Michigan Football: Defense, running game dominates Wisconsin

Michigan football proved it can beat a good team, dominating Wisconsin thanks to an extraordinary effort by the defense and the ground game.

Leading up to its game against Wisconsin Saturday, just about everyone was asking the same question, can Michigan football win a big game?

Well after the defense and the running game for Michigan football dominated Wisconsin, especially in the second half, the Wolverines answered the question in the affirmative, thanks to a 38-13 win.

The final score was lopsided and that’s how it should have been. Outside of one drive in the second quarter and a few good runs by Jonathan Taylor, the Wisconsin offense didn’t do anything. The Wolverines, on the other hand, ran the ball early, often and effectively.

The first big play of the game came from Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson, but it wasn’t a pass, it was an 81-yard run. That came on the second drive of the game and set up a Karan Higdon touchdown run putting UM up 7-0.

Wisconsin tied the game on the next drive. Michigan reclaimed the lead after a pair of field goals, one of which came off the heels of a Josh Metellus interception. Yet, two other field goal misses by Quinn Nordin kept the Badgers within striking distance at the half, down just 13-7.

Then, in the second half, Michigan football took over, more specifically, Higdon and the offensive line did. After a penalty and a key third-down conversion pushed the ball into Badgers territory, Higdon ripped off a 25-yard run on UM’s opening drive in the third. Three plays later, Patterson scored and it was 21-7 after a two-point conversion.

With a 14-point lead, the defense put the clamps down. In the second half, Wisconsin punted the ball on its first two drives, then on its third, Lavert Hill did this:

Following another three-and-out forced by the Michigan defense, Dylan McCaffrey got his chance running the ball and he responded with a 44-yard touchdown run after six runs for 24 yards by Tru Wilson. That made it 38-7 and was just another dagger in a fourth quarter filled with them.

At that point, Michigan football had gained 287 yards rushing on 42 carries. The Wolverines had also scored three rushing touchdowns. Higdon ran the ball 19 times for 105 yards and a score. It was his tenth 100-yard game as a Wolverine and still, UM is perfect when he reaches the century mark.

Patterson also had a good night, running nine times for 90 yards and a touchdown, to go along with 14-of-20 passing for 124 yards. The red zone performance could have been better, but the fact that Patterson avoided turnovers and ran all over the place was more than enough to win.

As impressive as the running game and the offensive line was, the defense owned the night. Alex Hornibrook looked shook from the opening snap. Just about every time he threw, he was drilled and it led to a pair of interceptions and three sacks.

Taylor ran for over 100 yards but wasn’t a factor in the second half. After starting 3-of-10 for 25 yards, Hornibrook completed some throws and reached 100 yards and a touchdown. Yet, 75 of his 100 yards came on that drive, which was clearly garbage time. Without that, the Badgers wouldn’t have gotten close to 300 yards. They finished with 283 compared to 445 yards for Michigan, 321 of which were on the ground. A much better number than the 58 in Madison against Wisconsin last season.

The win was the first over a ranked-opponent for Michigan since Florida last season. However, it was the first big win in Big Ten play over a ranked team since Wisconsin in 2016, which was also at the Big House. The win over the 15th-ranked Badgers was Jim Harbaugh’s third top-15 win as head coach.

Next week, the Wolverines can attempt to exercise another demon at Michigan State, against the hated Spartans.