In the College Football Playoff title game on Monday night, No. 1 Michigan, led by Jim Harbaugh, defeated No. 2 Washington 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.
When Corum, who had earlier scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Alabama in the Rose Bowl semifinal, raced in from the 1-yard line with 3:37 remaining to put Michigan ahead by 21, the Wolverines (15-0) secured their first national championship since 1997. This also sparked another thunderous chant of “The Victors.”
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.
“There are more than 100 Michigan men who are on this team,” Harbaugh stated. The work they’ve done is incredible. They’ll always be regarded as national champs.”
Penix finished his incredible six-year collegiate career with what may have been his poorest game of the year. Penix was not nearly as accurate against a Michigan defence that negated his hallmark deep throws. Penix is usually undaunted by pressure.
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 for him to go to 27-1 as the Wolverines’ starter.
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.
The Wolverines led 17-3 early in the second quarter because to two lengthy touchdown runs by Donovan Edwards and 229 yards of rushing in the first quarter, which brought back thoughts of the historic Georgia rout of TCU last year.
