The Michigan Wolverines are set to take on Purdue this weekend. While it’s been a few years since the Purdue “Spoilermakers” have done much, the matchup between Michigan and Purdue in 2017 was worrisome after the first half of football. Thankfully, the Wolverines managed to get things done, despite losing their starting quarterback to injury.
Here’s this week’s Flashback Friday:
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Game Leaders
Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight went out early in this one due to injury, completing only two passes for 10 yards. John O’Korn came in and managed to complete 18-of-26 passes for 270 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tight ends Sean McKeon and Zach Gentry led the team in receptions; McKeon picked up 82 yards on five catches, while Gentry had three catches and Michigan’s lone touchdown through the air. Running back Chris Evans led the team with 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
On defense, edge Chase Winovich led the team with eight tackles, and linebackers Mike McCray and Devin Bush each had seven. Combined, the defense had seven tackles for loss and five sacks. If that wasn’t enough, the team forced three fumbles and also had five pass breakups.
Plays of the Game
The first quarter of the game was a back-and-forth, with Michigan punting on three straight possessions. Finally, the Wolverines were able to move the ball down the field 84 yards. O’Korn found Gentry in the end zone to take a 7-0 lead.
Despite a strong showing from Michigan’s defense, the Wolverines trailed 10-7 at halftime. It wasn’t a great showing in the third quarter, either, as the Wolverines punted and fumbled on their first two possessions. Still, the defense was keeping Purdue from getting points. With 9:25 left in the third quarter, Winovich got home for a sack. That would force a 3rd-and-long for Purdue.
Michigan took advantage of that momentum from the defense, putting together an 86-yard drive to take a 14-10 lead. The Wolverines took a 21-0 lead after scoring a touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter and capped it off with another touchdown late in the game when Evans broke loose for a 49-yard run.
Outcome
Michigan would win the game, 28-10. The team was ranked No. 8 heading into this game and really couldn’t afford a loss to Purdue that early in the season.
What were your thoughts after this one? Did you still think Michigan looked like a Top-10 team, or were you questioning everything just four games into the season? Let us know in the comments!
