MINNEAPOLIS – When the head coach is posing for a sideline photo after a pick six 12 seconds into the game, it’s probably going to be a good night. No. 2 Michigan started fast and didn’t look back, blitzing Minnesota 52-10 Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium. Here are four quick thoughts:
Pick six, times two
On the second play of the game, Will Johnson jumped an out route and returned the interception 36 yards for a touchdown. That earned him a sideline photo with the “Turnover Buffs,” the sunglasses Michigan uses as a turnover prop. Even coach Jim Harbaugh got in on the fun.
“I just came over to congratulate Will, and they kind of threw me in the picture,” Harbaugh said. “Can’t start a game better. It was an RPO. Will really had good eyes, made the catch, finished it off.”
Jim Harbaugh, definite players' coach 😎
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/iVzanEAL3z
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 7, 2023
Johnson’s interception was a solid sign he’s all the way back from injuries that hampered him early in the season. And it foretold a tough day for Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who was just 5-for-16 passing for 52 yards and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns.
Late in the third quarter, Kaliakmanis threw a pass directly into the hands of safety Keon Sabb, who was lurking in an underneath zone. Sabb returned the interception 28 yards for a touchdown, marking the first time since 2017 that Michigan had two pick sixes in the same game.
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Graham makes his mark
Defensive tackle Mason Graham missed the past two games with an injury and played with a cast on his left hand after undergoing surgery two weeks ago.
Who needs two hands, anyway? Graham wrecked Minnesota’s offensive line with six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Michigan’s defense didn’t necessarily suffer in Graham’s absence, but he made a noticeable impact in his first game back.
“I met with the doctor last week to see how the progress was on my surgery,” Graham said. “He said I was good to go as long as it was protected. I wanted to get back on the field as soon as possible, so that’s what I did.”
Minnesota had success running the ball early in the game, but Michigan clamped down after the first quarter. Playing without running back Darius Taylor, the FBS leading in rushing yards per game, Minnesota managed 3 yards per carry and was outgained 432 yards to 169.
McCarthy scores by land and air
J.J. McCarthy accounted for three touchdowns, two with his legs on quarterback keepers and one through the air on a 24-yard pass to tight end Colston Loveland.
McCarthy’s touchdown runs weren’t easy waltzes into the end zone. Both times, he had to break tackles near the line of scrimmage and outrun a defender to the pylon. Even when teams respect the quarterback run, McCarthy showed he can make plays with his legs.
“He’s in total control when he’s making those kinds of plays,” Harbaugh said. “They look kind of wild, like he just doesn’t care, like he’s got no conscience. But he’s really in total control. The athleticism it takes to do that is off the charts.”
McCarthy had another efficient day as a passer, completing 14-of-20 passes for 219 yards with no interceptions. Since that one rough outing against Bowling Green, he’s continued to play like a quarterback who’s in complete command.
“He’s in total control out there,” Harbaugh said. “Whether it’s the protections, the plays, he’s just got a great, great command of the offense.”
He does it again!
J.J. McCarthy keeps it for his second @UMichFootball TD run of the night. 😤
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/bS9PVY4Inc
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 8, 2023
These games aren’t getting any closer
Michigan won its three nonconference games by 25 points or more, and apparently the Wolverines were just getting warmed up.
If Big Ten play brought a step up in competition, it hasn’t shown in the final scores. Saturday’s 42-point win was Michigan’s most lopsided of the season, and the 52 points were a season high. Returning two interceptions for touchdowns padded that total, but that’s another testament to Michigan’s dominance.
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The Wolverines have outscored Nebraska and Minnesota 97-17 the past two weeks, with both games played on the road. Take your pick as to which victory was more impressive, but in both cases, Michigan left zero doubt.
“It’s half the battle to have a great Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday practice,” Harbaugh said. “You’ve still got to play the game. The sharpness that you feel early in the week, it gets polished. It’s at a really high level to begin with, and by the end of the week, these guys are dialed (in).”
Michigan’s next two games are against Indiana and Michigan State, the teams at the bottom of the Big Ten East. The Wolverines will play a close game eventually … right?
(Photo of J.J. McCarthy: Matt Krohn / USA Today)
