Michigan grits through CFP National Championship to win first title since 1997

HOUSTON, Texas – The Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies paid tribute to the conference they will both occupy with plenty of punts and offensive woes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, but it was U-M that emerged victorious in a 34-13 win.

The national title is the team’s first since 1997 and first outright title since the 1948 season, capping off a 15-0 campaign that included wins over Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama and Washington.

Here is the blow-by-blow recap of what happened in Houston on Monday night.

First quarter

Washington won the opening coin toss and deferred its choice to the second half, putting Michigan on offense to kick off the CFP title game. Semaj Morgan took the opening kickoff back from the 3-yard line to the 16 to start the contest. Eight plays and 84 yards later, Michigan drew first blood in the game on a 41-yard scoring run from Donovan Edwards on a drive where the Wolverines ran for 66 yards on six carries. After James Turner’s extra point, Michigan led 7-0 with 10:14 remaining in the first quarter.

The Huskies responded with a 14-play, 67-yard drive that stalled in the red zone, forcing a 25-yard field goal attempt from Grady Gross. The kick was good, narrowing the score to 7-3 in favor of Michigan with 3:56 to go. Michigan followed it up with an 86-yard touchdown drive, capped off by Edwards’ second touchdown run of the game. This one came from 46 yards out and gave Michigan a 14-3 lead after the extra point with 2:23 on the clock.

Michigan’s defense came out and forced a three-and-out on the next Washington possession. On the first play from scrimmage after the Huskies’ punt, Blake Corum ripped off a 59-yard run as time expired in the first quarter, setting up another potential scoring drive.

Michigan 14, Washington 3

Second quarter

The Michigan offense was unable to punch it in the end zone after the Corum run, instead settling for a 31-yard field goal from Turner. Michigan led 17-3 with 13:28 to go in the half. Washington turned the ball over on downs on its next possession, with Michael Penix Jr. misfiring on a throw to Rome Odunze that would have been a sure touchdown. The Wolverines took back over on their own 47-yard line.

Michigan went three-and-out for the first time in the game, punting into the end zone and giving Washington the ball on its own 20-yard line. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant got in for a 12-yard sack on the first play before the defense forced a fourth-and-7 at the 23-yard line, resulting in a punt to Michigan’s 33-yard line with 7:45 remaining.

Michigan got the ball back and went 29 yards in six plays, turning the ball over on downs and giving it to Washington at the U-M 39-yard line. What followed was an 11-play, 61-yard drive from the Huskies that ended in a touchdown pass from Penix to Jalen McMillan from three yards out. After the extra point, Washington narrowed the Michigan lead to 17-10. Michigan punted four plays later, and Washington kneeled the ball to head into the locker room down one score.

Michigan 17, Washington 10

Third quarter

Washington started on offense after deferring its choice in the first half. On the first play from scrimmage, Penix was intercepted by Will Johnson, giving Michigan the ball at the UW 32-yard line. Michigan went 12 yards in six plays, sputtering with a few penalties, but got the lead back up to two scores on a 38-yard field goal from Turner. The Wolverines’ lead was up to 20-10 with 11:55 on the clock in the third quarter.

Washington got back on the board with a seven-play, 47-yard drive that was aided by an unnecessary roughness penalty called on Makari Paige. The Huskies settled for a 45-yard field goal, though, and narrow the deficit to 20-13 in favor of Michigan with 8:56 remaining. The Wolverines went three-and-out on their next drive, punting down to the Washington 26-yard line with 6:59 to go. Michigan stepped up on defense, forcing another three-and-out. Washington punted down to the Michigan 7-yard line with 5:11 on the clock.

Michigan was able to get to its 48-yard line thanks to a pair of long McCarthy runs, but ultimately punted the ball back to Washington to the 11-yard line with 38 seconds remaining in the quarter. The clock would run out with Washington holding the ball at the 23-yard line.

Michigan 20, Washington 13

Fourth quarter

Michigan’s defense held firm again, forcing another Washington punt that landed at the U-M 16-yard line with 13:29 to go. The Wolverines went three-and-out, punting the ball back to Washington with 11:52 to play down to the UW 33-yard line. Washington appeared to finally get its elusive big play from Penix to Odunze 32 yards down the field, but it was negated by a holding call. After forcing another three-and-out, Michigan took back over on its 29-yard line with 9:44 to go for all the marbles.

Five plays and 71 yards later, Michigan finally got its two-score lead back after a 12-yard rush from Corum to the end zone. After the extra point, Michigan led 27-13 with 7:09 remaining. Washington was able to make another push down the field, but Mike Sainristil intercepted Penix and returned it 81 yards down to the Michigan 8-yard line to seal the win. Corum scored from seven yards out shortly after, helping balloon Michigan’s lead to 34-13 after the extra point.

After one more push from the Huskies, Michigan got a stop and kneeled it out. The Wolverines are your 2023 national champions.

FINAL: Michigan 34, Washington 13