Michigan
3-0
Colorado
2-1
Big-Play Wolverines Trample Buffaloes in Non-Conference Finale
9/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
» Michigan trailed 14-0 and 21-7 in the first quarter but outscored Colorado, 38-7, thereafter.
» Jabrill Peppers had 204 all-purpose yards -- including a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown -- and nine tackles.
» De'Veon Smith (11 rushes, 87 yards) was one of three players to record a rushing touchdown, along with Jehu Chesson and Ty Isaac.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #4 Michigan 45, Colorado 28
Records: U-M (3-0), Colo (2-1)
Attendance: 110,042
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 24 -- vs. Penn State (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m. (TV: ABC)
• Postgame Press Conference: Coach Harbaugh | Players
Postgame Stories
• Kornacki: Unstoppable Peppers Worth the Hype
• Michigan Uses Big Plays to Remain Perfect
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team (No. 4 AP, No. 5 Coaches) overcame a two-touchdown deficit in the first half to push past Colorado, 45-28, on Saturday (Sept. 17) at Michigan Stadium. Sophomore Jabrill Peppers contributed in all phases of the game, accounting for 204 all-purpose yards, nine tackles (including three-and-a-half tackles-for-loss) and a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown in the victory.
Junior quarterback Wilton Speight overcame some early struggles to finish 16-of-30 for 229 yards and one touchdown. Senior tight end Jake Butt hauled in seven passes for 87 yards, while three different players (De'Veon Smith, Jehu Chesson, Ty Isaac) had rushing touchdowns. Smith led the team in both carries (11) and rushing yards (87).
The defense was stout, especially in the second half. The unit was credited with 10 tackles-for-loss (four sacks) and eight quarterback hurries. Senior linebacker Ben Gedeon led the team with 12 tackles.
The visiting Buffaloes jumped on Michigan early, going up 14-0 on a pair of touchdowns no more than five minutes into the game, beginning with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau to Devin Ross. On the ensuing Michigan possession, Colorado sacked Speight on a blindside hit, forced a fumble and took the recovery 18 yards for the touchdown.
As it did last week against Central Florida, Michigan's special teams made an impact to swing momentum. On an all-out punt block, fifth-year senior Michael Jocz made it to the punter and blocked an attempt, allowing sophomore Grant Perry to pick up the loose ball and return it six yards to get Michigan on the board. But Colorado responded again, as Liufau connected with Ross again, this time on a fade in the corner of the end zone to increase its lead to 21-7.
The second quarter, however, was all Michigan. The Wolverines capitalized on a Colorado special teams miscue, as punter Alex Kinney appeared to punt the ball into his own team, resulting in a seven-yard loss. With great field position, it only took Michigan two plays to score, the second of which was a 17-yard end-around courtesy of Chesson.
After a 39-yard field goal from fifth-year senior Kenny Allen and another stop on defense, the Wolverines' quick-strike offense was on display again. Darboh took a simple screen pass in the left flat, broke a couple tackles and ended up with a 45-yard touchdown reception to make the score 24-21 heading into halftime.
The two teams exchanged counterpunches within the first two minutes of the third quarter. Two plays after Colorado took the lead on a deep 70-yard touchdown pass from Liufau to Shay Fields, Smith took a pitch left and ran it up the left sideline 42 yards for the score, giving Michigan the lead back at 31-28.
From there, it was all Maize and Blue. Facing a third-and-14, Speight, sensing the pressure, escaped the pocket and fired a pass over the middle of the field to Perry, who ran it 54 yards to set up a red-zone attempt. Three plays later, Isaac took a pitch left for the one-yard touchdown.
Peppers put the exclamation point on the afternoon, returning a punt 54 yards for a touchdown to cap the score at 45-28.
The Wolverines will be back at Michigan Stadium next Saturday (Sept. 24), opening Big Ten play with Penn State at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Team Stats
COLO 7, MICH 0
COLO - Ross, Devin 37 yd pass from Liufau, Sefo (Gonzalez, Diego kick) 3 plays, 49 yards, TOP 0:51
COLO 14, MICH 0
COLO - McCartney, Dere 18 yd fumble recovery (Gonzalez, Diego kick)
COLO 14, MICH 7
MICH - Perry, Grant 6 yd blocked punt return (Allen, Kenny kick)
COLO 21, MICH 7
COLO - Ross, Devin 6 yd pass from Liufau, Sefo (Gonzalez, Diego kick) 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 4:38
COLO 21, MICH 14
MICH - Chesson, Jehu 17 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 2 plays, 38 yards, TOP 0:22
COLO 21, MICH 17
MICH - Allen, Kenny 39 yd field goal 8 plays, 43 yards, TOP 2:29
COLO 21, MICH 24
MICH - Darboh, Amara 45 yd pass from Speight, Wilton (Allen, Kenny kick) 1 plays, 45 yards, TOP 0:10
COLO 28, MICH 24
COLO - Fields, Shay 70 yd pass from Liufau, Sefo (Gonzalez, Diego kick) 3 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:58
COLO 28, MICH 31
MICH - Smith, De'Veon 42 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 2 plays, 45 yards, TOP 0:46
COLO 28, MICH 38
MICH - Isaac, Ty 1 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 5:14
COLO 28, MICH 45
MICH - Peppers, J. 54 yd punt return (Allen, Kenny kick)
