MI defensive end Taco Charlton (33) sacks Rutgers quarterback Chris Laviano (5) during the first half Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State’s 59-0 win against Wisconsin in the 2014 Big Ten championship game ranks third. That, ESPN said, was the [fewest] in the sport in nearly two calendar years, since Wake Forest got 6 in the first half against Boston College.
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The Wolverines annihilated Rutgers on Saturday night in New Jersey, beating their division rivals by a final score of 78-0.
Last week, I said I would start to doubt Lovie if the Illini couldn’t beat Purdue at home.
To be able to coach a guy like Jabrill Peppers is a real joy, Harbaugh said. “Let’s put that together'”. With games against Michigan and Ohio State still to come, Michigan State needs to snap out of this slump or it can’t even be assured of going to a bowl.
After failing to move the ball down the field on their first three possessions, MI scored on seven of their next eight offensive drives.
Herculean efforts like the one Saturday against teams like Michigan State and Ohio State will turn heads and convince voters more than anything else, so it may be wise to wait on those results before crowning him.
MI is ranked number four in the nation thanks to a 5-0 record for the year and is coming off a victory over Wisconsin by a 14-7 final score.
The biggest play of the day may have come in dramatic fashion after Orth pulled SC within a score and just under two minutes remaining. Two years ago, MI failed to do that and Rutgers fans stormed the field after the 26-24 win.
Certainly, the Wolverines have a ways to go before that showdown in Columbus at season’s end.
In 2014, Rutgers won three games and lost five.
WOLVERINES OFFENSE: Quarterback Wilton Speight had a bit of a learning experience against Wisconsin and its pass rush. In 1947, MI held Pittsburgh to one first down.
After that game, during which Peppers also rushed three times for 74 yards and two TD, coach Jim Harbaugh said Peppers deserves the Heisman Trophy.
Coming off a 58-0 shutout against Ohio State last week, the Scarlet Knights were surely hoping this contest would help get the sour taste out of their mouths, but MI dominated from start to finish.
“It was a doctor-recommended decision”, coach Chris Ash said Monday in his first public comments since the news had been announced. MI held Rutgers to two first downs and 39 yards of total offense. Urban Myer likes Chris Ash, respects Chris Ash. The junior who left New Jersey to attend MI has played 12 positions on offense, defense and special teams for the Wolverines. It was 19 years ago, when the last non-quarterback, non-running back took home the hardware.
Jim Harbaugh knows this, and said after the game that he is too good to keep off the field. “He can do it all”.
Bryant had a great view of Peppers’ spinning and ducking return, sitting with the rest of Team Jabrill – as the T-shirts read – in the stands behind the corner of the end zone into which he raced. If Martin can bust a long run or two early, hopefully they can get a few points on the board to gain some confidence. Unfortunately for us, Jim Harbaugh is now the coach of MI and this team is nothing like the team we saw here in Piscataway two years ago.
It was quite the homecoming for Peppers, who grew up 38 miles from Rutgers’ High Point Solutions Stadium.
On paper, this seems like a chance for Rutgers to stop the bleeding, at least for one week.
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THE PRIZE: The AFCA Coaches’ Trophy, presented by Amway, will be at Rutgers from Thursday through Saturday. The Wolverines entered in the top 10 in the nation in scoring offense (ninth) and scoring defense (sixth). Fans will have the opportunity to take photos with it.
