What we learned Week 10: Everybody love everybody

The Michigan Wolverines went into Piscataway Saturday to face one of the worst teams in football, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

The game started off slow, including Michigan being shut down on fourth down and an 80-yard touchdown run by Rutgers’ running back Isaih Pacheco. However, that would be the only touchdown of the game for the Scarlet Knights, as the Wolverines were flat out better.

Michigan was victorious 42-7 over Rutgers in the matchup between two of the oldest programs in college football. There is not a ton to dissect in a game like this, but here is what we learned from the 10th week of the season.

This team is a close-knit group

We all know this team has had a lot of fun this season. Just think of the wide variety of personalities the Wolverines have including Shea Patterson, Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich. It seems like every week one of these guys, or the many others who don the winged helmet, have something to say about how close this football team is.

On Saturday, Patterson addressed just that, saying, “I don’t think I have ever been a part of a team that is this close. We all care about each other so much. But the one thing we do really well is not getting distracted of where we are now and where we want to be.”

I firmly believe this is one of the key factors to the success this season. These guys want to fight for each other. It doesn’t matter who is in the lineup; the team has a “next man up” mentality and they all merge well together. How many times have we seen a missed assignment on defense or a wide receiver run the wrong route? Not many. This team is in sync on so many fronts and that is a testament to the coaching staff and Jim Harbaugh.

Gary’s return speaks volumes to the team

We all know the force Gary is on the field. The former No. 1 recruit in the country has eight sacks, 101 tackles and 20 tackles for loss in his career. This has brought a high demand of double and triple teams because of the athletic freak he is.

Because of this, Gary will more than likely be a top choice in the upcoming NFL Draft. So after he went down with a right shoulder injury and missed three weeks leading up to the Penn State game, some fans feared the worst.

In a deep draft class in the defensive line front, and Ohio State’s Nick Bosa declaring he won’t return after an abdominal injury, some thought we may have seen the last of Gary in the maize and blue.

Psych, he’s back. This is what Patterson had to say about the return of one of the top defensive players in the country, “(His return) is just a testament to his character. He could have easily sat out and achieved his goals and his dreams in a few weeks, but it’s all about the team. That’s what makes Rashan, Rashan. He is all about the team and he is playing through injuries every single week. I’m so proud of him.”

This was a very cool behind the scenes moment we got to see happen in front of us. A true answer from the heart from one leader of this football team to another.

Shea has a day

Harbaugh and Co. told Patterson to not keep the football on Saturday for read option plays, but that didn’t stop him from having one of his best games of the season. He completed 67 percent of his passes and didn’t receive enough credit for his impressive throws in 30 mph winds. He finished the game with 260 yards and three touchdowns.

Harbaugh commented on his game saying, “He made some throws that were just unbelievable. It was not going to be an easy night to move the ball offensively. Shea was really terrific all night.”

He would then reference this play as his favorite from the junior quarterback on the day:

Patterson would later be named to the PFF National Team of the Week because of his performance.

Hopefully there will be more performances like this from Patterson in the future, especially if teams figure out how to slow down Karan Higdon, who broke 1,000 yards rushing on the season last night.

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