The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies, 34-13, to win the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Michigan won its 10th title in school history, capping a perfect 15-0 season with Jim Harbaugh in dominant fashion in Houston at NRG Stadium.
Running back Blake Corum, who led a Michigan rushing game that totaled a national championship game record 303 yards with 134 of his own and two touchdowns, was named the game’s offensive MVP. Meanwhile, Will Johnson, who had an interception in the game, was named Defensive MVP.
As they have done so many times this season, the Wolverines used their explosive, hard-hitting running game to set the tone throughout the game thanks to Corum and Donovan Edwards, who scored two touchdowns in this one.
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Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines runs for a touchdown during the CFP National Championship between the University of Washington and the University of Michigan at NRG Stadium on January 8, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Michigan’s defense disrupted Huskies’ star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throughout the game, as he was held to just one touchdown pass and 255 yards on 27-of-51 passing.
Michigan’s running game made an immediate impact on the first drive of the game thanks to Edwards.
Edwards hadn’t scored since the Penn State game on Nov. 11, but he saw a giant hole on the left side of the line of scrimmage and used his incredible speed to go 41 yards and score, quickly putting the Wolverines up by 7. -0.
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The Huskies looked to respond on the next drive, and although they reached first and goal from the 10-yard line, Penix & Co. were forced to kick a field goal. And although there were points on the board to start the game, Michigan quickly found the colored paint again on the back of an even longer Edwards run: 46 yards with another big hole to go through.
After the Huskies went three-for-three, it looked like this game was going to get out of hand because they couldn’t stop Michigan’s running game. A field goal added by the Wolverines made the score 17-3, and Penix continued to fight to get a touchdown on the board.
That was until this game became much closer when the Huskies forced a turnover and Penix used good field position to throw a touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan.
Unfortunately for the Huskies, it was the only touchdown pass he threw in this game, where Michigan held them to just three points in the second half.
Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies shoots the ball in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 8, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The momentum could have changed to start that half, with the Huskies getting the ball a touchdown. But Will Johnson intercepted Penix’s first pass intended for Rome Odunze on the left wing.
While Michigan only managed one field goal, momentum quickly returned to the Wolverines’ bench.
A wave of punts followed thanks to good defense on both sides until Corum finally got his chance in the end zone, going 12 yards on second-and-7 for his first of the night.
Penix then threw his second interception of the half on fourth-and-13, which Mike Sainristil returned 81 yards to the Washington 8-yard line. Corum would break his second two plays later.
Corum would finish the game with 134 rushing yards on 21 carries, while Edwards needed just six touches for 104 yards. Colston Loveland was the Wolverines’ top receiver, catching three of McCarthy’s passes for 64 yards. McCarthy only passed 18 times, completing 10 of them for 140 yards.
Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 8, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Questions about Harbaugh’s future in Ann Arbor will now make headlines, but until then, he and his Wolverines will celebrate a rollercoaster season that will end with them lifting the national title.
