The No. 15 Michigan Wolverines (5-1, 3-0) picked up a big win during Homecoming weekend beating the Maryland Terrapins (3-2, 1-1) 42-21 on Saturday afternoon for their first loss against a Big Ten team this season.
Shea Patterson completed 19 of his 27 throws for 282 yards, a season high to go with three touchdowns and an interception. Karan Higdon continued to serve as Michigan's workhorse back leading the team with 25 carries for 103 yards. However, it was fullback Ben Mason who had the team's lone touchdown on the ground. Zach Gentry led the team with seven catches for 112 yards. Meanwhile Ronnie Bell, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jared Wangler each had a receiving touchdown. The game started off relatively slow as no points were scored in the first 13 minutes of play. The maize and blue would break the ice with a field goal curtesy of Quinn Nordin. However, Ty Johnson would run the ensuing kickoff back 98-yards to put Maryland up 7-3 going into the second quarter. The Wolverines seemed to be shaken for a bit, but an 11-play, 95-yard drive capped by Ben Mason's touchdown run would ease those worries. Shea Patterson would add a touchdown pass to Ronnie Bell to make it 17-7 before halftime. Another Quinn Nordin field goal and another Patterson touchdown pass would add on to the lead, but the Terps scored their first offensive touchdown of the game with 11:28 left to make it a two-touchdown game. However, Shea Patterson would throw another touchdown pass to extend the lead. On Maryland's next possession, Brandon Watson returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown, sealing the deal for the maize and blue and making a Maryland touchdown with 1:50 to go meaningless. This was an impressive win for Michigan. Maryland may not be elite, but they've been pretty impressive to start the season. However, the Wolverines now begin a part of their schedule that will define their season. It starts next week when the maize and blue host the No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers in a game that neither team can afford to lose.
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The No. 14 Michigan Wolverines (3-1, 1-0) started conference play on the right foot with a 56-10 win over Nebraska last week. Up next is a road game against the Northwestern Wildcats.
Opponent Overview The Wildcats (1-2, 1-0) started their season with a win at Purdue. However, they've since dropped home games against Duke and Akron in their last two games. They even lost top running back Jeremy Larkin who, after leading the team in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns to start the season, has been forced to retire from football due to cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal chord. Even so, this isn't a team to snuff at. Last year they knocked off Michigan State, ranked No. 16, 39-31 in triple overtime. They also finished 10-3 and ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll. The Wildcats' offense is led by Clayton Thorson who's gone 71/116 for 753 yards and three touchdowns this season. With Jeremy Larkin gone, Northwestern has a lot to figure out when it comes to their running backs. John Moten IV leads active rushers with 12 carries for 21 yards and a touchdown. Kyric McGowan and TJ Green should also see more time. How time will be shared among the running backs remains to be seen. Flynn Nagel leads a deep wide receiver core with 20 catches for 226 yards. Cameron Green is second on the team in both categories and leads the Wildcats with two touchdowns. Bennett Skowronek should also get plenty of looks from Clayton Thorson. Players to Watch Josh Metellus- As a team the maize and blue have improved quite a bit none more so than Metellus. The junior safety from Pembroke Pines, Florida has two interceptions this season to go with 19 total tackles and two passes deflected. He'll need to keep the momentum going against a Northwestern offense that'll be more inclined to throw the ball after losing its top running back. Ben Mason-The sophomore fullback went off for three touchdowns against Nebraska and has four over his last two games. he hasn;t gotten nearly as many touches as Karan Higdon or Chris Evans, but it will be interesting to see how the Wolverines continue to utilize him against Northwestern. Donovan Peoples-Jones- Michigan's leading receiver had a more pedestrian day against Nebraska, making just one catch for 10 yards. He'll need to be utilized more often against a Wildcats team the maize and blue need to be ready for. The running backs alone won;t carry the offense in this contest. Michigan takes on Northwestern Saturday, Sep. 28 at 4:30 eastern on FOX. |
AuthorBeat writer for Michigan Wolverines football and basketball, Ithaca College '20 Archives
November 2018
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