View from the press box before and during the Western Michigan at Michigan football game:

Strong start, Part I: Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Junior Hemingway to give Michigan a 7-0 first-quarter lead. Forcier completed his first three passes for 48 yards.

In the second quarter, Forcier completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Kevin Koger. Koger was wide open in the back of the end zone, and his catch capped an 11-play scoring drive.

Forcier continued his strong debut by leading an eight-play scoring drive in the second quarter that finished with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Hemingway. That allowed Michigan to take a 31-0 lead into halftime. Forcier was 8-of-13 passing for 124 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of his collegiate career.

The last time: Hemingway is the first Michigan receiver with a multiple-touchdown game since Adrian Arrington had two in the 2008 Capital One Bowl.

Strong start, Part II: Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson fumbled the first snap of his career, then picked up the ball and ran 38 yards for a touchdown. The result: A 10-second scoring drive. And a 14-0 lead for Michigan.

The lead expands: Michigan fifth-year senior kicker Jason Olesnavage kicked a 44-yard field goal midway through the second quarter to give the Wolverines a 24-0 lead. At that point, Michigan's offense had outgained Western's, 206-20, and Western was listed with 1 yard rushing.

Western's offense struggles early: After the first quarter, Michigan had a 133 yards to 29 edge in total offense. Western had 15 yards rushing and 14 passing in the first quarter.

Western quarterback Tim Hiller, a fifth-year senior considered to be a good NFL prospect, was 12-of-23 passing in the first half for 78 yards and one interception.

Cheering: With Michigan leading 31-0, the student section chanted "Rich Rodriguez! Rich Rodriguez!"

No shutout: Hiller completed a 73-yard touchdown pass to Juan Nunez with 10:45 to play for Western's first points of the day. Hiller's pass completed a four-play, 85-yard drive.

Isn't that Nick Sheridan? Nick Sheridan, the starting quarterback for much of last season, entered the game in the third quarter to cheers from fans and making good on Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez's plan to give three quarterbacks playing time. The cheers changed to groans when Western's Deshon Lawrence intercepted a pass on the goal line.

Best view in the stadium? The new decks of under-construction-suites that rise over Michigan Stadium were empty for the game, although 15 minutes before game time, one man, in a bright green vest, stood on the middle of the three decks on the east side.

Full stadium: Ten minutes before kickoff, and Michigan Stadium was mostly filled and fairly loud by Michigan standards. Official attendance was 109,019.

Minor warming up: Michigan running back Brandon Minor, considered questionable during the week because of various injuries, warmed up with the first team.