Paul Sullivan: A Michigan takeover at Wrigley Field ends in a wild 24-22 comeback win over Northwestern
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CHICAGO — Big-game atmosphere arrived at Wrigley Field on Saturday afternoon when Northwestern played host to Michigan in a Big Ten affair, complete with a big-game announcer in Fox Sports’ Gus Johnson.
Everything was in place for a great day of football, and perhaps an advertisement for a future bowl game at Wrigley Field, a long-held dream of Chicago Cubs owners.
The weather resembled a Cubs-Cardinals game in late May, with a game-time temperature of 64 degrees. The ivy was in its final stages, a few weeks past peak color, but still clinging to the outfield walls like the Wildcats’ clinging to their bowl hopes.
It was peak Wrigley and a chance for NU to snap its five-game losing streak at Clark and Addison streets in what could be its last game here for a while. The Wildcats are moving into the new Ryan Field next season, making the Wrigley Field paydays unnecessary.
But in a game that was much closer than it looked on the stats sheet, Michigan survived five turnovers in a 24-22 comeback win that ended on Dominic Zvada’s 31-yard field goal as time expired.
“Oh, man, how about that one?” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore asked afterward, looking like a man who just escaped a firing squad.
For much of the afternoon, Wolverines fans were calling for Moore’s firing on social media. But in the end, the kids came through when it mattered, taking a game they seemingly let slide through their buttery fingers.
It was Michigan’s 36th win over Northwestern in the last 40 meetings, a lopsided rivalry that probably doesn’t merit a national TV audience if not for the venue.
The No. 18 Wolverines (8-2) have won four straight since their 31-13 loss to USC on Oct. 11 and play at Maryland before The Game — Nov. 29 against Ohio State at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan still has a shot at getting into the Big Ten title game with wins over Maryland and the Buckeyes but will need a little help.
Last year’s takeover of Wrigleyville by Ohio State fans was going to be difficult to top, but Wolverine Nation proved up to the task, scarfing up the $65 hoodies outside the park that featured the ‘M’ logo along with the words “Wrigley Field.”
While it was billed as a home game for Northwestern, the iconic ballpark was packed with maize-and-blue-clad fans, a takeover that has become an annual event for whoever is playing the Wildcats at Wrigley.
“It definitely felt like a home game, especially when I kept hearing the ‘Go Blue’ chants,” said Michigan freshman receiver Andrew Marsh, who had 12 receptions for 189 yards, including a brilliant diving catch at the sideline on the game-winning drive. “Felt like I was right at home.”
NU even let Michigan fans feel at home by playing their anthem, “Mr. Brightside,” though they moved it to the first quarter instead of after the third.
The difference of this alleged home game for NU was that the Chicago area is a primary destination for many UM alums. Michigan students trekking to Wrigley on Saturday might one day move to the North Shore and become lawyers, marketing executives and corporate spokespersons. Maybe even Cubs fans?
The pure Michigan vibe was overwhelming even before the game. Was that the smell of victory, or just some Michigan fans vaping outside Murphy’s. A Detroit Lions flag hung from the balcony of the Sports Corner, a sacrilege that would normally upset the locals. But Michiganders’ money is as good as Bears fans’ dough, so no one complained.
A giant Barstool banner was erected for the stage of the “Big Noon Kickoff” show outside Murphy’s, while Fox Sports pregame analyst and Barstool founder Dave Portnoy was decked out in Michigan gear, continuing his one-trick-pony act as the Wolverines’ biggest booster and Ohio State basher.
After the season’s first game, Portnoy declared that Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was the best freshman player in college football history, a dubious statement that destroyed his credibility as a college football expert while adding to his persona as the world’s most obnoxious Michigan fan. Underwood has had an up-and-down season and on Saturday was lights out in the first half and on and off in the second.
Underwood, who has a reported $12 million NIL deal, which means he earns about $11.2 million more than Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 salary — was both goat and hero in the win. He was 15 for 20 for 185 yards in the first half, a 152.7 rating, and finished with 280 yards and two second-half interceptions.
The craziness began when a Wildcats touchdown was called back because of a penalty in the second quarter with Michigan leading 7-0. The Michigan crowd erupted, and Northwestern wound up settling for a field goal. Marsh’s fumble near midfield with 2:18 left in the half gave the Wildcats another golden scoring opportunity, but another drive stalled inside the 10-yard line, and NU wound up with another field goal. Zvada missed a 60-yard field-goal attempt to end the half, a decision that led to more Moore bashing on X.
The Wolverines went on a 10-play, 80-yard drive in the third, taking a 21-9 lead on Jordan Marshall’s 1-yard plunge. At that point, it looked as if the Wolverines were prepared to run away — only to try to throw it away instead.
NU answered with a 1-yard keeper from quarterback Preston Stone two minutes into the fourth and took a 22-21 lead a minute later on Caleb Komolafe’s 6-yard run following Jack Florentine’s pick of an underthrown Underwood pass.
Rob Fitzgerald intercepted another underthrown Underwood pass at the Wildcats 22 with nine minutes left, spoiling one Michigan drive, and the Wolverines botched a handoff for a fumble on fourth-and-1 at the NU 24 on the next after Moore declined an easy field goal.
Moore said he never had been part of a win in a five-turnover game.
“A fumble happens, we’re going to take that (blame) as coaches, not on the players,” he said. “But at the end of the day we found a way to win, and that’s the most important piece.”
That only happened after Michigan’s defense stopped NU after the fumble, and Underwood methodically drove them downfield, thanks in part to Marsh’s catch. Zvada finished them off, ending the Michigan takeover.
Three straight drives ending in turnovers didn’t deter Underwood.
“Just finish the game and find a way to win,” he said.
In the end, it wasn’t a classic game. But the ballpark and the neighborhood were reason enough to make it a special afternoon.
“It’s about the ballpark,” Johnson said before the game. “This is a legendary place. It’s funny, Harry Caray used to work in the booth I’m working in today. That’s a big deal for me. He was the best. I’m from the west side of Detroit. My father was a janitor and a security guard. And look at my life today. I get to follow in the footsteps of an icon, a legend and an inspirational human being. I’m going to try and channel some of that energy.”
No doubt Harry would’ve approved.
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