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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 23: Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) runs out of the end zone under pressure from Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) during the Michigan Wolverines against the Northwest Wildcats ga

ANN ARBOR, Michigan. – Kalel Mullings ran for 92 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, leading Michigan to a 50-6 victory Northwest Saturday to make the defending national champions bowl eligible.

“That’s the No. 1 goal of any college football team,” quarterback Davis Warren said. “It means a lot to have another match.”

The Wolverines (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) needed the win to secure a playoff spot, as they will be heavy underdogs next week against their rival and second state of Ohio on the road.

“We understand what’s ahead of us, but we’re going to celebrate our victory,” Warren said.

The Wildcats (4-7, 2-6) likely put themselves out of bowl contention by losing for the fourth time in five games.

Michigan’s Aamir Hall made a diving interception on the opening drive and Mullings had a 2-yard run on the ensuing possession for his first of three scores. He had two touchdowns in the third quarter.

Luke Akers made field goals on back-to-back drives in the second quarter to cut Northwestern’s deficit to 10-6 and the Wolverines scored the next 40 points.

“I told the team it was bad,” Wildcats coach David Braun said. “It was embarrassing. We were dominated in all three phases of the game tonight.”

Warren started the scoring barrage with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland with eight seconds left in the first half.

“That really gave us some momentum going into halftime,” Warren said.

Donovan Edwards and Tavierre Dunlap each had a 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter when the Wolverines also had a field goal and a safety in their highest scoring game since scoring 52 points twice last season.

Warren had career highs with 26 completions and 35 pass attempts for 195 yards, his second-highest total, with a touchdown and an interception.

Northwestern’s Jack Lausch finished 10 of 21 for 106 yards and tied a career high with two interceptions.

The Wildcats were held to 10 yards rushing, including 33 yards lost on six sacks.

“They couldn’t get the running game going and they couldn’t do much in the passing game,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “It looked like they were just looking and couldn’t do much because our defense was playing so well.”

Tailgate scene

Bryce Underwoodwho reversed his commitment to Michigan after committing to play at LSU, posed for a photo with sign stealer Connor Stalions before entering the field during pre-match warm-ups.

The highest-rated quarterback played at Belleville High School, where the Stalions were the team’s volunteer coach during the playoffs. Earlier this fall, Stalions was a volunteer defensive coordinator at Detroit Mumford High School.

Takeaways

Northwestern: Braun inherited Pat Fitzgerald’s program in July 2023, when he was fired due to a hazing scandal, and was named Big Ten coach of the year. The Wildcats were disappointing after closing out last year with four straight wins, including the Las Vegas Bowl, to go 8-5.

Michigan: It was a good week for college football’s winningest program. Sherrone Moore has arrived Underwood, a quarterback we desperately need, and led the team to a victory to earn a bowl bid after postseason play was thrown into doubt by losing four of the previous five games.

To be continued

Northwest: Plays Illinois (8-3, 5-3) Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Michigan: The Buckeyes (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) host The Game on Saturday and should easily snap a three-game losing streak against the three-time defending Big Ten champions.