Game balls from Michigan football's 59-18 win at Maryland
Michigan football went to Maryland and handled the Terrapins easily, winning by a score of 59-18. This set up an epic showdown with the Ohio State Buckeyes next weekend with the Big Ten East title on the line.
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RELATED: Wolverine TV podcast: Instant reactions to Michigan football’s win over Maryland
Michigan will turn the page quickly from this one, but a few standout performers get game balls from TheWolverine.com staff first.
Clayton Sayfie: RB Hassan Haskins
This wasn’t even close to being redshirt sophomore running back Hassan Haskins’ best game of the season, which is saying something, considering he still registered 78 yards and two touchdowns. Haskins quickly surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season and scored his 12th and 13th touchdowns of the year for Michigan, also hitting the 2,000-yard landmark for his career.
He carried the ball 20 times, less than the last two weeks, and it’s good he got to rest a bit in the second half before the biggest game of the year against the Buckeyes.
We have no doubt he’ll lay it all on the line next week, and it was encouraging to see that second-year freshman Blake Corum made the trip and was available in an emergency situation. The Wolverines will need them both next week against Ohio State.
Chris Balas: RB Donovan Edwards
Who saw this coming?
We knew Michigan freshman running back Donovan Edwards was skilled. We knew he could catch the ball. But 10 catches for 170 yards, a freshman running back receiving record …
We wouldn’t have predicted it.
Edwards is just scratching the surface of his potential, head coach Jim Harbaugh said. He predicted big things for his back, noting he’d have more great days ahead. At the very least, he’s given Ohio State defensive coaches one more thing to think about heading into ‘The Game’ next week.
He’ll get more opportunities to run the ball next year, too, and he should be a big part of the offense as a dual-threat.
Anthony Broome: TEs coach/Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh
This is breaking the rules considering most of these awards have gone to Michigan players. However, a special tip of the hat is in order for the younger Harbaugh. His special teams units have been strong all season, whether it be coverage, kicking or otherwise.
Saturday’s performance included a blocked punt from walk-on Matt Torey and trickeration on a kick return touchdown on a pass across the field from Michael Barrett to freshman A.J. Henning. Some folks wondered why that would be run this week and not next, but they saw something on film from Maryland and took advantage of it.
Harbaugh does not get enough recognition for how well he coaches up the third phase of the game. Given this was a blowout win and team effort, he gets a nod here.
Michigan football honorable mentions
Redshirt freshman QB Cade McNamara: McNamara finished the day 21-of-28 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman CB DJ Turner: Turner picked up his second interception of the season and first pick-six in the third quarter for Michigan.
Freshman QB J.J. McCarthy: McCarthy went 5-of-5 passing for 58 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 rushing yards and a score on the ground.
