Michigan Edges Northwestern at Wrigley Field

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If you looked at the box score of Saturday’s game between Michigan and Northwestern, you probably wouldn’t think the Wolverines needed a last-second field goal to escape Wrigley Field with a two-point win. Not in a game in which Michigan dominated the stat sheet as thoroughly as it did.

How dominant were the Wolverines? They piled up nearly 500 yards of total offense (496) to Northwestern’s 245, recorded 25 first downs to the Wildcats’ 11 and converted 79% of their third downs (9 of 14) to Northwestern’s 17% (2 of 12).

Yet, as has often been the case this season, a variety of self-inflicted wounds kept the game far closer than Michigan would have liked. Critical penalties (one wiping out a Jordan Marshall 17-yard touchdown run and multiple third-down defensive gaffes that extended Northwestern drives) and a pair of missed field goals all played a part in preventing Michigan from building a larger lead.

But the biggest issue for Michigan was another statistical category, one that it also dominated: Turnovers. The Wolverines committed a season-high five turnovers Saturday – including four in the second half and three in the fourth quarter. Northwestern capitalized on Michigan’s miscues and on the strength of a pair of turnover-aided, fourth-quarter touchdowns, the Wildcats took an unlikely 22-21 lead.

Northwestern fans who had been mostly quiet all afternoon were suddenly on their feet and sensing an upset.

Michigan may have left the door open, but give Northwestern credit for taking advantage of the Wolverines’ charity. On a day when the Wildcats struggled to find much offensive rhythm, quarterback Preston Stone was able to connect on the occasional big play – most often to Hunter Welcing and Griffin Wilde, who combined for six receptions for 132 yards. And while Northwestern’s defense surrendered nearly 500 yards to Michigan, that defense, led by Robert Fitzgerald (who finished the day with 15 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, one pass break-up and an interception), also made big plays when needed.

But if you give Northwestern credit for putting itself in a position to win, give Michigan credit as well for bouncing back after nearly giving the game away.

After committing its fifth turnover of the day late in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines forced Northwestern into a punt with just over two minutes remaining. Trailing by two and with leading rusher Jordan Marshall sidelined by injury, Michigan was down to its last strike. Rather than looking shell-shocked or rattled, Bryce Underwood led the Wolverines on an 11-play, 51-yard march that resulted in a last-second, game-winning field goal by Dominic Zvada.

If there was a key play in Michigan’s final drive, it was early, when Underwood connected with fellow freshman Andrew Marsh for a 21-yard third-down completion – a toe-dragging beauty that survived video review and kept Michigan’s drive alive.

And if there was a star of the game for Michigan, it was Marsh. The freshman has shown steady improvement over the course of the season and played his best game as a collegian Saturday – setting a Michigan freshman record with 12 receptions for 189 yards. In a season when Michigan’s receiving corps has been criticized for not being able to create separation and for dropping catchable passes, Marsh has struggled with neither – and looks like a star on the rise.

After Marsh’s third-down conversion, Michigan leaned on backup running back Bryson Kuzdal, who rushed for 53 yards in 15 carries subbing for an injured Marshall, to set the stage for Zvada’s game-winning kick. Despite missing two earlier kicks (granted, one of the misses was from 60 yards), Zvada calmly hit the 31-yarder and sent Michigan home a winner.

The victory improved Michigan’s record to 8-2, but did little to quiet some of the darker corners of the Michigan fan base – corners that continue to grouse over the Wolverines’ often underwhelming performances. And while it’s true that Michigan hasn’t exactly steamrolled opponents like Michigan State, Purdue and Northwestern – teams that have combined to win three conference games – the Wolverines continue to find ways to win the games they’re expected to win.

Even when it isn’t pretty – like Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field.

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