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 11th, 2015 at 12:05 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 1:26 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 11th, 2015 at 1:03 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 11th, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^
Comment of the day.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:19 PM ^
already has a 4 hour head start on game planning, and i bet he is using every second of it
October 10th, 2015 at 8:34 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:37 PM ^
Beat MSU, and this team will be for real.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 10th, 2015 at 8:50 PM ^
This team is ALREADY for real. We have matched the total number of wins for ALL of last year. One game from bowl eligible.
October 10th, 2015 at 9:08 PM ^
What is best in life? Coach Harbaugh?
To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:12 AM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 9:16 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 10th, 2015 at 9:30 PM ^
It's just awesome. I kind of watched the game a little bewildered. It was like I was in a great dream. I never thought it would go like that at all. Not at all. Just a great overall team win. A complete win. Feels really good. Again .... the team playing 4 quarters with no let up. Love it.
I don't even know what to expect next week. MSU is a better team (I think?) but if the Michigan D does what they have been doing the past 3 weeks .....well ..... I don't know how they can beat us. It's that simple. Man .... just awesome.
GREAT JOB TO THE WHOLE TEAM!
October 10th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 11th, 2015 at 7:20 AM ^
October 12th, 2015 at 1:16 AM ^
He was saying MSU is probably better than NW, who didn't put up much of a struggle, frankly.
October 10th, 2015 at 9:36 PM ^
GO BLUE!!!
HARBAUGH!!!!
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 10th, 2015 at 9:39 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 9:39 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 9:44 PM ^
5 fingers say to the face.....slap.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 10th, 2015 at 9:50 PM ^
.....would love to be 21 again at a party on Packard tonight?
October 10th, 2015 at 10:30 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
a difference a year makes!
October 10th, 2015 at 11:08 PM ^
Just beautiful.
October 10th, 2015 at 11:29 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 12:32 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 2:15 PM ^
That's what is so exciting . . . it looks sustainable. They are doing it without a bunch of superstars, and without any big lucky breaks.
2015 is the anti-2011. 2011 had stars like Denard and a ton of lucky breaks. It was a great year, we beat ND, OSU, and won a BCS Bowl game. But it felt tenuous. It didn't necessarily feel sustainable. We could have easily had 5 losses.
When you look at 2015, the only thing you can say "could have easily happened" that didn't happen is that we beat Utah and are undefeated.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:41 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 12:46 AM ^
we might actually kill Michigan State next week, I mean really humiliate them.
Glorious.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:52 AM ^
MGoWife62, "Nothing could be better than a husband who's team wins 38-0, for the third straight shutout. No person could be so kind, happy, and loving." Go Blue! Harbaugh! Onward.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^
Emphasis on loving. Perhaps twice.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:59 AM ^
Another Saturday, another game where Sparty had to struggle, in order to defeat a horrible (Rutgers) opponent.
They bring play like that into Ann Arbor next weekend and they're going to get throttled good.
They're starting to resemble the Mahayana Buddhist Monk in Vietnam....taking the gas can suicide. Its becoming painfully obvious...they're missing Narduzzi BAD!
October 11th, 2015 at 1:33 AM ^
will be exciting to watch the Michigan corners go up against the MSU wide receivers.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:44 AM ^
While EVERYONE is in awe and drooling over this defense, we're missing one itsy bitsy tiny detail ........................ This team just put up 38 points on the #1 defense against points in the country.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:54 AM ^
We just scored as many points, in 1 game, against the #1 points D, as we've given up all year.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
Glass Half Empty: They are not the #1 defense anymore.
Glass Half Full: We are!
October 11th, 2015 at 2:46 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 11th, 2015 at 7:20 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 11th, 2015 at 8:17 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 11th, 2015 at 8:54 AM ^
the Rutgers WRs were WIDE FUCKING OPEN all day LONG in NJ.
Rudock will look like the better QB next week, BOOK IT
October 11th, 2015 at 9:34 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 11th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^
When Brian predicted 18-0 in his preview on Friday, I thought there's no way the margin will be that big. I love being proven wrong.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:03 AM ^
ONWARD INDEED!!! Go Blue!!! AJ WILLIAMS? Who do you prep for next week? Will it be the fullback or a wide receiver. Hmmmm maybe a running back. No a tight end. Maybe Qb Jake? Just don't know. So many decisions. Keep them guessing Coach Harbaugh. Go Blue!!!
October 12th, 2015 at 5:31 PM ^
This is just fun to watch. Nice take.
October 11th, 2015 at 3:24 PM ^
Go Blue
Comments