Game balls from Michigan football's 21-16 win over Purdue

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Wolverines moved to 7-2 on the season with a 21-16 win over Purdue on Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

There were a handful of players on the Michigan sideline who did their part in the Week 9 outing. Here are the game ball picks for this week, with plenty of praise to give out.

Sophomore running back Jordan Marshall

Michigan does not win this game without its “1B” option at running back, who would be the No. 1 on most teams in America. With Justice Haynes out injured, Jordan Marshall stepped up in a big way and not only had his third-straight 100-plus yard performance, but he also set career marks in every category. He tied his previous high of 25 carries, but set new bests of 185 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. Marshall also had a 25-yard reception on a screen pass that set up his 54-yard touchdown run toward the end of the first quarter.

Michigan’s passing game was suspect for the second week in a row, this time with freshman Bryce Underwood turning the ball over twice. The Wolverines needed a spark and got one from a guy who will likely be the team’s RB1 over the next few weeks while waiting out whatever is ailing Haynes, who was on the field Saturday night on a scooter with his foot in a boot.

Senior EDGE Derrick Moore

Derrick Moore has made himself a ton of money over the last few weeks with his play on the field, adding two more sacks on Saturday night and forcing a fumble. The defensive line and pass rush has not been as good as we hoped it would this year, but Moore has picked it up over the last month and now has 8.5 sacks on the year. Double digits are very much in reach, and he is finishing the plays that he did not in his first three years with the program. His pro stock has shot up tremendously.

Senior linebacker Ernest Hausmann

Michigan was gutted by injuries at linebacker in this game, meaning captain Ernest Hausmann had to step up and lead a very young and inexperienced crew. He led the team in tackles 11 and a tackle for loss despite a rotating cast around him that included junior Troy Bowles and freshman Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng.

Michigan honorable mentions

Graduate EDGE TJ Guy: 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack

Graduate DT Rayshaun Benny: 6 tackles, half tackle for loss, fumble recovery

Sophomore DB Mason Curtis: 6 tackles, pass defended