ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Northwest: David 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.

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