No. 18 Michigan football narrowly secured a 24-22 victory over Northwestern on Saturday at Wrigley Field, despite committing five turnovers. Following two challenging games against Michigan State and Purdue, where true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood struggled at times, the Wolverines focused on an aggressive passing strategy to unsettle the Northwestern defense. Underwood demonstrated improved pocket awareness and connected frequently with Andrew Marsh, who recorded nine catches for 135 yards in the first half alone.
However, Michigan”s offensive line faltered at times, allowing three sacks in the first half, which hindered the team”s scoring potential, resulting in only seven points before halftime. In the third quarter, Underwood continued targeting the Northwestern secondary, leading to a touchdown drive capped by a one-yard run from Jordan Marshall, extending Michigan”s lead to 21-9.
While the passing game showed significant improvement compared to previous outings, Underwood”s two critical interceptions in the fourth quarter nearly jeopardized the win. Nevertheless, he managed to connect with Marsh on a crucial play during the final drive, setting up Dominc Zvada for a game-winning field goal.
The Wolverines” defense, which had been hampered by injuries in previous weeks, welcomed back key players like Jimmy Rolder and Jaishawn Barham. Their return bolstered the defensive line”s performance, particularly against the run. Northwestern had multiple chances to score, driving inside the five-yard line but only managing to convert two field goals, thanks to strong defensive stands.
In the final quarter, after losing a 21-9 lead due to turnovers, Michigan”s defense rose to the occasion, preventing Northwestern from capitalizing on their opportunities. Despite allowing some big plays, they managed to hold the Wildcats to just 245 total yards, with quarterback Preston Stone completing 13 of 27 passes for 184 yards.
Michigan”s special teams struggled throughout the game, highlighted by Zvada”s earlier missed field goal attempts. The turning point came when Semaj Morgan fumbled a punt return, but once again, the defense stepped up to limit the damage to a field goal.
As Michigan prepares for the final stretch of the regular season, they must address their turnover issues and find consistent scoring opportunities to secure their place in the postseason. Despite the challenges faced, the Wolverines demonstrated resilience and a fighting spirit, ultimately emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle.
