Two Polynesian players made their mark in Michigan’s 52-17 victory over UTEP on Saturday, with Jonah Lea’ea and Salesi Moa each finding the end zone for the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium.
The performances came on a day when No. 19 Michigan pulled away from UTEP with 38 unanswered points after trailing 14-7 early in the game. Michigan’s offense and defense both contributed to the scoring barrage, but the touchdowns from Lea’ea and Moa added another Polynesian presence to a program with a long history of producing college and NFL talent.
For Lea’ea, the score came on defense. The Michigan defensive lineman intercepted UTEP quarterback E.J. Colson Jr. early in the third quarter and returned the interception nine yards for a touchdown, giving the Wolverines a 44-14 lead. It was a momentum-changing play during a third quarter in which Michigan scored 28 points.
Moa’s touchdown came later in the fourth quarter. With Michigan already firmly in control, quarterback Tommy Carr connected with Moa on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 3:50 remaining, extending the Wolverines’ lead to 51-17. The reception marked Moa’s second catch of the afternoon for 23 yards.
The two touchdowns also came on a significant stage in college football. Michigan is one of the sport’s most established programs, with a football history dating to 1879. Through the 2025 season, the Wolverines had compiled more than 1,000 wins, 45 conference championships and 12 national championships, including the 2023 national title.
Michigan’s place in the sport is also reflected in the scale and history surrounding the program. Michigan Stadium, which seats more than 107,000, is one of college football’s largest venues, while the Wolverines’ long-standing rivalries, national championships and Big Ten success have made Michigan one of the most recognizable programs in the sport.
That backdrop makes moments like Saturday’s notable for Polynesian football fans. Lea’ea and Moa were not simply scoring touchdowns for a college team. They were doing so in one of the most historic programs in the sport, adding their names to the growing list of Polynesian athletes making an impact in major college football programs across the country.
For Michigan, the result moved the Wolverines to 3-0 on the season. For Lea’ea and Moa, it was another opportunity to put their talent on display on one of college football’s biggest stages.
And on a Saturday in Ann Arbor, both Polynesian players found the end zone.
