Michigan football Week 1: Best, worst performers against Utah

DETROIT – As most of the college football world hits the field for the first time on Saturday, Jim Harbaugh and his staff hit the film room to break down Michigan's first game of the season: A 24-17 loss at Utah.

Nobody really knew what to expect from Harbaugh's team out of the gate. On one hand, Michigan comes off a disappointing 5-7 season with questions at some of the most important positions. But on the other hand, one of the top coaches in the country takes the helm with what looks like an All-Star group of assistants.

What fans saw Thursday was a mixed bag. There were a few standout performers who clearly improved during an offseason under their new head coach. But there were also a few underachievers who need to play better as the Wolverines try to bounce back against Oregon State in their home opener.

Here's a look at the players who were great, and not so great, in Week 1.

Top performers

TE Jake Butt: Jake Butt was an easy pick as Michigan's breakout performer on offense this season despite gaining fewer than 250 yards in each of his first two seasons. Butt showed flashes of brilliance as an underclassman and figures to improve under the tutelage of tight end specialists Jim and Jay Harbaugh.

Butt did not disappoint in the opener, catching a career high eight passes for a career high 93 yards. He was also the first Wolverine to find the end zone this season after a leaping 19-yard grab over two defenders at the end of the 3rd quarter.

With a new offensive system in place and a new starting quarterback under center, Butt emerged as the No. 1 target in the passing game. He moved the chains on third down three times and made plays both over the middle and on the sideline. Michigan needed somebody to step up and be the sure-handed target it lacked last season, and Butt took those reins.

WR Amara Darboh: When Devin Funchess entered the NFL Draft in April, he left behind a massive hole in Michigan's wide receiving corps. Who would take his place? The list of Michigan wideouts lacked a standout star.

On Thursday, Darboh was the first to step up, catching eight passes for over 100 yards and a touchdown. Darboh was used in a variety of roles, catching a pair of short passes over the middle, turning two wide receiver screens into big gains on the outside and even running a few routes downfield.

Darboh was a breakout candidate as a sophomore after impressing his coaching staff in camp, but an August foot injury erased his entire season. He returned in 2014 to make 36 catches for 473 yards, second behind Funchess. Darboh emerged late in the season as Devin Gardner's top third down target and looks primed to resume that role for a team that sorely needs a playmaker.

Chris Wormley: The defensive line needs a playmaker this season as D.J. Durkin takes over as defensive coordinator, bumping Greg Mattison into a position coach role. Chris Wormley assumed that role in the opener, leading a defense that picked up nine tackles for loss and surrendered just 17 points to a talented Utah offense.

Wormley wasted no time getting into Utah's backfield. He had two tackles for loss in the first quarter and picked up his third before the half. Wormley blew up a strong offensive line and flushed Tyler Wilson out of the pocket with a quick pass rush off the edge. Most importantly, he was one of the few defenders who wrapped up ball carriers (five tackles) after putting himself into position to make a play.

Jabrill Peppers: After a shaky first half, Jabrill Peppers was trending toward the bottom half of this list. He got beat twice downfield during Utah's 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive in the second quarter and was a nonfactor in the run stopping game.

But in the second half, Peppers looked like a different player and put his elite defensive ability on display. While playing both safety and nickel, Peppers picked up eights tackles and two tackles for loss in his first game back from injury. Peppers didn't wait for ball carriers to get to him in the open field, he attacked and wrapped up. He's one of the best tacklers on the team and picked up seven solo tackles.

Peppers also flashed his elite quickness during his first kick return, which he returned 36 yards to give the struggling Michigan offense a shorter field. His speed and elusiveness could make Peppers an excellent kick and punt returner. Fans got a glimpse of that against Utah.

Honorable mentions: WR Grant Perry, LB Desmond Morgan, LB Joe Bolden

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Underperformers

Jake Rudock: On Jan. 1, 2008, Chad Henne connected with Adrian Arrington for an 18-yard touchdown that lifted Michigan over Florida in the Capitol One Bowl. That was the last pass Henne threw as Michigan quarterback, and the position has been unstable ever since.

Jake Rudock came to Ann Arbor to be a stabilizing presence under center. He's not flashy, but his track record says he'll complete around 60 percent of his passes and take care of the ball.

In his Michigan debut, Rudock was not as advertised.

He threw three costly interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Rudock stared down his receivers all night and forced third down throws to targets that weren't open (including two to blocking tight end A.J. Williams). The most glaring concern: A trio of overthrows to wide open receivers, two to Jehu Chesson and one to Butt. If Rudock takes care of the ball and connects on even one of those three passes, Michigan probably pulls off the upset.

It was a disastrous debut for the fifth-year senior, but Rudock showed flashes of settling down in the second half. His reputation suggests he'll make fewer mistakes as the season wears on.

Mason Cole: One of the lone bright spots of the 2014 season kicked off his encore with a rough performance on Thursday. Mason Cole burst onto the scene last year, winning the starting left tackle job as a true freshman. Cole was the only truly reliable blocker for the Wolverines last season and figures to benefit from playing with an all-around more experienced group this year.

But the first chapter was a rough one for Cole, who missed two blocks on screen passes and picked up a false start penalty in the first quarter. As the leader of the offensive line, Cole bears the burden of Michigan's 2.6 yards per rush. Starting running back De'Veon Smith was often hit before he could even get back to the line of scrimmage, killing any chance for the Wolverines to establish a ground attack.

The offensive line didn't allow a sack, but Cole and company have to do a better job opening holes for the running game and picking up one-on-one blocks on screens.

Derrick Green: Derrick Green earned only two carries in the opener: A two-yard gain and a one-yard loss. But for Green, it's not about what he did on the field, it's that he wasn't on the field.

Three years after his commitment to Michigan took the program by storm, Green has yet to make a major impact in the running game. The former five-star recruit gained only 270 yards as a freshman after showing up to camp out of shape. He bounced back last season, averaging 5.7 yards per carry, but his season was cut short by an injury suffered during a loss to Rutgers.

Thursday was the first hint at the role Green will play under Harbaugh. His two carries suggest he's a nonfactor. Green has more raw talent than the other running backs on the roster, but he can't be a difference maker if he doesn't earn more playing time.

James Ross: James Ross is an X-factor for Michigan after winning a starting job alongside dynamic linebackers Desmond Morgan and Joe Bolden. Ross looked like a future star for the Wolverines as a sophomore, when he made 85 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 12 games. But he took a step back in 2014, recording just 32 tackles and three tackles for loss.

Ross was not much of a factor in Utah, making just two tackles and whiffing twice against dynamic running back Devontae Booker. If Ross can find the consistency that helped him break out in 2012, Michigan will field an elite linebacking corps to anchor the defense.

Honorable mentions: Kenny Allen

Michigan won't panic after losing to a more talented team on the road. It's only Week 1, and Harbaugh has an extra two days to prepare his team for Oregon State. Look for major adjustments in the running game as Michigan tries to cut down on turnovers and finally settle into a rhythm on offense.