When Michigan football took possession of the ball with a few minutes left, trailing USC 24-20, and needing to travel 89 yards for a go-ahead touchdown, it was hard to be optimistic.
The Wolverines, up to that point, didn't have a single first down in the second half. It was hard to imagine them going down the field for a touchdown.
But one run by Kalel Mullings changed everything. On third-and-one, after some great blocking by the offensive line, Mullings spun out of a tackle and went 63 yards to get Michigan football in the red zone.
Later, on a fourth-and-goal from the two, Mullings powered his way into the end zone thanks to a perfect block from Max Bredeson. It was a picture perfect ending to a flawed game and here are five things we learned in the 27-24 win about the Wolverines.
Kalel Mullings can carry this offense
It's still crazy to me that at one point in the fourth quarter, Mullings had just nine carries. He scored a 53-yard rushing touchdown in the first half. Yet, Mullings rushed the ball eight times on the final drive. He finished the game with 17 attempts for 159 yards.
Mullings literally carried Michigan football to victory. The Wolverines would be 2-2 and some of their goals might be off the board. Instead, they are 3-1 and everything is on the table.
Going forward though, it's time to feed Mullings. Sherrone Moore is right that both players need to have a role, but Mullings should be starting and finishing games. He shouldn't have nine carries going into the fourth quarter and that nearly cost Michigan football.
Will Johnson is the second-best corner in program history
Michigan football also wouldn't have won the game against USC without the efforts of star cornerback Will Johnson, who returned his third interception for a touchdown.
That's the most of any player in Michigan football history and that includes Charles Woodson. It was the second pick-six of the season for Johnson and it was similar to the first.
This one didn't cover as much ground but Johnson broke on a curl route and took it to the house. At the time, it was 14-10 Michigan and USC had the ball, with the chance to take the lead.
Michigan missed the extra point and the Trojans scored on the next possession to make it 20-17, but it feels like the Wolverines wouldn't have scored enough points without Johnson's defensive touchdown.
Johnson has already cemented his place as a Michigan football legend, but it's hard for me to name another defensive back who has had a more impactful career, outside of the great Charles Woodson.
That's how good he's been.
Josaiah Stewart will be an early-round draft pick
Michigan football fans are signing the praises of Kalel Mullings and who can blame them? But one dude who played out of his mind, just like Mullings, was Josaiah Stewart.
Michigan doesn't win the game without him. Stewart, who maddeningly was on the bench for too many series and third downs, had four tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and four quarterack hits.
He was the best player on the field and you could see the USC offense short circuit when he was out there. At times, Stewart made the USC offensive line look silly.
It was a really impressive showing and one that should boost his draft stock. Michigan is known as EDGE U and after his game on Saturday, Stewart will be one of the dudes carrying on that tradition.
The coaching staff is getting too cute with rotations
Players can't play the entire game and the Michigan football staff is right to sub players in and out, but please, stop subbing out Stewart and Derrick Moore for an entire series.
TJ Guy is a solid third pass rusher. He had a nice pressure on Saturday. It makes sense to mix him in, but why not play Guy along with Stewart or Moore? The same can be said with Cameron Brandt.
Or, let the backup have a couple of snaps and get Stewart back in on third down. It drives me crazy and I'm sure Miller Moss was relieved any time he saw Stewart on the sideline.
It's one thing if the game is in hand, but that stuff can't continue. It's nonsensical. Stewart should be on the field for every single third down. This was the 11th-ranked team in the country after all.
Michigan made life harder on itself by not playing Stewart in key situations and also doing the same with Mullings, who was the best offensive player in the game for U-M.
You just don't expect to see long stretches with the best players on the sideline.
The defense can be ELITE
Outside of Michigan football running for 290 yards (over 300 last week) the most encouraging thing that came out of the win was the play of the defense.
USC finished with 379 total yards. But the Trojans probably don't reach 20 points if Donovan Edwards doesn't gift them a fumble in the red zone. Kenneth Grant also did them a favor, fumbling a ball he recovered after a strip sack by Stewart, back to the Trojans.
Still, the Wolverines forced two takeaways, had four sacks, and pressured Miler Moss all game. He needed 61 pass attempts for 283 yards and if the Michigan offense had been able to do anything in the second half, the numbers would have been even more modest.
The defense was on the field for nearly the entire second half and they still made plays. Jyaire Hill had his best game as a Michigan football player and even though he dropped an interception, Zeke Berry had a really good game too.
Wink did bring some pressure but mostly let the front four do its thing and that needs to be the formula. When you have Mason Graham, Grant, Stewart, Derrick Moore, Rayshaun Benny, and TJ Guy, you should be able to get plenty of pressure without blitzing.
And now that the secondary is starting to gel, assuming Will Johnson is healthy, the arrow is pointing up. The defense is elite and if Michigan can have an elite defense and running game, it will have a shot to get to the 12-team playoff.