Utah 24, Michigan 17: Wolverines Sloppy on Offense in Jim Harbaugh's Debut

The Utah Utes spoiled Jim Harbaugh's debut at Michigan, beating the Wolverines by a score of 24-17 in front of the largest crowd in Rice-Eccles Stadium history.

Jake Rudock got the start for the Wolverines at quarterback, going 24-for-43 with 279 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Amara Darboh led the Wolverines in receiving with 8 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Travis Wilson played a solid game for Utah, going 24-for-33 for 208 yards and an interception. He added 12 rushes for 53 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Heisman hopeful running back Devontae Booker had 22 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown and added seven catches for 55 yards.

The story of the game was turnovers. Michigan committed three of them while Utah only had one. The Wolverines had quite a bit of momentum on a handful of drives, but they stalled after handed the Utes the football.

Utah got the scoring started on a 30-yard Andy Phillips field goal with 10:30 seconds left in the first. On the following drive, Michigan was able to get some momentum going before Rudock threw an interception on the Utah 21-yard line.

The Wolverines were able to get on the board on a 29-yard Kenny Allen field goal 47 seconds into the second quarter. Utah responded with an 11 play, 75 yard drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from Booker with 10:33 left in the half. Another Rudock interception and then Phillips missed field goal for Utah left the deficit at 10-3 heading into the locker room.

Michigan started with the ball in the third quarter and went on a 10 play, 49 yard drive, but a missed 44-yard field goal attempt from Allen kept things at 10-3 with 9:58 to play in the third quarter. The Utes took advantage on the ensuing drive with a 14-yard touchdown run from the quarterback Wilson with 5:49 left. A Jake Butt highlight-reel catch gave the Wolverines their first touchdown of the night with 46 seconds left in the third, bringing the score to 17-10.

The momentum started to swing the way of the Wolverines early in the fourth quarter after a missed 46-yard field goal attempt from Phillips, but the third interception of the night by Rudock was returned for a touchdown with 7:58 to go in the game. Michigan was able to get within a score of the Utes with a Rudock touchdown pass to Amara Darboh with 54 seconds to play.

The Wolverines (0-1) will play their home opener against Oregon State at the Big House next Saturday.

This story is developing.