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Joe Boozell | NCAA.com | August 9, 2016

Hail to the hype

Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines fought hard in his Michigan debut, but fell to Utah 24-17.

The Michigan Wolverines hiring Jim Harbaugh as their head coach is one of the biggest stories we've seen in years. Everybody is talking about it. When browsing the internet these days, it's not uncommon to stumble upon a fun Harbaugh play on words. The hype is very, very real:

Tonight, a game was finally played. Touchdowns were scored. And, of course, khakis were worn.

To document the momentous occasion, we present to you "The night in Harbaugh: Tackling Jim Harbaugh's first night." The outcome of the game may not have gone in Michigan's favor, but it was still an eventful night for their head coach. Step-by-step, here's how it all went down.

Night of September 2: Harbaugh gets great night's sleep, according to his wife

Because all epic journeys start with a quality eight hours of shuteye, right?

Fast-forward to a few hours before game time....

5:27 p.m.: Coach Harbaugh leaves the team hotel in style

5:44 p.m.: Michigan rocks the all-white unis in Harbaugh's first game

Because it's a new era for the Michigan football program:

6:58 p.m.: Utah forbids 'Harbaugh bus' from coming onto its campus.

Remember this bus?

Apparently the Utes weren't feeling it.

7:54 p.m.: And as if the 'FOX Sports 1 Harbaugh Bus' wasn't a dead giveaway as to which network was airing the Michigan vs. Utah game, Ohio State receiver Mike Thomas had his own ideas when asked that question on Twitter. And jokes. His response:

7:55 p.m.: Jim Harbaugh doesn't want to hear your jokes. Time spent joking could be spent taking extra practice reps. Here's the former QB handling a few pre-game snaps.

8:30 p.m.: It's game time, at last.

8:56 p.m.: Michigan throws an interception deep in Utah territory. Jim Harbaugh's reaction:

9:43 p.m.: Michigan turns it over for the second time of the evening. Like they always say, the most popular player on any football team is the backup quarterback. Or in Michigan's case, the head coach that used to play quarterback for the maize and blue 30 years ago:

10:38 p.m.: Utah begins a slow, methodical drive down the field in the middle of the third quarter. Michigan is down 10-3. This isn't Harbaugh's first rodeo; he's gearing up for a nail biter:

11:02 p.m.: Touchdown, Michigan! Jake Butt scores the first touchdown of the Harbaugh era to inch seven points closer. The Utes lead the Wolverines after Utah scored on the previous drive

11:24 p.m.: Utah stretches the lead to 24-10 on a pick-six

11:45 p.m.: Michigan scores to cut the deficit to 24-17. But ultimately, it's too little, too late.

12:13 a.m.: Michigan falls to Utah, 24-17. Harbaugh faces a packed media crowd.

There's never a dull moment for Coach Harbaugh, win or lose. The press is watching his every move. But the coach sees flashes in his team that could lend itself to victories later on in 2015.

 

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