Ann Arbor, MI—The Michigan Wolverines came into this high noon Big Ten matchup 3-0 and ranked #2 in the country. Outscoring their 1st three opponents 96-16. Only surrendering one touchdown on the season.
The Wolverines had their head coach Jim Harbaugh back on the sideline after missing three games due to a suspension. Coach Harbaugh looks to unleash his lethal offense led by junior Heisman Trophy candidate QB JJ McCarthy going 56/68 701 yards, 82.4 cmp%, 7 tds and 3 ints, has the Michigan Offense averaging 32 points per contest.
The Wolverines have a well-balanced attack through the air and on ground, rushing attack is led by senior RB Blake Corum 37 carries 254 yards 6.9 avg. and 6 touchdowns.
Corum ran for two touchdowns and 97 yards on 21 carries, helping the Big Blue to put away Rutgers 31-7 on Saturday in Ann Arbor in front of an announced crowd of 109,756.
“That’s the kind of game Bo Schembechler would’ve been really proud of,” said Harbaugh, who played quarterback for the late coach in the mid-1980s.
Corum back came back to school with one mission and that’s to win the national championship. The ariel weapons that McCarthy has at his disposal are two dynamite senior wide receivers Cornelius Johnson 13 catches 224 yards 17.2 avg. 1 touchdown, and Roman Wilson 12 catches 209 yards 17.4 average and team leader in touchdowns with six.
The Wolverine defense is not to be out done, has held opponents to 5.3 points per game and only one touchdown in three games. Senior Jaylen Harrell defensive end is having an block buster season with 9 total tackles and 2.5 sacks and his counterpart on the defensive line sophomore defensive tackle Kenneth Grant one the nation’s best, has 5 total tackles and 1.5 sacks will be a high draft pick in 2025.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights are flying high starting the season off at 3-0 and (1-0) in Big Ten play. A remarkable victory over fella Big Ten team Northwestern 24-7. Rutgers had a huge home win over ACC power Virginia Tech in a old fashion beat down winning 35-16. The Scarlet Knights head Coach Greg Schiano has already turned the Rutgers’ program around and was looking to upset the heavily favorite #2 Michigan Wolverines in the Big house.
RU took a 7-0 lead on their first series on Gavin Wimsatt’s 69-yard slant route touchdown pass to wide-out Christian Dremel but they missed opportunities to score in each quarter.
Corum knotted the game up at 7-7 with a power play up the gut. Michigan QB JJ McCarthy is displayed why he is being considered for the Heisman Trophy, he went 7/10 116 yards through the air and 36 yards on the ground. Michigan’s head coach Jim Harbaugh mixed up the offense, by playing both of his outstanding RB’s Corum and Donovan Edwards at the same time to create match up problems in the secondary and the linebackers crew. McCarthy hit Semaji Morgan for a 18-yards back shoulder touchdown in the corner of the end-zone as Michigan took their first lead of the game 14-7.
The Wolverines received the ball after halftime, head coach John Harbaugh leaned heavily on the run to wear the Scarlet Knights defense down early in the third quarter. Michigan was only able to end the long eight minute drive with a field goal, extending the lead to 17-7. Michigan’s defense forced a key pick six of Gavin Wimsatt after a deep drive into the Wolverines territory.
The 69-yard interception return by senior DB Mike Sainristil deflated the Knights and their hopes of cutting the lead down to a single possession went down the drain as the lead increased to 24-7 in Michigan’s favor. Rutgers despite the score had a lone bright spot on defense prime time performer linebacker Tyreem Powell is impressing NFL scouts with his 7 total tackles 1 TFL and 1 sack going into the 4th quarter of play.
The Wolverines had 201 yards rushing, averaging 5 yards a carry, and gave up just 3.3 yards per run for a total of 77 yards.
McCarthy was 15 of 21 for 214 yards with a touchdown and no turnovers, a week after throwing a career-high three picks.
The Wolverines dominating time of possession, 29:11 to The Scarlet Knights 23:52 as Michigan kept the ball on the ground as McCarthy orchestrated a drive finished off by senior Corum for his 2nd rushing touchdown of the day. 9 plays 66 yards and pushing Michigan’s lead to a sizeable 31-7 and that would be the ball game.
Wimsatt went 11 of 21 for 180 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He ran six times for 28 yards.
Kyle Monagai ran for 27 yards on 11 carries for the Scarlet Knights.
“They’re very gap sound, they’re a disciplined team, they’re physical,” Monangai said. “Anybody who does that, it’s going to be hard to run the ball against.”
THE STREAK
The Wolverines has 19 consecutive home victories, its longest run since winning 21 in a row from 1998-2001. The Wolverines have won 29 of their last 32 games.
UP NEXT:
Rutgers: Hosts Wagner, an FCS program, on Saturday.
Michigan: In first road game, plays Nebraska on Saturday.
