Vanderbilt Commodores: 7Michigan Wolverines: 27
Llyod Carr's Michigan Wolverines fought a close battle with the Vanderbilt Commodores in the 2006 college football season opener which was played in Ann Arbor on September 2nd, 2006. The Wolverines offense looked strong in the opening series proving they could run the ball on the Vanderbilt defense. Quarterback Chris Henne lead the team to a score on their opening drive of the game after completing a long pass to wide receiver Steve Breston and handing the ball off to Kevin Grady for a 19 yard touch down run. Henne had a good start to a potential Heisman Trophy season going 11 for 14 and throwing for 137 yards and 2 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the win.
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The Vanderbilt Commodores showed the post Jay Culter Era is officially over. Sophmore quarterback Chris Nickson is considered a threat in the air as well as on the ground, however Nickson never really got it going against the Wolverines defense. The Commodores got their first touchdown of the 2006 college football season on a trick play. Nickson lateraled the ball to Earl Bennett and Bennett threw the ball to wide receiver Marlon White for a 30 yard touchdown. The score was Vanderbilt's only bright spot of the game.
The Commodores defensive front four were unable to get pressure and the linebackers were getting cramps all afternoon. The Wolverines offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage while running back Mike Hart racked up 145 yards on 31 carries. Hart was the work horse for the offense the entire game dispite not recording a touchdown.
The Michigan defense was strong against the run pleasing the coaching staff as they gear up for their first test of the season in two weeks against Brady Quinn and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Wolverines caused Nickson to fumble the ball 3 times and recorded 5 sacks.
The Wolverines will take on Central Michigan on September 9th, 2006 but their first true test play at South Bend against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 16th, 2006.
Vanderbilt plays their first SEC game againt rival Alabama on September 9th, 2006.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Highlights and Game Recap
1st Quarter: Michigan 10 – Vanderbilt 0
After a strong drive by the Michigan Wolverines which included a long pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston, running back Kevin Grady scored on a 19 yard touch down run. Kicker Garrett Rivas kicked a 33 yard field goal.
2nd Quarter: Michigan 13 – Vanderbilt 7
Quarterback Chris Nickson lateraled to Earl Bennett who threw a 30 yard touch down strike to Marlon White to put the Vanderbilt Commodores on the board. Michigan answered back with a 48 yard field goal by Garrett Rivas to close out a 9 play drive for 19 yards that burned four and a half minutes off the clock.
3rd Quarter: Michigan 20 – Vanderbilt 7
After converting a key 4th and 1 yard, the Michigan Wolverines tight end Tyler Ecker had a great catch in the end zone for a 15 yard touchdown by the Wolverines. The drive was 10 plays and went for 41 yards in a little over 4 minutes.
4th Quarter: Michigan 27 – Vanderbilt 7
Mario Manningham caught a 27 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Henne after a 6 play drive for 41 yards.
