Michigan Wolverines Dominate Rutgers Scarlet Knights 31-7 as Jim Harbaugh Returns from Suspension

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The return of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the sidelines coincided with a dominant performance from the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines, who showcased their strong running game and stifling defense to defeat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 31-7 on Saturday. Harbaugh had been serving a three-game suspension for NCAA recruiting violations, but his presence made a significant impact on the team's performance.

Michigan's rushing attack was the highlight of the game, with running back Blake Corum leading the way. Corum rushed for two touchdowns and accumulated 97 yards on 21 carries, displaying his explosiveness and versatility. The Wolverines as a whole amassed an impressive 201 yards rushing, averaging 5 yards per carry. On the defensive side, they held Rutgers to just 77 yards rushing, allowing a mere 3.3 yards per run.

"The way we played today is something that Bo Schembechler would've been really proud of," Harbaugh remarked after the game. Harbaugh, a former quarterback under Schembechler in the mid-1980s, draws inspiration from his late coach and aims to uphold the team's legacy.

The Wolverines started the game slowly, trailing until late in the second quarter when quarterback J.J. McCarthy connected with Semaj Morgan for an 18-yard touchdown pass, putting Michigan in the lead for the first time. They extended their advantage to 17 points in the third quarter when Mike Sainristil returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown. The play came just moments after a potential penalty against Michigan was waved off by officials.

While the Scarlet Knights struck early with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Wimsatt to Christian Dremel on the third snap of the game, they struggled to capitalize on opportunities throughout the contest. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano acknowledged the missed chances, stating, "You can't really miss opportunities against a team like that."

Corum's first touchdown of the game, a 2-yard run to cap off a 94-yard drive, helped Michigan equalize after falling behind early. The running back emphasized the importance of that drive, stating, "Rutgers went up 7-0, and we knew we needed to score just for the energy."

McCarthy bounced back from a rough outing last week, where he threw three interceptions, to post an impressive performance. He completed 15 of 21 passes for 214 yards, including the crucial touchdown pass to Morgan, and avoided any turnovers. Wimsatt, on the other hand, went 11 of 21 for 180 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also contributed 28 rushing yards on six carries.

Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai struggled to find running lanes against Michigan's disciplined and physical defense. He gained just 27 yards on 11 carries and praised the Wolverines' defensive approach, noting, "They're very gap sound, they're a disciplined team, they're physical. Anybody who does that, it's going to be hard to run the ball against."

With the victory, the Wolverines improved their record to a perfect 4-0 on the season. Harbaugh's return to the sidelines injected a renewed energy into the team, and they now look forward to their first road game of the season against Nebraska. Rutgers, on the other hand, will host Wagner in their next matchup.

Overall, Michigan's dominant rushing attack and stout defense proved too much for the Scarlet Knights to handle. The Wolverines' performance showcased their potential as they continue their quest for a successful season.