Wolverines end Gators’ long win streak in openers
Florida suffers its first opening loss since ’89 as Nordin’s long field goals lift Michigan.
NO. 11 MICHIGAN 33 NO. 17 FLORIDA 17
ARLINGTON, Texas — Quinn Nordin became the first Michigan kicker to make two 50-yard field goals in a game, one of them during a quick go-ahead spurt after halftime, and the 11thranked Wolverines won 33-17 Saturday to hand 17th-ranked Florida its first seasonopening loss in nearly three decades.
The Gators had won 27 consecutive season openers, the nation’s longest such streak, since a home loss to Mississippi in 1989.
“It's gonna hurt, and if it doesn’t, then something is wrong,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said. “We have a lot more to play. I like this team, I like the guys on this team. I think we have a chance to grow and I believe we will.”
Michigan trailed 17-13 at halftime before scoring three times in the first six minutes of the second half to take a 26-17 lead.
After Karan Higdon’s three-yard touchdown run capped a 75-yard, 10-play drive to open the third quarter, Ambry Thomas forced and recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. That set up a 30-yard field goal by Nordin, who then made a 50yarder after Michigan recovered another fumble.
Nordin made four field goals, including a 55-yarder in the first half. He missed two attempts wide right in the fourth quarter, one of those from 52 yards.
The nation's No. 1 kicker in the 2016 recruiting class, Nordin had initially committed to Penn State but signed with the Wolverines after a home visit that included a sleepover by Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
Florida’s only touchdowns came when Duke Dawson and CJ Henderson returned interceptions all the way to the end zone. Those came on consecutive throws by Michigan starting quarterback Wilton Speight in the second quarter.
“I thought Wilton did a good job getting calmed down,” Harbaugh said. “Showed a lot of resilience, our team today, and I’m very proud of that.”