It took about 84 minutes, but Michigan finally took its first lead in a football game coached by Jim Harbaugh with just over four minutes until reaching halftime against Oregon State in Ann Arbor. De’Veon Smith‘s short touchdown run gave Michigan a 10-7 lead. Now we need to see if the Wolverines can pick up the first win under their new head coach. Michigan leads 17-7 at the half thanks to some poor special teams play from the visiting Oregon State Beavers.
The turning point fo the game may have come on a bizarre sequence late in the first half. Oregon State looked to have pinned the Wolverines back at their two-yard line late in the half, but a penalty called on Oregon State forced to punt once more. This time though the snap sailed over the head of Nick Porebski, and the ball was recovered by Michigan at the Oregon State three-yard line. A couple of plays later Smith pushed forward for his second touchdown of the half as Michigan took a 17-7 lead.
Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock has been dependable for the Wolverines offense, though big plays have not been the formula for the most part. Rudock has completed 11 of 15 pass attempts for 91 yards, and he has been taken down behind the line of scrimmage. Smith has led the way on the ground with 73 rushing yards so far.
Late in the half we got our first real glimpse of Harbaugh’s rage factor when Michigan was called for a roughing the punter penalty (the punter was outside the tackle box). Harbaugh was none too pleased with the call on the field by the officials. There will be more of this in the future for Wolverine fans.Something’s wrong with Jim Harbaugh. pic.twitter.com/gz47ybfPOi
— Athlon Sports (@AthlonSports) September 12, 2015
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Oregon State took an early lead on the Wolverines just minutes into the game. Seth Collins completed a pass to Hunter Jarmon for a 21-yard touchdown play for the early lead.