Michigan Jumps on Wildcats Early, Rolls to Third Straight Shutout

Saturday, October 10

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:30 PM

Michigan

5-1 , 2-0

Northwestern

5-1 , 1-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Northwestern	0	0	0	0	0
Michigan	21	7	3	7	38

Jehu Chesson

Michigan Jumps on Wildcats Early, Rolls to Third Straight Shutout

10/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes Player Participation PDF Boxscore Photo Gallery

By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

» Jehu Chesson ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown as part of a 21-point first quarter for the Wolverines.
» The last time Michigan had three consecutive shutouts in the same season was 1980.
» Michigan accounted for at least one touchdown on offense, defense and special teams in the same game for the first time since 2003.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #18 Michigan 38, #13 Northwestern 0
Records: U-M (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten), NW (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 110,452
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 17 -- vs. Michigan State (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m. (TV: ESPN)

• Kornacki Postgame Feature: What Makes a Third Consecutive Shutout So Rare
• Kopko Postgame Feature: Special Teams Becoming Game-Changer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team (No. 18 AP, No. 21 Coaches) recorded its third consecutive shutout -- a feat not previously accomplished since 1980 -- in a resounding 38-0 victory over Northwestern (No. 13 AP, No. 14 Coaches) on Saturday (Oct. 10) inside Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines scored at least one touchdown on offense, defense and special teams in the same game for the first time since 2003.

The Michigan defense was outstanding once again, holding Northwestern to just 168 total yards, including 38 on the ground. As a group, the Wolverines had eight tackles-for-loss (four sacks) and only allowed Northwestern two third-down conversions all game. Senior safety Jarrod Wilson led the team with seven tackles.

Graduate student quarterback Jake Rudock was sharp all game, going 17-of-23 for 179 yards and adding a first-half rushing touchdown. Junior running back De'Veon Smith -- back after missing last week's game at Maryland -- was the leading rusher with 59 yards on eight carries. Senior tight end A.J. Williams was the leading receiver with four receptions for 48 yards.

The Wolverines blitzed Northwestern from the start. Before either team even took a snap, senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson ran the opening kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown, the team's first kick return for a touchdown in six seasons. The Wildcats went three-and-out on its first possession, and Michigan followed by marching down the field in seven plays -- a drive that included an 18-yard rush by Smith and 32-yard reception by junior tight end Jake Butt -- eventually scoring on a one-yard touchdown run on third down from senior running back Drake Johnson to put the score at 14-0.

After Northwestern missed a 42-yard field goal on its next possession, the Wolverines got back-to-back big plays -- from fifth-year senior fullback Joe Kerridge (34-yard run on third down) and Chesson (27-yard reception) -- to get into the red zone. Two plays later, Rudock kept the ball on a zone read and ran it into the end zone from two yards out to make the score 21-0.

The only scoring play of the second quarter came on a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown by junior cornerback Jourdan Lewis, giving Michigan a 28-0 lead heading into halftime.

Lewis, AJ Williams
U-M celebrates Jourdan Lewis' touchdown (left); A.J. Williams (right) had career bests in yards (48) and catches (4)

The Wolverines added three points in the third quarter, getting a career-long 47-yard field goal from senior kicker Kenny Allen.

Michigan closed the scoring with a gritty 12-play drive, 10 of which were rushes. Junior running back Derrick Green ended the drive with a four-yard plunge into the end zone.

The Wolverines are back inside Michigan Stadium next Saturday (Oct. 17), hosting in-state rival Michigan State. The game will begin at 3:30 and will be televised on ESPN.