Finally, Michigan football scored a touchdown.
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland caught a wide-open 10-yard touchdown from quarterback Davis Warren with 29 seconds left in the first half. The touchdown put the Wolverines on the scoreboard in a low-scoring clash with Michigan State in the 117th matchup between the in-state rivals.
With 12 seconds left, Michigan’s Dominic Zvada kicked a 37-yard field goal to take a 9-7 lead into halftime.
But the Wolverines were outgained in total yards in the first half, 160-116. Michigan accrued just 37 yards before their final two drives within the final three minutes of the first half, resulting in all nine points.
The Wolverines recovered a fumble between the touchdown and the field goal thanks to the Spartans getting overaggressive.
At the half, Warren has completed 10-of-11 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown. Running back Donovan Edwards has seven carries for 23 yards, while fellow running back Kalel Mullings has five carries for 7 yards.
Is Michigan offensive coordinator to blame?
“Naming Kirk Campbell (offensive coordinator) probably goes down as one of the worst hires in Michigan history,” said Michael Spath, co-host of a UM-MSU podcast who used to host a radio show on WTKA-AM (1050) in Ann Arbor.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore promoted Campbell to offensive coordinator in February 2024.
Campbell joined Michigan’s coaching staff under former head coach Jim Harbaugh for the 2022 season, then received a promotion from Harbaugh to quarterbacks coach in January 2023. (Harbaugh left Michigan to become the head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers in January 2024.)
Campbell previously worked for Old Dominion as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, from 2020-21.
Here’s a look at how people are reacting on social media to Michigan’s offense in the first half:
Naming Kirk Campbell OC probably goes down as one of the worst hires in Michigan history.
— Michael Spath (@MichaelSpathITH) October 27, 2024
Stunning ineptitude. On all sides.
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) October 27, 2024
There’s just no way to accurately describe Michigan’s offense. You have to watch it to see how horrible it is. They just ran inside zone on 3rd and 5 for 1 yard and punted from midfield.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 27, 2024
Sometimes I think “Kirk Campbell was dealt a tough hand.” And then, at other times, I think “yeah but he’s holding the cards facing out.”
— Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) October 27, 2024
This team is playing every bit like they have already quit on the season and it’s the MSU game. Don’t have many words for that.
— MGo🫘 (@MJoeBean) October 27, 2024
Kirk Campbell should no longer have a job at the University of Michigan at halftime.
— Travis Moose (@moose_travis) October 27, 2024
Okay real talk how did Kirk Campbell even get a coaching job at this level. Not even Michigan just D1 in general
— Professional Hater (@devinwalk12) October 27, 2024
On back to back drives of 3rd and 5 and 3rd and 6, Kirk Campbell called run plays.
Job terminations should be happening in the morning if you let MSU walk out of that stadium with a comfortable win.
— MGo🫘 (@MJoeBean) October 27, 2024
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football fans disgusted by Kirk Campbell’s offense vs. MSU
