11/15/25 04:52:00
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11/15 16:50 CST Zvada's 31-yard field goal as time expires lifts No. 18
Michigan over Northwestern 24-22
Zvada's 31-yard field goal as time expires lifts No. 18 Michigan over
Northwestern 24-22
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- Dominic Zvada kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired,
Jordan Marshall ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns before exiting with an
injury and No. 18 Michigan stayed in the playoff chase by beating Northwestern
24-22 at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
The Wolverines (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten, No. 18 CFP) overcame three late turnovers,
including two interceptions by Bryce Underwood, and remained in the running for
the College Football Playoff with their fourth straight win. Northwestern (5-5,
3-4) lost its third in a row.
"Oh man, how about that one?" Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said as he stepped
to the podium.
Zvada's boot capped a 50-yard drive and set off a celebration on the field and
in the stands, where a large part of the crowd wore maize and blue. He missed
earlier from 34 and 60 yards.
Michigan was up 21-9 when the Wildcats' Preston Stone plowed in from the 1 two
minutes into the fourth quarter.
Michigan then had a third down at its 26 when Braden Turner picked off a pass
intended for Deakon Tonielli and returned it to the 6. Caleb Komolafe ran it in
on the next play, giving Northwestern a 22-21 lead with 12:05 remaining in the
game. The 2-point conversion pass failed.
Michigan then drove to the 30 before Underwood got picked off again, this time
by Robert Fitzgerald at the 20. The Wolverines had another opportunity after
Northwestern punted, only to give it away again after opting not to go for the
field goal. They had a fourth-and-1 at the Wildcats' 24 when Bryson Kuzdzal
fumbled the handoff and Northwestern recovered.
"You appreciate the hard work, you appreciate their fight, their grit to
finish," Moore said.
Marshall had another big outing with Justice Haynes missing his second
consecutive game because of a right foot injury. After setting career highs
with 185 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a narrow win against Purdue two
weeks ago, he scored twice from the 1 and set up a TD run by Underwood with a
65-yard dash. He exited with what Moore described as a minor injury after
getting tackled on a 24-yard run early in the fourth.
Underwood, coming off shaky performances in wins over Michigan State and
Purdue, completed 21 of 32 passes for 280 yards.
"Just got a lot of things to work on, to watch back on film, to see (what) we
did wrong," Underwood said. "But overall, just coming back next week being
better, not making the same mistakes."
Freshman Andrew Marsh's 12 receptions and 189 yards were the most by a Michigan
freshman since at least 1979. He became the Wolverines' first freshman wide
receiver with multiple 100-yard games since Roy Roundtree in 2009.
Marsh kept the winning drive going with a neat grab, hauling in a third-down
conversion as he fell out of bounds along the sideline, and the Wolverines beat
Northwestern for the 14th time in the past 15 meetings.
"It means the world to me just to be able to have a chance, an opportunity to
come out here with the team, with the guys I work hard with every week," he
said.
Stone was 13 of 27 for 184 yards.
Hunter Welcing had 81 yards receiving, and the Wildcats dropped their 14th
straight against Top 25 teams.
"None of us want to hear, ?Hey, good effort, guys. You gave Michigan a run for
their money. That was a great effort,'" coach David Braun said. "We came here
to win a football game and that was the expectation."
Takeaways
Michigan: The Wolverines remained on course to make the College Football
Playoff, no easy task with No. 1 Ohio State visiting on Nov. 29.
Northwestern: The Wildcats have two more opportunities to become bowl-eligible
for the second time in coach David Braun's three seasons. They host Minnesota
at Wrigley next week before visiting Illinois in the finale.
Up next
Michigan: Visits Maryland on Nov. 22.
Northwestern: Hosts Minnesota at Wrigley Field on Nov. 22.
___
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