While nobody likes a delay, sometimes one can help.

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton had a thought that he could use the longer offseason to work on his game.

“Maybe I need to understand all things a little bit more before I actually take the big stage,” he told Jon Jansen on the MGoBlue Podcast.

Well, it worked.

In Milton’s first career start against Minnesota on Saturday, he completed 15 of 22 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. He also added to the Wolverines rushing attack, running eight times for 52 yards and a score.

The offense posted a turnover-free performance and easily handled the Gophers resulting in a 49-24 win.

Turns out, when they canceled the season Milton looked at it as an opportunity, “so when they canceled the season I looked at it as a plus for me because maybe I can do something better. If I can help the offense in a different way….so it was a great time for me and the offense to understand everything that was going on and also get a better connection with my receivers and offensive line.”

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh knew his redshirt sophomore was ready to take the step onto the big stage, crediting his off-season work on his passing game to much of his success.

“I think one of the biggest things that impressed me about Joe’s offseason was that he really took to heart working on touch throws,” Harbaugh said. “Not everything is a blue-darter. He worked a lot with the coaches, worked a lot with receivers and tight ends and backs.”

Milton and the Wolverines host rival Michigan State in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 31 with kickoff set for 11:00 am.

Here’s a clip of Milton’s podcast appearance: