Michigan Continues To Roll

With solely 4 common season video games left for each Michigan and Ohio State, every thing was beginning to look set for an undefeated matchup in opposition to the Buckeyes in late November. The sport in opposition to Rutgers in Piscataway regarded to simply be a stepping stone on the way in which to that elusive objective.

However the Scarlet Knights had no intention of rolling over, not less than at first.

Rutgers got here to play, and not less than early, their aggressive play calls and bodily fashion of play put Michigan on the again foot. Nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient, because the Wolverines tailored within the second half on their approach to a dominant 52-17 win, climbing to 9-0 and protecting their postseason targets alive.

Michigan had no drawback shifting the chains on its first drive.

The Wolverines rapidly discovered their method into the crimson zone behind productive runs from each sophomores Donovan Edwards and JJ McCarthy, however Rutgers locked down within the quick discipline. Blake Corum’s often productive crimson zone runs have been belabored, and though he discovered the endzone on 4th and Objective on the one yard line, it was on no account straightforward.

Michigan’s subsequent drive stalled out, and punter Brad Robbins trotted out to ship the ball away for under the second time within the final 3 video games. However the punt crew regarded out of form, Robbins’ punt was blocked, and Rutgers returned it for a landing to knot the rating at seven.

Once more, Michigan eased its method into the crimson zone, however as soon as it was there, nothing got here straightforward. Bailed out by an unlawful substitution penalty on third and objective, the Wolverines got an additional strive, and ended up needing it, housing it on 4th and objective. Corum obtained up shaky after the play, as did tight finish Luke Schoonmaker earlier within the drive. Each have been okay, nevertheless it’s clear the Wolverines have been greatly surprised by the Scarlet Knight physicality.

Rutgers’ physicality continued to have an effect on the Wolverines. Blake Corum was stuffed up the center on a pair events, and an incompletion arrange an extended discipline objective for Jake Moody, who missed huge from 50.

A 48 yard catch by Chris Lengthy arrange a crimson zone likelihood for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights managed to attain on a again shoulder go to Sean Ryan, changing a fourth down within the course of. The catch gave Rutgers a 17-14 lead with a minute and alter left within the half.

With the ball again, McCarthy ran the one minute drill. He aired it out a number of instances, and arrange one other 50 yard discipline objective try for Moody. But once more, Moody missed, this time huge left.The Scarlet Knights took a 3 level lead into the locker room.

As ordinary although, no matter occurred throughout halftime within the locker room galvanized the Wolverines, and in a significant method.

On Michigan’s first drive of the third quarter, McCarthy was lastly given the inexperienced mild to throw within the open discipline, and he seized the chance.

McCarthy discovered Donovan Edwards down the sideline for a 26 yard completion, and tried once more the very subsequent play with Schoonmaker for the landing, however a Rutgers security managed to poke the ball out of his hand. McCarthy then discovered Edwards ultimately zone to retake the lead.

The Wolverines continued their behavior of second half dominance, Michael Barrett selecting off the ball to offer Michigan an opportunity to right away pile on one other rating. They did so with out losing any time, behind two grinding Corum rushes.

On the very subsequent play after the kickoff, Barrett managed to select a Gavin Wimsatt go off but once more, however this time a pick-six, solely deserving of the buffs. And Will Johnson added one more choose — the third interception within the third quarter — with Cornelius Johnson catching the landing to place Michigan even additional out of attain.

With the Wolverines this season, sure habits have crystallized. On this recreation, like a number of Massive Ten bouts earlier than, Michigan struggled early earlier than in the end adapting to the opponents’ recreation plan. As ordinary, the working recreation was potent, each Corum and Edwards having their method on the bottom.

However on this recreation, two extra elements that as but have been comparatively quiet broke out. A 3 choose third quarter was a breakout efficiency from the defensive backs room. And this diploma of go manufacturing within the open discipline hadn’t been seen since Michigan’s out of convention schedule.

This was not the Wolverines’ first style of adversity; however but once more, Michigan proved it may climate the storm and are available out on high.