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:
#GoBlue Can't get enough of @CoachJim4UM @umichfootball pic.twitter.com/cAn9BQ2OcK
— jo humbert (@joannrosegoblue) February 16, 2015
Tonight, a game was finally played. Touchdowns were scored. And, of course, khakis were worn.
The Wolverines have arrived at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Jourdan Lewis leads the team off the bus. #GoBlue #MICHvsUTAH pic.twitter.com/DsB6ByidmS
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) September 3, 2015
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?
Sarah Harbaugh on how she knows her husband is nervous: "He gets a dead stare, you know? ... like he’s looking right through your head."
— Matthew Piper (@matthew_piper) September 3, 2015
Jim slept well last night, she said. "He wasn't tossing and turning like I was, because I was watching him. So that made me feel better."
— Matthew Piper (@matthew_piper) September 3, 2015
Fast-forward to a few hours before game time....
5:27 p.m.: Coach Harbaugh leaves the team hotel in style
Harbaugh (the one in khakis lol) leaving team hotel pic.twitter.com/XiLqlbASZl
— angelique (@chengelis) September 3, 2015
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:
The all white uni pic.twitter.com/AaOi4rCXou
— angelique (@chengelis) September 3, 2015
6:58 p.m.: Utah forbids 'Harbaugh bus' from coming onto its campus.
Remember this bus?
Apparently the Utes weren't feeling it.
BTW, both Utah and folks with the Harbus confirmed that the Harbaugh-themed bus was asked not to come on the Utah campus.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) September 3, 2015
Utah's Liz Abel said "several of us in the administration" made the decision to ban the Harbus. Whittingham and Chris Hill not involved.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) September 3, 2015
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:
Comedy Central https://t.co/ghfazURHTM
— Mike Thomas (@Cantguardmike) September 3, 2015
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.
Jim Harbaugh taking pregame snaps, giving handoffs. pic.twitter.com/G6RtVpt4Zy
— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) September 3, 2015
8:30 p.m.: It's game time, at last.
Jim Harbaugh is officially back home. pic.twitter.com/5LxIGeLMQ4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 4, 2015
8:56 p.m.: Michigan throws an interception deep in Utah territory. Jim Harbaugh's reaction:
FS1's online Khaki Cam is more fun than it should be pic.twitter.com/r86nsyPJb0
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) September 4, 2015
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:
Put in Harbaugh!!! pic.twitter.com/hz7LHoKlt5
— Lost Lettermen (@LostLettermen) September 4, 2015
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:
HITCH UP THEM KHAKIS JIMMY pic.twitter.com/bn88TvFh92
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) September 4, 2015
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
Our tight end's last name is spelled B-U-T-T-D! JAKE BUTT HAULS IN A 19-YARDER FOR THE SCORE! #GoBlue
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) September 4, 2015
11:24 p.m.: Utah stretches the lead to 24-10 on a pick-six
56yd #picksix, Utah! 24-10 #MICHvsUTAH https://t.co/997TR2MkiP
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 4, 2015
11:45 p.m.: Michigan scores to cut the deficit to 24-17. But ultimately, it's too little, too late.
Amara Darboh @FreetownsFinest into the end zone with 0:54 left. Michigan cuts the deficit to 24-17. Hands Team, ready! #goblue
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) September 4, 2015
12:13 a.m.: Michigan falls to Utah, 24-17. Harbaugh faces a packed media crowd.
Overflow in @CoachJim4UM’s post-game presser. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/rh3h6164LY
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) September 4, 2015
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.
"There are a lot of things to build and improve on, but there were also a lot of positives" -Jim Harbaugh on @FOXSportsLive #MICHvsUTAH
— FOX Sports 1 (@FOXSports1) September 4, 2015
