The No. 14 Michigan Wolverines (4-1, 2-0) came back from a 17-0 deficit to beat the Northwestern Wildcats(1-3, 0-2) 20-17 on Saturday night in Evanston, Illinois.
Shea Patterson completed 15 of his 24 passes for 196 yards. Karan Higdon carried the ball 30 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Nico Collins led receivers with six catches for 73 yards. The maize and blue came out flat to start this contest, giving up 10 points in the first quarter and getting a lot of penalties called against them. They would end up being penalized 11 times and losing 110 yards in the game. The Wildcats took a 17-0 lead with 12:56 left in the second quarter after a John Moten IV touchdown run. Michigan would add a touchdown thanks to Karan Higdon before halftime. The Wolverines came out a lot sharper in the third quarter, keeping Northwestern's offense under reps. They even added two field goals to make it 17-13. However, they still couldn't get that crucial touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the maize and blue took over at their own 33-yard line with 10:05 left in the game. They'd drive 67 yards on 11 plays, including a Shea Patterson run to get a first down on a crucial 3rd and 9, to score a touchdown thanks to Karan Higdon, putting them up 20-17 and giving them their first lead of the game. Northwestern would get two opportunities to get the lead back, but they were shut down by Michigan's defense both times and so Michigan completed one of its bigger comebacks in recent memory. The Wolverines will return home next weekend to host the Maryland Terrapins.
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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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