The Michigan football team's defense was plus-three in turnover margin in a 34-10 weather-shortened victory against Western Michigan on Saturday, but it also gave up a 74-yard scoring drive to start the game.

Michigan had 190 rushing yards to Western's 96, but Western out-gained Michigan through the air, 183-98.

Michigan looked the better team against Western, but Michigan is supposed to beat Western, and last year's team looked impressive in a season-opening win over former coach Rich Rodriguez.

For these reasons fans were upbeat after the first game (er ... three quarters) of the Brady Hoke-era.

“I think I’d say I'm cautiously optimistic,” said Dave Dehan, of the Chicago area. “I'd say cautiously optimistic because the early season has been that way the past couple years and because the Broncos did move the ball on the Wolverines.”

Ted Gobles, of Niles, said the play calling was a breath of fresh air.

"It really looks like (Hoke) is trying to put us back into where (Michigan football) used to be," said Goble, a season ticket holder. "Michigan football was always a solid defense and ball control, and that's what it looked like (Hoke) is trying to get back to, and it's very refreshing to me.

"Time will tell, but it really looks like they're trying to being us back to what got us where we were."

Chuck Lundy, 62, from Mammoth Falls, Ore. -- a Michigan fan since 1969, whose son is a senior at Michigan -- excused the slow start to the players getting used to new systems. He said the win, compared to last year's against UConn "feels different" and likes what he saw on Saturday.

"I think he's doing everything right. He's heavily steeped in the tradition of Michigan football, that's pretty clear. And I think he's here to bring a purpose to how we do business," Lundy said. "I think as the game wore on, (the defense) began to turn around, the offensive line began to dominate Western."

Gerry Svoboda of Novi was turned off by Western's opening scoring drive, but thought the good outweighed the bad.

"The defense looked a little shaky as well, but it looks like they pulled it together, made some adjustments," said Svoboda, 53. "It looks like the defense is a little bit quicker, it looks like they're meeting their assignments a little bit better than the past couple of years, so we'll just have to see."

Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.