Jim Harbaugh earns first win over ranked opponent as UM coach

The Cougars and Wolverines clash for only the second time, but BYU has fond memories of the first meeting as it beat Michigan 24-17 in the 1984 Holiday Bowl to cap off a National Championship season. Tailback De’Veon Smith took a handoff into the scrum and emerged, breaking tackles and rumbling for a 60-yard touchdown.

“Obviously we want to keep it going and get on a roll. I don’t know about on schedule or ahead of schedule, it’s been good, but it’s too early to start patting ourselves on the back”. Smith was wearing a protective boot after the game but assured he would be ready for the Big Ten opener. X-rays were negative.

“Not very pleased with my performance”, Mangum said.

The Cougars (2-2) have back-to-back losses, including a one-point setback at then-No. BYU has seemed to be a team of destiny through its first two games, and nearly pulled off an upset on the road last weekend against UCLA. 31 to zero. Perhaps BYU should have just slept through their alarms at the team hotel, because it honestly looked like the Cougars had fallen asleep while playing. Last week the defense struggled and the offense was playing well. “Whenever you have a shutout that makes it easier on the offense”. There also was the curious decision by punter Blake O’Neill in the third quarter when Michigan went three-and-out at fourth-down and 16. Mangum’s longest throw of the day was 14 yards – and it should’ve been intercepted, as Channing Stribling couldn’t hang onto a ball that deflected into a BYU receiver’s arms. He ran for 3- and 17-yard scores on plays that were designed for passes.

Instead of forcing throws, he used his feet and played it safe.

But before we start to speculate on what will come next for Harbaugh & Co., let’s take a moment to appreciate this for it was. On the Wolverines’ second series, staring at a 3-and-5, Rudock chucked the ball down the left sideline for Amara Darboh to leap up and snag with one hand before hauling it into his chest at the BYU 19-yard line for a 21-yard gain. He had late game heroics in victories against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Boise State Broncos, but just could not get the magical spark against the Wolverines. The achievement was celebrated by his team the previous night with hamburgers, cake, balloon and “USA!” chants that surprised Darboh. I challenged our team at halftime, and I was glad to see some of the players play with more heart and resiliency and execute, and kinda dig a little deeper. Quarterback Tanner Mangum was under constant pressure and only completed 12 of his 28 attempts for 55 yards. Rudock looked calm and comfortable in the pocket throwing for 194 yards and a touchdown and rushing for two more scores. The Wolverines held the Cougars to 105 yards – BYU’s worst output since 1974 – 4-of-15 on third down and they forced eight three-and-outs. “But I did think we improved, hard as that is to say”.

Four different tight ends also hauled in receptions, just in case we were confused on who was Michigan’s head coach.