The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE ❱ FEBRUARY 2024 'We're definitely going to run the ball." "I'm so happy for him," grad student left guard Trevor Keegan added. "He's a guy who's gotten some hate from the media. He didn't initially have that spark like he did last year, but he came through on the biggest stage." And so did the offensive line, which paved the way for both Edwards and Co- rum and a 303-yard team rushing perfor- mance. Corum notched a 59-yard run of his own in the first quarter that led to a field goal, bouncing outside and finding the left sideline behind a great push. It was personal, both Keegan and Jones said in going up against the Joe Moore Award-winning line. The Huskies' of- fensive group captured the honor this year after U-M won it the previous two sea- sons, and the Michigan men up front felt like they had something to prove. "All week, we knew it would come down to the offensive line maintain- ing drives, keeping their offense off the field," Keegan said. "We did that. "I got asked this week — 'Washington won the Joe Moore Award — how do you guys feel about that?' Hats off to them. They've got a great offensive line. But we went deep down in our roots and pulled this out of the bag. I'm really excited for our guys in there — the tight ends and wide receivers, as well." But not surprised, he said. They knew with the scheme they were running that they'd have the opportunity to move some guys off the ball. They did it even without senior All-American Zak Zinter, out since the Ohio State game with a broken leg, by moving grad student Karsen Barnhart to right guard with Jones at tackle. Meanwhile, junior quarterback J.J. Mc- Carthy threw for only 140 yards, but he had his share of big completions, none bigger than the 41-yarder to sophomore tight end Colston Loveland in the fourth quarter that moved Michigan deep into Washington territory. The Wolverines finished the drive to go up two scores and finally create some separation, 27-13. His arm got hit on the throw, but it got there. "I just trusted my fundamentals, trusted the play, trusted Colston," Mc- Carthy said. "I saw him over the middle and saw the linebackers press up, I knew it was going to be there. I just had to get that ball off. And the line held up just enough." It would be McCarthy's last game in a Michigan uniform, but he'd fulfilled his promise to get the Wolverines to the pin- nacle. "In order to accomplish things like this, you've got to go to those dark places where everything's not great," he said. "The response, the urgency right after the TCU game last year was different. I knew it. Just from being on the podium last year and saying we would be back, I knew the guys that were coming back. I had this feeling that it was going to be where we are right now." DEFENSE STANDS TALL They wouldn't have been there without the defense, though, one that met every challenge in front of them in a dominant season. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Heisman Trophy runner-up, threw for 255 yards on 51 attempts and also tossed 2 interceptions, including one to sophomore cornerback and defensive MVP Will Johnson to start the second half. Penix was harassed and beaten up by the Wolverines. He literally limped up the tunnel after the game in leading the Hus- kies to only 13 points. "That was a spectacular game by our defense," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "[Defensive coordinator] Jesse Minter, the coaches, Coach [Steve] Clink[scale]. They have an elite quarterback in Michael Penix. "Will Johnson … we talked at halftime; we've got to get this momentum back. And darned if we don't get it back the first play of the second half. He pulled it down. That was phenomenal. And the tackling … we missed a couple, but just a couple." They didn't blitz much, focusing more on coverage and confusing Penix, and it worked. At the same time, they also got their hits in. Fittingly, graduate nickel back Mike Sainristil all but ended the threat with an 81-yard interception return to set up the last U-M score. He was one of the last to leave the field after celebrating with his parents and fans. "I hope somebody can go grab him and get him up here at the podium. Amazing," Harbaugh said. "Amazing stalwart of a player. "When a play needs to be made, Mike Sainristil has made it. When a play needs to be made, Blake Corum makes it. When a play needs to be made, Will Johnson makes it. When a play needs to be made, J.J. McCarthy makes it … Donovan Ed- wards makes it, Jaylen Harrell makes it, Junior Colson makes it, Rod Moore makes it. "We've got great players that unani- mously support each other. Those things that coaches talk about … control what you can control. These guys control the ❱ Junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy "In order to accomplish things like this, you've got to go to those dark places where everything's not great. The response, the urgency right after the TCU game last year was different. ... I knew the guys that were coming back. I had this feeling that it was go- ing to be where we are right now." Junior running back Donovan Edwards was off to the races against Washington with a daz- zling pair of touchdown runs of 41 and 46 yards in the first quarter. PHOTO BY GABRIELLA CERITANO