Watch: Michigan responds to early deficit with Blake Corum touchdown
We have ourselves a ball game.
Michigan responded to a rough start against Alabama in the Rose Bowl with a 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the first 2023 College Football Playoff semifinal at seven.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy found running back Blake Corum wide-open for an eight-yard score.
Through the Wolverines' first three offensive drives, Corum has five carries for 37 yards to accompany his touchdown reception.
In our preview of how Michigan could beat Alabama, Corum's ability to run the ball against a Tide rush defense that recently allowed 244 yards to Auburn was one of the main factors.
Getting him in the end zone is also important for Michigan. Per Fox Sports, the Wolverines are 30-0 from 2021-23 when the senior running back scores a touchdown.
The touchdown drive was massive for Michigan, allowing it to settle down after a rough start. The game almost began in disaster with an interception thrown by McCarthy on the first play from scrimmage.
However, Bama defensive back Caleb Downs stepped out of bounds and never reestablished himself in bounds before making the interception, nullifying that miscue for Michigan. The Wolverines weren't as lucky a few plays later when Samaj Morgan muffed a punt return that gave Alabama the ball in Michigan territory to set up its touchdown.
CFP No. 1 Michigan (13-0) reached its third consecutive semifinal and is off to its best start. In losses during the 2021 and 2022 semifinals to Georgia and TCU, Michigan trailed 14-0 after the first quarter in each game.
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