Jim Harbaugh identifies Michigan standouts in win over Nebraska

Michigan crushed Nebraska, 45-7, in the first road game of the year, taking control from start to finish. There were no weak links on either side of the ball, head coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday. After watching the film, he came away even more impressed. 

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Other than a meaningless, fourth quarter, 74-yard touchdown run against the reserves, Nebraska had next to no success in the run game. The Michigan offense, meanwhile, pushed people around, led by the left side. 

“The O-Line … dominant,” Harbaugh said of the Michigan five. “The offensive line against a really big defensive line — those guys were big and physical. I thought our O-Line played extremely well, another group that’s playing really good, unselfish football. 

“Trevor Keegan, LaDarius Henderson both had really good games. And Drake [Nugent], Karsen Barnhart played really well. Trente Jones … we’ve got to get Trente in the game more. He’s such a good player, so athletic. We might have to start playing a bit of a rotation. Our guys are unselfish and will do it. But that’s a real strength for us, and they had one of their better games … LD and Keegs probably played the best of any of our O-line in a group that was really good this game. One of our best.”

They might have to rotate them more, Harbaugh said, to provide a boost at times, the way they have with the Michigan defensive line. Chemistry is key up front, of course, but there are several who have made strides and deserve a chance. 

But they weren’t alone in playing well Saturday. Nebraska had no answer for the Michigan receivers, running backs, or defense. The Wolverines dominated special teams, too.

“As you can imagine, every position group played well,” Harbaugh continued. “I was particularly happy with the big catches, the tough catches, the catches across the middle, the contested catches, obviously. The circus catches … the blocking. Same with the tight ends. Talk about a group that’s really playing well. [Michigan sophomore] Colston Loveland is sometimes getting double teamed out there. You can see the major attention Colston is getting. So unselfish. He continues to block great, gets other guys open. AJ Barner is really stepping up — Max Bredeson had another great game again.”

The running backs ran really hard, Harbaugh added, led by Michigan senior Blake Corum. But senior Kalel Mullings is coming on as a big back, and they’re all rooting for each other. Junior Donovan Edwards didn’t break any, but he ran harder and looked better. 

“A completely unselfish group at a position where it’s hard to be unselfish,” Harbaugh said. “They continue to be. Same with the quarterback. He had one of his best games. He’s just gotten so efficient in how he plays the game and what he does for our offense. He really makes it go. But he’s also completely unselfish, just like everyone on our team. 

“I could name every guy right now, but especially J.J. You see some quarterbacks throwing four to six touchdowns a game. He’s just so locked in on winning, being efficient for the team, contributing to the team … it’s a beautiful thing. The rest of the quarterbacks, I thought they were really good too. I thought we made a really big step in improvement when our twos went into the game. They still put up a field goal drive and a touchdown drive. That was really good.”