The Sherrone Moore Era Begins

The 2024 Michigan Wolverines football team finished with an 8-5 overall record and a 5-4 mark in Big Ten play, tying for seventh in the conference. In their first full season under head coach Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines scored 286 points (22.0 per game) while allowing 259 (19.9 per game). They closed the year with a three-game winning streak that included an upset of Ohio State and a ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Alabama.

Michigan entered the season ranked No. 9 after the 2023 national championship and the departure of Jim Harbaugh to the NFL.

Regular Season: Early Promise, Midseason Struggles, and a Strong Finish

The Wolverines opened with a 30-10 home win over Fresno State. A 12-31 home loss to No. 3 Texas followed. Michigan rebounded with victories over Arkansas State (28-18), No. 11 USC (27-24), and Minnesota (27-24), improving to 4-1.

A 17-27 road loss at Washington began a difficult stretch. Michigan then fell 7-21 at Illinois before defeating Michigan State 24-17 at home to retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Losses to No. 1 Oregon (17-38) and at No. 8 Indiana (15-20) dropped the team to 5-5.

Michigan closed the regular season strongly. A 50-6 home win over Northwestern on Senior Day was followed by a 13-10 road upset of No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus—the fourth consecutive victory in the rivalry and the largest upset in series history by point spread. The defense held the Buckeyes scoreless in the second half, with key interceptions and field goals from Dominic Zvada proving decisive.

Postseason: ReliaQuest Bowl

In the ReliaQuest Bowl on December 31 in Tampa, Michigan defeated No. 11 Alabama 19-13. Freshman running back Jordan Marshall earned MVP honors with 100 rushing yards. The Wolverines forced three first-quarter turnovers and became the only program to defeat Alabama twice in the same calendar year. It also marked Michigan’s first back-to-back wins as double-digit underdogs since 1978.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Kalel Mullings led the rushing attack with 948 yards. Davis Warren threw for 1,199 yards. Tight end Colston Loveland recorded 56 receptions for 582 yards. Defensively, Josaiah Stewart posted 8.5 sacks, and Ernest Hausmann led the team with 89 tackles. Placekicker Dominic Zvada converted 21 of 22 field goals and scored 89 points. Mason Graham earned All-America recognition on the defensive line.

Michigan went 2-4 against ranked opponents but won all of its rivalry and trophy games. The season featured a physical defensive identity under coordinator Don Martindale and a run-oriented approach that carried the team through quarterback inconsistency.

In the broader historical context, the 2024 campaign represented the first full year of the post-Harbaugh era. It demonstrated continued competitiveness in the Big Ten and sustained success against traditional rivals, particularly the four-game winning streak over Ohio State. While the overall record reflected the challenges of roster turnover and a demanding schedule, the late-season surge and bowl victory provided a foundation for the program under Moore.