The Michigan Wolverines traveled around Lake Michigan and earned a victory over Northwestern by a 24-22 final score at Wrigley Field. Here are the four players that stood out the most during the game and will
be taking home a game ball for their efforts.
WR Andrew Marsh
Throughout the year Andrew Marsh has taken on more and more of a role in the passing game despite only being a true freshman. It’s clear he’s Michigan’s WR1, and he delivered big time on Saturday recording 12 receptions for 189 yards. According to the FOX broadcast, with 100 yards today, it’s the first time since Roy Roundtree in 2009 that a Michigan freshman has gone over 100 yards multiple times in a season.
Not only is Marsh showing to be an asset in the offense, but he’s doing it in a variety of ways. He made two receptions on deep balls down the sideline, but has also shown he’s capable of picking up extra yards on short passes over the middle of the field. His ability and versatility are a rather encouraging development for a passing game and wide receiver room that have needed a spark for quite some time.
RB Jordan Marshall
Jordan Marshall has been a revelation with Justice Haynes out due to injury. Against Northwestern, Marshall topped 100 yards yet again, finishing with 142 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. This was the fourth game in a row Marshall has eclipsed 100 yards.
Even though he started the year as RB2, Marshall has more than proven over the last few weeks he’s capable of shouldering a run game all on his own. It seemed like Michigan was trying to be a bit conservative with him early on since there’s not much experience behind him on the depth chart, but the offense is undoubtedly at its best when it gives the ball to Marshall right now. Hopefully the injury he sustained in the fourth quarter isn’t serious.
Run defense
The recipe for Northwestern to make this an interesting game would have involved making it a rock fight — eating into the time of possession and finding success on the ground. Well, Michigan did an excellent job of building the “run wall,” as Jim Harbaugh likes to call it, holding the Wildcats to 61 yards on the ground.
Throughout the afternoon, the Wolverines continued to employ their committee approach with a host of defenders getting in on plays. Trey Pierce had four tackles, Rayshaun Benny had four of his own, and Derrick Moore had two tackles as well. Michigan could use a bounce-back performance from its pass rush next week, as Preston Stone had plenty of time to throw, but the defensive front did put together an enough effort to keep the game in hand.
K Dominic Zvada
It only takes one play to make it into the players of the game section around here. Dominic Zvada’s struggles continued in the first half of Saturday’s game, as he missed kicks from 34 and 60 yards. However, he made up for it with the game-winning 31-yard field goal to steal the game away from the Wildcats.
Bonus: Michigan fans
There was a Northwestern logo in the middle of the field, and “Wildcats” was written in the end zone. But make no mistake, this was basically a Michigan home game. There was plenty of maize and blue in the stands and a crowd split that was likely greater than 60 percent in favor of the Wolverines. “The Victors” could be heard throughout the game after Michigan touchdowns, while the stadium was loud on Northwestern’s third downs just like you’d expect for a game in Ann Arbor. It just goes to show how well this fan base does it.
