The Michigan Wolverines won a nail-biter at Wrigley Field in Chicago, defeating the Northwestern Wildcats 24-22 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 8-2 on the season.
Here are key takeaways from Michigan’s win.
Turnovers galore
Michigan had five turnovers and actually won the game. The last time Michigan turned it over five times was back on January 1, 2018, in an Outback Bowl loss to South Carolina. This is a recipe for disaster, but Michigan somehow survived despite the turnovers.
Zvada misses two, but nails the game-winner
Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada missed from 34 and 60 but with the game on the line he made it from 31 yards out to give Michigan a 24-22 win with no time remaining. The kick went into the right field bleachers of Wrigley Field, a very fitting walk off win in a baseball stadium.
Underwood’s up and down day
Bryce Underwood was 21-of-32 for 280 yards with two interceptions along with 30 rushing yards and a rushing score. Underwood’s interceptions were thrown right to Northwestern defenders and came on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter. However, Underwood deserves credit for some key throws on Michigan’s game-winning drive. Interceptions aside, Underwood had some great throws throughout the game and had an accurate day throwing the ball from short, intermediate, and deep. While he made a couple discouraging plays, it was an encouraging day overall.
Andrew Marsh is phenomenal
The freshman wide out had 12 receptions for 189 yards and a key reception on the sideline featuring some toe drag swag on Michigan’s game-winning drive. Marsh can do it all at wide out — he’s a great route runner, is dangerous in the open field, and has great speed and reliable hands. Marsh is Michigan’s WR1, and it’s not even close.
Semaj Morgan shouldn’t be returning punts
Morgan’s snaps at wideout have decreased in recent weeks as he’s now up to eight drops on the season with a 29.6% drop rate. And his struggles as a punt returner have been constant as well. Morgan doesn’t generate many yards on returns; he recently had an unnecessary fair catch at the five-yard line, and against Northwestern, he fumbled on a punt return. Northwestern was able to get a field goal off the turnover and trim Michigan’s lead to 14-9. Without piling on and kicking a player when he’s down, it’s still fair to say that Morgan’s level of play for a team like Michigan is unacceptable and isn’t going to cut it — he shouldn’t be returning punts. It’s worth noting that Andrew Marsh returned punts for the remainder of the game.
It felt like a Michigan home game
It seemed like over 80% of the crowd was Michigan fans. When Northwestern was on offense, Wrigley Field was loud. “Let’s go blue!” chants rang out throughout the game. Michigan truly is Chicago’s Big Ten team, even if Northwestern is right down the road in beautiful Evanston.
