After losing Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson at wide receiver last year, Michigan needed someone to step up in the passing game, and junior tight end Colston Loveland did just that on Saturday night. Loveland, who was second on the team last year with 649 yards, emerged as the clear leader on the Wolverines’ offense. New starting quarterback Davis Warren frequently targeted his star tight end.
Loveland caught at least two passes in each quarter, finishing with eight receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown against the Bulldogs. His eight catches led the game, and when Michigan desperately needed a score in the fourth quarter, Warren found Loveland for an 18-yard touchdown with 10 minutes remaining.
“He’s easy to throw to,” Warren said postgame. “The guy always gets open. I can trust him out there. He’s always going to do the right thing in the right place, and that started early in spring ball and camp, just knowing that he was someone I could rely on. It’s been that way the whole time, whether in winter, spring ball, summer, or fall camp. We’re always on the same page, communicating. It makes it easy for me, so I’m very grateful to have him.”
It was clear from the start that the connection between Warren and Loveland would work against Fresno State. Loveland is too fast for linebackers to cover and too tall for defensive backs to stop. Head coach Sherrone Moore echoed Warren’s sentiments after the game.
“We knew we could go to him [Loveland] in the red zone,” Moore said. “He did a great job making the play, and it was a great throw by Davis. Those guys did a really good job all night with their connection.”
Outside of Loveland, Michigan’s receivers combined for eight catches. Does Michigan want to involve its receivers more? The simple answer: the Wolverines will do whatever works. If the opposition leaves Loveland open or in single coverage, Warren will target him. If Loveland is well-covered, the receivers will get their opportunities.
“We always want to be balanced,” Moore said about involving the receivers more. “But if you leave [Loveland] open, he’s going to get the ball. Davis will go through his reads and throw to the open guy. That’s what we’re going to do. Maybe next game [Loveland] catches 10 passes, maybe just two. But our focus is on putting the best players in position to make plays and letting them do just that.”
