Houston (AP) — In the College Football Playoff title game on Monday night, No. 1 Michigan, led by Jim Harbaugh, defeated No. 2 UW Huskies 34-13. Blake Corum ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The team was unfazed by suspensions and a case of sign-stealing that followed the programme.
With 3:37 remaining, Corum—who had earlier in the Rose Bowl semifinal against Alabama scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime—blasted in from the 1-yard line to put Michigan ahead by 21 and ignited yet another wild reenactment of “The Victors,” securing the Wolverines’ (15-0) first national championship since 1997.
Despite missing six regular-season games this season due to separate sanctions, Harbaugh delivered the championship that so many had anticipated when he took over a failing powerhouse in 2015, after nine seasons as his alma mater’s coach and his third consecutive postseason participation.
And he did it with a team that Bo Schembechler, his former coach, would have been proud of. In their 14-1 victory over Washington, the Wolverines amassed 303 yards of ground gain, while their defence, which twice intercepted the Heisman Trophy runner-up, limited Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies’ explosive passing game to just one touchdown.
“This team consists of over 100 men from Michigan,” Harbaugh remarked. The work they’ve done is incredible. They’ll always be regarded as national champions.
Penix finished his incredible six-year collegiate career with what may have been his poorest game of the year. Penix, who is often undaunted by pressure, did not throw as accurately versus Michigan because their defence negated his hallmark deep throws.
Penix completed with 255 yards and a touchdown on 27 of 51 attempts.
J.J. McCarthy of Michigan had a quiet game, passing for 140 yards and gaining 31. However, it was sufficient to raise his record to 27-1 while starting for the Wolverines.
The Huskies were prepared for a while after Michigan gave them a taste of life in the Big Ten, where the Pac-12 champs will play next season.
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