Corum, Wilson Combine for Five Touchdowns in Rout of UNLV

Saturday, September 9

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:30 PM

Michigan

2-0 , 0-0

UNLV

1-1 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UNLV

Michigan

Blake Corum (Michigan Photography)

Corum, Wilson Combine for Five Touchdowns in Rout of UNLV

9/9/2023 7:20:00 PM | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes Player Participation In the Trenches Podcast: UNLV Recap PDF Boxscore Postgame Press Conference: Players Postgame Press Conference: Coaches Photo Gallery

By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #2 Michigan 35, UNLV 7
Records: U-M (2-0), UNLV (1-1)
Attendance: 109,482
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 16 -- vs. Bowling Green (Michigan Stadium), 7:30 p.m. (TV: Big Ten Network)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan football team used a balanced scoring attack -- with multiple touchdowns from both running back Blake Corum and wide receiver Roman Wilson -- and a dominant rush defense to beat UNLV 35-7 on Military Appreciation Day on Saturday (Sept. 9) at Michigan Stadium.

Corum carried the ball 15 times for 80 yards and three touchdowns -- his highest scoring output since posting five touchdowns last season against UConn (Sept. 17, 2022).

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy boasted another efficient performance, completing 88 percent of his passes (22-for-25) to top his career-best mark set just last week against East Carolina (87 percent). He threw two passing touchdowns -- both to Wilson -- and added 38 rushing yards.

Wilson registered receiving touchdowns of 13 yards and 47 yards in the second and third quarters, respectively. It was his second straight multi-touchdown game after posting a career-best three in the season opener against ECU. With five touchdowns this season, Wilson has already surpassed his career high through just two games; he posted four in 2022.

Defensively, Michigan held UNLV to 229 total yards, including 61 on the ground, and scoreless until late in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines had 10 tackles-for-loss (five sacks) and only allowed UNLV three third-down conversions all game. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant recorded career highs with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 TFL, while defensive back Mike Sainristil also posted five tackles and a recorded key pass breakup on a UNLV third-and-nine in the second quarter.

Michigan relied on the play-action pass to earn a hot first-quarter start, as McCarthy connected with five different receivers on its opening drive. Corum contributed the final 14 yards, including a three-yard touchdown run for the first of his three short-yardage rushing scores.

His second, a two-yard rush, came on the first play of the second quarter, marking his 11th career multi-touchdown game. The touchdown run was preceded by a key third-down conversion between McCarthy and wide receiver Tyler Morris -- their second such connection of the game. Morris recorded career highs with three catches and 40 yards.

Wilson's first score of the day came on a 13-yard receiving touchdown over the middle with 28 seconds remaining in the first half. The scoring play was set up by back-to-back McCarthy rushes, combining for 21 yards, and added to his 17-for-18 first-half passing performance.

Michigan needed only three plays to find the end zone in its second drive of the third quarter, capped by Wilson's 47-yard touchdown reception up the left sideline. Wilson finished with four catches and 89 yards.

Corum rounded out Michigan's scoring with a five-yard run with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson set up the touchdown with back-to-back 26-yard plays -- one reception and one rush -- and finished with 82 receiving yards on five receptions, tying his career high.

UNLV spoiled the Wolverines' shutout bid with a 20-yard rushing touchdown with just 2:46 remaining in the game. It was the Rebels' longest drive of the contest, spanning nine plays and 81 yards -- nearly a third of their game total.

Michigan continues its non-conference schedule next Saturday (Sept. 16) against Bowling Green at Michigan Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.