Report Card: Grading Michigan In A 34-13 Win Over Washington
By Chris Balas
Grading Michigan football in all facets of a 34-13, National Championship win over Washington. The Wolverines got out to a big lead, stalled a bit offensively, but pulled away late for their first National Championship since 1997. The grades:
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Michigan rushing offense: A
If you’d told us two Michigan running backs would eclipse 100 yards this game, we’d have predicted the score would be similar to what it was. Junior Donovan Edwards picked the right game to break out — his two 40-plus-yard touchdown runs (46, 41) set the tone. Senior Blake Corum earned game MVP honors with 134 yards rushing and 2 more TDs, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Even Kalel Mullings ran hard with 3 carries for 21 yards.
Passing offense: C
J.J. McCarthy wasn’t at his best, but he still made some big throws to complement an outstanding rushing offense. His 41-yarder to tight end Colston Loveland in the fourth quarter started a drive that finally allowed the Wolverines to get separation, and he also threw a dart to senior receiver Roman Wilson in the first half. Grad student Cornelius Johnson had a drop, but he also made a nice catch on the first drive of the game to move the sticks.
Michigan rushing defense: A+
Washington running back Dillon Johnson was banged up and was never going to be a factor against the swarming Michigan defense. He averaged only 3 yards per carry, and no Huskies back had a carry greater than 9 yards. Most of them were less than 3 (7 of 11). The U-M front seven was dominant against the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line.
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Passing defense: A
There were a few blown coverages, but only one burned them — a 44-yard pass from Michael Penix Jr. to Rome Odunze in the fourth quarter. Michigan DBs Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil both notched big picks that helped secure the win, and Penix wasn’t comfortable all game. He completed only 27 of 51 passes for 255 yards with a touchdown and 2 interceptions. Minus the 44-yarder, there were very few explosive plays — only four of 14 or more, all less than 16. Minter had Penix’s head spinning with his coverages.
Michigan special teams: A
Kicker James Turner made it interesting, but he made both of his field goals and all his extra points. Punter Tommy Doman had a nice rebound game in averaging 46.8 yards per punt, and the Michigan coverage units were good, as usual. Washington’s short punts didn’t give U-M return men much of an opportunity. Overall, a win for the Wolverines.
