have gotten an "F," done in by self-inflicted mistakes and an inability to sustain drives. The Wolverines turned the ball over three times, twice in the first half and once in the second, and finished with 284 yards. 

In his second career start, Warren struggled. The senior quarterback completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Michigan could not push the ball downfield with the passing game, and Warren had accuracy issues. In the second quarter, he delivered a pass high to Tyler Morris which was tipped and intercepted with Michigan trailing, 14-3. And when the offense was in desperation mode, down 31-6 late in the third quarter, he tried to fit a pass over the middle to Colston Loveland, but the tight end didn't turn around Texas’ defense read it the whole way. 

Loveland finished as the top target again with eight catches for 70 yards, but was also responsible for Michigan’s third turnover. He knocked the ball out of his own hands while trying to tuck it after securing a catch.  

Michigan’s running game was held to 80 yards on 23 carries. Donovan Edwards had 41 yards on eight carries as the lead back while Kalel Mullings added 25 yards. Michigan added a touchdown on the final drive with less than two minutes left on a 30-yard pass to Semaj Morgan on a deep crossing route.

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Defense: D-plus

The Longhorns had no issues with Michigan’s vaunted defense. The Longhorns scored on five of their nine possessions, including four of five first-half possessions, and outgained Michigan by 105 yards, including a 190-yard gap at halftime. Texas picked up 19 first downs, converted 10 of 16 third down attempts, and did not have to punt until the second half.

Michigan’s defensive line could not generate a push on the line of scrimmage, giving quarterback Quinn Ewers time to deliver strikes downfield. Michigan did not record a sack or force a turnover. The Wolverines did have four tackles for loss but gave up 143 rushing yards, mostly after contact. Ewers navigated through the pocket to extend plays and find receivers in scramble-drill situations, which led to big plays deep.

Ewers finished completing 24 of 26 passes for 246 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers. He frequently found tight end Gunnar Helm and carved out space in the middle of Michigan’s defense for seven catches, 98 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond created space against Michigan’s man coverage on the outside to create plays downfield. 

The Longhorns gained 279 yards, picked up 15 first downs and converted eight of 10 third-down plays in the first half while jumping out to a 24-3 lead, accelerated by Michigan's turnovers. The foot came off the pedal in the second half as Texas managed the lead. The Longhorns punted on every second-half possession outside of one touchdown drive sparked by a 55-yard reverse.

Special teams: B

Tommy Doman’s first punt only had a net distance of 28 yards after the ball took a hard bounce backward, leading to a short field on Texas’ first touchdown drive. Dominic Zvada did his job in his lone opportunities, hitting a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter and then a 52-yard field goal in the third. Michigan picked up 79 all-purpose yards on four kickoff returns mainly handled by Jordan Marshall, while Morgan fielded Texas’ two punts.

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Coaching: C

Sherrone Moore picked up his first loss as head coach, including his time last season as interim coach. Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell had some wrinkles to pick up easy yards, but the overall offensive game plan with Michigan’s personnel did not test Texas’ defense. Wink Martindale’s defense kept trying to find ways to slow down Ewers and Texas, but could not create enough pressure to disrupt the passing game. Michigan was penalized just four times for 30 yards.

But ultimately, the Wolverines looked outmatched from the jump. 

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22, and email him at jramsey@freepress.com.