Michigan running back Donovan Edwards celebrates after scoring with head coach Jim Harbaugh during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game against Washington Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Michigan is the best team in the country.
The No. 1 Wolverines jumped out to an early lead and put No. 2 Washington away late to win Monday’s national championship game 34-13 and finish the 2023 season as the only undefeated team in college football.
The win is Michigan’s first national title since the Wolverines claimed a share of the national championship in 1997. It also caps an incredibly tumultuous year that saw coach Jim Harbaugh suspended twice for six of Michigan’s 15 games.
Much like he did in the Rose Bowl, running back Blake Corum salted the game away for the Wolverines on Monday night. His 12-yard TD run with 7:09 to go gave Michigan a two-touchdown lead and ended any hope Washington had of a comeback.
5 plays that powered Michigan's national title win over Washington
Here are the 5 plays that powered Michigan's national title win. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Michigan pulls away from Washington for first national title since 1997
Michigan is the best team in the country.
The No. 1 Wolverines jumped out to an early lead and put No. 2 Washington away late to win Monday’s national championship game 34-13 and finish the 2023 season as the only undefeated team in college football.
The win is Michigan’s first national title since the Wolverines claimed a share of the national championship in 1997. It also caps an incredibly tumultuous year that saw coach Jim Harbaugh suspended twice for six of Michigan’s 15 games.
Michigan president Santa Ono to @YahooSports: "If you hear some of the people most critical of the institution, they really have done a change, a 180, as you know. We got six wins without coach Harbaugh. Got some pretty tough wins. Alabama. This is a very deserving team."
Jim Harbaugh on overcoming the advanced scouting scandal:
"The off the field issues, we’re innocent. We stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent. These guys are innocent. [To] overcome that, it wasn’t that hard because we knew we were innocent."
Crucial drop for Washington on 3rd down kills yet another drive. Michigan ball again.
Not much offense to be found in the second half ...
Yahoo Sports Staff
Michigan 20, Washington 13 through three quarters: Penix has been off, Wolverines run game has been slowed and this future Big Ten game has turned very Big Ten.
There goes that third down bugaboo again. Michigan stalls and punts. Washington takes over late in the 3rd
Yahoo Sports Staff
Apparently Michigan has found a new wrinkle on offense: the QB run game. JJ McCarthy with back-to-back first down runs (one of them designed) to get near midfield.
Yahoo Sports Staff
On the other hand, the Huskies are also struggling on third downs. Now 2 for 9 in this game as they punt it right back to the Wolverines. It remains a 20-13 Michigan lead.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Michigan is 0-for-6 on third downs today. Washington's defense stepping up in key situations.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Michigan's run game suddenly not as effective as it was earlier. Three straight runs results in a 3-and-out.
Wolverines punt it away midway through the 3rd quarter.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Washington hasn't been able to rip off the huge chunk plays it has much of the season. Huskies had 77 pass plays of 20 yards or longer coming in, and still has 77. Longest play so far is 16 yards. Michigan D keeping the lid on.
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