ANN ARBOR – Michigan’s Big Ten opener against No. 11 USC was a wild roller coaster ride, but the 18th-ranked Wolverines left the stadium happy Saturday after earning a thrilling 27-24 victory.
Sherrone Moore’s team overran the Trojans’ defense in the first half, gaining 199 yards and taking a 14-3 lead into the break. But USC (2-1, 0-1) fought back and took a 24-20 lead 7:01 into the fourth quarter.
The Wolverines (3-1, 1-0) got the ball rolling for the first time in the second half on their ensuing drive. Kalel Mullings broke through a gap, fended off a tackle and then ran 63 yards. He finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down and goal with 37 seconds left, and Michigan’s defense held firm in the final moments to end both teams’ first conference game.
Mullings finished the game with 159 rushing yards and two scores on 17 attempts.
Here are the nationwide comments on Saturday’s game:
STORIES
Michigan vs. USC Result and Insights: Wolverines rely on running game and physicality to spoil Trojans’ Big Ten debut (CBS SPORTS)
Kalel Mullings leads No. 18 Michigan to a 27-24 comeback win over No. 11 USC (Yahoo Sports!)
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTIONS
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic wrote, “Michigan is about to beat USC by 32 passing yards and it’s not even November yet. The Wolverines may never throw again.”
Beau Bishop of ESPN Radio posted: “The fact that Michigan can’t throw at all and that USC knows it and is so bad at tackling that it might not matter is certainly a problem.”
NBC sports reporter Nicole Auerbach wrote, “You can take Jim Harbaugh out of Ann Arbor, but you can’t take that ethos out of the Michigan football program.”
Detroit News columnist Bob Wojnowski wrote, “Michigan pulls off a miracle. A win that is signature Sherrone Moore, as the Wolverines made all the key physical plays. The defense was outstanding as UM beat USC 27-24. Did anyone see that coming?”
Pat McAfee of ESPN College GameDay posted: “WHAT A WIN FOR MICHIGAN”
Author John U. Bacon wrote: “Michigan’s upset victory over USC was not complete, not pretty in places (especially in the passing game), but it was definitely hard-fought: The defense was on the field too long and had to make stops, and the O-line picked up yards even though everyone knew they were running. Not glamorous, but gutsy.”
Ari Wasserman of The Athletic wrote, “I don’t know what to make of Lincoln Riley. On the one hand, it’s easy to criticize him for his defense allowing that run on Michigan’s final drive. On the other hand, his defense has improved significantly and it’s probably not rational that anyone can fix all of his problems in a single offseason.”
Clay Travis of Outkick wrote, “Michigan just beat USC by 32 yards passing. And on the last drive they went 89 yards with a completed pass. Crazy ending.”
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports wrote, “Michigan will beat No. 11 USC. The Wolverines’ defense is solid. The Trojans, who opened the season with a win over LSU, are losing their first Big Ten game.”
Pat Forde of SI posted: “The Mullings Drive. That’s the only way Michigan could cross the field.”
Scott Bell wrote: “Kalel Mullings carried the Michigan football team on his shoulders and led them to victory in a game where the team didn’t lose their momentum the entire second half. An absolutely great win over the No. 11 team in America. God bless Mullings, the DL, Will Johnson and Max Bredeson.”
NFL correspondent Annie Agar posted: “I’m getting ready to hear from every Michigan fan ever: ‘We’re back.'”
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