Sep 27, 20232 min read

Game Review: #2 Michigan Football beats Rutgers in another unimpressive win.

Michigan @Ruygrts — 11.5.22 Michigan vs. Rutgers 13 credit MGoBlog via Flickr

109,175 fans packed Michigan stadium to watch the Wolverines beat Rutgers 31 to 7 in this week 4 matchup. With the win Michigan Football moved to 4-0 on the season, and Rutgers moved to 3-1 after taking the loss.

Game Summary:

Jim Harbaugh was on the sidelines for his first game of the season, and it still felt like Groundhog Day for fans. Another game, with another slow start for the Wolverines where Michigan was more than a 3-touchdown favorite, they were unable to cover. This was mostly due to a slow start on offense only putting up 14 points in the first half to lead 14-7 at the break.

It took a Mike Sainristil interception, where he took the ball 71 yards for a touchdown for Michigan, to start pulling away. Michigan’s offensive line played well but looked nowhere near the elite-level fans have grown used to.

Michigan also showed a lack of explosive plays in their passing game. J.J. was able to show he can run the ball having 7 carries for 51 yards. J.J.'s longest run on the day went for 22 yards but his most important run came on a 4th and 1 where he was able to pick up 9 yards.

Defensively Michigan played well but not great. They only allowed the Big 10 rushing leader Kyle Monangai 27 yards on 11 carries. Besides giving up the big catch on Rutger's first drive to Christian Dremel he was able to take 69 yards for a touchdown. Michigan held the Knights to just 180 passing yards. If there is a negative that came out of this game, it’s Michigan’s pass rush another game where they were unable to record a sack, and they only managed 3 tackles for a loss.

Turning point/play of the game:

In what was a close game at the time with Michigan leading 17 to 7, Rutgers had the ball and was driving looking to get it back to just a one-score game. After failing to get the 1st down Rutgers decided to go for it on a 4th and 2 with 4:47 left in the 3rd quarter. Rutgers QB, Wimsatt, attempted to throw a screen pass, but Mike Sainristil was able to make a break on the ball, held himself up with one hand after the catch, and then took the ball 71 yards to the house for a Touchdown. This put Michigan up 23-to-7 seemingly putting the game away for the Wolverines.

Michigan Football - Winning team MVP

Michigan's run defense takes this week's MVP. As a group, they were able to hold the Big 10 leading rusher to 27 yards and only gave 77 yards on the ground for the entire game.

Rutger Football - Losing team MVP

Christian Dremel takes the MVP for Rutgers. He was able to take a pass 69 on a 3rd&4 to the house for Rutgers, the only score of the game. He also led the Scarlet Knights in total yards with 85.