Season Review: 2023 Michigan Football
2/22/2024 4:44:00 PM | Football
• Team Captains: Michael Barrett, Blake Corum, Kris Jenkins, Trevor Keegan, Mike Sainristil, Zak Zinter
• Record: 15-0, 9-0 Big Ten, 1st East Division, Big Ten Champions
• Final Rankings: No. 1 in CFP Rankings, Coaches' Poll, and AP Poll
• Postseason: National Champions
• Special Features:
» 2023 National Champions
» 2023 Big Ten Champions
» 1,000 Wins
» 2023 Michigan Football Awards
The 2023 season is the greatest modern-era season in University of Michigan Football history, and in the conversation for the greatest in 144 years of program history. The Wolverines became the fourth team in modern history to achieve a 15-0 record, capturing the program's first national title since 1997 and first outright championship since 1948. It was the 12th national championship in program history.
The Wolverines won a third consecutive Big Ten title, the 45th in program history, and posted rivalry wins against Ohio State and Michigan State along the way. U-M was the first national championship squad since the 2001 Miami Hurricanes to lead at halftime in every one of its games. Allowing 10.4 points per game, the fewest across college football in more than a decade, U-M became the first FBS team to hold 15 different opponents under 25 points in a single season since 1903 Minnesota.
Five players were honored with All-America status including unanimous honoree Zak Zinter. Five players were finalists for major national awards, and now-head coach Sherrone Moore was a finalist for the Broyles Award given to the best coordinator in college football for his work as offensive play-caller. Overall, 28 different players earned All-Big Ten honors across all three phases including nine first-team honorees.
Michigan closed the season with the following active win streaks: 28 consecutive regular season wins, 25 straight wins against Big Ten teams, 23 straight league wins (does not count '21, '22, '23 Championship Games), and 22 consecutive wins at Michigan Stadium.
Team Highlights
• Business Finished: National Champs -- Playing in the Houston Texans' NRG Stadium, Michigan beat Washington 34-13 in a convincing display as the best team in the country. The Wolverines became the first team to reach 300 yards rushing in the College Football Playoff Title Game and the first team to record three runs of 40-plus yards in one half of any CFP game. Washington scored 10 first-half points, and three after the break for their tied-for-first and tied-for-second-lowest scoring halves of the season, and U-M forced five punts, one off Washington's season-high. Michigan became the fourth team in the modern era of college football to achieve a perfect record of 15 wins and no losses.
• Rose Bowl Glory: Comeback Completed In 27-20 Overtime Thriller -- U-M beat SEC foe and No. 4-seeded Alabama for the program's first CFP win. The Wolverines defense registered five first-half sacks, a CFP single-half record, and finished the game with a season-high seven. Alabama was held to 288 total yards, a season low, and the Wolverines had to overcome a second-half deficit for the first time all season. U-M did just that, using a late-game drive to tie and a Blake Corum rushing score to go ahead in the extra frame before shutting the Tide out at the goal line for the stop and the win.
• Buckeyes Bashed: Three Straight Over OSU -- The Maize and Blue extended its winning streak to three games over Ohio State with a 30-24 win at Michigan Stadium. It is U-M's first three-game winning streak in the rivalry since 1995-97 and came as part of the first-ever two-year stretch in series history in which both teams were ranked in the top three. U-M never trailed in the game, converting three-of-three fourth down tries to score more points on the Buckeyes than any team had all season. Defensive back Rod Moore sealed the game with an interception in the final minute to extinguish the Buckeyes' comeback effort.
• Rare Air: Three Straight Big Ten Titles -- The Wolverines captured their league-leading 45th Big Ten Championship in 2023, and became the first team ever to win three straight outright league titles. Michigan beat Iowa soundly, 26-0, and led wire-to-wire. They held the Hawkeyes to 155 total yards, a season low allowed, and made plays in all phases of the game -- touchdown runs from Corum, four field goals, two fumble recoveries on defense, one interception, and an 87-yard punt return. Mike Sainristil was named Griffin-Grange MVP, meaning the only two defensive players to win the honor have played for Michigan (Aidan Hutchinson).
Individual Highlights
• Corum Breaks, Re-Sets Records -- Rushing records at Michigan are sacred, and after an all-time great career, it is fitting that Corum sits atop the program record book in so many categories. He finished the year with 27 rushing touchdowns, a program record. His 28 total touchdowns surpassed a mark set by Al Herrnstein (26) in 1902 for the most by any Wolverine and are third all-time among all Big Ten players. For his career, Corum ended with 58 rushing touchdowns and 61 total touchdowns, also Michigan records. He was the only FBS player to score in every game this season and for good measure, set U-M records for single-season (168 points) and career scoring (356), the former also a Big Ten record. The two-time All-American finished in the top-10 of the Heisman Trophy voting for the second time in his career (seventh, 10th).
• Edwards Goes Off in National Title Game -- On the biggest stage, Donovan Edwards had his biggest performance of the 2023 season. He became the first player in CFP National Title Game history to run for two touchdowns of 40-plus yards with his 41- and 46-yard scores in the first half against the Huskies. They were the second- and third-longest touchdown runs in CFP National Title Game history (Derrick Henry, 50 yards, 2016) and doubled up Edwards' previous long run of the season (22). Together, he and Corum became the first duo in CFP Title Game history to both reach 100 yards rushing.
• Sainristil's Interception Returns -- Sainristil was not the only Wolverine to record a pick-six this season. He was part of a group with Will Johnson and Keon Sabb that accounted for four interceptions returned for touchdowns this season, matching a single-season program record. Sainristil registered 232 return yards on interceptions, a program and Big Ten single-season record, including a CFP National Championship Game-record 81-yard return in Houston. Sainristil's touchdowns came against Rutgers and at Michigan State, tying him with Thom Darden, Lance Dottin, Brandon Watson, and Lavert Hill for the most career pick-sixes at Michigan.
• Barrett Ends Career as All-Time Leader in Games Played, Wins -- A six-year letterwinner and defensive captain in his final season, Michael Barrett ended his career as one of the most decorated players to ever wear the winged helmet. He appeared in 64 games (35 starts), more than any player in program history, and was part of 52 wins. He surpassed the record set by Jake Moody (60) the year before, which had built on marks set by Brad Hawkins (56), Jordan Glasgow, and Khaleke Hudson (52).
• McCarthy Finishes Career a Proven Winner -- J.J. McCarthy cemented his legacy with a 27-1 record as a starting quarterback, the best across college football in at least the last 50 years. McCarthy threw for 2,991 yards in 2023, nine short of becoming the fourth single-season passer to reach 3,000 yards in program history with 22 touchdowns, three off the single-season program record. His 72.3 completion percentage is a single-season record, along with his interception percentage (1.20). He finished his career ranked sixth in yards (6,226), tied for fourth in touchdown passes (49), and sixth in touchdown percentage (6.87). He is the program's all-time leader in career efficiency (160.5), completion percentage (67.6), and touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.4:1).
• Zinter Earns Honors in Classroom, on Field -- After earning the 28th unanimous All-American honor in program history, Zinter became a first-team Academic All-American after earning second-team honors the year before. Zinter graduated with a sport management degree from the School of Kinesiology in December. The offensive captain was a mainstay across Michigan's offensive lines across 45 games and 42 starts, helping win two Joe Moore Awards (2021-22) while blocking for three straight 1,000-yard backs (Hassan Haskins, Corum twice). He was a semifinalist for the 2023 Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy, and a finalist for the NFF William V. Campbell Trophy, known as the Academic Heisman.
Honors and Awards
Blake
Corum
J.J.
McCarthy
Junior
Colson
Zak
Zinter
All-Big Ten Conference (Coaches)
Offense
First Team: Blake Corum (running back), LaDarius Henderson (tackle), Colston Loveland (tight end), J.J. McCarthy (quarterback), Drake Nugent (center), Zak Zinter (guard)
Second Team: Karsen Barnhart (tackle), Trevor Keegan (guard), Roman Wilson (wide receiver)
Honorable Mention: AJ Barner (tight end)
Defense
First Team: Mason Graham (defensive line), Will Johnson (defensive back)
Second Team: Junior Colson (linebacker), Kenneth Grant (defensive line), Kris Jenkins (defensive line), Mike Sainristil (defensive back)
Third Team: Michael Barrett (linebacker), Rod Moore (defensive back)
Honorable Mention: Jaylen Harrell (defensive line), Braiden McGregor (defensive line), Derrick Moore (defensive line), Makari Paige (defensive back), Josaiah Stewart (defensive line), Josh Wallace (defensive back)
Special Teams
Second Team: James Turner (kicker)
Third Team: Tommy Doman (punter)
Honorable Mention: Semaj Morgan (return specialist)
All-Big Ten Conference (Media)
Offense
First Team: Blake Corum (running back), J.J. McCarthy (quarterback), Drake Nugent (center), Zak Zinter (guard)
Second Team: LaDarius Henderson (tackle), Trevor Keegan (guard), Colston Loveland (tight end), Roman Wilson (wide receiver)
Third Team: Karsen Barnhart (tackle)
Honorable Mention: AJ Barner (tight end), Cornelius Johnson (wide receiver)
Defense
First Team: Will Johnson (defensive back), Mike Sainristil (defensive back)
Second Team: Junior Colson (linebacker), Kris Jenkins (defensive line)
Third Team: Mason Graham (defensive line), Kenneth Grant (defensive line)
Honorable Mention: Michael Barrett (linebacker), Jaylen Harrell (defensive line), Braiden McGregor (defensive line), Derrick Moore (defensive line), Rod Moore (defensive back), Josh Wallace (defensive back)
Special Teams
Honorable Mention: Tommy Doman (punter), Semaj Morgan (return specialist), James Turner (kicker)
Other Big Ten Honors
Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year - J.J. McCarthy
Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year - Blake Corum
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winner: Blake Corum
Griffin-Grange Big Ten Championship Game MVP: Mike Sainristil
Academic All-Big Ten (46)
Raheem Anderson, Jr., AfroAmerican & African Studies
Trevor Andrews, Jr., Economics
Nico Andrighetto, So., LSA Undeclared
AJ Barner, Jr., General Studies
Christian Bartholomew, Sr., Communication and Media
Josh Beetham, Jr., Education Sec Ed
Christian Boivin, Jr., Sport Management
Tristan Bounds, Jr., Business Administration
Evan Boutorwick, So., LSA Undeclared
Blake Corum, Sr., Sport Management
Greg Crippen, Jr., Sport Management
Tommy Doman, Jr., Sport Management
Henry Donohue, Jr., Economics
Logan Forbes, So., LSA Undeclared
Andrew Gentry, So., Business Administration
Dominick Giudice, Jr., Business Administration
Cam Goode, Gr., Unclassified
Mason Graham, So., LSA Undeclared
Jaylen Harrell, Sr., Sport Management
Matthew Hibner, Sr., Business Administration
Noah Howes, Jr., Business Administration
Danny Hughes, Gr., Management MM
Ike Iwunnah, Gr., American Culture
Cornelius Johnson, Gr., Unclassified
Quinten Johnson, Gr., Unclassified
Trente Jones, Gr., Unclassified
James Kavouklis, So., LSA Undeclared
Marlin Klein, So., LSA Undeclared
Joey Klunder, So., Business Administration
Caden Kolesar, Gr., Management MM
Joshua Luther, Gr., Management MM
Jesse Madden, Jr., General Studies BGS
J.J. McCarthy, Jr., General Studies BGS
Tyler McLaurin, Jr., Computer Science
Joel Metzger, Jr., Computer Science
Peyton O'Leary, Jr., Communication and Media
Jeffrey Persi, Jr., Communication and Media
Zach Peterson, Gr., Real Estate Development Certificate
Will Rolapp, Sr., Communication and Media
Jimmy Rolder, So., Business Administration
Greg Tarr, Sr., Sport Management
Joe Taylor, Jr., Communication and Media
Jake Thaw, Sr., Business Administration
Jack Tuttle, Gr., Unclassified
Davis Warren, Jr., Business Administration
Zak Zinter, Sr., Sport Management
Big Ten Player of the Week
J.J. McCarthy -- Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Indiana)
J.J. McCarthy -- Co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Michigan State)
Mike Sainristil -- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Maryland)
Josaiah Stewart -- Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Nebraska
James Turner -- Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Ohio State)
Other National Awards
Junior Colson -- Lott IMPACT Trophy winner
Blake Corum -- 2023 Comeback Player of the Year
Blake Corum -- Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year finalist
Blake Corum -- Wuerffel Trophy finalist
Tommy Doman -- CSC Academic All-District
J.J. McCarthy -- Manning Award finalist
J.J. McCarthy -- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist
Drake Nugent -- Rimington Award finalist
Jake Thaw -- CSC Academic All-District
Zak Zinter -- CSC Academic All-American (first team)
Zak Zinter -- NFF William V. Campbell Trophy finalist
Sherrone Moore -- Broyles Award finalist
Michigan Team Awards
Bo Schembechler MVP: J.J. McCarthy
Humphries-Miller Scholarship Award: Zak Zinter
Robert P. Ufer Bequest: Kris Jenkins
Roger Zatkoff Award: Michael Barrett
Woodley-Graham Award: Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant (co-recipients)
Dierdorf-Hutchinson Award: Zak Zinter
The above six are original team awards presented by the U-M Club of Greater Detroit
Toughest Player Award: Junior Colson
Blue Collar Award: Blake Corum
Rookie of the Year: Semaj Morgan
Offensive Player of the Year: Blake Corum
Defensive Player of the Year: Kris Jenkins, Mike Sainristil (co-recipients)
Special Teams Player of the Year: Caden Kolesar
Offensive Skill Player of the Year: Roman Wilson, Colston Loveland (co-recipients)
Defensive Skill Player of the Year: Mike Sainristil
Specialist of the Year: James Turner
Most Improved Player (Offense): Max Bredeson
Most Improved Player (Defense): Kenneth Grant
Most Improved Player (Special Teams): Tommy Doman
Scout Team Player of the Year (Offense): Raheem Anderson
Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense): Hayden Moore
Scout Team Player of the Year (Special Teams): Nico Andrighetto
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