ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan’s defense has left a pattern this season of having one bad quarter before adjusting.

Saturday in the Wolverines’ 38-17 loss to No. 1 Oregon, it was a bad half. And unfortunately for the home team, that happened during the first two quarters of the game.

The high-powered Ducks offense scored touchdowns on four of their first five drives en route to 470 yards of total offense. Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback Dillon Gabriel was on point, completing 22 of his 34 pass attempts for 294 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a second score, a 23-yard run that went untouched.

“We just have to perform better,” edge rusher Derrick Moore said. “The first half didn’t go the way we wanted. We also let them come at us too many yards.”

Oregon totaled eight plays of 20 yards or more, including four against receiver Traeshon Holden (6 catches, 149 yards), who punctured a Michigan secondary and missed both starting cornerbacks, Will Johnson and Jyaire Hill. Aamir Hall and Zeke Berry, who came over from the nickel spot, filled in but were no match for the nation’s 11th-ranked passing offense, with six plays receiving multiple passes.

More: Offense dooms Michigan before it can ever get going against No. 1 Oregon

After opening the game with a 12-play, 63-yard touchdown drive, Oregon went 75 yards on six plays thanks to a pair of chunk plays and a roughing-the-passer penalty on Josaiah Stewart.

“They played a lot of quick games, quick screens and stuff – and we didn’t do a good job of knocking it down right away,” said Wesley Walker, who got the start when Makari Paige moved to the nickel spot. “We gave them some extra yards that they probably shouldn’t have gotten. I would just say that tightening our coordination and communication would play a big role in changing the way we play in the first half.”

Michigan was able to force a three-and-out in the second quarter, but Oregon was at it again on the next drive – going 94 yards in just 10 plays, highlighted by a 38-yard completion to Holden, defended by Hall in man coverage.

“They’re running RPOs (run-pass options), so no matter how you look at them, they’re either going to get away or they’re going to pass,” Walker said. “Just by finding a happy medium and mixing them up in terms of what we’re showing, I feel like we just read them.”

Head coach Sherrone Moore praised Berry (4 tackles, pass breakup) for holding up well against Evan Stewart, Oregon’s leading receiver in previous wins over Ohio State and Boise State. Stewart finished with just three catches for 16 yards, despite the Ducks’ top receiver Tez Johnson leaving the game early due to an injury.

“I was really proud of him; I am (also) very proud of Aamir,” Moore said. “He had some plays he wanted to get back, but overall those guys fought out of it because they weren’t the starters.”

Michigan’s defense adjusted well in the second half, forcing the Ducks into three-and-outs on their first two drives of the third quarter… that is, until an illegal formation penalty extended the second drive, which only gave Oregon a field goal.

Davis Warren and the offense had a chance to seize the momentum and cut the deficit to one score in the fourth, but a turnover on downs and Ducks touchdown turned their fortunes. Michigan put up season-highs in points and total yards, and didn’t do enough early to put much pressure on Gabriel and co.

“They gave up some points late, but if we score in the red zone with the offense, it’s a closer game,” Moore said. “It’s a team game, but in the end it’s a loss. I give them credit; coach (Dan) Lanning and their staff are doing a great job and have developed a great team. But we have to keep fighting and do the little things right.”

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