It was time.
That’s what Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game about redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Peters getting his first significant playing time in a Michigan uniform.
Replacing fifth-year senior quarterback John O’Korn — who finished the game 3-of-6 passing for 13 yards, an interception and two fumbles (he recovered both) — in the second quarter, Peters led the Wolverine offense on three straight touchdown drives in Michigan's 35-14 win over Rutgers at the Big House.
It was the second time Michigan's offense has scored touchdowns on three straight possessions this season, with the first time coming against Purdue.
A missed field goal came on drive number four before Michigan got back to the end zone on Peters’ fifth possession.
Peters, who Harbaugh just about called the team’s starter going forward, completed 10 of 14 throws for 124 yards and one touchdown. He didn’t turn the ball over, and the only time Michigan punted with him in the game came on the team’s final possession while it ran the clock down.
The touchdown pass — which went to sophomore running back Chris Evans from 20 yards out — was the first of Peters’ career. It was also an Indiana connection; both played high school football in the Indianapolis area.
Harbaugh said the plan during the week was to get Peters in the game, and he handled the situation well.
“I wasn’t that nervous,” Peters said. “It’s just a great opportunity to get out there. I was just more excited and confident than nervous.”
Peters is known for having a more subdued personality, but both he and Harbaugh said he’s improved a lot since the spring in his communication.
“Brandon is a quiet guy, but once he gets going he starts talking a little bit, like ‘Get me back the ball,' when we all about to go back on defense. Once he gets in his groove we’re all like ‘Alright BP, let’s go,’” sophomore defensive lineman Rashan Gary said.
“From spring ball to now, it’s like two completely different quarterbacks. We see it in practice. He’s talking more, checking down more. It’s crazy to see, not seeing that too much in spring ball and then to now. It’s unbelievable.”
The crowd gave him a loud cheer when he took the field for the first time, loud enough that the offense had to signal the fans to quiet down so they could hear the calls.
“Brandon is a great quarterback,” fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr. said. “He actually got to run the scout team last year for us. He’s always done some great things. You can tell he’s very gifted with his arm and his mobility. He’s a really good quarterback.”
Scarlet Knights No Match For Ground Attack
Peters got a lot of help from the running game. Michigan had a pair of 100-yard rushers for the first time since last year’s game against Rutgers, when Evans and now-junior running back Karan Higdon did it with 153 and 114 yards, respectively. Michigan has now won 19 straight games when having a 100-yard rusher.
Higdon led the charge this time around with 158 yards and two scores on 18 carries. Fifth-year senior running back Ty Isaac was the other to top the century mark, with 14 carries for 109 yards. It was the 40th time in program history a pair rushed for 100 apiece, while it marked Higdon's second game of the year over the century mark and Isaac's third.
However, Isaac exited the game in the second half with an injury — as did sophomore guard Michael Onwenu and redshirt freshman running back Kareem Walker.
Walker carried the ball six times for 34 yards and his first career touchdown — all career highs. U-M radio reported that he left with a sprained ankle.
The Wolverines finished with 334 rushing yards, its most since posting 481 against Rutgers last season. Its 471 total yards were the most since it registered 660 at Maryland last November.
Higdon surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for his career and is now up to 1,038 in total.
“It’s a big-time accomplishment,” Higdon said. “It’s very big, over my career here at the University. I give all the credit to the guys up front, the guys in front of me. Without them, I couldn’t make things happen. I’m proud of those guys.”
Miscellaneous Notes:
· Michigan had 10 different players catch a pass, tying a season high (Purdue).
· Peters was 1-of-2 passing for 20 yards and a touchdown in the red zone. On the season, redshirt junior quarterback Wilton Speight was 1 of 12 for minus-1 yards and no touchdowns, while O’Korn was 4 of 6 for 44 yards and the team’s lone passing touchdown in the red zone prior to Saturday.
· Freshman wide receiver Nico Collins caught his first career pass. It went for 12 yards.
· Fifth-year senior fullback Khalid Hill scored his second touchdown of the season and 12th of his career on a one-yard run in the second quarter.
Redshirt freshman lineman Stephen Spanellis and true freshman Cesar Ruiz were put in as extra blockers on the scoring run.
· It was the fourth time of Higdon’s career that he rushed for two touchdowns. It was also the fourth time in his career that he’s rushed for more than 100 yards.
· Isaac ran for more than 100 yards for the fourth time in his career and for the first time since opening the campaign with back-to-back performances over the century mark.
· Senior fullback and New Jersey native Joe Beneducci played in his first game of the season.
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