The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1514918
FEBRUARY 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 19 to a 27-20 overtime victory. He covered the entire 25 yards on the last two of- fensive plays, but not by himself, he'd insist — his offensive linemen, tight ends and receivers all threw key blocks, many having returned for this moment themselves. When the defense stuffed Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line minutes later, the celebration began. Every Michigan player flooded the field from the sidelines within seconds, many with helmets toward the sky. Minutes later, many U-M coaches were in tears while they hugged their wives and children during the trophy presen- tation ceremony, during which junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy and others carried roses in their mouths that still couldn't hide their huge smiles. McCarthy earned Offensive MVP honors in going 17-of-27 passing for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns. He saved his best for the last drive in regulation, leading the Wolverines 75 yards and throwing for 66 on the drive that would send the game to overtime before Co- rum did the rest. "It's indescribable just because the last two years, we watched the opposing team celebrate [Georgia in 2022, TCU in 2023]. It's just different when I see the maize and blue confetti on the field," McCarthy said. "I'm nothing without this head coach, nothing without my teammates, nothing without that defense. Every- thing was so amazing. It's just really, really amazing." "It was a team effort," Corum added. "We're going to deal with adversity here. We had some adversity today, we were a little sloppy, but we came to- gether as one. I'm my brothers' keeper, and I know my brothers had my back. And I told them, 'If we score this thing and go to overtime, we're going to win,' and we came out on top … and I'll see you in Houston." LATE HEROICS SEALED THE DEAL Houston, of course, was the home of the Jan. 8 National Championship game, where Washington awaited after upset- ting Texas in the Sugar Bowl semifinal. First, though, the Wolverines were go- ing to take 24 hours to celebrate, start- ing with a happy red-eye flight home following hours of interviews and short celebrations with their families. The break was well-deserved. De- spite being the favorites, the Wolverines were picked by many to lose against the SEC's best. This might not have been head coach Nick Saban's best team at Alabama, but on paper, it was one of his most talented. Many experts believed Michigan would need to play its A-plus game to win. It turned out they didn't need that at all — just a little bit of late magic, in- cluding a fourth-down conversion on the game-tying touchdown drive, and a de- fense that got off the mat after spending too much time on the field in the second half. But they rallied like the offense did in the waning moments, saving their best for last in a game of momentum changes. The result made it feel perfect, even if the football wasn't. The first-half offen- sive game plan was outstanding, though the Wolverines missed opportunities created by their aggressive defense. A fumbled Semaj Morgan punt led to a Crimson Tide touchdown early and a 7-0 lead when U-M should have had the ball near midfield for its second drive. The response, though, was critical — a touchdown drive of their own to tie it, covering 75 yards behind an offensive line that played one of its best halves of the year. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and staff kept the Crimson Tide off balance by breaking tendency, run- ning plays out of formations they hadn't shown on film all year, and capping it with a short touchdown pass to a wide- open Corum. Meanwhile, the Michigan defense was dominant. Their play created a sense of security when the Wolverines went into the half with a 13-10 lead. On the flip side, many understood Saban and Alabama weren't going to go quietly. Their second-half adjustments stifled Michigan in the Citrus Bowl four years ago when U-M had a similar lead, and they would again in the Rose Bowl. Until the game's last drive, the Wol- verines had managed only 41 total yards — 41 — in the second half. As a result, Alabama had rallied for a 20-13 edge with only 4:35 remaining. "I would just say credit to a great de- fense. They played tremendous," Mc- Carthy said. "They had a great game plan for us. ❱ Jim Harbaugh "I really felt if ever a game was going to be won up front, it was going to be won with toughness and physicality, and our guys were just there in rhythm and got it done. Epic game." With the game on the line in overtime, Michigan went to its power run game (Manball). Senior running back Blake Corum gained 8 yards on the first play, then smashed and spun his way through contact on second down to go 17 yards for the game-winning touchdown. PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF