Photos by: Aaron J. Thornton
The Michigan Wolverines traveled to the Windy City on Saturday and escaped with a dramatic 24-22 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats at historic Wrigley Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs, The field was uniquely configured, with one end zone placed on the third base line and the other pushed against the right field wall. Despite it being an away game, the stadium was heavily filled by Maize and Blue fans, and although that may have helped the Wolverines, the game still came down to the final seconds.
The hero of the game, no doubt, was Dominic Zvada, the sophomore kicker who missed his first two field goals but drilled the one that mattered, a 31-yard walk off as time expired to deliver Michigan its eighth win of the season.
You have to give credit to Northwestern, however Michigan was its own enemy throughout the game, creating self-inflicted challenges. The Wolverines turned the ball over five times that repeatedly halted momentum and had some costly penalties as well.
Michigan looked to set the tone early. On their opening drive, running back Jordan Marshall sliced around the defense for what appeared to be a stunning 17-yard touchdown on 3rd and13 only for it to be erased by a holding call. Zvada’s ensuing 34-yard field goal attempt missed, keeping the game scoreless with a promising start yielding nothing.
It wasn’t until the second quarter when there were points finally put on the board, and the stadium scoreboard operators out in center field manually changed the score (something that is unique to only a few stadiums in the country) to Michigan 7 – Northwestern 0. That drive was 11 plays in which Quarterback Bryce Underwood guided the Wolverines 91-yards downfield to get the touchdown.
Northwestern answered with a pair of field goals from Jack Olsen, the second set up by a Michigan fumble from freshman receiver Andrew Marsh, trimming the Wolverines’ lead to 7-6. Michigan tried to extend the margin before halftime, but Zvada’s ambitious 60-yard attempt had the distance but drifted just wide, sending the game into the break with Michigan clinging to a one point lead.
After the break, the first possession was Northwestern’s but it ended with a punt giving the Wolverines the ball again. Michigan started their first series of the second half at their own 15-yard line and five plays later found themselves adding to their lead. The touchdown was scored by Underwood himself, running the ball in from 9-yards out but the drive was highlighted by a long 65-yard gain by Marshall to put the Wolverines inside of the ten. That made the score 14-6 in favor of Michigan.
Later in the quarter, Northwestern added another Olsen field goal after a fumbled Michigan punt return, followed by Michigan responding with Marshall’s second touchdown of the afternoon to go up 21-9.
Going into the final quarter, Northwestern struck back scoring two touchdowns in a three minute span to take the lead by one point in the game 22-21. The second touchdown came after cornerback Braden Turner intercepted Underwood and returned it inside the Michigan 10-yard line. To make the game even more interesting, Underwood threw another pick on the ensuing drive as Michigan was looking to find a way to move the ball downfield and retake the lead. Fortunately for the Wolverines, their defense stood up and forced a crucial three and out and Michigan’s offense would have another chance.
Already down one Running Back (Justice Haynes who did not play) and despite losing their No. 2 Running Back Marshall to injury earlier in the quarter, the next series for Michigan was looking pretty good. Michigan moved the ball deep into Wildcats territory only for disaster to strike again. Already in field goal range at the Northwestern 25-yard line and in striking distance to potentially score another touchdown, reserve running back Bryson Kuzdzal fumbled the ball resulting in Michigan’s fifth turnover of the game.
But once again, the Michigan defense refused to fold. With about four minutes remaining, the Wildcats went backwards on their next plays and facing 4th and 18, punted the ball away and back to the Wolverines.
Starting at their own 37-yard line, the Wolverines would have about two minutes of clock to put together their most important drive of the game. And Underwood delivered a poised response. Michigan mixed short passes and hard-nosed rushing, draining the clock and marching to the Northwestern 13-yard line. With two seconds remaining, they called a timeout and brought their field goal unit on the field. Northwestern countered with a timeout of its own, hoping to ice the kicker as it all came down to the leg of Zvada. The ball was snapped and Zvada calmly converted the 31-yard field goal attempt with zero seconds on the clock, giving Michigan the walkout win.
Zvada’s teammates lifted him in the air and carried him over to the crowd to celebrate with the fans. He was the hero.
Later in the post game press conference, it was revealed that a game ball was also given to the true freshman receiver Marsh who had his best game yet with 189 yards on 12 catches. And despite leaving the game in the fourth quarter, Marshall carried the ball for 142 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
Undoubtedly, the turnovers hurt and if it wasn’t for the five that were committed, the victory margin would have most likely been wider. On defense, Michigan held Northwestern to 245 total yards, including just 61 rushing yards. Defensive Back Mason Curtis led the unit with five tackles in a gritty effort that ultimately saved the game.
Michigan (8-2) will be on the road again next week as they battle Maryland (4-6) who is looking to snap a six game losing streak. Northwestern (5-5) will stay home and host Minnesota ((6-4).
Final Score: Michigan 24 – Northwestern 22
