3 biggest takeaways from Michigan Wolverines’ 35-14 win over Rutgers

By
Rob Otto
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It was Homecoming in Ann Arbor as Michigan welcomed in Rutgers on Saturday, but they were not very good hosts, topping the Scarlet Knights 35-14. The Wolverines bounced back from the Penn State debacle to improve to 6-2 on the season.

Here are the top three takeaways from the Michigan win over the Knights.

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PETERS PLAYS AND SHINES

Redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Peters came in and it wasn’t mop-up duty, it was during the second quarter when this was a 7-7 game. Peters immediately took the Wolverines down the field for a touchdown – TWICE – to head into the locker room up 21-7 at the half. It included this TD pass, the first of his career:

That wasn’t enough, though, as Peters led another scoring drive on the Wolverines’ first possession of the second half. Three drives, three TDs. Not a bad beginning. Peters ended the day 10-of-14 for 124 yards and that one TD pass. I think it is important to note that John O’Korn, who Peters replaced, also came in partway through the Purdue game and lit the place up. Only time will tell if this surge is just because the Knights didn’t have any tape on Peters, or if he can really transform this offense the rest of the season.

OFFENSIVE LINE IMPROVES

The offensive line had a good day, controlling the Rutgers front seven, which is the best part of that defense. They gave both O’Korn and Peters plenty of time to pass the ball and did not give up a single sack. They also really excelled in the run game, gashing Rutgers for 334 yards on the ground. Karan Higdon went for 158 yards and a pair of scores on 18 carries. Ty Isaac added another 109 yards on 14 carries before leaving the game with an injury in the 4th quarter. It is likely that was just a precaution in a blowout game.

RUTGERS COULDN’T RALLY

The Scarlet Knights looked kind of shell-shocked after that first Peters touchdown drive. Other than a really nice drive in the third quarter, there wasn’t much Rutgers did well on either offense or defense. They managed only 176 yards on the day against the dominating Michigan defense, including relinquishing five sacks. The Knights also gave up 471 yards while allowing the Wolverines to average over 6.6 yards per play.

BONUS TAKEAWAY: It is still painful for Michiganders to be forced to listen to Matt Millen. Big Ten Network, please take him off of games we care about. Please?

Next week the Wolverines host Minnesota under the lights at the Big House.