Michigan becomes bowl eligible with blowout victory over Northwestern

Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines are officially bowl eligible after Michigan’s big win over Northwestern on Saturday at the Big House. Here are all the highlights, stats and more from the game:

The Michigan Wolverines are officially bowl eligible after a 50-6 blowout victory over Northwestern on Saturday afternoon at the Big House.

Here are all the highlights and everything else you need to know from the game.

First Quarter

The Wolverines got things going quickly. Northwestern started with the ball, and on third-and-10 in Michigan territory, quarterback Jack Lausch threw a ball right into the hands of cornerback Aamir Hall. That marked Hall’s first pick of the season.

Davis Warren led a meticulous first offensive drive of the game for the Wolverines. After 11 plays and 53 yards, Michigan got on the scoreboard first courtesy of a two-yard run by Kalel Mullings. Michigan 7, Northwestern 0

Northwestern’s next drive didn’t go very well either — run for one yard, Kenneth Grant sack, run for five yards. The Wildcats punted the ball back to Michigan, and it was a baaaaaad punt that went just 26 yards. With the ball already in Northwestern territory, Michigan had an opportunity to put six more points on the board, but it had to settle for a Dominic Zvada 56-yard field goal which barely made it through the uprights. Michigan 10, Northwestern 0

End of 1Q: Michigan 10, Northwestern 0

Second Quarter

The Wolverines forced another punt just a few plays after Josaiah Stewart got to Lausch for his 7.5th sack of the season. This punt was much, much better than the last one, as Hunter Renner booted it 56 yards down to the U-M three yard line.

After picking up one first down, Warren threw an overthrown ball on third down that was picked off by linebacker Xander Mueller, who took it all the way down to the Michigan 20 yard line. Thankfully, Michigan’s defense stepped up in the red zone and held Northwestern to a field goal. Michigan 10, Northwestern 3

Michigan went three-and-out and Tommy Doman’s punt was returned 30 yards by former Wolverine A.J. Henning, providing Northwestern’s offense with great field position at its own 46 yard line. On the first play, Lausch completed a 39-yard pass to Bryce Kirtz to get down to the Michigan 15 yard line. The drive stalled out and the Wildcats converted their second field goal of the day. Michigan 10, Northwestern 6

With just 1:57 left in the half, the Wolverines led a fast and efficient drive to get them in the end zone once more before halftime. Warren found tight end Colston Loveland wide open from three yards out to take a double-digit lead at the break.

HALFTIME: Michigan 17, Northwestern 6

Third Quarter

Michigan wasted absolutely no time getting back in the end zone. After a 47 yard rush by Mullings, the Michigan running back finished what he started just three plays later and took it in for the 10 yard score. Michigan 24, Northwestern 6

Northwestern went three-and-out on its first drive of the second half, with Lausch getting sacked by Stewart on third down for the second time in the game. The Wolverines then went on a 10-play, 45-yard drive which was capped off with Mullings’ third rushing touchdown of the game. Michigan 31, Northwestern 6

Michigan’s defensive front started to asserts it dominance against the Wildcats’ offensive line. Rayshaun Benny got in the backfield for a tackle for loss, and T.J. Guy sacked Lausch. But it was the secondary stepping up once again, as on fourth-and-long, true freshman safety Mason Curtis picked off Lausch for his first career interception.

End of 3Q: Michigan 31, Northwestern 6

Fourth Quarter

It wouldn’t be a Senior Day without running back Donovan Edwards getting in on the action, as he had a 24 yard rush, which then set up a 20 yard touchdown run. Michigan 38, Northwestern 7

Northwestern’s struggling offense, once again, went three-and-out. Michigan then went on a 14-play drive that took more than seven minutes of game time off the clock. Zvada hit his third field goal of the game to get Michigan over 40 points for the first time all year. Michigan 41, Northwestern 6

With the game out of hand, Northwestern put in Ryan Hilinski at quarterback to relieve Lausch. On third-and-long, Hilinski was flagged for intentionally grounding while in the end zone, which resulted in a safety and two more points on the board for the Wolverines. Michigan 43, Northwestern 6

True freshman Jadyn Davis got in the game for the final drive of the game, which started at the Northwestern 20 yard line after a 63-yard kick return by Jordan Marshall. Davis handed the ball off to Tavierre Dunlap, who took it 20 yards into the end zone to put up the 50-burger. Michigan 50, Northwestern 6

Final: Michigan 50, Northwestern 6

Michigan Stat Leaders

• QB Davis Warren: 26-of-35, 195 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• RB Kalel Mullings: 12 carries, 92 yards, 3 TDs
• RB Donovan Edwards: 10 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
• WR Tyler Morris: 7 catches, 64 yards
• TE Colston Loveland: 3 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD
• Edge Josaiah Stewart: 2 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks
• CB Aamir Hall: 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU

Northwestern Stat Leaders

• QB Jack Lausch: 10-of-21, 106 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
• RB Cam Porter: 7 carries, 24 yards
• WR Bryce Kirtz: 3 catches, 67 yards
• WR A.J. Henning: 4 catches 16 yards

Michigan heads to Columbus next weekend in the regular season finale.