Michigan
Nebraska
Michigan Monday: Game 6 at Nebraska
10/4/2021 12:50:00 PM | Football
#9/#8 Michigan (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at Nebraska (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten)
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Neb.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 • 6:30 p.m. CDT
Television: ABC
Radio: Learfield Michigan Sports Network
Monday, Oct. 4
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
Coach Harbaugh Weekly Press Conference | Watch
Inside Michigan Football Radio Show (7 p.m.) | Listen
• Michigan is now ranked in the top 10 in both polls for the first time since late in the 2019 season.
• The Wolverines are 5-0 for the first time since 2016, when the team started the season 9-0.
• This trip to Nebraska is U-M's first since 2012 and the third in program history.
• Michigan ranks among the nation's best in scoring defense (6th, 12.8 avg.) and scoring offense (11th, 39.8 avg.).
• David Ojabo was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance at Wisconsin last weekend (Oct. 2).
Wolverines and Cornhuskers
• This will be the 11th meeting between Michigan and Nebraska. It marks just the third game between the two teams in Lincoln, and the second meeting at Memorial Stadium.
• The first ever matchup in Lincoln came in 1911, a 6-6 tie, and the first ever Big Ten matchup in the city was a 23-9 Cornhuskers' victory in 2012.
• Michigan leads the all-time series, 5-4-1, posting a 4-2 mark in Ann Arbor, a 0-1-1 record in Lincoln and a 1-1 mark in bowl games. The series is tied, 2-2, since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference.
• This is the first meeting between the two teams since the 2018 season, when the Wolverines registered a 56-10 win.
Series vs. Nebraska: Michigan leads 5-4-1
Series Streak: Michigan won 1
Last Meeting vs. Nebraska: 2018 (Michigan, 56-10)
Last Michigan Win: 2018
Television Coverage
ABC will broadcast the game to a national audience. Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color) and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter) will call the game.
In the Polls
• Michigan moved in the top 10 this week following a 38-17 victory at Wisconsin.
• The Wolverines are up to No. 9 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in the Coaches' Poll, marking the program's first trip to the top 10 since late in the 2019 season. It will be the program's 28th game as a top-10 team under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
• U-M has been ranked for all but 13 contests under head coach Jim Harbaugh (77 games). The Wolverines were not ranked the first four games in 2015, four games in 2017 and 2020, and the first two games of the 2021 season.
Game Notes Nuggets
• Michigan is 5-0 for the first time since 2016, when the team started the season 9-0.
• Outside linebacker David Ojabo earned his first career Big Ten accolade when the conference announced he was Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Oct. 4). Ojabo's honor comes after his first career game leading the U-M defense in tackles with seven (four solo). Ojabo's day at Wisconsin (Oct. 2) included 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
• Saturday's match up under the lights at Nebraska will be the 65th night game played by the Wolverines in school history. U-M has compiled a 37-27 overall record in night contests and has a 24-16 mark on the road.
• The upcoming trip to Nebraska is U-M's first since 2012 and the third in program history. It is the final Big Ten venue to be visited by the program during Harbaugh's tenure, with Michigan playing in 25 road conference matchups before finally visiting Memorial Stadium this coming weekend.
• According to ESPN Stat and Info, Michigan is the first team since 2000 to achieve a 5-0 record while committing one or zero turnovers. The Wolverines have not yet trailed in a game in 2021.
• The Michigan offense has produced 24 plays of 20-plus yards (11 rushing, 13 passing) and had three last weekend against Wisconsin (Oct. 2), all through the air.
• Quarterback Cade McNamara has completed passes of 20-plus yards to five different receivers this season. For all five, a new career long reception was achieved: Cornelius Johnson (87 yards), Ronnie Bell (76), Mike Sainristil (51), Roman Wilson (38), and Erick All (24).
• McNamara generated a 122.1 passer rating when pressured last weekend, according to Pro Football Focus. That ranked No. 4 in the country in Week 5.
• The offensive line has allowed one sack all season and just 11 tackles for loss. Both figures rank No. 1 in the Big Ten. The unit paves the way for the nation's No. 7-ranked rushing attack (255 yards per game) which leads the Big Ten.
• The offense is also among the nation's best in scoring (39.8 points per game, No. 11 NCAA), yards per completion (15.4, No. 12), red zone offense (95 percent, No. 13), and turnovers lost (one total, tied-No. 1).
• Running back Blake Corum ranks fifth nationally with 155.4 all-purpose yards per game and 16th with 104.2 rushing yards per contest. He is averaging a touchdown every 11.6 offensive touches with seven rushing scores and one receiving score on 77 total touches (eight receptions).
• Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson ranks second in the NCAA in yards per catch (24.5 avg.).
• The defense has limited teams to 12.8 points per contest, the sixth-best mark in the country, and ranks 15th in total defense (285.8 yards per game) and 17th in pass defense (170.6 yards per game).
The REAPERS ?????#GoBlue https://t.co/NI7EIxCU0v
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 2, 2021
• The 64 points surrendered by the Wolverines through the first five weeks of the season are the fewest since opponents totaled 62 points in an equal time span during the 2016 season. It is the third-lowest total through five weeks under Jim Harbaugh (38 points, 2015).
• Michigan's third-down defense was especially strong at Wisconsin last weekend (Oct. 2). The Badgers averaged 1.4 yards per third down attempt (averaged 3rd and 5.1 yards to gain) on 14 attempts. All six of U-M's sacks as a defense came on third down.
• Michigan forced seven three-and-outs on 13 UW possessions, including three straight three-and-outs to start the game (Oct. 2). U-M's three turnovers (two fumbles, one interception) give the team at least one forced turnover in four straight contests.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Wolverines generated pressures on 18 of 29 dropbacks by Wisconsin quarterbacks last weekend (Oct. 2).
• Aidan Hutchinson was kept from the quarterback last weekend but is still tied-10th in the NCAA with 5.5 sacks. He has more this season in five starts than he did in 14 previous starts during his career (4.5).
• With his pass breakup last weekend at Wisconsin (Oct. 2), defensive lineman Mazi Smith became the 14th Wolverine with at least one PBU so far this season.
• Punter Brad Robbins had three punts inside the opponent's 20 out of four attempts at Wisconsin (Oct. 2). Robbins forced three fair catches and has allowed 12 total return yards on 15 punt attempts.
