NCAA-Michigan beat Washington to win national championship, finish season 15-0
By Rory Carroll
(Reuters) -Michigan’s rushing attack overpowered Washington as the Wolverines emerged with 34-13 victory on Monday to snap a 26-year national championship drought and cap an undefeated season.
The favored Wolverines held the highly regarded Huskies offense to just one touchdown thanks to two long runs by Donovan Edwards in the first quarter and two more punts by Blake Corum in the fourth.
“15-0,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh declared as yellow and blue streamers covered the field in Houston.
We’re the last ones standing because we took on every challenger. Champions.
J.J. McCarthy, the quarterback for Michigan, was beaming after sealing the win, having to make a clutch play to extend a drive in the fourth quarter.
McCarthy remarked, “All I can say is that it’s glorious.”
“I simply adore my coaches and my teammates.” Since it’s our last opportunity to play together, it’s bittersweet.
“It’s such a special group and no better way to end it.”
This is the first national championship for Michigan since the team shared the trophy with Nebraska in 1997, when it won its 12th.
The two titles Washington won were in 1960 and 1991.
After jumping out to a 17-3 first-quarter lead, Michigan appeared ready to run away with the game after Edwards scored two touchdowns of more than 40 yards each on the team’s opening two possessions.
However, Harbaugh’s unexpected choice to go for a passing play on a fourth and three close to midfield in the second quarter gave the Huskies new life.
After the pass was intercepted, Washington quarterback Michael Penix found Jalen McMillian in the end zone with a pass, bringing the score to 17-10 at the half.
Michigan quickly grabbed the momentum back when Penix was hit while throwing the ball on the first play of the second half and Will Johnson came down with the interception, setting up a field goal for 20-10.
Washington answered with a 45-yard field goal by Grady Gross to cut the deficit back to a touchdown but would not score again.
With just over seven minutes remaining, Corum scored a touchdown from 12 yards out to take a 27-13 lead. Mike Sainristil then picked off Penix’s desperate heave and returned the ball all the way to the Washington eight-yard line, effectively ending the game.
Soon after, Corum found the end zone once more, leading 34–13. Washington was silent after that as the Michigan pass rush consistently pummeled Penix.
CONTROVERSY
After defeating Ohio State to close out the regular season, Michigan easily defeated Iowa to secure the number one seed in the playoffs.
After that, on New Year’s Day, the Wolverines came back to defeat Alabama in overtime at the Rose Bowl, securing a rematch with second-seeded Washington in the championship game.
Along the way, Michigan had to put up with controversy after Harbaugh was suspended for the final three regular season games in November after it was discovered that Wolverines staff members had stolen signs.
Harbaugh acknowledged the suspension as a condition of an agreement that concluded the investigation, but he denied knowing of any of the alleged sign-stealing.
The focus now shifts to Harbaugh’s future and his decision to stay at his alma mater or play in the NFL again. In 2013, Harbaugh led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl.
The four-team College Football Playoffs came to an end with the championship game; the 12-team playoff system will take its place the following season.
Additionally, it is the final season that Washington will be a member of the Pac-12; starting next season, the team will play in the Big Ten alongside Michigan.