Michigan Captures Second Straight Big Ten Title After Big Second Half Derails Purdue

Saturday, December 3

Indianapolis, Ind.

8:00 PM

Michigan

13-0 , 10-0

Purdue

8-5 , 6-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Purdue

Michigan

Ronnie Bell (Michigan Photography)

Michigan Captures Second Straight Big Ten Title After Big Second Half Derails Purdue

12/3/2022 11:59:00 PM | Football

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By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Indianapolis, Ind. (Lucas Oil Stadium)
Event: Big Ten Championship Game
Score: #2 Michigan 43, Purdue 22
Records: U-M (13-0), Purdue (8-5)
Attendance: 67,107
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Dec. 31 -- at College Football Playoff (Location, Time, TV TBD)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan football team reached 13 wins for the first time in program history, capturing its second consecutive Big Ten Championship with a 43-22 victory over Purdue at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday (Dec. 3).

For the second straight week, the Wolverines flexed their muscles in the second half, overpowering the Boilermakers and holding Purdue to just three field goals while finishing with a 29-9 advantage on the scoreboard over the Big Ten West champion.

Sophomore running back Donovan Edwards did the heavy lifting for the offensive attack, rushing for 185 yards and a touchdown on his way to earning the game's Most Valuable Player honor. Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy cashed in three touchdowns to three different receivers for 161 yards on the night, and graduate student Ronnie Bell led five receivers with five receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown.

McCarthy's connection to his tight ends was strong in the game, connecting with senior Luke Schoonmaker three times for 56 yards, including his third touchdown of the season. Freshman Colston Loveland hauled in his second career touchdown pass as well.

Even though Purdue held the ultimate edge in the total yards column, 456-386, Michigan once again controlled the game on the ground, out-pacing the Boilermakers 225 to 90. The Wolverines scored three rushing touchdowns for the seventh time this season, two of which came on the back of junior linebacker-turned-running back Kalel Mullings.

U-M's defense played a vital role in the Wolverines' second straight Big Ten championship, finishing the game with two interceptions, four sacks and seven total tackles for loss. Freshman cornerback Will Johnson made his presence known in the secondary, snaring both of Michigan's interceptions to stop crucial Purdue drives. Junior edge rusher Jaylen Harrell set a new career high with two sacks to lead the Maize and Blue pass rush, while Junior Colson set a new career-best with 15 total tackles.

Two other Wolverines, Rod Moore and Michael Barrett, claimed double-digit tackles in the contest, with Moore registering 14 total tackles and nine tackles for loss, both career bests. Barrett added 10 total tackles, five solo, and one sack.

Michigan opened the game's scoring with a 25-yard touchdown reception by Loveland, and after Purdue scored 10 points on its next two possessions, the Wolverines struck with their second touchdown of the contest, this time from McCarthy to Schoonmaker from seven yards out. U-M took a slim 14-13 lead into the half, but was ready to roll after halftime adjustments.

The Wolverines struck quickly after receiving the kick to start the second half, going 75 yards on just five plays, highlighted by a 60-yard run by Edwards. Mullings punched in his first career touchdown from a yard out to push U-M's lead to 21-13, and the Wolverines never looked back.

Michigan's defense followed the touchdown by shutting the Boilermakers down in three plays, and the Wolverines wasted no time expanding their lead. McCarthy once again connected with Schoonmaker, this time on a 40-yard completion, and Edwards powered his way to a 27-yard touchdown run on the very next play. When the dust settled, the U-M lead was 28-13.

By the time the final whistle blew, McCarthy had connected with Bell from 17 yards out and Mullings rushed in his second of the night with just 1:22 to go to give the Wolverines the lopsided victory. The win marked the ninth straight win in the Big Ten Championship game for the winner of the Big Ten East.

Michigan now awaits its bid as part of the College Football Playoff semifinal, set to be announced Sunday (Dec. 4) at noon on ESPN. Both semifinal games will be played on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31), with U-M expected to play in the Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Ga., or in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.