Ann Arbor — Without Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline for the season opener against East Carolina, the first of three games he will miss as part of a self-imposed suspension, the players showed their support in various ways.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy emerged from the team bus showing his support for his coach wearing a Harbaugh shirt with his playing day jersey No. 4 and, above that, the word “Free” on a wide piece of tape. Other players, like guard Zak Zinter, wore a Harbaugh shirt.
Before the start of the Wolverines' second series — their first drive started at the ECU 2-yard line — the players began in the “train” formation and each held up four fingers paying homage to Harbaugh and his jersey number.