U-M Posts Second Straight Shutout, Blanks Terps in B1G Opener

Saturday, October 3

College Park, Md.

Noon

Michigan

4-1 , 1-0

Maryland

2-3 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Michigan

Maryland

U-M Posts Second Straight Shutout, Blanks Terps in B1G Opener

10/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes PDF Boxscore Photo Gallery

By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

» Michigan led 6-0 at halftime before scoring three second-half touchdowns.
» The U-M defense held Maryland to just 105 yards of total offense and had three interceptions for the program's first back-to-back shutouts since Oct. 14-21, 2000.
» Drake Johnson had 99 total yards of offense and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving).

Site: College Park, Md. (Byrd Stadium)
Score: #22 Michigan 28, Maryland 0
Records: U-M (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten), Maryland (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 10 -- vs. Northwestern - Homecoming (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m.

• Kornacki Postgame Feature: Dominant, Opportunistic Defense Looking for Higher Level

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of Michigan football team (No. 22 AP, RV Coaches) recorded its second consecutive shutout and scored three touchdowns in the second half to run past Maryland, 28-0, in the conference opener on Saturday (Oct. 3) at Byrd Stadium. The Michigan defense held the Terrapins to just 105 total yards -- including 37 in the second half -- and had eight tackles-for-loss (four sacks), six pass break-ups and three interceptions.

Since giving up 24 points in the season opener at Utah, Michigan has allowed only two touchdowns in its last four games, and has put up back-to-back shutouts for the first time in nearly 15 years. Fifth-year senior linebacker Desmond Morgan led the team with nine tackles and was one of three Michigan players to have an interception, along with junior cornerback Jourdan Lewis and senior safety Jeremy Clark.

Senior running back Drake Johnson had 13 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown while also adding a 31-yard touchdown reception. Graduate student Jake Rudock went 16-for-32 for 180 yards and a touchdown. Junior tight end Jake Butt (61 yards) and senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson (41 yards) tied for the team lead with four receptions each. Chesson also had a 66-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep.

Johnson, Chesson
Drake Johnson (left) rushes for a score; Jehu Chesson (right) crosses the goal line

The first quarter was scoreless, but it was marred by mistakes on both sides, as each team committed two turnovers. The Wolverines finally got some momentum going via special teams, as sophomore Jabrill Peppers returned a punt 29 yards into Maryland territory. On a fourth-and-three, Rudock rolled right and looked to pass but found nothing and ran it himself, cutting back to the middle of the field for a 20-yard gain and a first down. It led to a 30-yard field goal by senior Kenny Allen to put Michigan up 3-0.

With time winding down in the first half, Michigan got a big play from the offense, as Butt turned a screen pass into a 44-yard gain. This led to another Allen field goal, this time from 32 yards, to put Michigan up 6-0 heading into halftime.

All three phases did their parts leading to Michigan's first touchdown of the game. After a stalled offensive drive, fifth-year senior Blake O'Neill got off a 59-yard punt that pinned Maryland at its own 29-yard line. Three plays after the punt, the defense recorded their third takeaway of the day courtesy of Lewis, setting the offense up with great field position. Then, on third-and-10, Rudock connected with Johnson for a 31-yard touchdown on a screen pass. A successful two-point conversion pass to junior tight end Khalid Hill followed to make the score 14-0.

After another stop by the defense, U-M got the ball back and needed only one play to add another touchdown, as Chesson took a jet sweep 66 yards up the sideline for six, making the score 21-0. A little more than halfway through the fourth quarter, Johnson tacked on another touchdown, jumping over the line of scrimmage from one yard out to cap the scoring at 28-0.

The Wolverines return back to Michigan Stadium next Saturday (Oct. 10), hosting Northwestern for homecoming. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m. A television designation has not been set yet.