ESPN.com · Sep 2, 2017
Michigan defense helps Wolverines handle growing pains
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The youngest team in college football has the goods to defend against some growing pains.
Not one of the 11 defenders that started Michigan’s first game in 2016 were on the field for Saturday’s first snap at AT&T Stadium. The defense’s only returning starter, captain Mike McCray, missed the first series, but he and the rest of the Wolverines’ front seven picked up right where the Big Ten’s best defense left off last year. They held No. 17 Florida to 154 total yards (only 21 on the ground) and kept the Gator offense from scoring after an opening-drive field goal.