Tag: Rutgers

Michigan 31, Rutgers 7

Different game, same result. Michigan has started this season with some remarkable consistency, if a lack of explosiveness. The Wolverines beat the Scarlet Knights, a Big Ten team, by a 24-point margin a week after beating BGSU, a MAC team, by 25 points. That came a week after a 28-point win over UNLV, which followed a 27-point victory over ECU. Michigan points, from week one onward: 30, 35, 31, 31. Opponent points: 3, 7, 6, 7. Michigan now leads the country in scoring defense, giving up just 5.8 points per contest. Oklahoma and Ohio State are tied for #2 at 8.5 points allowed per game.

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Michigan’s 10 Longest Plays vs. Rutgers

Michigan has only played Rutgers eight times throughout history and has a 7-1 record against the Scarlet Knights. They first played in 2014. Here you can reminisce about the ten longest plays against Rutgers.

1. Giles Jackson 95-yard kickoff return TD (2020)
2. Jabrill Peppers 63-yard TD run (2016)
3. Chris Evans 61-yard TD run (2018)
4. Jake Rudock 56-yard pass to Jake Butt (2015)
5. Chris Evans 56-yard run (2016)
6. Cade McNamara 51-yard pass to Mike Sainristil (2021)
7. Karan Higdon 49-yard run (2017)
8. Shea Patterson 48-yard pass to Nico Collins (2019)
9. Cade McNamara 46-yard TD pass to Cornelius Johnson (2020)
10. Donovan Edwards 46-yard run (2022)

Hit the jump for videos of Jackson, Peppers, and Evans.

Preview: Michigan at Rutgers

RUSH OFFENSE vs. RUTGERS RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is #5 in rush offense (246 yards/game) and averages 5.7 yards per carry, which is #8 nationally. Statistically, running back Blake Corum is on a Heisman-level pace with 1,078 yards and 15 total touchdowns through eight games. That puts him on track for 1,617 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns in twelve games. Backup Donovan Edwards has 26 carries for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns over the past two games. Rutgers is #19 in rushing defense (108 yards allowed/game) and gives up the 20th fewest yards per carry (3.3), but the two best teams on their schedule have run the ball well, with Ohio State racking up 252 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground and Minnesota rushing for 253 and 4. Senior inside linebacker Deion Jennings (6’1″, 230 lbs.) leads the team with 68 tackles, while senior safety Christian Izien (5’10”, 200) sits with 54 stops. Three Scarlet Knights are tied for the team lead with 6 tackles for loss each, including defensive end Wesley Bailey (6’5″, 250), outside linebacker Tyreem Powell (6’5″, 235), and former Michigan signee Aaron Lewis, Jr. (6’5″, 250) at end. This is a solid defense, but it’s tough to hold up for an entire game when the offense can’t do a whole lot.
Advantage: Michigan

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2021 Michigan vs. Rutgers Awards

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . A.J. Henning. Henning has been a decent receiver (3 catches, 36 yards) and an outstanding runner (2 rushes, 100 yards, 1 TD) early in the season, but when push came to shove against Rutgers, the coaching staff almost completely ignored him. His only overall touch was on a punt return, and the only attempt to get him the ball on offense was an early fade route on the outside. Michigan needs to make more of a concerted effort to get guys like Henning the ball on the edge.

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Michigan 20, Rutgers 13

Well, that was an unexpected nail-biter. I was spot on with my prediction of Rutgers scoring 13 points, but I thought Michigan would have a bit easier time on offense (I predicted 34 points). For two years in a row, Michigan has beaten Rutgers by just one score (they won 48-42 in triple overtime in 2020), and it’s frustrating to an extent that the Wolverines can’t play better despite being significantly more talented, especially on offense. Rutgers has mediocre players on the offensive line, at quarterback, and at tight end, yet they manage to scheme their way to a modicum of success. But a win is a win. We’ve seen these games turn into losses, so I’ll take it for now.

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