HOUSTON, TX — Michigan jumped out early behind two long touchdown runs by Donovan Edwards, the defense smothered Washington's offense for a 34-13 win on Monday night, and the No. 1 Wolverines their first national championship since 1997.
For head coach Jim Harbaugh, it was the culmination of a nine-year climb back to the top of the mountain. Harbaugh made good on his promise to bring home a title to his alma mater that had struggled for years — despite missing six regular-season games this season while serving separate suspensions.
Harbaugh's old coach, Bo Schembechler, would have approved of how the Wolverines won as well.
Michigan's offense racked up 303 rushing yards and the defense limited Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to just one touchdown pass even — even intercepting the Heisman Trophy runner-up twice.
The Wolverines (15-0) broke the game wide open on their first two possessions of the game, with Edwards making a house call on the eighth play of the game to give Michigan an early 7-0 lead.
After Penix and the Huskies (14-1) answered with a field goal on their opening drive, Edwards struck again.
The run play was designed to go left, but the right side of the Michigan offensive line caved in the backside, Edwards made a cut into the hole and went untouched 46 yards into the end zone to give Michigan a 14-3 lead with 2:23 remaining in the opening quarter.
By the end of the first quarter, Michigan had 229 yards rushing and many thought there would be a repeat of last year's historic Georgia blowout of TCU.
Kicker James Turner added to Michigan's lead with a 31 yard field to make it 17-3.
But Washington's defense managed to stablize things and keep Michigan of f the scoreboard the rest of the half.
With 4:46 left remaining before halftime, Penix and the Huskies offense showed some life, putting together a 62-yard scoring drive to cut the deficit to 7. The drive was capped off with a three-yard touchdown catch by Jalen McMillan from Penix on a fourth-and-goal with 42 seconds left.
Penix’s stellar six-year college career ended in disappointing fashion, suffering possibly his worst performance of the season. Normally calm under pressure, Penix appeared rattled by Michigan's pass rush and a defensive backfield that took away his signature deep throws.
Penix finished the night 27 for 51 for 255 yards and a touchdown.
Will Johnson’s picked off Penix on the first play of the second half, giving Michigan another opportunity to get things back to a two-touchdown lead. However, Washington's defense held and forced another field goal by Turner to make it 20-10.
Leading by just a touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter, Michigan put together 71-yard drive, finished by Corum's tackle-breaking 12-yard touchdown. The score was a back-breaker for Washington, as it gave the Wolverines some breathing room with a 27-13 lead and 7:09 left.
Penix would be intercepted a second time on the ensuing drive, overthrowing his intended receiver and Michigan's Mike Sainristil returned it 81-yards to the Washington 8.
Two plays later, Corum scored from one-yard out to make it 34-13 and set the Michigan faithful into a frenzy as their title hopes became a reality.
Edwards finished with 104 yards on 6 carries. Corum capped off his final game with a game-high 134 yards on 21 rushes.
J.J. McCarthy capped off his Michigan career with a modest performance, going 10 of 18 for 140 yards. He also ran for 31 yards.
Washington 3 7 3 0 — 13
Michigan 14 3 3 14 — 34
First Quarter
Mich—Donovan Edwards 41 run (James Turner kick), 10:14.
Wash—Grady Gross 25 field goal, 3:56.
Mich—Donovan Edwards 46 run (James Turner kick), 2:23.
Second Quarter
Mich—James Turner 31 field goal, 13:28.
Wash—Jalen McMillan 3 pass from Michael Penix Jr. (Grady Gross kick), 0:42.
Third Quarter
Mich—James Turner 38 field goal, 11:55.
Wash—Grady Gross 45 field goal, 8:58.
Fourth Quarter
Mich—Blake Corum 12 run (James Turner kick), 7:09.
Mich—Blake Corum 1 run (James Turner kick), 3:37.
—————
Wash Mich
First downs 17 16
Total Net Yards 301 443
Rushes-yards 20-46 38-303
Passing 255 140
Punt Returns 0-0 0-0
Kickoff Returns 1-17 2-27
Interceptions Ret. 0-0 2-81
Comp-Att-Int 27-51-2 10-19-0
Sacked-Yards Lost 1-4 1-12
Punts 5-47.8 5-46.8
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-30 5-45
Time of Possession 30:44 29:16
—————
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Washington: D. Johnson 11-33, J. McMillan 1-9, W. Nixon 2-7, T. Rogers 1-2, J. Polk 1-1, Team 1-minus 1, M. Penix Jr. 3-minus 5; Michigan: B. Corum 21-134, D. Edwards 6-104, J. McCarthy 4-31, K. Mullings 3-21, A. Orji 2-15, Team 2-minus 2.
PASSING–Washington: M. Penix Jr. 27-51-2-255; Michigan: J. McCarthy 10-18-0-140, Team 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING–Washington: R. Odunze 5-87, J. Westover 5-42, J. Polk 4-37, J. McMillan 6-33, D. Culp 1-14, T. Rogers 1-11, W. Nixon 3-7; Michigan: C. Loveland 3-64, R. Wilson 3-54, C. Johnson 3-25, S. Morgan 1-minus 3.
MISSED FIELD GOALS–None.
Kommentare