Michigan could do no wrong Saturday, as the Wolverines fired on all cylinders in their first road game of the season to beat Nebraska, 45-7.
Quarterback JJ McCarthy got things going early for the No. 2 Wolverines (5-0), as he found his favorite target Roman Wilson in the endzone for a 29-yard touchdown. Wilson was heavily covered but made a beautiful catch, assisted by the helmet of a Cornhusker defender. Just two minutes later, Kalel Mullings bolted 20 yards to make it 14-0.
With 11:22 remaining in the half, McCarthy performed a similar feat to Mullings, running 21 yards to extend the lead, 21-0. Later in the half, with 23 seconds left McCarthy and Wilson connected again for a 16-yard score to enter into the break up 28-0.
In the third quarter, Blake Corum struck pay dirt with a 1-yard run to further extend the lead.
Within the first minute of the final quarter, James Turner hit a 30-yard field goal. Michigan’s final scoring play came off an 8-yard reception by Peyton O’Leary from Jayden Denegal, pushing the Wolverines up to 45-0.
Nebraska (2-3), however, refused to end with a goose egg. The Huskers finally found success when Joshua Fleeks scored off a 74-yard sprint for the final score.
The Wolverines put up 436 yards of total offense, including 249 yards on the ground led by Corum’s 16 carries for 74 yards. McCarthy finished 12-of-16 for 156 yards.
Wilson had four receptions for 58 yards and further extends his scoring lead over all Big Ten wideouts with eight touchdowns. The next closest is Deion Burks of Purdue and Daniel Jackson of Minnesota, both with four scores.
The Michigan defense held Nebraska to 305 yards offensively — 199 through the air and 106 on the ground, largely boosted by Fleeks’ big play.
Michigan continues its road trip on Oct. 7, as the Wolverines will battle Minnesota (3-2) at 7:30 PM for the Little Brown Jug at Huntington Bank Stadium.
