Michigan Football Gets Tested, but Still Gets Victory Over Maryland 34-27

Photo Credit: Aaron J. Thornton

 

 

By Aaron J. Thornton

 

Are the Michigan Wolverines as good as they appear?  Well, Saturday’s game against the 3-0 Maryland Terrapins was certainly much closer than many thought it would be.  After dominating in their first three non-conference games this year, the fourth ranked Wolverines opened the Big Ten season with a hard fought win over the Terrapins who came to Ann Arbor looking to spoil Homecoming.  

With the first three games essentially decided in the first half, it looked as if Michigan was headed to that again after Maryland fumbled on the opening kickoff leading to a Wolverines touchdown in the first eight seconds of the game.  However the Terrapins would put points on the board on their next three possessions. Maryland would actually take a 13-10 lead early in the 2nd quarter when they kicked a field goal after recovering a fumble by Michigan Running Back C.J. Stokes.  Later in the half, the Wolverines would get a 33 yard Blake Corum touchdown on 4th and 1 with 36 seconds left in the first half.  That gave Michigan a 17-13 lead going into the break and they would not trail again in the game.  Behind a 17 point fourth quarter, the Wolverines would put a little distance between them and the Terrapins moving toward their 4th win of the season.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy played the entire game for Michigan, and had 18 completions on 26 attempts for 220 yards with no interceptions.  Another solid performance for the Sophomore QB in his third career start.   But it was teammate Corum who again stole the show.  After he tied a Michigan record with five touchdowns last week, Corum had another career best day, this time in rushing yards where he racked up 243 yards on 30 carries.  This was the most rushing yards by a Wolverine in a game since Denard Robinson in 2010.  Corum, with another impressive performance, continues to make his case for best Running Back in the B1G Ten conference.

Despite giving up 27 points, Michigan’s Defense played well forcing 3 turnovers in the game and sacking Maryland Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa 3 times.  Mike Sainristil, the former Wide Receiver for Michigan, had an active game with 8 tackles including 2 tackles for a loss and a sack.  He also had a key interception to negate a Maryland two point conversion in the fourth quarter.   Wolverine R.J. Moten also had an important interception in the fourth quarter as the Terrapins were driving down field in Michigan territory. 

 

Maryland did get a late touchdown with 55 seconds left to come within a touchdown but their onside kick attempt was recovered by Michigan.  All that was left to do was for QB McCarthy to take two knees and run the clock out to seal the win.

The competition for Michigan continues to get better as the team travels to battle the Iowa Hawkeyes next week in Iowa City, a place the Wolverines have not won in since 2005.  Maryland will host Michigan State at home in College Park, MD.

Final Score:  Michigan 34 – Maryland 27