Current:Home > FinanceMichigan shuts out Iowa to win third consecutive Big Ten championship -Intelligent Capital Compass
Michigan shuts out Iowa to win third consecutive Big Ten championship
View
Date:2025-04-19 05:08:42
INDIANAPOLIS — The game seemed a formality from the beginning. At no point was there any doubt.
When Michigan football's Semaj Morgan set a Big Ten-record with an 87-yard punt return late in the first quarter and Blake Corum was in the end zone two plays later, Lucas Oil Stadium felt more like Ann Arbor South than the league's centrally located indoor stadium.
But the reality really set in early in the third quarter when a review determined Mike Sainristil had forced his second fumble of the game, and Michigan's offense was again set up with first-and-goal.
Corum plowed his way into the end zone once more — the 55th time in his career to tie Anthony Thomas for the Michigan program record — as U-M suffocated Iowa, 26-0, to win the 2023 Big Ten championship on Saturday.
It's the first time in 144 years of Michigan football that the Wolverines have won three consecutive, outright Big Ten titles.
While it certainly makes a statement about the past three seasons — Michigan is now 39-3 during that stretch, now in consideration for the program's best era of all-time — it most importantly keeps the dream alive in 2023 as U-M is assured to be one of four teams in the College Football Playoff.
Where will Michigan play, and against who? That's another, not-yet-clear, story, but a trip to Pasadena, California, and the Rose Bowl seems the most likely scenario. The College Football Playoff selection committee, which includes U-M athletic director Warde Manuel, will announce its decision at noon Sunday.
The Wolverines (13-0) won't be sweating their spot in the field because they didn't overlook the Hawkeyes. As ugly as it was, U-M put together a simple, yet effective (enough) game plan. J.J. McCarthy completed 22 of 30 passes for 147 yards and Corum added 16 rushes for 52 yards and two scores.
But the defense was the star of the day.
The unit forced more punts (seven) than it allowed first downs (five). It also forced two turnovers and three turnovers on downs and also came away with the first shutout in Big Ten title game history.
Contact Tony Garcia: apgarcia@freepress.com. Follow him at @realtonygarcia.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Arrests made in investigation of 6 bodies found in remote California desert
- Life without parole for homeless Nevada man in deadly Jeep attack outside Reno homeless center
- Olivia Culpo Celebrates Fiancé Christian McCaffrey After Win Secures Spot in 2024 Super Bowl
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Democratic lawmaker promotes bill aimed at improving student transportation across Kentucky
- Murder suspect recaptured by authorities: Timeline of Shane Pryor's escape in Philadelphia
- UN envoy says her experience in Colombia deal may help her efforts in restarting Cyprus talks
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- COP28 Left a Vacuum California Leaders Aim to Fill
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Police say Minnesota man dressed as delivery driver in home invasion turned triple homicide
- In the battle over identity, a centuries-old issue looms in Taiwan: hunting
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard Debuts New Look One Month After Prison Release
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Police reviewing social media video as probe continues into fatal shooting that wounded officer
- New FBI report finds 10% of reported hate crimes occurred at schools or college campuses in 2022
- The job market is getting more competitive. How to write a resume that stands out.
Recommendation
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
At trendy Japanese cafés, customers enjoy cuddling with pigs
Joan Collins Reveals What Makes 5th Marriage Her Most Successful
Kishida says he’s determined to break Japan’s ruling party from its practice of money politics
Small twin
Tax season 2024 opens Monday. What to know about filing early, refunds and more.
Colombia and the National Liberation Army rebels extend ceasefire for a week as talks continue
Back home in Florida after White House bid ends, DeSantis is still focused on Washington’s problems