Michigan knocks down Washington 34-13 in the College Football Playoff championship game (2024)

Downing one of the most efficient offenses in college football, the 15-0 Michigan Wolverines finish their perfect season by winning their first football national title this century (since 1997).

Dominated by a stellar ground attack and lockdown defense, Michigan picked apart Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies en route to the 34-13 victory.Pressuring the Washington offense with two interceptions, a sack for loss and 59 total tackles, the Michigan defensive line held the Huskies to fewertotal yards (301)than Michigan tallied in rushing yards alone (303). Penix, who previously had a 66.7% completion percentage and averaged 332 passing yards per game, completed just over half of his passes in the national final (53%) and finished with an efficiency rating of93.6 with 255 yards in the air.

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy showcased his arm as well as his legs as he tossed for 140 yards and clocked his longest carry all season at 22 yards at a crucial third-and-long in the third quarter.

With his third-quarter interception and four TOTs, defensive back Will Johnson earned Defensive MVP. Donning the same jersey number as Johnson (No. 2), Blake Corum earned Offensive MVP after notching 134 rushing yards. In the game, Corum also added two rushing touchdowns to tally 58 of his career, which is a school record. He concluded during the trophy ceremony, "Business is finished."

In his 9th season at the helm of his alma mater, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has now collected his first national championship with the Wolverines. This game caps off the 10-year stint of the four-team College Football Playoff, as the playoffs will be expanding to 12 teams for the 2024-25 season.

The Huskies took a fourth-and-long risk and it failed miserably. Instead of finding Jalen McMillan, Penix got intercepted for the second time tonight, this time by Michigan DB Mike Sainristil, who carried the ball 81 yards to set the Wolverines up for an easy rushing touchdown.

BC2 TD https://t.co/vvXvqTjlVh pic.twitter.com/WiQnp8LuP4

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 9, 2024

After a four-drive punter's battle, the Wolverines found the end zone once again.

On the drive's opening play, McCarthy connected with TE Colston Loveland who trucked 41 yards into Washington territory. A Roman Wilson 12-yard rush penetrated the UW 15, and Blake Corum elbowed his way through a missed tackle to notch a 12-yard rushing TD. This was the senior RB's 57th career rushing touchdown, which is the school's current record. The XP doinked the left crossbar, but was good.

Corum's 125 rushing yards, coupled with Donovan Edwards' 104, make history as the first time in the CFP era that two RBs on the same team have eclipsed 100 yards on the ground.

Blake Corum will not be denied 😤

📺 ESPN#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/oodNCYI0mr

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 9, 2024

With the ball in Penix's hands once again, the Huskies loom just a touchdown away from the Wolverines as they enter the final 15 minutes of regulation.

The Huskies have gotten a handle on Michigan's ground attack, allowing 64 rush yards, compared to 209 in the first half, and have stopped consecutive drives for the first time today. The Wolverines continue to press the Husky offense, forcing Penix to aim football quicker and less accurately than the previous half. The redshirt senior completed 50% of his passes in the third.

On just the first play of the second half, DB Will Johnson got a hand on Penix's pass, which bobbled down into his clutch as the first turnover of the game. Johnson has now intercepted four passes this season. Michigan drove down to the UW 20 before knocking in a 38-yard FG attempt for a 10-point lead.

WHAT AN INTERCEPTION BY WILL JOHNSON TO START THE HALFpic.twitter.com/BtK1csszJ0

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 9, 2024

Below is a first half statistical comparison between Michigan and Washington:

As for QB performances, J.J. McCarthy is completing 45% of his passes with a 107.3 passer rating, whileMichael Penix Jr. is clocking a62% completion percentage with a 128.8 passer rating.

The momentum has shifted in Washington's favor as the Huskies close their deficit to one touchdown at the break.

Stopping the Wolverines at 4th-and-2 placed the Huskies in prime position to get its offensive production going on their 39 yard line. Washington established a punchy offensive tempo to handily pick up three first downs, then a pass interference notched the Huskies within eight yards of the end zone. Penix converted on fourth down, sending a ball to Jalen McMillan to score.

The Huskies were able to stuff the Michigan offense in the final 42 seconds and will receive the ball at the start of the second half.

Lineman Kenneth Grant collapsed the Washington pocket and sacked Penix for a 12-yard loss to deplete Washington's fourth drive of the game. Washington has averaged just 26 yards per drive thus far, failing to reach the redzone since the opening minutes of the game.

KG with the sack! 💪 pic.twitter.com/CYgrjIR2of

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 9, 2024

Bulldozing through the Washington defense, Michigan has now scored on every one of its drives in the National Championship. Though picking up 65 yards in the drive, J.J. McCarthy's third-down pass targeted for Cornelius Johnson was broken up by CB Jabbar Muhammad, forcing a FG attempt on the UW 21.

And James Turner got it done, sending a 31-yard boot past the left post for three more points in the Wolverines' favor.

Donovan Edwards scampered for 46 yards to notch his second rushing touchdown of the game. With 87 rushing yards in the first quarter alone, Edwards has already surpassed his season record of 52 (vs. Penn State). With 46 and 41-yard touchdown runs, he lands just behind Derrick Henry's 50-yard rush (2016) for longest touchdown runs in the CFP Championship history.

Explosive! 💥 pic.twitter.com/jqgoeRceS0

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 9, 2024

Michigan got its field position by McCarthy's 37-yard dime to WR Roman Wilson. The Wolverines have currently racked up 229 total yards to Washington's 74 and lead by a two-score margin.

Notching 14 total tackles, the Michigan defense stuffed Washington just short of a touchdown. The Huskies were able to penetrate the redzone but fell short on third-and-long, with Penix tossing his third incomplete pass of the drive.

Grady Gross' kick landed just inside the right upright for Washington's first points on the board.

On the eighth play of the game, Donovan Edwards found a slot on the left side and took a 41-yard sprint to score the first points of the game.

OC Sherrone Moore is using Michigan's run game to its advantage as the Wolverines picked up 66 yards on their opening drive. J.J. McCarthy is 2-2 on completions this evening.

Washington won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Wolverines are up first — the 2023 CFP National Championship has begun.

College GameDay's Lee Corso selects a Michigan helmet ahead of kickoff for the 2023 CFP National Championship.

"I have great respect for Washington, but I'm picking Michigan."

CORSO IS TAKING MICHIGAN TO WIN THE #NationalChampionship#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/WQDLlKVQjP

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 9, 2024