Game Recap and Highlights: Michigan beats Wisconsin in Madison for first time since 2001

No. 14 Michigan remain unbeaten after a victory in Madison over the Wisconsin Badgers. Michgian is now 5-0 on the season, while Wisconsin falls to 1-2. Here’s a quick game recap.

Michigan’s offense couldn’t get any points during their first two drives of the game, but drive No. 3 netted a score when a flea flicker turned into a 34-yard touchdown pass to Cornelius Johnson. This put Michigan up 7-0 in the early going.

The game was 13-3 Michigan with under a minute to go in the first half when Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz started to gain traction. Wisconsin had just -2 yards midway through the second quarter, but the last drive of the half netted 63 yards on just three plays, ending with a Mertz 18-yard touchdown pass. Michigan went into the half 13-10, and momentum appeared to be shifting back to Wisconsin.

Mertz wasn’t able to finish the game, leaving after safety Dax Hill sacked Mertz with a good hit to his ribs. Backup Chase Wolf would relieve Mertz, but did not do well, going 3-for-8 with 52 yards passing, 1 TD, 1 INT, and a fumble.

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy saw more time in the second half and scored once on a QB sneak, and once through the air on a 56-yard pass to Daylen Baldwin.

McCarthy’s presence wasn’t a reflection of McNamara’s performance, McCarthy was clearly mixed into their gameplan. McNamara threw a nice backshoulder 16-yard touchdown to Cornelius Johnson in the second half and went 17-of-28 for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns on the day.

Michigan’s defense was fairly solid all day, and gave up just one garbage time score in the second half, helping propel Michigan to a 38-17 win. Michigan’s defense had six sacks and looked sharp besides the two touchdown drives.

Next up for Michigan is another road game against Nebraska.

Team Stats

Highlights

McCarthy touchdown pass

McNamara TD to Cornelius Johnson

Dax Hill interception

Hill’s hit on Mertz that knocked the QB out of the game