Michigan 38, Northwestern 0
Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog
As dusk descended upon Ann Arbor, the crowd roared.
"DE-FENSE. DE-FENSE. DE-FENSE."
Michigan fans weren't urging the defense to make a critical stop in the fourth quarter. They were urging them to finish the shutout. For the third straight game, the defense finished.
Michigan is the first FBS team since 1995 to shut out three consecutive opponents.
— Colleen Thomas (@colleenthomas_) October 10, 2015
"I wouldn't say any emotion," said Jabrill Peppers, asked if the defense fed off the chant. "This is what we expect to do."
"When we're out there, we don't want to give them anything."
The Wolverines allowed 168 yards; only 38 of those came on the ground against a Northwestern team that relied on its run game and its strong defense to win its first five games. One could easily argue the pass defense was even better than the rush defense. Jim Harbaugh said DJ Durkin called a "near-flawless game," adding "A-plus-plus." It would be much harder to argue that point.
Eric Upchurch/MGoBlog
One of the stars of the defense helped Michigan to the game-winning points—on the first play of the game. Peppers had an inkling Northwestern would kick the ball away from him, electing instead to boot it towards Jehu Chesson.
"If they kick it to you, just follow me, follow my block," Peppers said he told Chesson.
A lane opened up, Peppers walled off two Wildcats, and Chesson streaked down the west sideline for Michigan's first kickoff return touchdown since Darryl Stonum against Notre Dame in 2009.
The defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, one of three they'd record in the first half. The offense held up their end of the bargain, with big plays by a healthy looking De'Veon Smith and Jake Butt setting up a touchdown plunge by Drake Johnson. Michigan led 14-0 just 4:40 into the game, which was effectively over, save for the extended beating.
Jake Rudock, who had his best game at Michigan, threw for 179 yards on 23 attempts and extended the lead to 21 on a two-yard quarterback keeper late in the first quarter. His favorite target on the day was AJ Williams, whose four receptions all went for first downs. Hail all the Harbaughs.
Jourdan Lewis had the play of the afternoon in the second quarter, stealing the ball from receiver Austin Carr, who looked for all the world like he'd made a first-down catch, and streaking 37 yards the other way in front of a befuddled Northwestern sideline and a delighted Michigan Stadium crowd. The Wolverines wouldn't need any more points, but they got some anyway on a 47-yard Kenny Allen field goal and a late four-yard touchdown run by Derrick Green. The latter score meant Michigan and Northwestern hit the over. The Wolverines required no contribution from the Wildcats.
"Pretty much every phase you look at, it was humming today," said Jim Harbaugh. "Congratulations, it was impressive. Next. Onward."
Next is Michigan State. Onward, indeed.
October 10th, 2015 at 7:37 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:01 PM ^
um, no, I agree.
HARBAUGH/DURKIN 2016--GOOSE EGGS FOR EVERYONE
October 10th, 2015 at 8:02 PM ^
Peppers is just all over the field and in the middle big plays time after time. He threw a great block on the kick and also sprung Lewis on the INT return. Quickly becoming my favorite defender since You Know Who.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:21 PM ^
I do know who, and upvoted accordingly. Agreed!
Your post did also make me think that expelliarmus would be a great spell for a defender.
/geek
October 11th, 2015 at 6:23 AM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:03 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 9:30 PM ^
/s
I am in Tajikistan, which is even farther from being able to watch the game than Mars. My delight in this outcome is tempered by my disappointment that I could not watch the game because it was happening while I was trying desperately to sleep off the jet lag, and also the internet here is mediocre at best.
Hail Harbaugh.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:33 AM ^
That would have made it a perfect day!
October 10th, 2015 at 7:39 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:39 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:44 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:42 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:49 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:49 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:50 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 8:24 PM ^
N0l00ll0M
/binary
October 10th, 2015 at 7:40 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:40 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^
110,000 people chanting "DEFENSE!", up 38 with :29 seconds to go. I cried.
October 10th, 2015 at 10:12 PM ^
More like about 75000 at that point.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:12 AM ^
at that point, that is still more than the actual capacity of about 98% of all stadiums in the country.
And they were loud. Damn loud.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:07 AM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 1:26 AM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^
Switching from Scotch and drinking the kool-aid!
The last defense to shutout opponents in 12 straight quarters was the 2012 Alabama defense. Things worked out pretty well for that team, as it went on to win a national championship. The last time Michigan shutout three straight opponents was 1980. Michigan would finish 10-2 that season and win the Big Ten.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:22 PM ^
Nah that team recorded 4 shutouts but not three in a row. That hasn't been done by anyone since 1995.
October 10th, 2015 at 9:22 PM ^
... he said "twelve straight quarters"--not three whole games. That Alabama team did play 12 consecutive quarters of shutout football, but those quarters spanned four games and began in the fourth quarter of their opener against us.
Bama also did this against the likes of W. Kentucky and Florida Atlantic. I like our streak better.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:10 AM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 1:21 AM ^
Michigan didn't allow a TD for the last 5 games
October 11th, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^
That team should have won the National Championship (and would have under today's system). They slipped up early, corrected it, and completely dominated thereafter.
October 10th, 2015 at 7:42 PM ^
This is so much fun
October 10th, 2015 at 7:42 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 9:03 PM ^
how UM fans who bet the under felt about Green's TD. Glad to see that blue is thicker than green.
October 10th, 2015 at 7:43 PM ^
I'm not even knocking on wood. Be afraid, MSU
October 10th, 2015 at 7:44 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:46 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:47 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^
MY GOD
October 10th, 2015 at 8:16 PM ^
amirite?
October 11th, 2015 at 1:11 AM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:46 PM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 1:12 AM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:48 PM ^
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 10th, 2015 at 7:51 PM ^
If we get some breaks I think this team has a shot at winning 8 games.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:22 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 9:32 PM ^
kinda kills the point of sarcasm. I don't know him either, but rest assured that he is being sarcastic.
October 10th, 2015 at 10:22 PM ^
It's comedic understatement. Geez, I have to explain everything to you guys.
It's also a gentle reminder of how much better this team is than what we were expecting.
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