Report Card: Grading Michigan football in a 24-22 win over Northwestern

Michigan won on a last-second field goal at Northwestern to keep the Wolverines’ season alive, for all intents and purposes. U-M turned it over five times but overcame with timely defense and just enough points on 496 yards of offense.

We grade the Wolverines in all areas following the 24-22 victory …

RELATED: Michigan 24, Northwestern 22 — Notes, quotes, and observations … more of the same, including the win

Michigan rushing offense: A–

It took Jordan Marshall a while to get going, but the redshirt freshman churned his way to 142 yards and averaged 7.5 per carry, bolstered by his 65-yard run. The explosion in the rush offense continues to impress. The Wolverines managed only 30 yards rushing at halftime — the RPOs often dictated a throw against a defense geared to stop the run — but 98 yards in the third quarter and 88 in the fourth were big wins for the offense. Bryson Kuzdzal impressed with 53 yards and ran hard when Marshall got hurt late.

The 216-yard rushing total … you’d take it every week. Two fumbles in the run game lower the score a bit.

Passing offense: B-

We’re probably being generous here again given the two interceptions, including one that led directly to a Northwestern touchdown on the following play. At the same time, there was a lot of good, two areas especially — RPOs and freshman receiver Andrew Marsh. His third down reception on the sideline in the fourth quarter was an NFL caliber grab, and his 12-catch, 189-yard performance was one of the best we’ve ever seen of a freshman at Michigan. He’s going to be special.

We still want to see the tight ends more involved, but 280 yards passing is solid-plus. And we don’t remember any dropped balls.

Michigan rushing defense: A

Northwestern needed to run the ball better, probably, to take advantage of the Michigan turnovers and win the game, but there was rarely room to run. The U-M front seven was stout, allowing the top two backs only 31 yards each. Seventeen came on one carry.

Holding the Wildcats to 2.9 gross rushing yards per carry is a win every day.

Passing defense: B+

The numbers weren’t bad — Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone threw for 184 yards and was only 13-for-27 — but there were too many big plays for our liking in the passing game. The biggest, a second-and-22 completion for 32 yards after Michigan had taken control in the third quarter, changed the game from a potential blowout to nail biter.

The Wildcats had six plays of 17 yards or more, two over 30. Of their passing total, 150 came on those six plays.

Michigan special teams: D+

The Wolverines still haven’t figured out punt return. It remains an adventure with Semaj Morgan — he fumbled one before being replaced by Marsh, giving Northwestern the ball and momentum along with (eventually) three points — and we have to believe he won’t be back there again. Kicker Dominic Zvada missed two field goals, including another shorty, but atoned with the game winner from 31 yards. That’s why this grade is a bit higher than it would be, especially after the Wolverines gave up a fourth and one fake punt everyone but them saw coming.