Wolverines crush Appalachian State 52-14 in home opener

8/30/2014

ANN ARBOR -- Devin Funchess scored three touchdowns to help Michigan to a 52-14 win over Appalachian State in UM's season opener today at Michigan Stadium.

Funchess, who switched from jersey number 87 to jersey number 1 to coincide with his move from tight end to wide receiver, had seven catches for 95 yards and scored all three of his touchdowns in the first half.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view more photos from the game

Michigan running back Derrick Green had 15 carries for 170 yards and one touchdown, and running back De'Veon Smith had eight carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Today was the first time since Oct. 27, 2007 that Michigan had more than one rusher with 100 yards in a game.

Simms McElfresh and Marcus Cox scored touchdowns for Appalachian State, which is in its first year as an FBS program. The Wolverines outgained the Mountaineers 560-280. Terrence Upshaw led the Mountaineers (0-1) with 109 yards on 18 carries.

Michigan (1-0) plays at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Third quarter

Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith each scored rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to help Michigan to a 49-7 lead over Appalachian State.

Green scored on a 1-yard run less than four minutes into the third and Smith on a 13-yard run with 4:27 left in the third.

Green and Smith each eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the third; Green has 170 yards going into the fourth quarter while Smith has 115.

Simms McElfresh scored Appalachian State's first touchdown, an 8-yard catch with 7:12 left in the third quarter.

Michigan nickel back Jabrill Peppers was not on the sidelines during the third quarter.

Second quarter

Devin Funchess scored his third touchdown to help Michigan to a 35-0 lead over Appalachian State at halftime today at Michigan Stadium

Set up by Derrick Green's 59-yard run and a 9-yard face mask penalty against Appalachian State in the red zone, Funchess caught Devin Gardner's 8-yard pass with 3:59 left to give UM a 21-0 lead.

Two minutes later, De'Veon Smith made it 28-0 on a 12-yard touchdown run, and Ben Gedeon's 32-yard punt return gave Michigan a 35-0 lead.

Michigan has outgained Appalachian State 334-74 and Funchess has seven catches for 95 yards.

First quarter

Devin Funchess' two touchdowns in the first quarter have helped Michigan take a 14-0 lead over Appalachian State today at Michigan Stadium.

Funchess scored on a 9-yard reception six minutes into the game, then caught a 34-yard touchdown with 1:52 left in the first.

UM quarterback Devin Gardner is 6 for 6 passing for 101 yards. Appalachian State has 41 total yards, including only five receiving yards.