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Best and worst from Michigan's win over Rutgers

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•11/06/22•

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(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Michigan Wolverines football used a huge second half to surge past Rutgers 52-17 Saturday night in Piscataway. Here are the best and worst from the victory.

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Worst half of the season

Michigan got up 7-0 after its first drive and forced a three-and-out on its first defensive possession for the seventh time this season. It looked like the Wolverines were going to roll to victory.

It was not that easy, of course. Rutgers played Michigan tough in both 2020 (a 48-42 triple-overtime win) and 2021 (a 20-13 victory), and the Scarlet Knights actually held a 17-14 lead at halftime Saturday.

That came after a blocked punt return for a touchdown — the first time Michigan had that happen since 2018 — and a pair of missed tackles on third-and-8 that resulted in a 48-yard pass and set up a touchdown.

Michigan’s offense moved the ball well, with 213 yards in the first half, but graduate kicker Jake Moody missed two 50-yard field goals.

It marked the first time Michigan trailed at halftime this season. The Wolverines were tied 10-10 at Indiana and up just two points, 16-14, over Penn State, but never went into the locker room down prior to Saturday.

Best half of the season

The Wolverines, 26-point favorites, didn’t flinch at halftime. They regrouped and played perhaps their best half of the season, at least their most outstanding third quarter (among many very good ones).

To start the second half, the defense forced a three-and-out and gave the offense a relatively short field, before the Wolverines drove 57 yards for a score. Then, Michigan graduate linebacker Michael Barrett notched an interception that set up a touchdown. On Michigan’s next defensive play, he grabbed another and returned it for a pick-six. The Wolverines scored 21 points in 1:42 of elapsed game time.

Freshman phenom

Michigan freshman cornerback Will Johnson was making his first career start in replacement of graduate Gemon Green, who made the trip but was held out after being attacked by MSU players postgame last week. Johnson had a third-quarter interception and 29-yard return in which he hurdled multiple defenders.

After making one big play in each of the last two games, Johnson broke out in this one, playing solid coverage on almost every snap and making his most significant play of the season.

Johnson is already good, getting better and going to be great.

Needed a breather

Barrett got his first pick, ran to the sideline to take a picture with the Wolverines’ now-famed turnover buffs, and soon was back on the field. He got his next interception, ran it back for a touchdown, snapped a photo, then had to get back on the field for the next drive.

“They still had my sweat on them,” Barrett said of the turnover buffs, Cartier sunglasses made of buffalo horns. “I still kinda felt it. It felt good to put on, but then we had to go back out, so I couldn’t even have that much of a chance to celebrate. It was right back out there, so I couldn’t even catch my breath.”

Michigan junior running back Blake Corum, too, had a tough time earlier in the game. He was seen vomiting early in the game, something he also did a few weeks ago.

“I gotta check in with the doctors about that,” the grinning Michigan running back said postgame. “I gotta learn how to breathe better. I think I don’t breathe the correct way, so I’m sucking in air, and the only thing is, it comes back up.

“But once it comes back up, I feel good. I’m gonna get with the doctors, see what they can do about that. I need to learn how to control my emotions while I’m out there, all the adrenaline. It just came up, ya know.”

Tough sledding

Corum was working hard early in the game (making his upchuck understandable). Michigan got down to the goal line on two occasions in the first quarter — one-time thanks to a 43-yard dash from Corum — and tried powering it in. Rutgers’ defense held strong, though, making Michigan work all the way until Corum and sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy (on a sneak) rammed it in for 1-yard touchdowns.

Corum ran 11 times in the first quarter, including six times at the goal line.

Biggest improvement

While it wasn’t easy on the two aforementioned 1-yard touchdown runs, and the level of competition was down, Michigan showed improvement with its red-zone offense. Having to settle for field goals in deep was becoming a theme, with the Wolverines kicking a combined seven red-zone field goals in the prior two contests.

Michigan got inside the Rutgers 20-yard line seven times in this game and came away with six touchdowns and one field goal. The Wolverines used three rushes — the two we mentioned, plus a 2-yarder from Corum — and a pair of passes. McCarthy hit sophomore running back Donovan Edwards from 14 yards out, and he connected with senior wideout Cornelius Johnson on a 6-yard pitch and catch.

Heisman watch

Corum is an explosive player with high-level speed and agility. He’s also been consistent throughout games and from week to week all season long. He finished with 109 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries, marking his sixth-straight 100-yard rushing game.

The 5-foot-8, 210-pounder brings it every single week and is climbing his way up the Heisman hot boards. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker lost to Georgia today and Ohio State signal-caller C.J. Stroud struggled at times in a weather game at Northwestern. Corum has been the constant and is getting closer and closer to earning an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York.

1-2 punch

Corum was very good, and Edwards continues to excel in his complementary role. He ran 15 times for 109 yards, including a 46-yarder he took down the right sideline. He also caught 3 passes for 52 yards, including a contested, 14-yard TD catch.

Michigan is allowing Edwards’ role to grow by the week, and he continues to make exciting plays. Each guy has his role in the backfield. Edwards’ emergence allows Corum to get a rest (which he clearly needed Saturday).

Best pass rusher

Michigan senior EDGE Mike Morris is ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 22 overall NFL Draft prospect, and he once again showed why. He had 1.5 sacks, with both quarterback takedowns coming on third downs. His solo effort came in the second quarter and his shared sack with graduate EDGE Taylor Upshaw occurred in the third stanza.

Morris was in on 2 of Michigan’s 3 sacks on the night. He leads the team with 7.5 this season.

Best scores from around the country

Michigan surprisingly checked in No. 5 in Tuesday night’s first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, with Tennessee (1), Ohio State (2), Georgia (3) and Clemson (4) slotting ahead of the Wolverines.

This Saturday was a huge day for playoff movement, and Michigan got exactly what it needed. Georgia knocked off Tennessee (27-13), Notre Dame took down Clemson (35-17) and Alabama, which was ranked No. 6, fell at No. 10 LSU.

The Wolverines control their destiny, but still have a chance to make the top four if they lose close at Ohio State. Those odds increased after Saturday’s events.

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