A truly insane defensive stat for Michigan football

Michigan football has been dominant on the defensive side of the ball, but here is one of the most impressive stats for the Wolverines. 

Jim Harbaugh said it best prior to the Nebraska game. He talked about how having a good defense to take with you is important and it’s one reason why Michigan football fans should feel confident regardless of where the game is playing.

Michigan’s defense isn’t just good. It’s great and the Wolverines dominated once again on Saturday, shutting out Nebraska for most of the day before a 74-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter got the Huskers on the board.

Michigan has surrendered just 30 points in five games. That’s three touchdowns and three field goals. Two of the touchdowns were in Big Ten play. Rutgers scored on the 67-yard pass last week, while Nebraska scored on a 74-yard run. UNLV also scored in the last few minutes.

Only one of those touchdowns has come against Michigan’s starting defense. One reason for that has been the pass defense.

Michigan is elite at stopping the run. It also allows just six points per game, but in five games, Michigan football has five interceptions and just one touchdown pass allowed.

That was the touchdown pass given up to Rutgers. Ironically enough, Mike Sainristil intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown in the same game, so the Wolverines have scored as many touchdowns as they have allowed opponents to score on passing touchdowns.

I know the schedule hasn’t been that tough. But Michigan hasn’t been healthy either and regardless of the opponent, holding five FBS teams to just one touchdown pass is impressive.