The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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40 THE WOLVERINE ❱ FEBRUARY 2024 ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Top Five Individual Performances 1. Blake Corum vs. Washington — This spot really goes not just to Co- rum but his offensive line and fellow running back Donovan Edwards for what they all did in the 34-13 champi- onship game win over the Huskies Jan. 8. The Wolverines bludgeoned Wash- ington on the ground to the tune of 303 yards, 8 yards per carry and 4 touch- downs. Corum was named Offensive MVP of the game for his 21-carry, 134- yard and 2-touchdown performance. Edwards broke off 41- and 46-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter to help the Wolverines pull ahead 14-3. The offensive line was motivated by Washington's O-line winning the Joe Moore Award for the nation's top group and had its best game of the season. 2. Mason Graham vs. Minnesota — A display of pure dominance, the sophomore defensive tackle led Michigan with 6 tackles, 2 of which came behind the line of scrimmage, including a third- down sack, in the 52-10 win at Minnesota Oct. 7. His 4 other tackles resulted in 3-, 1-, 1- and 0-yard gains. And the 6-foot- 3, 318-pounder did all of it with a club on his left hand in his return after missing two games due to surgery. 3. J.J. McCarthy vs. Michigan State — In a 49-0 win over Michigan State Oct. 21, Michigan's starting offense picked up 7 of 8 third-down attempts, and the junior starting quarterback went 5-for-5 for 95 yards on the all-important down. That included 4 completions re- sulting in first downs on third-and-8 or longer. Overall, McCarthy was stellar, connecting on 21 of his 27 passes for 287 yards and a career-best 4 touchdowns. 4. Mike Sainristil vs. Maryland — Nov. 18 was one of those Saturdays that serve as a reminder of the impor- tance of Sainristil's position switch from wide receiver to nickel back before the 2022 season. Sainristil's 2 second-half interceptions were much-needed on a day in which the Wolverines' offense just didn't quite have it, producing only 291 total yards. The first came in the third quarter with a six-point lead but Mary- land driving to take control, and the sec- ond was a floated pass with just over five minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Maryland down only five points. 5. Roman Wilson vs. East Carolina — The senior wideout made the switch to the No. 1 jersey before the season and started off with a bang in U-M's 30-3 victory over East Carolina Sept. 2. His second multi-touchdown game was a 3-score affair, with 6 catches for 78 yards. It was the first time a Wolverine receiver hauled in 3 touchdown recep- tions since Nico Collins had an identical amount in a 39-14 triumph over Indiana Nov. 23, 2019. • Honorable Mention: Blake Co- rum vs. Penn State — Michigan aver- aged less than 4 yards per carry in its previous three games before a 24-15 win over Penn State Nov. 11, when Corum ran 26 times for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 20-yard score to help seal the game with just over four minutes to play. — Clayton Sayfie More 2023 Superlatives The offensive line mobbed Blake Corum in the end zone after one of his two touchdowns en route to Offensive MVP honors in the national championship game against Washington. Michigan made a statement with 303 yards rushing — averaging 8 yards per carry — against the Huskies. PHOTO BY GABRIELLA CERITANO