Michigan
3-1
Brigham Young
2-2
Michigan Shuts Out No. 22 BYU to Close Non-Conference Play
9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
» Michigan scored all of its points on five consecutive drives in the first half.
» U-M recorded its first shutout win since 2012, forcing seven three-and-outs and allowing only 105 yards.
» Jake Rudock accounted for three touchdowns (two rush, one pass).
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Michigan 31, #22 BYU 0
Records: U-M (3-1), BYU (2-2)
Attendance: 108,940
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 3 -- at Maryland (College Park, Md.), 8 p.m. (TV: BTN)
• Kornacki Postgame Feature: Big Plays Help Wolverines Make Big Statement
• Kopko Postgame Feature: Michigan Defense Unbreakable in Shutout Win over BYU
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Behind a dominating defensive performance, the University of Michigan football team won its third consecutive game on Saturday (Sept. 26), trampling No. 22 BYU, 31-0, inside Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines manhandled the visitors from the get-go, tabulating all their points on five consecutive drives in the first half while allowing only 105 total yards and eight first downs.
Among the offensive standouts was junior running back De'Veon Smith, who ran 16 times for 125 yards and a touchdown before leaving midway through the third quarter due to an ankle injury. At halftime, Smith nearly had twice as many rushing yards (117) as BYU had in total yards (62).
Graduate student quarterback Jake Rudock was 14-of-25 for 194 yards and a passing touchdown -- completing passes to nine different receivers -- while also adding two rushing touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Amara Darboh caught four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.
The Wolverines dominated BYU in time of possession (38:38 to 21:22) and converted nine of 17 third downs.
Michigan went up 7-0 early with a 10-play, 80-yard drive, highlighted by a trio of big plays. Smith had the first, bursting through the line for a 31-yard gain down to BYU's 45-yard line. A few plays later, facing a third-and-five, Rudock lofted one to the sideline towards Darboh, who grabbed it with one hand falling backwards to complete the 21-yard gain. Three players later, Rudock converted on third down again, faking to the flat twice before finding junior tight end Khalid Hill open over the middle of the field for 19 yards. Rudock finished the drive with a three-yard scramble into the end zone.
Amara Darboh stretches out for a one-handed catch
The Wolverines doubled their advantage with an even longer drive than the first, going 90 yards in 10 plays to go up 14-0. On the second play of the drive, Rudock scrambled to the left out of the pocket and came close to the first down before drawing a late hit out-of-bounds, giving Michigan an extra 15 yards and moving the sticks. Two plays later, Rudock connected with junior tight end Jake Butt for 42 yards to BYU's 25-yard line. Then, facing a fourth-and-one, U-M lined up to go for it, but Rudock drew BYU offsides, giving the offense an automatic first down. Three plays after the penalty, Rudock spotted Darboh in the end zone for a four-yard touchdown.
From there, the rout was on. On the next drive, Smith turned what appeared to be a two or three-yard gain into a 60-yard touchdown run, tearing through the line and breaking several tackles on his way to the end zone.
On the next possession, Rudock took the offense down the field in six plays before finishing off the drive himself with a 17-yard scramble. Senior kicker Kenny Allen capped the scoring with a 40-yard field goal right before halftime.
Each team's offense slowed down in the second half. The Wolverines did not score again, but the defense allowed only 43 yards of total offense.
Michigan opens up Big Ten action next Saturday (Oct. 3) at Maryland. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. and will be shown live on the Big Ten Network.
Tweet of the Game
We've got a special guest with us today! Welcome to The Big House, No. 2. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/kOAQgR7SYq
-- Michigan Athletics (@UMichAthletics) September 26, 2015
Team Stats
BYU 0, MICH 7
MICH - Rudock, Jake 3 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:42
BYU 0, MICH 14
MICH - Darboh, Amara 4 yd pass from Rudock, Jake (Allen, Kenny kick) 10 plays, 90 yards, TOP 4:19
BYU 0, MICH 21
MICH - Smith, De'Veon 60 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 2 plays, 68 yards, TOP 0:52
BYU 0, MICH 28
MICH - Rudock, Jake 17 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 6 plays, 59 yards, TOP 3:26
BYU 0, MICH 31
MICH - Allen, Kenny 40 yd field goal 10 plays, 47 yards, TOP 5:04
