Michigan Football: Wolverines Look Like Title Contenders After Beating Rutgers 78-0
Michigan football backed up its top-5 ranking by dominating Rutgers. The Wolverines defense was incredible and continued to look like nation’s best.
The last time the Michigan football team made the trip to Rutgers, it wasn’t pretty. That loss in 2014 was a low point for the Wolverines. My, how things have changed.
Just two years removed from that night, Michigan football beat Rutgers 78-0, on the road, looking every bit like a national championship contender in the process.
Jabrill Peppers did what he does. The defense dominated and the offense was ruthless.
The start was sluggish offensively, with two punts and a turnover to start. But on the fourth possession, Jim Harbaugh turned to Peppers and was rewarded with an electrifying 63-yard run out of the wildcat. From there, it was never a game again.
JABRILL!!!
Peppers takes the wildcat snap and goes all the way down to the 4-yard line!! 63 yards on the carry. #GoBlue
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 8, 2016
Ty Isaac finished that drive with a five-yard touchdown to give Michigan its first lead at 7-0.
The floodgates opened soon after.
After Isaac’s TD and another defensive stop, Wilton Speight got in on the act, hitting Jehu Chesson for a 30-yard scoring strike that put UM up 14.
HIGHLIGHT: Jehu Chesson hauls in a 30-yard touchdown pas from Wilton Speight. (via @BigTenNetwork)#GoBlue » https://t.co/6ihs3DyOxK
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 9, 2016
Yet, Peppers was far from finished. He scored two rushing touchdowns before halftime to help Michigan football build a 43-0 halftime lead. When it was all said and done, Peppers ran three times for 74 yards. He also had a tackle for loss and made his usual impact defensively.
Speight was solid, finishing with two touchdowns and freshman running back Chris Evans had an eye-opening game with 11 carries for 153 yards, including a 57-yard scamper.
Jabrill Peppers is good at football. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/X5MoqEczwI
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 9, 2016
When Rutgers had the ball, Michigan embarrassed the opposing offense. The final numbers were staggering: 39 total yards, two first downs, zero points and 2-of-17 on third downs.
A more thorough beat down is hard to image.
Certainly, beating Rutgers 78-0 is nothing to write home about. But, when you consider where the Wolverines were two years ago, it’s much easier to realize just how far Michigan football has come.
More from GBMWolverine