Michigan Football vs. Fresno State | Week 1 simulation | EA Sports College Football 25

the Victor's valot the Conquering Heroes and they call home the big house bathed in Maze and blue welcome to an arbor home of the Michigan Wolverines there's just something about the night cap after a day of wall toall football it just seems this is when chaos ensues as we'll see a squad from the Mountain West the Fresno State Bulldogs taking on the ninth ranked team in the land the Michigan Wolverines for EA Sports college football Reese Davis with you alongside David Po and Jesse Palmer time to get this game started Fresno State will kick it off and we will be underway he'll bring it out it's Morgan not a lot of space to be found good Hustle by the coverage team and they stop him at the 21 the Wolverines offense takes the field for the first time today and here's the man they rally around and he has earned that type of respect David you dang right you earn it by doing it and he's done it at such a high level everyone believes in this young man in Palmer there's a reason why you're right David he's been in the big moments and he's won the big games this guy delivers when the game is on the line how about that play by the speed back we hear about speed backs and he's not the guy that runs in between the tackles but let me tell you something when you're trying to catch a guy like that and you're running full speed with everything you have a lot of times you're just trying to get him to the ground and you're not trying to put a good shot on and then all of a sudden they're breaking tackles great job by that young man right back to the well and the running back didn't get much there nice job by the defense you can tell they're focused in on this running back on this run game being physical getting knockbacks and limiting his carries picked up two yards on that last one they need eight on second down leaves it with the back pretty good effort on that one to work his way up to the 42 I think you run that play so you stay out of third and long third and long is not where an offense ever wants to thrive third and medium hey I'm good with that so you run that play to make sure you're set up for a good third down come to the line at the 42 facing a third and short they'll try to get the first through the air catch in the middle it's Lin and the defense makes the immediate tackle but he has enough for the first down David that is a great security blanket for a quarterback to have a tight end to make those conversions dang right find the big fella on Third and short Dependable clutch nice hands first down the Wolverines are flying down the field the pull and throw off the RPO and good coverage by the defense just a short gain great play by the cornerback he was just way too physical at the point of attack he beat his man trying to block him and he tackled that receiver on the screen here comes the offense on second down from the gun to G looking for room and a good solid pick up for the defense Cuts him down I know the passing game sells the passing game is exciting but it's not exciting to get five or six yards a pop on the ground but it will be very successful and here comes play number six of the drive they'll try to run for it you know they Pride themselves on being and physical at the point of attack dominated at the line of scrimmage nice job there picking up the first down and the Wolverines getting set on First and 10 they're getting this guy lathered up really nice stop there from this senior leader that's a really good job by the defense wrapping him up getting him on the ground take away that run game make them onedimensional put him in passing situations really good job by the defense after picking up a couple at second and eight to the ground with the back they trying to send a message with this running game he stopped after a pick up of four to the 33 I think they called that knowing they weren't going to hit a home run so why would you call it then well you call it so third down becomes an easier down it's not third and long where I have to pass the football now all options on the table motion from the offense looking for a man it's Warren hes to the wide out and a missed opportunity on third down as the defense knocks it free and fourth down is coming up third and short in college football today you see so much more pass than you used to the offense stays aggressive and I think they stay aggressive because they know they're in field goal range they got that three in their back pocket it's fourth down and they'll try the field goal he bomed it through a 50yd field goal showing off that powerful back well this team knew coming into tonight's game they had to get momentum early playing at home they want to get the crowd into it so you get a beautiful drive here to start this thing you would have liked to cap it off with the touchdown but listen set yourself up for a field goal you not get through the uprights youve got the lead everything right now looking good they were able to get a field goal on the board and now they'll kick it away and he'll just take a knee and this drive will start at the 25 so Fresno State offense will take the field for the first time as we take a look at our impact players for this game David what do you look for to make an impact from your leaders your leaders not only have to lead the football team but they got to step up and make plays on the field keep everybody calm these guys typically do a really good job yeah David and they also generally set the tone for their respective football teams regardless of which side of the ball they play on the teammates look towards them to step up in big games like this this crowd full throat splitting the eard drums and letting him know it's going to be a long day and he surges up to the 36y line and they'll move the chain well it's an offense that Prides thems on being physical no mystery there you need one yard turn around hand it off let him go to work now from the 36 yd line it's first and 10 they'll give it to him again not a whole lot of room there three yards maybe second and seven and offenses want to continue to feature the Run they want balance even if it's not super successful you can take it little bit at a time just to keep that defense honest got three on first down it's second and seven they'll give it to the back and the defense snows him under after a very short gain third down coming they have it at the 43 third and short trying to avoid making a decision on fourth down dropping back it's ke pass is incomplete but a lot of contact there I think it's going to be pass interference and a first down and the defender just way too handsy on that last play you could see all the contact as the ball was in the air can't do it in the referee's C leaves it with the back and he didn't have a whole lot of operating room after the Juke not much room to run we reached the end of the period and Michigan has the lead guys let's have a look at the stats as we've played one period [Music] [Applause] and they've swapped into the field and we'll get it going in the second went to the running game on first down now here they come again the give to the tailback able to pick his way forward for a decent game before the defense gets him down and a nice job by the running back finding space getting downhill making the good run great job finishing with his pads decb Rising as the crowd Gets behind this defense on third down they'll try to bully their way for the first slammed to the ground but not before he gets the first down this is an offense that really sees their identity as being able to run the football nice job there picking up the first down Fresno State moving it quickly down the field trying to surprise him with the pass complete in the middle they get him down but this offense is set up first and goal from the nine and I love the awareness by the wide receiver on that play because I'm not sure that route was supposed to be that deep you got to wonder if the receiver decided maybe to adjust the route a little bit to make sure that he got the first down Fresno State lines up with a first and goal goal dropping back it's Keem he's got it and he wanted to score badly but the defense wrestles him down at the two nice job by the quarterback there throwing the hitch route against Zone coverage you can't stare at him if you do that and you allow the flat Defender to get underneath it and that might be a pick six so really good job by the quarterback there using his eyes to manipulate the defense there going to run it and he takes it in for the score touchdown bulldogs and he's no secret about lineup and goal line formation I'm going to run the ball down your throat my guys are more physical than you six points on the play getting set for the point after for the exra point and the extra point is good and it's a four-point lead that drive covered 62 yds for the touchdown and finished the deal with the short touchdown run from the two kickoff team is on the field they'll try to drive this one deep here he comes from inside his own five couldn't find a way to create that broken field as he stopped at the 25 Michigan ready to get that offense rolling again you want to talk about having a weapon to bail out a drive David that's why kickers are so important after that long field goal and listen important is a relative term we need to make longer passes and get better Gams so we don't have to kick long field goals Palmer again on offense and they've got the weapons to do that David they just got to be able to dial those plays up guys have to be able to make them one-on-one to make life easier on this kicker who is so important to this team the running back has it they pushed it out to the 39 after picking up five you put on that Wing helmet and the one thing you want to do is establish the running game no matter who the coach is no matter who the players are it's a tradition it's physicality that's how they built this brand at Michigan and I think no matter who's there it's going to be how they continue to build on that tradition from the gun running back on the Move able to scr three yards out of that one somehow it's second and seven you know runs like this often times are like a boxer in a boxing match obviously it's not a knockout punch but these are body blows and as the game goes on these small gains are going to turn into longer runs after the three- yd pickup they come to the line Second and seven running back searching for a hole at the 45 on it way the express way is wide open and he runs it in for the score touchdown Wolverine there's a reason they call this dude a big play maker moments just like that one big time playmaker can make plays all over the field from all different spots that's why you got to find ways to give him touches as much as possible is going to make it happen lining up to tack one more onto that lead and the extra point gives him a three-point lead at 10 to S quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and they finished it off on the ground with a 58 y for six about to kick it off after punching it in for the touchdown and he hauls it in and everybody's on the edge of their seats really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 Fresno State takes over and the offense will go back to work David they' love to do what they did last time and put this one in the end zone you ain't lying they did a great job the offense was clicking everything went well Palo they executed and got the touchdown and they really were in a nice Rhythm as well and I'd love to see that here on the next drive too just keep doing what you're doing everything seems to be working and you seem to have this defense on their heels that completion leaves us with second and medium going to the ground not much doing there he gets it to the 26 a gain of one the Run game just has not been working for this offense all game long we saw it on that last play as well just not getting enough push up front on the offensive line they haven't been physical enough facing a third down and short from the 26 wants to throw it's Keem looking deep snags it on the right that'll get the job done and move the chains and they'll Mark the ball at the 45 and what a massive play for the offense not only getting the football across the 50 but they've now put themselves in position to steal a few more points here before the half the clock is not their friend got to get everybody to the line quickly he's going to pass getting some heat Fire's on the move all kinds of room to throw that one in there and chunk plays are the name of the game and they get one here before the defense finally makes the Stop and the Bulldogs will will line it up on First and 10 from the Red Zone looking for a receiver slings it downfield got it down to the three yd line and that's where they'll have it first and goal and that's a really good example of why offensive coordinators script plays you know the down and distance and you know which routes can get you to the stick so there's no waste of time that coordinator got the play in early to his quarterback knowing that his players were going to be able to ex snagged In The End Zone touchdown Fresno State touchdown man I just love the execution by this offense late in the half man you want to take the lead you want to get that momentum on your side and they do it they finish it with the passing game and I tell you what keep that passing game up you can keep this lead keep the momentum and keep putting up numbers [Applause] they'll try to add another to their lead and the extra point is good and it's a four-point lead so that scoring Drive took only six plays and they finish it up with a three yd scoring toss they got the late touchdown on the board now about to kick it away and hoping the defense can keep them from answering the returner will feeli it and try to set up his offense in great field position and they'll bring him down to get the offense started on the next drive and now the offense will come onto the field again going up top on first down complete to the right a timeout is called as this offense tries to find a way to get more points on the board before the half now on first down from the 20 back to throw it's Warren finds a tie end he's brought down quickly minimal gain there still a bit short of the first down here's a Timeout on the field tight game here late in the first half right on target with that last pass now it's second and medium he's looking to throw he's got it and it is a chunk play a huge gain on that one before for the defense brings it to an end and as a quarterback when you're facing man coverage you've got to find your best one-on-one matchup that receiver did a tremendous job quickness changing direction out of his break able to create separation there was no freshing the quarterback was going to Target that receiver on that point and listen you get Zone coverage and you can hit that Cur route and he comes open continually keep hitting it this might be a play to come back to just inside the 30 at the 29 it's first and 10 he wants to throw and that's just a flat misfire not even close to his receiver and that's a really good decision by the quarterback don't take the sack throw the ball away now listen we can debate whether that was intentional grounding or not because he's still in the pocket I'm not sure that that's not classified as grounding but they didn't call it so you know what nice throw away on second down they'll try the field goal to get the points before halftime it is [Applause] good so they get the late field goal right before before the half and not much time after this kickoff for an answer from inside his own 10 he'll try to help out their field position and the coverage team gets the returner on the ground under a minute to play here in the first half and the offense will take a knee and that is how we'll wrap up the first half that's the end of the second quarter that means it's time to join Kevin and our halftime upd guys tough to beat the pageantry and quality of play so far today in Arbor and it's been said football is a game of inches and guess what based on the comparison between third down conversion rate today and the average yard per play how can you argue that I mean the low-lying fruit is to look at some of the explosive plays we've seen in panic but really this game is going to come down to which team is more efficient when they have the ball and how they play when it matters most and with that let's send it back to the guys in the big house the Wolverines will kick it away to crank up the second half and he takes this from inside the five he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic but they get him on the ground at the 20 here comes the Fresno State offense onto the field they had this lead to start the third quarter because of the pass passing game didn't get a lot done on the ground they did and the pressure gets there and down he goes at the 18 what a great play winning one-on-one getting home and getting a sack and that kind of effort is going to get the big house fired up these 100,000 plus Michigan wolvy fans are on their feet screaming because of that dominant play right there coming from their D line will see if they can get a little better protection after the sack it's second and 12 scanning the field it's ke throws to the wide out got a man in the middle makes the tackle at the 32 but they were backed up inside they 20 and they pick up 15 I'll tell you what that's great execution between the QB and receiver they look like they could execute that throw in their sleep quarterback took his steps threw it on time great route by the receiver nice job securing the catch with a first down they'll snap it from the 32 he's looking to throw it fires to the big fella he was not going to be denied discarding tacklers running behind his pads and finally down at the 40 a nice job by the defense there tackling the catch and smothering the tight end they know this offense is going to try to find him in the passing game in a lot of different situations that time perfect coverage and nice job bringing the big guy down not easy to do from the gun give on the inside One Step wrap two-step squeeze this junior knows how to get him on the ground third ball is at the 42 yd line close to four down territory here's third and short looking to throw for it and they can't make the connection on third down and I like the aggressiveness on Third and short trying to throw the football take advantage of a look that they got they weren't successful and now it's Fourth and short territory who knows what they're going to do Fresno State will have to plant it away first time today we've seen a punter go to work he'll bring it back it's Morgan he'll get it to about the 25 before they put a stop to the return guys Here Come Those Maze and blue winged helmets on offense they'll try the Run crosses the 30 to the 31 A6 yd gain well this offense came into the game knowing they wanted to be physical they wanted to establish the line of scrimmage and they're running downhill right at this defense and they're turning out positive yardage early six- yd pickup on first down leaves him with second and four back to throw it's Warren unloads to the wide out he's got an open man a huge play and they get it all the way to the 45 yd line we talk a lot about Michigan building its offense around the running game but they've always had an effective quarterback who can make plays down the field and I think some people he effective Reese and and take that as an insult right like I don't want to hear about my quarterback being effective I want him to be explosive I want him to be dynamic but Michigan doesn't really have those guys most of the time at that quarterback spot but when they find those good ones they have great seasons and a nice second effort by the back to break a tackle but how about those defensive backs willing to come up stick their face in the fan and make a tackle those are the best run defenses too right it's not just D linman and linebackers getting all the plays but it's DBS that are willing to not just cover but tackle backs in the open field trying to get to him that pass is incomplete and they're probably fortunate that it wasn't not free for a fumble and finally the defense is able to get some pressure on this quarterback they had been trying all game long different ways to affect him weren't able to get there but on that play because of the pressure it affected his accuracy and that's why the ball Falls incomplete on Third and long trying to have a a big completion here makes the catch it's Morgan just carving up this defense and getting it down to the 24 well look that wasn't a touchdown that was a massive play for this offense they needed some momentum they needed to find a rhythm in what better way than converting on third down awesome job by the quarterback getting through his progression and the Wolverines are moving quickly down the field they'll put the tight end in motion to the air it's Warren and the pass to the sideline will'll pick up a short game this defense is going to have to be careful not only do they have to worry about this guy running the football but they've got to keep their eye on him when he runs routes to he is a versatile bat after that last completion it's second down he's looking to throw caught in the back field it's Edwards he's really close to that first down marker but they stop him just a bit short I want to get my running backs the ball in space as much as possible and sometimes it doesn't work in the running game but I can throw it to him I can try to create some space out wide dump him the the football let him make some catches and see if I can't get some big plays out of on Third and short they'll go to the power running game he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple you want to bring in your tight ends you want to bring in more beef for that offensive line I'm going to bring in more beef nice job by the defense understanding the situation Red Zone field shrinks I need more bigger Personnel on the field some big guys that can stop the run played the Run well great job by the defense understanding the situation that thing would have hit a string in the middle of the uprights perfect and guys after the field goal now they have the lead [Music] [Applause] after putting up a three spot the kickoff unit set to go he'll bring it back from inside is five nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 Fresno State takes over and the offense will go back to work out of the gun the inside handoff looking for a creep he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three and defense nowadays they don't look at stats of what is the yards per rush they look at how many negative plays they can create cuz why now you look at second down man it just became very predictable for this offense nice job creting the loss on first down hand off to the single back he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three great job by the defense everybody firing off the ball hitting their guys holding their gaps running to the football nowhere to [Applause] go we reached the end of the period and Michigan has the lead they've built a cushion they've got a nice lead now the task is finish the deal as you take a look at the third quarter [Music] steps not only is the scoreboard on their side but so too is time as we open the fourth on Third and long he'll need to loosen up that arm gets it out quickly and sure tackling there to keep him from getting to the first down marker this offense has their work cut out for him man because the coverage has been so tight and if you're not throwing to the sideline or you're not getting past the sticks this defense is going to tackle you inbounds like they just did on that last play and bleed the clock do no state will have to punt this will be the second time they've had to kick it away Dan is away again and the return man has no place to run no place to hide and a place to be tackled and here comes the Michigan offense back on the field a quick pass to the left they get him down after he makes the catch this quarterback right now is in a Groove and he's doing a nice job in Prest snap he's reading the cover and he's getting an idea of where he wants to go with the football that's why the ball's coming out of his hands so quickly that's why he seems like he's in a great R right and now on second down for this offense on the ground it's Edwards tackled after picking up the first down well the defense didn't Blitz they didn't have everybody in gaps and the offensive line took advantage at the point of attack getting some push opening up a hole and the offense ripping off a nice run there it's first and 10 they've moved it to the 41 might as well give it to him again he's run out of bounds but not before turning in a big pick up and moving the sticks for a first down right away after picking up the first down they go right back to their playmaker at running back and I love the push they got up front getting a hat on a hat opening a huge hole for the bat and you become so hard to defend when you can run the football successfully on first down you're starting like that now what opens up play action now you're making me play pass and run this offense and they can create that run physicality now it opens up everything else and there's a great example of living to play another day QB in the pocket nobody open throw it out of bounds last play didn't go as planned now second and 10 from the 26 looking to pass it's Warren fires left he's got takes it to the house touchdown Michigan one of the reasons this offense is so exciting to watch they've got guys that are dangerous after the catch if this quarterback gets through his progression David HS you in stride these guys will take it to the house man it's your job to do the rest right you hit me in stride where I don't have to stop running I don't have to break down it makes it so easy the connection between quarterback wide receiver you can tell this is a good one and that's why they got six on that play lining up to tack one more onto that lead and the extra point is good and the lead is nine here in the fourth a very efficient five play score scoring drive and they finish the deal with a 26 yd touchdown pass kickoff team has the ball teed up in there about ready to go he'll start the return inside his five didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 here comes the Fresno State offense onto the field it's a draw they knock him down but not before he gets it out to the 21 yd line pick up a four I think one of the hardest things to do is stick to the run when it's not working but it's Those runs right there that the reason why you have to do it right you can't get two one dimensional keep slipping Those runs in there keep getting a little bit of positive yards next thing you know you look up and you might break one of those after you got them a little bit tired complete downfield and they'll move the chains and get it to the 47 yd Line This Is The Moment for this offense to put a drive together it does doesn't matter what's happened up to the point of this game but you're trailing right now you got to put some points up on the board this is where all 11 guys need to be playing together as one the Bulldogs want to crank the tempo they'll throw it on first down gets rid of it I don't think that's the way they drew it up incomplete didn't connect last time let's see if they throw it again on second down looking to throw it's Keem got rid of it just in time that pass is incomplete and they might be fortunate it wasn't knock free for a fumble it'll be third down yeah this offense might want to think about moving the launch point for this QB because if you take hits like that from the pocket it's really tough to complete passes these fans stepping up to help this defense on third down they keep attacking through the air they get to him as he throws picked off and they'll drag him down after a good return on the interception that's why you love veterans in this defense they stay locked in on their rules and he made the pick [Music] [Applause] Michigan ready to get that offense rolling again really good balance on that last Drive they mixed it up all over the place Jesse yeah how nice too to have the defense on their heels because at this point they don't know what's coming at them they had problem stopping everything that last drive so I think this defense would come back with a little more aggressiveness I mean they let them have what they wanted now they got to dictate to this offense a little bit more time is on their side and they're going to wind that play clock all the way down they'll try to keep this clock moving on the ground and they'll stop him after a minimal pick up linebackers shuffling around trying to keep the quarterback from getting a read we reached the two-minute warning and this offense is that much closer to salting away a victory big third down play here if they get a stop you'll see an immediate timeout looking down field it's Warren tight end finds a soft spot quick timeout called by the defense stopping the clach to save as much time as possible for their offense it's all about critical downs and distances on defense you want to be great unit defensively you've got to be good on third down and in the red zone for this defense giving up a third down like that that is just a gut punch after 20 he's got space timeout called there by by the defense desperate to get the ball back and save as much time as possible no mystery on that play with the lead we are going to run the ball you know it's coming and we are running right at you right into the teeth of the defense and they're still able to get a nice game a solid pick up there before the defense is able to make the stop defense uses a timeout quickly trying to get that ball back and preserve time for their offense going to work in the Zone they can't pick up the first down without getting it into the end zone looking for space it's Edwards touchdown Wolverines and they take it in for six more points and you know late in the games offenses sometimes get conservative when they got the lead and they got the ball I love this offense they were aggressive they got another score added to the lead now you're trying to Salt this game away two-point conversion attempt is on the way trying to slam in he's not going to make it stop short of the go goal line and they are unable to extend this lead any further score 29 about to kick it away after scoring the [Applause] touchdown kick the returner will field it and bring it back just never had a chance to shake loose and he'll be brought down at the 24 Fresno State takes over and the offense will go back to work boy they hope this next Drive is more productive after throwing a pick last time Jesse Yeah and the coach has did a good job on the sideline there just talking to the Young quarterback and making sure he's able to turn the page calm him down to go out and refocus the drive yeah and some people do that better than others but you got to show some trust in him maybe get the ground game going help around him a little bit with this system clock is still running and they have to get everybody lined up to the air it's Keem they get enough rush and it pays off the sack at the 20 you know for this quarterback late in the game you just need to have a better concept of the situation can't take sacks at this juncture and I know that the play gets thrown off the timing's off and you're forced to roll out but if nobody's open either run the ball get what you can get out of bounds or throw that thing away can't take negative plays at this point can't make the connection on third down thanks to that tough hard noosed pass defense and now it's fourth down after that incompletion fourth and long now on your own side of the field you're trailing in the fourth quarter what's your go-to play call here in the passing game where is the matchup that you trust in to come up with a big one to give yourself a chance to stay alive and win this game on fourth down looking to pass and that pass picked off no real chance on the return but they've got it at the 34 and that's a really good job by the defense understanding the situation of football it's fourth down it's late in the game you got a multi-p possession lead take away all the Deep stuff make them Force the football into coverage they do and they stamp this game running out the clock seems to be a mere formality here as they are ready to snap it in Victory formation and with things in their favor on the scoreboard the qub back's favorite play in The Playbook the old kneel down from Victory formation [Music] for [Music] [Music] [Music]