Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald came into Week 8 of the season with the belief that No. 6 Michigan would be the best team they have faced to date. On Saturday, it was obvious that Michigan was too much for Northwestern, but Fitzgerald praised the Wolverines, saying “they were as advertised.”

Michigan overpowered Northwestern on both sides of the ball to win the first-ever battle for George Jewett Trophy. Michigan outgained Northwestern in total yards accounted for 457-to-233 and first downs accounted for 28-to-10.

 

The offense rushed for 294 yards on 54 carries for an average of 5.4 yards per carry as they had two players rushed for 100 yards. Michigan’s defense accounted for four tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, and seven pass breakups.

After the game, Fitzgerald had this to say about Michigan’s overall productivity as a team from USA Today’s Isaiah Hole:

“They were exactly what we thought they’d be,” Fitzgerald said. “Real physical on both sides of the ball, two backs that are as good as anybody in the country. I don’t think that (Cade McNamara) gets enough credit. I think he’s poised. I think he does a really good job taking what the defense gives him. I think the receivers can take the top off. The tight ends are long, can run. Their back end can fly around — I love the way their back end plays, they’re in unison. They got really talented guys in the kick game.”

“They were as advertised.”

Michigan will have a big matchup next Saturday night on the road in East Lansing against No. 9 Michigan State.