Carr’s Late Touchdown Lifts Michigan Past Rutgers

Michigan earned a 28-21 home victory over Rutgers on October 31, with freshman quarterback Tommy Carr scoring the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. His nine-yard run with 4:19 remaining put the Wolverines ahead after Rutgers had drawn level at 21.

Carr completed 23 of 28 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown, and added 54 rushing yards and two scores. His passing touchdown, a six-yard connection with JJ Buchanan, came in the first quarter. Michigan scored on each of its first two drives for the first time this season and finished with 427 total yards, its highest output in a Big Ten game this fall.

The Wolverines led 14-3 before Rutgers rallied. Backup quarterback AJ Surace, playing because starter Dylan Lonergan was injured, threw for 123 yards on three completions in 12 attempts. One was an 80-yard touchdown pass to Jourdin Houston. Clay Thevenin’s one-yard run tied the game at 21 with 11:43 left.

Michigan’s three running backs combined for 113 yards, while Carr added his own rushing production. The team has not had a runner reach 100 yards individually this season. Kicker Trey Butkowski missed two field-goal attempts, and Rutgers’ comeback included defensive coverage breakdowns and penalties by Michigan.

Michigan improved to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines host Michigan State next Saturday, while Rutgers, now 2-6 and 1-4, visits No. 25 Wisconsin.