The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1530730
U-M's strong finish to the 2024 season may have been defined by its 13-10 upset win at No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 30, but it was the team's second bye week that felt like the genesis for a big finish to Year 1 under head coach Sherrone Moore. The team coined it "buy-in week" coming off a 20-15 loss at Indiana on Nov. 9, and with two weeks to prepare for Northwestern, those within the program rededicated themselves to the little things and the finer details. What followed was a 50-6 thrashing of the Wildcats on Michigan's Senior Day Nov. 23 in Ann Arbor. "That was Max Bredeson's (No. 44) idea," Moore said after the win. "I'm not going to take the credit for that. So, I thought all the guys did a really good job of doing the little things and attacking. And it really started that Monday. We had a scout team practice, and that's probably the most energetic practice, especially on a Monday, we've had. And then coming in after a loss, for those guys to be like that and to buy-in like that meant a lot. It talks about the culture and where these guys are and where we are. "They just worked on the little things, and then this week they practiced really well with a lot of energy. So, it was fun to be a part of." Senior Day was defined by the run game getting back on track with 35 carries for 201 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground, spearheaded by 12 carries for 92 yards and 3 touchdowns from grad student Kalel Mull- ings in his final game in Ann Arbor. Senior Donovan Edwards chipped in with 10 carries for 65 yards and a score of his own, while classmate Tavierre Dunlap scored on a 20-yard rush, his first carry of the season and first career touchdown. "It felt amazing," Mullings said. "It's my last game in The Big House. Me and Dono were talking about it. Both of our last plays were touch- downs. There's nothing more you could ask for. It felt amazing to help the team win, help get the run game going and be able to make plays. It feels like bliss, honestly." — Anthony Broome PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL THE BIG PICTURE ❱ MICHIGAN SENDS SENIORS OUT ON A STRONG NOTE AT HOME