Michigan
5-2 , 1-2
Delaware State
1-4 , 1-2
Wolverines Rush to Blowout Win Over Delaware State
10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Michigan 63, Delaware State 6
Record: Michigan (5-2), Delaware State (1-4)
Attendance: 106,304
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Oct. 24 -- vs. Penn State (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team scored on seven of its first eight possessions to boast a 49-3 halftime lead and accumulate a program-record 442 yards in the first half alone to beat Delaware State, 63-6, on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Michigan Stadium. Overall, the Maize and Blue amassed a single-game program-record 727 yards in the triumph.
The Wolverines' stifling defense limited the Hornets to two field goals and padded Michigan's lead with a touchdown midway through the first quarter. Freshman/sophomore linebacker Brandon Smith (New Brunswick, N.J./New Brunswick) blocked a punt and then tried to grab the loose ball, which squirted out of his hands toward the DSU goal line. Senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical) scooped up the bouncing football and ran two yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown. Graham also recorded two sacks and three tackles, including two for loss, in the win. Sophomore linebacker J.B. Fitzgerald (Princeton Junction, N.J./West Windsor Plainsboro) led the defense with five tackles, including one for loss.
Sophomore running back Michael Shaw (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) rushed for the game's first touchdown on a two-yard run at the left guard during Michigan's first drive. He ended the game with 73 yards on nine attempts.
Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach) took the majority of the snaps in the first half after freshman Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) led U-M's opening drive. Robinson carried the ball six times for 54 yards and one rushing touchdown and completed 3-of-4 passes with two touchdowns. His first pass of the game went to junior/sophomore slot receiver Kelvin Grady (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) for a 38-yard touchdown reception, marking Robinson's first career touchdown pass.
In total, five Wolverines earned their first career touchdowns, including Graham, Grady, junior tight end Martell Webb (Pontiac, Mich./Northern), freshman running back Vincent Smith (Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee) and sophomore/freshman running back Michael Cox (Dorchester, Mass./Avon Old Farms).
Smith logged a career-high 166 rushing yards on 17 carries, including a six-yard rush at the right end for a touchdown in the opening quarter. His 37-yard sprint early in the second quarter placed the Wolverines in the red zone, setting up Robinson's four-yard rushing touchdown.
With a 42-0 lead and 5:17 remaining in the first half, senior/junior quarterback Nick Sheridan (Saline, Mich./Saline) entered the game at quarterback. The Wolverines rode fifth-year running back Kevin Grady (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) into the end zone on the 83-yard drive. He carried the ball four times for 44 yards and broke a tackle before entering the end zone. Grady finished the day with 73 yards on eight carries.
The Hornets got on the board in their last series of the half with a 26-yard field goal. Neither team scored until the fourth quarter when Delaware State marched 76 yards down the field in 10 plays, chewing up 4:35 on the clock and adding to the Hornets' point totals with a field goal.
Sheridan went 7-for-9 for 88 yards to close out the first half and through the third quarter before senior/junior quarterback David Cone (Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro) entered the game for Michigan's first series of the fourth quarter. Cone completed a 21-yard pass to fifth-year wide receiver LaTerryal Savoy (Mamou, La./Mamou), placing Michigan near midfield. Cox dashed 57 yards along the right sideline for his first career touchdown on the following snap.
Cone led the Wolverines back to the end zone on the next drive, completing two passes for 33 yards to fifth-year senior slot receiver Ricky Reyes (Macomb, Mich./Dakota). Once again, Cone handed the ball off to Cox, who darted three yards into the end zone for the final score of the game. All in all, Cox posted two rushing touchdowns and 82 yards on 11 attempts.
Michigan remains at home next Saturday (Oct. 24) against Penn State at Michigan Stadium. The game will be televised by ABC/ESPN with the kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m.
Team Stats
DSU 0, MICH 7
MICH - Shaw, Michael 2 yd run (Olesnavage, J. kick), 5 plays, 45 yards, TOP 1:51
DSU 0, MICH 14
MICH - Smith, Vincent 6 yd run (Olesnavage, J. kick), 7 plays, 72 yards, TOP 2:22
DSU 0, MICH 21
MICH - Graham, Brandon 2 yd blocked punt return (Olesnavage, J. kick)
DSU 0, MICH 28
MICH - Grady, Kelvin 38 yd pass from Robinson, D. (Olesnavage, J. kick) 1 plays, 38 yards, TOP 0:07
DSU 0, MICH 35
MICH - Robinson, D. 4 yd run (Olesnavage, J. kick), 8 plays, 87 yards, TOP 3:15
DSU 0, MICH 42
MICH - Webb, Martell 28 yd pass from Robinson, D. (Olesnavage, J. kick) 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:09
DSU 0, MICH 49
MICH - Grady, Kevin 7 yd run (Olesnavage, J. kick), 8 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:35
DSU 3, MICH 49
DSU - FLICKINGER,R. 26 yd field goal 5 plays, 14 yards, TOP 0:45
DSU 6, MICH 49
DSU - FLICKINGER,R. 24 yd field goal 10 plays, 76 yards, TOP 4:35
DSU 6, MICH 56
MICH - Cox, Michael 57 yd run (Olesnavage, J. kick), 3 plays, 72 yards, TOP 1:20
DSU 6, MICH 63
MICH - Cox, Michael 3 yd run (Schrimscher, S. kick), 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 4:22
