J.J. McCarthy helps No. 2 Michigan pummel Minnesota

Field Level Media|published: Sat 7th October, 23:11 2023

Oct 7, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) dives for a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. credits: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. McCarthy passed for 219 yards and a touchdown and rushed for two more scores as No. 2 Michigan rolled to a 52-10 victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis in Big Ten play on Saturday night.

Blake Corum rushed for 69 yards on nine carries and a touchdown for the Wolverines (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten). Will Johnson and Keon Sabb returned interceptions for Michigan, which scored a season high in points.

Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis completed just five of 16 pass attempts for 52 yards and a touchdown for the Golden Gophers (3-3, 1-2). Minnesota was limited to 169 total yards.

Michigan led 24-10 at halftime.

The Wolverines grabbed the lead 12 seconds into the contest. Johnson stepped in front of Daniel Jackson, picked off a Kaliakmanis pass and scampered 36 yards for a touchdown.

Michigan increased its lead to 10-0 on James Turner's 31-yard field goal midway through the period.

McCarthy's 20-yard pass to Cornelius Johnson was the big play on that drive.

Dragan Kesich's 54-yard field goal pulled Minnesota within seven points.

The Wolverines increased their lead to 14 points on Corum's 1-yard run early in the second quarter. Corum's 40-yard run set up that score.

After the Golden Gophers punted, Michigan scored another touchdown on its next possession. McCarthy connected with Johnson on a 49-yard pass before McCarthy scored on a 5-yard run to the left side.

The Gophers scored a touchdown in the closing seconds of the half on Kaliakmanis' 35-yard pass to Jackson.

McCarthy scored on a 7-yard rush to make it 31-10 midway through the third quarter. That completed a 78-yard drive, highlighted by a 34-yard pass from McCarthy to Roman Wilson.

Michigan's lead grew to 28 points on McCarthy's 24-yard pass to Colston Loveland with 3:20 left in the third quarter.

Sabb made it 45-10 when he picked off a Kaliakmanis throw and scored on a 28-yard return with 1:43 remaining in the quarter.

Wolverines running back Leon Franklin scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter.

—Field Level Media

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