Many in the Michigan football fanbase are ready to turn the page to next season, and while excitement appears to lie ahead for head coach Sherrone Moore's team, there was some left for this year too, as U-M finished the home portion of its 2024 season with its best all-around performance.
The Wolverines put up a season-high in points Saturday, the defense allowed a season-low and kicker Dominic Zvada converted his sixth field goal from 50-plus yards as Michigan outclassed Northwestern in a 50-6 win in Ann Arbor at Michigan Stadium.
U-M's sixth win of the year clinched a bowl berth for a fourth consecutive season, though this came far differently than the past three years when the Wolverines played in the College Football Playoff.
Here's what stood out from the game:
The offense managed just 94 total yards on its first four possessions vs. the Wildcats, before a two-minute drive to end the half saw Davis Warren complete 6 of 9 passes for 61 yards. It included a 3-yard touchdown strike to Colston Loveland with 11 seconds left for a 17-6 halftime edge.
From there, Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) enjoyed its first stretch all year where it came away with touchdowns on three possessions in a row -- and added a fourth in the fourth quarter.
Warren was solid as he completed 26 of 35 passes for 195 yards with one score and one interception. While the numbers looked good in the end, his first interception since he was benched in Week 3 vs. Arkansas State was a reminder of why U-M went all in over recent weeks to flip No. 1 overall class of 2025 prospect Bryce Underwood (Belleville), who was in attendance two days after flipping from LSU to commit to the Wolverines.
U-M had a comfortable 10-0 lead at the time of Warren's pick, which provided Northwestern momentary life as linebacker Xander Mueller returned it to U-M's 20. The defense forced a field goal.
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The defense was suffocating Saturday against perhaps the worst Power Four offense. After the Wildcats' first two plays picked up 16 yards, their next 12 went for a total of 13 yards. The unit finished with six sacks; many of which may have come from players in their final game at Michigan Stadium like Josaiah Stewart (two sacks) and Kenneth Grant and TJ Guy who each got one of their own.
Northwestern connected on its longest play late in the first half, a 39-yard deep shot from Jack Lausch to Bryce Kirtz against Zeke Berry, but U-M's nickel turned corner had the last laugh when he broke up the ensuing pass on third-and-goal in the end zone and forced a field goal to make it 10-6.
That's when Warren and the offense responded late in the first half for the score to Loveland.
It was a nice design by coordinator Kirk Campbell, who first motioned wide receiver Tyler Morris from right to left -- where Loveland already was -- and then brought tight end Marlin Klein to the same side. The defense miscommunicated, one stayed on Morris and two jumped Klein's route, which left Loveland to settle in the open zone for the easy touchdown with 11 seconds left in the half.
Loveland nearly scored earlier in the game. U-M went 11 plays and 53 yards on its opening drive and Warren targeted the star on third-and-goal early which fell incomplete, but Loveland was pulled to the ground which drew a flag and a free set of downs. He didn't return to play in the second half.
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Kalel Mullings, who ran for three touchdowns and finished with 12 carries for 92 yards in his final game at the Big House, scored from 2 yards out to go up 7-0 on the next snap. U-M soon went up 10-0, after Aamir Hall came away with his first interception, which helped set up Zvada for his program record sixth field goal from at least 50 yards out.
U-M put the game away early in the second half.
Mullings took the first carry for 13 yards, then ripped the second play off for 47. Three plays later, on third-and-5, he plunged into the end zone from 10 yards to put U-M up 24-6 with 12:10 left in the third.
The defense pinned its ears back on the next possession and Stewart dropped Lausch for his second sack.
U-M then marched on a 10-play, 45-yard drive on the next possession, which ended when Mullings scored from 1-yard away behind a block from fullback Max Bredeson. The next series, freshman safety Mason Curtis ended any glimmer of hope for Northwestern when he picked off Lausch's pass on fourth-and-13.
Lausch finished 10-for-21 for 106 yards and two interceptions.
Donovan Edwards got in on the action when he had consecutive carries, the first for 24, the second for 20 yards and a score for a 38-6 advantage.
Northwestern was credited for just 10 rushing yards on 25 attempts. U-M ran for 201 yards on 35 carries.