3 takeaways from Michigan football’s decimation of Minnesota

1. Michigan’s defense outscored Minnesota’s offense

The defense had two interception returns for touchdowns on Saturday night. Keon Sabb and Will Johnson were the first duo to do it since 2017. It was Johnson’s first takeaway since the 2022 Big Ten championship game and Sabb’s first of his career. The offense laid the foundation for the rest of the scoring.

The Gophers scored just the fourth touchdown of the year on the defense but literally did nothing after halftime. Athan Kaliakmanis only completed five passes for 52 yards. It’s the lowest total given up this season, but not by a far margin. It’s also a season-low for Kaliakmanis through their six games.

Through six games the defense has allowed a mere 6.6 points a game, just 40 points in six wins. They are playing at a championship level and doing what they are supposed to do against lesser opponents. That should continue over the next two weeks and are making no excuses for their weak schedule.