Michigan on ‘completely happy trip’ after first 10-0 begin since 2006

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — With Michigan’s 34-3 win over Nebraska, the Wolverines have began the season 10-0 for simply the third time since 1975.

The final time Michigan was undefeated by the primary 10 video games was 2006 beneath Lloyd Automotive and earlier than that was in 1997, when the group gained the Nationwide Championship together with the Huskers.

It is a great distance from the place the Wolverines have been after the 2020 season, after they went 2-4 and there have been questions of whether or not or not Jim Harbaugh would proceed teaching at Michigan.

“Simply going 1-0, that is what we’re attempting to do every week. Actually proud, I am actually pleased with the group. I imply, the gamers are those that deserve probably the most credit score,” Harbaugh mentioned after the sport. “I imply, they’ve labored so darn onerous and it is such an actual tight knit group, it is enjoyable. It is a joyful, completely happy trip that we’re on.

“It is a mission however it’s a contented mission. Not one which has any nervousness or any anger or any sort of worry to it. It is a completely happy trip.”

Harbaugh guided the Wolverines to a 11-1 file in 2021, shedding to Michigan State, and a Huge Ten Championship win over Iowa. Michigan was in a position to avenge that loss to the Spartans this season and is now on a collision course with rival Ohio State. It could possibly be the primary time the groups are each undefeated for The Recreation since 2006 when Ohio State was ranked No. 1 and Michigan No. 2.

The Wolverines should play Illinois first and Ohio State will play Maryland earlier than the Nov. 26 matchup in Columbus, and Michigan is not trying previous the Illini simply but.

For the Wolverines, there are nonetheless questions on offense surrounding the move sport, however a giant a part of the group’s success has been on the bottom with operating again Blake Corum. The junior again had 162 yards and a landing in opposition to the Huskers and is simply the third Huge Ten participant over the past 15 seasons to run for at the very least one landing in every of his group’s first 10 video games.

Corum has had seven straight video games with 100 or extra rush yards and a landing, which is the longest streak by a Michigan participant over the past 25 years. He had 28 makes an attempt within the sport in opposition to Nebraska, and regardless of the heavy workload, Corum says he is greater than able to persevering with by the final two video games.

“I may play a complete ‘nother season. No, however, you realize, I am good, I am feeling nice,” Corum mentioned. “I really feel that I simply proceed to get higher. You recognize, I deal with my physique actually good.”

Corum’s longest run on the day was simply 12 yards, however he nonetheless managed to common 5.8 yards per carry and gave credit score to the complete offense for the success on the bottom. “They’re undoubtedly packing the field, 100%. however I’ve one of the best offensive line within the nation. They dominate up entrance, my tight ends dominate, receivers dominate, so when everybody’s dominating, it permits me to have success and discover these matchups and simply actually run onerous,” Corum mentioned. “Like right now, there was no lengthy ones however it was gritty. It was gritty for certain. You recognize, a whole lot of runs within the center and a whole lot of success.”

That success has propelled Michigan to a different win and a 10-0 season. It is not over but, and the Wolverines aren’t celebrating, however it has given Harbaugh an opportunity to replicate on the effort and time his group has put in to show this system round to get so far.

“A lot onerous work has gone into the group being undefeated. So many guys have simply accomplished a lot, labored so onerous,” Harbaugh mentioned. “Some guys have been banged up alongside the best way. So, a whole lot of onerous work has gone in and we need to preserve it going. It was necessary for them to maintain this undefeated streak, this win streak going.”