Michigan Beats Washington 34-13 to Win College Football Playoff

Michigan running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards rushed for two touchdowns each and the Wolverine defense held Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies’ prolific passing game in check as Michigan beat Washington 34-13 to capture the College Football Playoff championship on January 8th in Houston.

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy was an efficient 10 for 18 for 140 yards and no interceptions, but the running game was the star of the show. The Wolverines rushed for 303 yards—229 in the first quarter– and those four touchdowns. Penix, the Heisman Trophy runner up, was 27 of 51 for 255 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted twice. Michigan had a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter in what looked like a blowout, but the Huskies’ defense finally stepped up and held the Wolverines scoreless in the rest of the first half and allowed just a field goal in the third quarter. Penix threw a touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan with 42 seconds left in the half, and it was 17-10 Michigan at halftime.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter, but in the fourth, Corum scored his two touchdowns and it was out of reach for Washington. With the 34-13 win, Michigan won its first national championship since 1997. Michigan ends the season 15-0; Washington in 14-1.