Football Runs Past Rutgers on Homecoming

Saturday, October 28

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

6-2 , 3-2

Rutgers

3-5 , 2-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rutgers

Michigan

Karan Higdon

10/28/2017 3:33:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery Postgame Notes Player Participation PDF Boxscore Photo Gallery

By: Brad Rudner

» Karan Higdon (18 rushes, 158 yards, 2 TDs) and Ty Isaac (14 rushes, 109 yards) each eclipsed the 100-yard rushing barrier, as Michigan accumulated a season-high 471 yards of total offense. The offense averaged 6.5 yards per rush and had 10 different players record a catch.
» Quarterback Brandon Peters relieved John O'Korn in the second quarter, going 10-of-14 for 124 yards and a touchdown in his first extended action of the season.
» The defense held Rutgers to 195 yards of total offense. Devin Bush led the way with 11 tackles.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Michigan 35, Rutgers 14
Records: U-M (6-2, 3-2 B1G), Rutgers (3-5, 2-3 B1G)
Attendance: 111,213
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 4 -- vs. Minnesota (Michigan Stadium), 7:30 p.m., TV: FOX

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Behind a pair of 100-yard rushing performances from Karan Higdon and Ty Isaac, the University of Michigan football team bounced back with a 35-14 victory over Rutgers on Homecoming Saturday (Oct. 28) inside Michigan Stadium.

The Wolverines racked up 471 yards of total offense, a season high. The offense ran the ball at will all afternoon, led by Higdon and Isaac, who combined for 267 of the team's 334 rushing yards. Three different players scored rushing touchdowns: two from Higdon and one each from Kareem Walker and Khalid Hill. As a whole, the rushing unit averaged 6.5 yards per attempt.

Brandon Peters came on in relief of John O'Korn in the second quarter and performed efficiently, going 10-of-14 for 124 yards and one touchdown. Ten different receivers caught a pass on Saturday.

The Michigan defense was stout, holding Rutgers to 195 yards of total offense and totaling 11 tackles for loss (including five sacks). Devin Bush led the team with 11 tackles, while Maurice Hurst had eight.

After a scoreless first quarter, Michigan began to wear Rutgers down with the power-run game. The scoring drive took 13 plays -- 12 of them on the ground -- including a fourth-and-one conversion from Higdon and a 21-yard rush by Isaac that brought the offense inside the one-yard line. Hill dove into the end zone on the next play, giving Michigan the early 7-0 lead.

Rutgers answered back on the next drive, however, tying the game on a 65-yard run from Janarion Grant.

Then with 7:01 left in the second quarter, Michigan turned to Peters at quarterback. In the first extended action of his career -- he made his collegiate debut at Purdue on Sept. 23 -- Peters engineered a crisp 10-play scoring drive that ended on a 10-yard touchdown rush from Higdon to put the Wolverines back in front, 14-7.

Rutgers got the ball back on the next drive, but couldn't do anything with it, as Michigan used two of its timeouts to save some clock for another crack at points. Peters ran the two-minute drill to perfection, lofting a throw to Chris Evans on a wheel route for a 20-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left. The Wolverines went into the halftime locker room with a 21-7 lead.

Michigan didn't let up in the second half. After a quick three-and-out from Rutgers to begin the third quarter, the Wolverines needed only four plays to find the end zone again, this time on a five-yard rush from Walker. That scoring play was set up by Higdon, who scampered for 32 yards on the previous play.

The Scarlet Knights ended the Michigan run on the following possession, capping an 11-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run from Gus Edwards to make the score 28-14.

The Wolverines were on the move again before stalling outside the red zone. Hill appeared to convert a fourth-and-one, but Rutgers called a timeout before the snap, negating the play. Quinn Nordin went out to attempt a 37-yard field goal, but he missed wide right.

The defense picked the offense up, forcing a three-and-out after a strip-sack from Chase Winovich to end the third quarter. Once Michigan got the ball back on a punt, Higdon totaled 61 yards on consecutive running plays, the latter going 49 yards for the touchdown to cap the scoring at 35-14.

Michigan returns to Michigan Stadium next Saturday (Nov. 4), hosting Minnesota for possession of the Little Brown Jug. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. The game will televised on FOX.