Michigan Football 2016 by Dustin Johnston on Exposure

michigan football 2016

It was my honor to cover Michigan Football for SBNation's MaizeNBrew this season. I was lucky to make it to all except two games (Michigan State and Rutgers) and capture all of the highs and lows along the way. Here are my best shots from this year in Michigan Football.

Michigan vs. Hawaii

Michigan runs out of the tunnel and touches the banner for the first time in the 2016 season.

On Michigan's first play from scrimmage, quarterback Wilton Speight shocks the 110,000+ fans by throwing an interception.

A brave Hawaii player talks trash to Jabrill Peppers.

Michigan's own version of beast-mode, De'Veon Smith, runs past Hawaiian defenders.

Wide receiver Amara Darboh carries a defender towards the goal line.

Michigan's first touchdown of the season was a pass from Wilton Speight to WR Grant Perry.

Jabrill Pepper celebrates another tackle-for-loss.

John Beilein and the Michigan basketball team (with visiting 5-star recruit Mo Bamba) enjoy another Michigan stop on defense.

Jake Butt shakes two Hawaii tackles to score his first touchdown of the season.

Jeremy Clark locks down a Hawaii receiver.

Amara Darboh drags his toes as he catches his first touchdown of the season.

Michigan Stadium erupts after Delano Hill makes an interception and returns it for a touchdown.

Freshman running back Chris Evans impressed in his debut as a Wolverine.

As is tradition, cheerleaders direct the crowd to spell out M-I-C-H-I-G-A-N.

Freshman Chris Evans ran for over 100 yards in his first game at Michigan Stadium.

Outscoring Hawaii by several touchdowns, head coach Jim Harbaugh still argues with referees.

michigan vs. central florida

Tyree Kinnel lays out to get a hand on an early UCF punt.

Tyree Kinnel's reaction to blocking an early punt.

Amara Darboh snags a deep ball for a first down in the red zone.

Wilton Speight continued to grow as Michigan's starting quarterback vs. UCF.

Harbaugh was rarely pleased with the referees.

The special teams continues to make big plays, here blocking a field goal attempt.

Henry Poggi catches a pass with a lot of open field in front of him.

Coach Harbaugh continues to be happy with his quarterback's play.

Amara Darboh looks up at the Michigan Stadium crowd after making another touchdown catch.

This wide shot gives perspective of what it's like to play in front of 110,000+ fans.

Freshman Eddie McDoom makes several UCF tacklers miss on this long run.

De'Veon Smith is ready to take a hand-off in the red zone.

Jabrill Peppers makes a tackle in front of the Michigan defensive coaching staff.

The Michigan Stadium crowd jumps to their feet as Jabrill Peppers breaks tackles on his way to a long punt return.

Jake Butt extends out to make a touchdown catch.

Chris Wormley and Maurice Hurst reach out to get a piece of another UCF field goal attempt.

The future of Michigan's defensive line: Maurice Hurst and Rashan Gary.

michigan vs. colorado

After huddling up, the team heads back to the locker one last time before kickoff.

De'Veon Smith walks out onto the field pregame.

A look at Rashan Gary's battle-tested helmet.

Honorary captain Tom Brady chats with Jim Harbaugh during pregame warmups.

Former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady smiles after being honored at Michigan Stadium.

Jabrill Peppers awaits a punt, deep in Michigan territory.

After making several Buffaloes miss, Jabrill Peppers cuts up field.

Peppers kicks up bits of the field as he makes a cut.

The Michigan special teams steps up again and blocks a Colorado punt.

Grant Perry scoops up the blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown.

The line judge signals touchdown as Michigan celebrates.

The famed winged helmets lined up.

Jehu Chesson flies into the endzone past Khalid Hill.

National Holder of the Year Garrett Moores hold an extra point attempt for kicker Kenny Allen.

Defensive end Chris Wormley has his eyes locked on the quarterback.

Chris Wormley in aggressive pursuit of the Colorado quarterback.

Jabrill Peppers returns another punt against Colorado.

Amara Darboh scores a touchdown in front of an excited cheer team.

De'Veon smith drags a Colorado defender into the endzone.

Jabrill Peppers blazes past more Colorado special teams players.

Michigan vs. Penn State

The B1G Champion, Penn State Nittany Lions were dismantled by Michigan on both sides of the ball.

Jabrill Peppers leads players down the tunnel during warmups.

Coach Harbaugh watches the players run across the field during warmups.

The nation's most versatile player lines up in man-to-man coverage.

Peppers leaves the Nittany Lions in his dust.

Quarterback Wilton Speight looks over the defense.

Jake Butt does more than make catches.

Linebacker Ben Gedeon lays out to make a tackle.

The Michigan student section chants in unison after a 3rd down stop.

Coach Harbaugh watches as Kenny Allen tacks on an extra point.

Six Michigan defenders meet at the ball to make the stop.

Wilton Speight watches as Amara Darboh picks up yards after the catch.

Wilton Speight celebrates scrambling for a first down.

Coach Harbaugh talks strategy with Wilton Speight.

Jake Butt breaks a couple tackles and turns up field.

Karan Higdon celebrates a rushing touchdown.

Coach Harbaugh looks up at the scoreboard as he walks into the tunnel at halftime.

Jake Butt pulls in a poorly thrown short pass.

Wilton Speight under center.

Taco Charlton charges after the Penn State quarterback.

Name a more dynamic duo. I'll wait.

Linebacker Ben Gedeon shows blitz.

Defensive Coordinator Brown was less than happy with the play.

Freshman Rashan Gary is apparently going unblocked.

The most difficult moment early in the season, Jeremy Clark is carted off the field with a season-ending injury.

Ty Isaac breaks free for a run.

Karan Higdon rumbles into the endzone for another Michigan touchdown.

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MICHIGAN VS. WISCONSIN

Amara Darboh stepped up when Michigan needed him versus Wisconsin.

A two tightend set on the line.

Chris Evans scampers for extra yards.

Wisconsin quarterback Hornibrook takes just a split second after releasing the ball.

Center Mason Cole and Wilton Speight signal to the offense in the red zone.

Amara Darboh runs for some yards after catch.

Hornibrook was pressured throughout the game versus Michigan.

Jake Butt, De'Veon Smith, and Khalid Hill celebrate a Michigan rushing touchdown.

Jourdan Lewis lines up, ready to lock down the Wisconsin receiver.

Jabrill Peppers looks to break another punt return.

I can't remember Harbaugh ever being happy with the refs.

Harbaugh and Speight going over strategy.

De'Veon Smith cuts up field.

Jabrill Peppers calls out plays for the Michigan defense.

michigan vs. illinois

michigan vs. maryland

michigan vs. iowa

michigan vs. indiana

michigan vs. ohio state

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Footnote: Photos by Dustin Johnston // Twitter, Instagram: @DJPhotoVideo // www.dustinphotovideo.com