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Michigan Football: Top 3 Performers in Win Over UNLV

By Jacob Bruetsch

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 09: Roman Wilson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a touchdown during the first half of a college football game against the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 09: Roman Wilson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a touchdown during the first half of a college football game against the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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Another September Saturday, another easy victory for the Michigan Wolverines. The team cruised to a 35-7 win over UNLV, making it look easy every step of the way. En route to tallying almost 500 yards and not allowing points until the final drive of the game, Michigan football had a number of star performances on their side. However, these three stood out.

#3: Roman Wilson

The Wolverine defense as a whole had a field day in the backfield, totaling five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Kenneth Grant played a big part in that, recording a sack and a half and two and a half tackles for loss from inside. Grant was also huge in, well, being huge in the middle and eating blocks all game long.

Michigan’s defensive line officially has the chance to be scary across the board. We’ve known about the edge rushers, but having Grant, Mason Graham, and Kris Jenkins all playing at a high level on the interior puts this defense at another level. Both Grant’s and the unit’s performance will be interesting to follow going forward.

#2: Kenneth Grant

Michigan football
Sep 9, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; UNLV Rebels running back Jai’Den Thomas (23) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) and defensive end Jaylen Harrell (32) during the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports /

The Michigan football defense as a whole had a field day in the backfield, totaling five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Kenneth Grant played a big part in that, recording a sack and a half and two and a half tackles for loss from inside. Grant was also huge in, well, being huge in the middle and eating blocks all game long.

Michigan’s defensive line officially has the chance to be scary across the board. We’ve known about the edge rushers, but having Grant, Mason Graham, and Kris Jenkins all playing at a high level on the interior puts this defense at another level. Both Grant and the unit’s performance will be interesting to follow going forward.

#1: J.J. McCarthy

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 09: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a first half pass against the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 09: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a first half pass against the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

I’m going to encourage Michigan football fans to pump the breaks a little bit for now. The Wolverines have had their share of September Heismans. These first two games have not been against good teams. Moreover, their defenses have largely committed to stopping the run.

However, 22/25 for 278 yards and two scores is pretty darn good. With that, McCarthy has now thrown five touchdowns and seven incompletions through two games. He’s on pace to shatter Michigan’s overdue passing records while not playing in garbage time these past two games.

Next. 5 things we learned in win over UNLV. dark

It’s ECU and UNLV. But if J.J. can keep this up, the sky’s the limit for the Wolverine offense.

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