Heading into the season, the Michigan Wolverines imposed a three-game suspension on head coach Jim Harbaugh to potentially soften the blow from the NCAA, stemming from alleged violations during the COVID-19 season dead period. The team showed their support for him ahead of their first offensive snap against East Carolina.
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Michigan opened their season with a formation honoring Jim Harbaugh.
They all held up 4 fingers. Harbaugh’s number at Michigan. pic.twitter.com/LRc2molB8v
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 2, 2023
Before the team led by quarterback J.J McCarthy took its first snap, the team lined up in a single-file line with their hands above their heads.
The hands above their head were holding up four fingers.
Harbaugh played for the Wolverines from 1983-1986 and wore the No. 4 as their signal caller. He completed 368-of-582 passes for 5,214 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.
Immediately after taking this snap, they handed the ball off to running back Blake Corum, who gained just a yard.
At the time of this writing, the Wolverines are handling East Carolina just fine, up 23-0 at halftime.
McCarthy has completed 16-of-18 passes for 181 yards and two scores. Corum also has six carries for 56 yards and a score.
Blake Corum picks right back off where he left off last year! The next play punches it in for a TOUCHDOWN #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/1CW6UbTqfe
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) September 2, 2023
East Carolina, at halftime, is held to just five first downs, 113 total yards, and one interception.
According to AP News, Harbaugh may attend his son's game this afternoon. He didn't know if he'd watch the game on TV.
"I've heard people comment that it's a slap on the wrist," he said. "It's more like a baseball bat to the kneecaps."
Stepping in for Harbaugh during this time is defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
"It puts a little bit of a chip on our shoulder for coach Harbaugh," Minter said. "We certainly want to play well for him."
