Observations on the win over Purdue, 41-13
Michigan converted 6 red zone trips for 34 points; Purdue managed 6 points in two red zone gifts from Michigan. Both teams scored 3 points off a turnover by each team.
Offense gained 445 yards with only 110 on the ground with 5 rushing TDs; the Wolverines were 7 of 14 in 3rd down conversions with 22 first downs. J.J. McCarthy was 24 of 37 for 335 yards, but was sacked three times for -34 yards; it was not his best game, but he still excelled at making plays when needed. Blake Corum ran 15 times for 44 yards and 3 TDs; he also caught 2 passes for 3 yards. Roman Wilson caught 9 passes for 143 yards; Wilson continued to "bail out" the Wolverines with big 3rd down catches mostly on crossing patterns. Donovan Edwards ran 8 times for 21 yards and a TD, and caught 3 passes for 41 yards. Semaj Morgan caught 2 passes for 27 yards, and ran a jet sweep for a 44 yard TD. Cornelius Johnson caught 2 passes for 39 yards, and ran once for 14 yards. Colston Loveland caught 4 passes for 55 yards. Tyler Morris caught 2 passes for 27 yards. Kalel Mullings ran 4 times for 20 yards. Alisandro Botros led the Boilermakers with 7 tackles; Nic Scourton had 2 sacks for Purdue.
Defense allowed Purdue 269 total yards with 125 on the ground, and 10 first downs; the Boilermakers only converted one of 14 in 3rd down, and a 4th down TD to end the game with a 24 yard TD pass. Hudson Card hit only 12 of 28 for 144 yards with an interception by Will Johnson that led to one red zone; Card also ran 5 times for 26 yards after one Wolverine sack. Michigan pressured Card a lot with 10 quarterback hits including 3 by Jaylen Harrell, but could only execute one sack. Tyrone Tracy had 11 carries for 61 yards plus 2 catches for 13 yards. Deion Burks had 3 receptions for 43 yards including a 24 yard TD pass. Jayden Dixon-Veal caught 4 passees for 32 yards. Mershawn Rice caught a 43 yard pass over Freshman D.J. Waller. Michigan dominated time of possession by 7:48 minutes and that led to 14 more offensive plays. Makari Paige led the defense with 8 tackles.
Special Teams allowed Purdue one score when Quentin Johnson was hit by a punt return, and the Boilermakers recovered at the 34; it resulted in a field goal. Purdue punted 10 times, and had six "3 and outs." James Turner hit both field goals, but Purdue also hit two field goals by Ben Freehill. Jake Thaw had 3 punt returns for 38 yards. Tommy Doman punted 4 times with all four downed inside the 20; Doman kicked off 8 times with 6 touchbacks. Danny Hughes made the tackle on the game opening kickoff with a return of only 12 yards. Semaj Morgan had a 21 yard kickoff return.
Bring on Penn State! Go Blue!