Michigan vs. USC game balls: Kalel Mullings, Will Johnson lead the way
The Michigan Wolverines moved to 3-1 on the season with a 27-24 win over USC on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, their first win in the series as Big Ten foes and first since 1989. It took no shortage of standout performances to get the job done.
The Wolverine’s staff of Chris Balas, Clayton Sayfie and Anthony Broome weigh in with their game ball picks after the win along with a new honorable mentions.
Chris Balas: Graduate RB Kalel Mullings
Michigan’s offense was searching for an identity early on this season and appears to have re-discovered in the form of an elite ground game. Kalel Mullings has earned his place as the No. 1 running back on the team, and while there is still plenty of room for Donovan Edwards in the rotation, Mullings’ play has been undeniably more valuable through the first four games.
Saturday, he basically won the game on his own. Mullings had 17 rushes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, one from 53 yards out and another from one yard out to pull ahead with 37 seconds to go. Prior to his game-winning score, Mullings had a 63-yard run that set up the Wolverines in prime position to steal a win.
No matter what, Mullings should be this team’s RB1.
Clayton Sayfie: Junior CB Will Johnson
What can you say about No. 2? He’s incredible.
Michigan’s most talented player baited USC quarterback Miller Moss into a throw that he jumped in front of and returned 42 yards for a touchdown in the blink of an eye. Johnson is now Michigan’s all-time leader with 3 pick-sixes in his career, and that was his second of the season.
Johnson left the game early in the fourth quarter with an injury, which was concerning considering he got X-rays, but he got the all-clear to go back in the game. Head coach Sherrone Moore held him out on the final drive, but his teammates came up big.
This is special what we’re watching with Johnson.
Anthony Broome: The defensive line
EDGE Josaiah Stewart led the way with two sacks on Saturday, but it was a great day at the office for the entire defensive line. We have been waiting and waiting for this team to flex its dominance, and two weeks ago Texas came into town and pushed them around. It was not allowed to happen on Sautrday with everyone up front, especially tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, playing their best, most complete games of the season.
Stewart had at least five quarterback pressures in the first half and was a wrecking ball out there. He looks like Michigan’s most explosive pass rusher since Aidan Hutchinson. His NFL potential is not nearly as high, but continuing his current trajectory could put him in the same breath as some of his other peers. There were some weird substitutions with the DL early in the second half, but this group brought its hard hat on Saturday.
Michigan honorable mentions
• Senior RB Donovan Edwards: 14 carries, 74 yards, 41-yard TD
• Senior FB Max Bredeson: Key block on the game-winning touchdown
• Sophomore CB Jyaire Hill: 6 tackles, tackle for loss, 2 passes defended
• Junior nickel Zeke Berry: 5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, pass defended
