Observations on the win over Rutgers, 31-7
Michigan converted 3 of 4 red zones for 21 points; Rutgers had one red zone for no points. The Wolverines gained 7 points off one Scarlet Knight turnover.
Offense gained 415 yards with 201 on the ground, and 20 first downs; they were 10 of 15 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. J.J. McCarthy hit 15 of 21 passes for 214 yards and a TD; he ran 7 times for 61 yards despite two sacks. Blake Corum ran 21 times for 97 yards, and 2 TDs. Donovan Edwards ran 6 times for 13 yards, and caught 2 passes for 41 yards. Colston Loveland caught 5 passes for 75 yards. Semaj Morgan caught 2 passes for 26 yards including the 18 yard TD that put Michigan ahead for the first time in the game. Roman Wilson caught 3 passes for 59 yards. Kalel Mullings came in late in the 4th quarter and ran 6 times for 40 yards. A.J. Barner had 3 catches for 13 yards. Michigan dominated time of possession by 12 minutes that resulted in 17 more offensive plays. Deion Jennings and Tyreem Powell had 8 tackles each for the Scarlet Knights.
Defense gave up the early TD, but held Rutgers to 10 first downs including 4 "3 and outs." The Scarlet Knights gained 257 yards with 77 on the ground; they were 3 of 13 on 3rd and 4th down conversions. Gavin Wimsatt had 6 carries for 28 yards, and hit 11 of 21 passes for 180 yards and a TD plus an interception. Christian Dremel caught the 69 yard TD pass as Rod Moore missed the angle; Dremel ended up with 3 receptions for 85 yards. JaQuae Jackson had 3 catches for 37 yards. Kyle Monangai had 11 carries for 27 yards. Junior Colson led the defense with 6 tackles; Derrick Moore had 5 tackles including one for loss. Mike Sainristil ran back an interception for a 71 yard TD on a screen pass; he had two quarterback hits on Wimsatt, and pressured him with several corner blitzes.
Special Teams were not good as James Turner missed a 42 yard field goal, but then hit a 46 yarder. Tommy Doman punted once for 39 yard, and had some great kickoffs including one before half fair caught at the 6. Joe Taylor took a pooch kickoff back for 13 yards. Semaj Morgan fumbled the second half kickoff for an 8 yard return.
Bring on the Cornhuskers! Go Blue!