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Michigan stock report after Week 5: Wolverines roll on in 1st road game of season

Sean Labar

By Sean Labar

Published:

Michigan just keeps taking care of business.

On Saturday, Jim Harbaugh and company rolled into Nebraska and — despite a raucous crowd at Memorial Stadium — executed the now familiar game plan that demonstrates this team’s identity in a 45-7 romp.

The No. 2 Wolverines (5-0) leaned heavily on the running game while choosing their moments to air it out with JJ McCarthy, who finished 12-of-16 for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense? It’s obvious the Wolverines own one of the best, if not the best, overall defensive units in all of college football at this point in the season.

Nebraska converted just 3 of its 10 third down attempts and finished with only 10 first downs.

Here’s the stock report after Week 5:

Player of the Game: WR Roman Wilson

McCarthy and Wilson re-established their connection that was nearly unstoppable for opposing defenses early this year. While Wilson’s stat line didn’t pop out upon first glance, he still led all Michigan receivers with 4 catches for 58 yards.

But this ridiculous touchdown catch is exactly why Wilson is the player of the week. That may be the best catch in all of college football in 2023 so far.

Biggest surprise: RB Kalel Mullings

The duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards typically garner all of the hype when it comes to Michigan running backs, but on Saturday, it was an unsung senior who was the biggest surprise.

Senior jack-of-all-trades Kalel Mullings, who has contributed on special teams, at linebacker and at running back while in Ann Arbor, had a career day as a ball-carrier, Mullings earned the first rushing touchdown for the Wolverines and finished with 5 carries for 43 yards and a score, averaging 8.1 yards per carry.

Newcomer of the Week: QB Jayden Denegal

The 6-5, 235-pounder made just one appearance during his freshman campaign last season, but on Saturday, Denegal was able to add to the stat sheet. Michigan clearly put him in the game for his dual-threat ability late in the game, but Denegal made the most of his opportunity, completing his only pass attempt for an 8-yard touchdown. He also had 2 carries for 10 yards.

Developing trend: Defensive dominance

This defensive unit is special, in all phases. After 5 games, Michigan hasn’t allowed more than 7 points in a single game. While the bulk of the competition remains ahead, holding teams like Rutgers and Nebraska to just a single touchdown is no small feat. The defense has always been the strength of Michigan’s program under Harbaugh, but this could very well be the most impressive group he’s assembled during his 9-year tenure in Ann Arbor.

Key Stat: No penalties

This one speaks for itself. It’s difficult to go through an entire game without a single penalty, but Michigan did just that on Saturday. If the Wolverines can keep this level of attention to detail and mastery of the small things, the sky is the limit for them.

Looking ahead: at Minnesota

While Harbaugh is never going to take any team for granted, it’s tough to see Minnesota matching up well with Michigan next weekend (7:30 p.m. Saturday, NBC). The Wolverines proved vs Nebraska they could take care of business on the road against a sub-par Big Ten opponent, and next week’s result should be similar.

Sean Labar