Michigan football team stays unbeaten with second-half surge at Northwestern
Denard Robinson had 451 yards of total offense against Northwestern, 338 passing and 113 running.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
EVANSTON, Ill. — The Michigan football team may feel like it's overrated, but that doesn't change the fact that it remains undefeated.
After a frustrating first 30 minutes Saturday, the No. 12 Wolverines outscored Northwestern 28-0 in the second half and got a 442-yard game from junior quarterback Denard Robinson to pass their first road test of the season with a 42-24 victory at Ryan Field.
Michigan is now bowl eligible with six wins and 2-0 in the Big Ten heading into a road date at Michigan State.
In the first half, Robinson threw three interceptions, allowing Northwestern and quarterback Dan Persa to jump out to a 24-14 lead following a 20-yard field goal by Jeff Budzien just before the break.
Michigan entered the locker rooms wounded, but returned invigorated.
Faced with a third and long in its own territory on the first possession of the third quarter, Robinson heaved a 57-yard jump ball completion to Roy Roundtree to set Michigan up inside its own 10. Two plays later, Robinson skipped into the end zone from 2 yards out to make it a 24-21 game.
Following a quick three and out forced by the defense, the Michigan offense went back to work. Robinson quickly pushed Michigan into Wildcat territory with a 25-yard run and a 19-yard completion to Kevin Koger. His 12-yard scamper put the Wolverines on the 1-yard-line, but he was forced to leave the game due to an injury on the play.
The injury proved to be a non-factor, though, as sophomore Devin Gardner subbed in and slipped into the end zone on a 1-yard bootleg run with 2:52 to go in the third, giving Michigan its first lead it scored on its first possession.
Michigan's momentum continued to build from there, as a dropped ball by Drake Dunsmore deflected into the arms of Michigan junior linebacker Brandin Hawthorne at the Wildcat 47.
Robinson returned to the field with the offense, and five plays later senior running back Michael Shaw bulled into the end zone, pushing Michigan's lead to 11 with 14:55 to go in the game.
In the third quarter Michigan outgained Northwestern 205-17.
The fourth quarter went in the Wolverines' favor, too when Kenny Demens forced a Jeremy Ebert fumble on the Michigan 42 on the Wildcats' next possession. Thomas Gordon recovered, but the chance was squandered when Brendan Gibbons had a 47-yard field goal attempt blocked with 9:13 to go.
The setback didn't deter the suddenly red-hot defense, though, as Northwestern's next possession ended with a Jordan Kovacs sack that knocked off Persa's helmet, turned the ball over on downs and sent Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald into an anger-driven sideline explosion.
Michigan completed its comeback five minutes later when Robinson ran into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day, a 5-yard score that made it 42-24 with 2:19 to go.
Robinson finished 17-of-26 passing for 337 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 117 yards and two scores.
Senior receiver Junior Hemingway finished with five catches for 124 yards, while Roundtree hauled in three passes for 83 yards.
Persa finished with 303 passing yards and an interception for the Wildcats (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten).
Michigan racked up 529 yards of total offense, and finished the second half 9-for-10 on third down.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
The team that will really challenge us will be the one that can play a complete game. So far, we've not meet a complete team, one that can play competently on both sides of the ball. NW couldn't handle us offensively once DRob settled down. Frankly, he was killing them early, but was making too many negative plays. This week, we'll be facing another incomplete team. Their defense will be a test, a huge test since we haven't faced a good D all season. However, MSU's offense looks surprisingly anemic. MSU will probably be the closest we come to complete team maybe all year though. Great win by the team last night, but the credit really goes to the coaches. They made the adjustments at half that put the kids in the position to make the plays and probably more importantly got them mentally into the game again. Great work by Hoke and staff.
Jim Nazium
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.
Sure am glad we didn't get Pat FItzgerald as a coach, he looks so angry... ( Smirk ) Great Win Team and Coach Hoke, keep up the good work!!!
RWBill
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
After seeing replays Kovacs did get one hand around the face guard, so Pat had a legitimate beef. Considering it was his last chance to get back in the game his response is understood.
zimmats
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.
do we have to go back to recruiting slow QB's and all Power-O types? now that we are actually playing D and are more fundamentally sound, this team is pretty fun to watch. nice mix of dynamic skill players/rich-rod recruits and actual fundamentals and toughness hoke-style.
RWBill
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 7:46 p.m.
I've been wondering if Al Borges and Brady won't reconsider their "formula" after having the asset of Denard Robinson in their hip pocket. Even though we may never have someone as football fast as Denard, there are plenty of other highly mobile quarterbacks who can bust a move on a defense and pick up 15 yards running out of a broken pass play.
XTR
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
yep a good offense at this time would be a hyrid of spread and pro style smashmouth and passing. The running Quarterback is always a good weapon just like in this game, it was a third weapon aside from passing the ball or handing it to the RB.
MRunner73
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
This is a sweet victory. Denard's three pics lead to 10 points which was the difference at half time. Denard may have lead the offensive attack but I was happy to see Roy Roundtree make some key plays. Michael Shaw at tailback made some good plays. Devin Gardner also made some great plays. We knew Northwestern is not a defensive powerhourse but we knew their offense would challenge our defense. The results of the second half shut out by our defense has proved once again how good they are. Another good stat in our favor was possesion time. What a difference a year makes. Sparty had a tough time closing out the game against OSU. They couldn't handle Notre Dame. I think our offense will be tested more than our defense in this one but the advantage goes to Meeechigan. Yep, we're 6 and 0 and already secured a bowl game. How sweet. Keep it rolling.
johnnya2
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 4:50 a.m.
WOW. Aftet the last three years, I was beginning to think coaches weren't allowed t o make adjustments at halftime. Take a look at the scoring by Michigan versus their opponents in the second half. THIS is why you hire Hoke and fire R2.
Rufus
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 4:36 a.m.
Love Denard but when his passes are bad they are reeeaaallly bad. Great comeback thou.; and great defense. Mattison is an amazing coach.
Thomas Strode
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
As Frank Beckmann referenced in his broadcast, it reminds one of the old nursery rhyme: There was a little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead; and when she was good, she was very, very good; but when she was bad, she was horrid!
Theo's Brother
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 4:27 a.m.
Once again the coaching staff makes ALL the difference. Last year this final score would have been in reverse. GO BLUE!
heartbreakM
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 4:16 a.m.
Great defensive play in second half, and great way to eliminate penalties and win. I like the way the team seems to be improving and playing more confidently. Halfway done, and team looks like an unfinished product. Still concerned about MSU, Neb games. the others look like they will be a bit easier based on first half play but no gimmes left (except for Purdue).
Kubrick66
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:57 a.m.
Most impressive win of the season so far. That's the way you make half time adjustments. Go Blue!
DonAZ
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:40 a.m.
Bless their pea-pickin' hearts ... I'm glad they're 6 and 0. But ... They're going to run into teams that won't give up 28 points quite so easily, so not falling behind will be paramount. I was struck by how flat-footed the defense looked in the first half containing Northwestern's option attack. And Persa ... holy cow, that kid is *great* passing while on the run. I'm happy they did whatever adjustments were needed ... but guys ... c'mon ... my tired old heart can't take much more of this. :-)
gjdodger
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
I don't know where that team is that won't yield at least four touchdowns to these Wolverines, Don. They haven't found it yet.
umgoblue47
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:39 a.m.
it's great to be a michigan wolverine!!! GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mick
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:39 a.m.
Great win on the road to keep this magical season going, next week is gonna be real interesting. 1st half was a little frustrating with the officiating and the interceptions, but I kept the faith that Hoke and Staff would make the adjustments and lead us to victory. I didn't expect the D to pitch a shutout however, I really loved seeing that, we have the best coaching staff in the country. I don't think the Cats would have scored that many points in the 1st half w/out the turnovers, I'm just glad that Denard has the toughness and mentality to shake it off and excel in the 2nd half. Many guys played good tonight, we have a complete team. Amazing season we're having and now we head to E. Lansing for a pivotal game, pretty exciting stuff, Go Blue!!!
azwolverine
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 3:38 a.m.
Big road win in the B1G...nice halftime adjustments by the staff and far better execution in the second half. After a bad first half, UM COMPLETELY dominated on both sides of the ball in the second. Very good win against a tough opponent, but next week it gets much tougher. E Lansing will be rocking and they will have had two weeks to prepare. Michigan needs to get off to a much faster start in that one, but I'll take another second half like tonight. Go Blue!