Jordan Marshall didn't win the Purdue game by himself for Michigan football. But he was pretty damn close.
On a night where Bryce Underwood looked like a true freshman, and the defense, ravaged by injuries, struggled at times, Jordan Marshall saved the day with 25 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns.
His 54-yard touchdown gave Michigan football the lead in the first quarter, a lead it wouldn't relinquish, although Purdue made it interesting until the final minute in a 21-16 win for the Wolverines.
After the Boilermakers cut the lead to five with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines ran the ball five times to the Purdue nine-yard line before taking a knee twice to seal the win. It wasn't pretty. It was ugly. But an ugly win is a helluva lot better than an ugly loss.
Bryce Underwood struggled. He threw an ill-advised interception, fumbled the ball out of the end zone, and missed three passes that should have gone for touchdowns. Still, Michigan football found a way.
The defense got a key fourth-down stop. The Wolverines also forced a key turnover when Purdue was in plus territory. Special teams were a struggle. The offensive line and Marshall helped churn out 253 rushing yards.
Underwood was 13 of 22 for 145 yards. He ran for 44 yards, including some key first downs. It wasn't his best night but he didn't lose his composure despite some mistakes. Good teams find a way to win.
Nine games in, I'm not sure this is a good team. It's still a work in progress. Yet, the Wolverines are 7-2, heading into a bye week, and here are the gut reactions from an ugly 21-16 win.
Gut reactions to Michigan football win over Purdue
The injury situation is going from bad to worse. Jaishawn Barham and Donaven McCulley each left the game and didn't return. Both No. 1's and both star players.
Bryce Underwood looked like a freshman. A bye week will do him some good. The problem is the next two games are on the road.
It's going to take every ounce of energy from this team to get to 9-2. It might be ugly. There could be three more games like Saturday, but who cares? A win is a win.
Jordan Marshall isn't human. Michigan doesn't win this game without him.
Michigan football has the TWO best running backs in the Big Ten.
This offensive line with three redshirt freshman is something. Michigan allowed two sacks and ran for 253 yards after running for 276 last week. That's the third Big Ten game with over 250 rushing yards.
Defense did the job. The run defense was shaky. It was understandable, but it stood tall when it really mattered.
This team needs a bye week, badly.
However, it's Michigan is 7-2 and controls its own destiny in the Big Ten title race with a true freshman quarterback. Don't lose sight of that.
Go Blue!