COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Despite missing several starters and key players to injury, the Michigan football team cruised to arguably its cleanest win of the season Saturday evening. The Wolverines threw the ball all over the field, paraded past Maryland's typically strong pass protection and made themselves at home in an evenly crowded SECU Stadium.
By the time Maryland's fans had cleared out of the bleachers Saturday night, leaving tens of thousands of Michigan fans to cheer 'Beat Ohio!' to the visiting team, the stage was set for the Wolverines.
Michigan moved to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in Big Ten play with a 42-20 road win, and the victory set the stage for the Wolverines' much-anticipated matchup against Ohio State next week. While the Buckeyes are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country, they are seeking to snap a four-game losing streak to Michigan. The Wolverines, meanwhile, have won five straight games and, despite ranking 18th in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, are hoping an upset win over Ohio State and a 10-2 record could be enough to make the 12-team field.
On Saturday, Michigan made its best case yet that it could pull it off, cruising to by far its most lopsided win against a Big Ten opponent this season. The Wolverines did not punt all game, did not commit a turnover, went 11-for-13 on third-down attempts and tallied as many sacks (three) as Maryland quarterback Malik Washington had endured all season. Maryland was held to 71 rushing yards and just 255 yards before Michigan emptied its bench.
Bryce Underwood completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 210 yards and two touchdowns, third-string running back Bryson Kuzdzal ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries and Andrew Marsh once again shined with five receptions, 76 receiving yards, a touchdown and 71 return yards.
In terms of game flow, Maryland struck first with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game, but mustered just 3.7 yards per play and six total points on their next seven drives. In that time, Michigan was able to build a 45-13 lead, with a crisp passing game often leading the charge, that could have grown even larger had the Wolverines kept their foot on the gas and left their starters in the game.
In addition to Marsh, tight ends Marlin Klein and Zack Marshall combined to catch all five of their targets for a combined 67 yards. Donaven McCulley also snapped out of his relative rut, catching both targets his way for 47 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown on a screen pass in the first half.
On defense, Mason Curtis was the star, leading the team with six tackles and recording an interception inside Maryland's 30-yard line that helped Michigan take a 21-7 lead with 12 minutes to go in the second quarter. Maryland natives Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham also had productive night, each recording a sack and several quarterback pressures as Maryland quarter Malik Washington was held to 19-for-39 passing, 215 yards, and 16 rushing yards on 10 carries.
Really, everyone in the maize and blue did something Saturday — except the punter. And as the Wolverines' excitement builds for next weekend's rivalry clash, a clean and crisp blowout couldn't come at a better time.