Cornelius Johnson on Michigan's offense vs. Penn State: 'It was like we were playing in the 1800s or something'
The Michigan Wolverines offense took on an old-school feel in the 24-15 win over Penn State on Saturday in Happy Valley. The team attempted only eight total passes and ran the ball 30 straight times to end the victory, ending the game with 227 rushing yards on the nation’s top-ranked rush defense.
For Michigan’s pass catchers, it meant using their hands to block instead of catching the football. Graduate wideout Cornelius Johnson has played plenty of games like that before, but perhaps not on a stage quite as big as Saturday’s.
“It was crazy,” Johnson told the media on Monday afternoon from Schembechler Hall. “I mean, at some point, it was like we were playing in the 1800s or something with all those like runs. I’ve never really seen a game like that. I guess you could look at the stats, but we were able to go out there and get the win. That was what mattered most. But as a receiver, we’re ready to run routes and do what we can to contribute.
“Sometimes you go into the game with scripted plays you’re trying to run and get off the call sheet, and then, as the game goes on, you just figure out the best probability to win the game. If that’s working, we just stick with it.”
Johnson and Michigan were put in a weird spot with the suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh while the team was on the plane to Happy Valley. Harbaugh’s status was up in the air almost right up until kickoff. After the victory, the team met back up with him at the airport to a very hoarse, but happy head coach.
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“That was fun,” Johnson said. “When we all got there, it was super fun to see him in good spirits. He lost his voice or something. He must have been yelling at the TV when he was watching because he couldn’t be there. He sounded like he needed something to drink. But it was funny. It was nice to see him finally.”
U-M players got on the airplane Friday donning “Michigan vs. Everybody” apparel, but Johnson was sporting a shirt that referenced “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” on its Nov. 10 anniversary. He has a reason why Gordon Lightfoot’s song that commemorated one of the most famous shipwrecks in history motivates him.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early
“I know Coach Harbaugh said he used to listen to that song on the way to the stadium when he played,” Johnson said. “It might seem weird because it’s not the most hyped-up song, but everyone’s got their routine. It’s a funny song because it does relate to Michigan and that area, Lake Superior and all that. So, it was cool. Just good lyrics in that song. Just a fighting mentality.
“We’re the lake. That’s what my mindset is in that song if you listen to those lyrics.”
