Gary Danielson said it during Michigan's game-sealing drive for a field goal in the fourth quarter. He called the 12-play drive "championship" football.
With Michigan football leading by seven points, the Wolverines needed to put together one more drive to win the game. U-M converted two third downs and eventually kicked a field goal with just over three minutes remaining.
Those three points proved to be the difference in the 30-27 win. Nebraska scored on the next drive, then failed to recover an onside kick. Jordan Marshall, who had a breakout game, with six carries for 80 yards, iced the win with another first-down run.
Despite a disaster to end the first half, allowing a Hail-Mary touchdown pass, on a pass that should have never been attempted, Michigan football players bailed out their acting head coach.
It was impressive. Nebraska scored 10 points late, but Michigan answered the Hail Mary with a long Dominic Zvada field goal, as well as a 54-yard touchdown run from Marshall.
That was the third touchdown run of the game, longer than 39 yards. Michigan ran for 286 yards. Nebraska managed just 43. The Wolverines sacked Dylan Raiola seven times. It should have been eight, but an offensive lineman caught a ball that popped up into the air.
Derrick Moore, Rayshaun Benny, Jaishawn Barham, and Trey Pierce were dominant up front. They weren't alone either. Cole Sullivan played well. So did Cameron Brandt. This defense lived up to the preseason expectations in the second half, when it really mattered.
The offensive line did, too. Greg Crippen, especially. On both long touchdown runs, he executed combo blocks perfectly. He created a lane with the double, then sealed it by getting to the second level. It took great vision and speed by the backs to score. But if you watch back both touchdown runs, it's clear that they don't happen without Crippen.
All in all, it sets the stage for a playoff run. If the Wolverines can run the table at home, and win three of the next four road games, a playoff berth will happen.
It's not guaranteed, but this is the kind of win you wanted to see as a Michigan football fan. It was also fun to beat Matt Rhule again, by running the ball right down his team's throat.
As much as Bryce Underwood is the future of this program, the "smash" culture isn't going anywhere.