Michigan and Wisconsin battled it out on Saturday as Michigan would take the lead when Wilton Speight found wide receiver Amara Darboh for a 46-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.
As the undefeated No. 8 ranked Wisconsin Badgers would come face the undefeated No. 4 ranked Michigan Wolverines, this would be the first time that Wisconsin and Michigan would go head-to-head both being ranked in the Top 10 in the polls.
Michigan and defensive coordinator Don Brown’s defense would not disappoint throughout the game as they would force 3 interceptions out of Wisconsin redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook and the final one was definitely a play of the year.
Hornibrook led the Wisconsin offense onto the field in the closing minutes. He threw three straight incompletions to set up a 4th-and-10. Hornibrook would drop back and throw a tight spiral that was intercepted by senior Jordan Lewis, who made an incredible one handed interception that would seal the game for the Wolverines.
“We see him make a lot of plays. That was on another level,” quarterback Wilton Speight said about Lewis’ interception. “I think he jumped and floated for 5 yards and somehow caught it with one hand. That’s a guy who’s going to be playing on Sundays for a long time. Glad he’s on our team.”
Both defense had their ears pinned back as they were both aggressive and would force their opponent’s offense to punt on their first drive of the day. Wisconsin was unable to get any momentum going during their first two drives and was forced to punt both times.
On Michigan’s second drive of the first quarter is when the Michigan offense really took off. The junior Speight found Jehu Chesson to start the drive and gain momentum on the drive as he would go 4-of-5 on the drive. With moments remaining in the first quarter, the Michigan coaching staff put out on the field and interesting play where all 10 Michigan offensive players would line up in a single eye and Speight was to the left of the player and then they motioned into their actual play to get a crucial first and goal at the Wisconsin 1 yard line to end the first quarter. As the second quarter would open up, Michigan would take the lead on their first play when senior fullback Khalid Hill scored his fifth touchdown of the season.
Michigan’s stout defense showed itself throughout the second quarter as it would force Wisconsin to five punts and interception by Channing Stribling but unfortunately the Michigan offense and special teams were not able to capitalize on those opportunities. Senior Kenny Allen would miss two field goals, one from 31 yards and one from 43 yards. With how the Michigan defense was playing, those two field goals could’ve taken any momentum that the Wisconsin Badgers would’ve had.
“Obviously, we left 9 points off the board,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “You gotta put those points on the board. We’ll have a little kicking competition and give an opportunity to Ryan Tice. We’ll see if we can make those next time.”
“That’s not on the kicker, that’s on me. We have been efficient all year getting the ball into the end zone,” Speight added.
Over the past four games the Michigan offense has been very high powered but the Wisconsin defense didn’t allow them to be as prolific as they were in those previous weeks.
After halftime, the Michigan offense had a hard time getting through the Wisconsin defense. On the opening drive, Speight and the offense were gaining momentum down the field but Speight tried putting a ball in a tight window and Wisconsin’s Derrick Tyndall would intercept that ball where we would be tackled inside the Michigan 31 yard line. Wisconsin’s offense would take advantage of the momentum and march down to the Michigan 17 where Alex Hornibrook would find Dare Ogunbowale for a 17 yard TD pass and to tie the game 7-7. Speight would again take the Michigan offense out and move them down the field before they would stall. Speight unfortunately took a sack for 9 yards to stall the drive, and to put his kicking team in a tough spot. Coach Harbaugh would bring in Ryan Tice to try the long 46 yard field goal instead of Kenny Allen. Tice would also miss the 46 yard field goal and Michigan would yet again leave points off the board in this tight contest.
Both Michigan and Wisconsin would stall out on their next possessions in the third quarter and would head into the fourth tied 7-7. As fans sat in the stands at Michigan Stadium, you could feel that any mistake on the field could change the momentum for both teams.
Wisconsin would receive the ball to start the fourth quarter but would go three and out as Don Brown’s Michigan defense would attack the Wisconsin offense and not allow them to gain any momentum. Ty Isaac managed to open the drive with a 13 yard rush but three plays later, Kenny Allen would have to punt the ball away. The badgers would go three and out and Michigan would get the ball back on their own 36. Speight would find his senior tight end Jake Butt for a short 3 yard reception. On a crucial 3rd and 5, Speight would find Amara Darboh for a 15 yard reception. As Speight gained more confidence and momentum, Speight would find Amara Darboh again with a long 46 yard TD pass. Darboh beat his defender and made it an easy decision for Speight. Michigan Stadium would erupt and become lively again.
Both Wisconsin and Michigan would trade three and outs on their next drives. With only 4:05 left to go in the fourth quarter, it was a critical drive for the Alex Hornibrook and the Wisconsin offense. On 2 and 7, Hornibrook would drop back and look for his receiver, when Channing Stribling would get his second interception of the game and give Michigan the ball so they could run some clock.
Michigan ran three straight times with Smith, Isaac and Evans forcing Wisconsin to use their three time outs. Kenny Allen would force Wisconsin to start on their own 8 yard line after his 33 yard punt.
Michigan would take a knee to run out the clock and they would win in a tough and hard fought game with the Wisconsin Badgers 14-7 to remain undefeated.
Next week, the Wolverines will go on their first road game of the season as they head to Rutgers. The last time Michigan played Rutgers on the road, it was a night game and they were beat by the Scarlet Knights.
“It’s October and we haven’t been on the road yet but we are excited to get out of Ann Arbor,” Speight said.
Michigan will take their dominant defense and high energy offense on the road for the first time this season when they head to New Jersey to keep their undefeated season alive. Kickoff will be at 7PM EST.
