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THE REALITY BEHIND THE SUNDAY SPECTACLE.
Close Win

Michigan Outlast Rutgers 28-21

In a back-and-forth battle, Michigan's defense made one final stand to secure a 7-point victory over Rutgers.

LWLina Ward
Nov 1, 2026 · 5 min read
Michigan Outlast Rutgers — 2026-0728 Big Ten MD Antwan Raymond.jpeg
Bobak Ha'Eri / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Michigan Wolverines take down Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a close game, thanks to Tommy Carr's career-high performance.

The news of Michigan's 28-21 victory over Rutgers hits me like a ton of bricks - it earns a moved register. It still hasn't sunk in yet that the Wolverines managed to pull off such an impressive win, and I'm struggling to process just how dominant their offense was on Saturday. Led by quarterback Tommy Carr, who put on a show for the ages, Michigan's offense was unstoppable, racking up points with ease and leaving me wondering if they've finally found their groove this season.

Michigan Outlasts Rutgers 28-21 Behind Strong Team Effort

Carr completed 22 of 27 passes for a career-high 266 yards and one touchdown. He also ran in for a 9-yard score on third-and-7 with 4:24 to play, putting the Wolverines ahead for good.

  • Tommy Carr's performance was impressive, but it wasn't just him who made the difference. The Michigan offense as a whole came together to secure the win.
  • Rutgers had their chances, but they couldn't capitalize on them. Antwan Raymond ripped off a 54-yard run, which set up a Clay Thevenin score two plays later, but it wasn't enough.

Carr Leads Team on Thrilling 11-Play Touchdown Drive

Carr ran for a 15-yard touchdown on third down to open the third quarter. He and company responded with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took 7:19 off the clock, capped off by Carr's 9-yard scamper after using his legs to keep the drive alive multiple times.

JJ Buchanan Leads Michigan to Thrilling 28-21 Victory Over Rutgers

JJ Buchanan shines with 5 crucial receptions against Rutgers

One player who really stood out to me was JJ Buchanan, Michigan's star wide receiver. He had an incredible game, hauling in 5 receptions for 63 receiving yards and a touchdown. What I love about Buchanan is his ability to make big plays when it matters most. He's got that clutch gene, and it showed up big time against Rutgers.

I was impressed by how Carr and Buchanan connected on the field. They seemed to be on the same page all game long, and their chemistry really paid off in the end zone. It's clear that they've been working hard together, and it's paying dividends for Michigan's offense.

By the Numbers: Michigan at Rutgers

Q1Q2Q3Q4Final
Michigan777728
Rutgers3100821

Top 5 by yards

#PlayerTeamYardsLine
1Tommy CarrMichigan Wolverines320266 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 54 rush yds, 2 TD
2AJ SuraceRutgers Scarlet Knights128123 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 5 rush yds, 0 TD
3Antwan RaymondRutgers Scarlet Knights11785 rush yds, 0 TD · 32 rec yds, 0 TD
4Savion HiterMichigan Wolverines8076 rush yds, 0 TD · 4 rec yds, 0 TD
5Jourdin HoustonRutgers Scarlet Knights8080 rec yds, 1 TD

Best on the night

  • Tommy Carr (Michigan Wolverines): 266 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 54 rush yds, 2 TD
  • AJ Surace (Rutgers Scarlet Knights): 123 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 5 rush yds, 0 TD
  • Antwan Raymond (Rutgers Scarlet Knights): 85 rush yds, 0 TD · 32 rec yds, 0 TD

Rough night

  • Trey Butkowski (Michigan Wolverines): field goals 0/2

What's Next for Michigan

Now that Michigan has secured a win over Rutgers, they'll be looking to build on this momentum heading into their next game. I'm curious to see how Carr and the rest of the offense will perform against tougher competition. Will they be able to keep up their high level of play, or will they face some challenges?

One thing's for sure - Michigan is a team on the rise. They've got a talented young quarterback in Tommy Carr, and a receiving corps that can make big plays. If they can continue to gel as an offense, I think they'll be a force to be reckoned with in the college football world.

The Chemistry Between Carr and Buchanan

I've been saying it all season: Tommy Carr and JJ Buchanan are the dynamic duo of Michigan's offense. And after their performance against Rutgers, I'm even more convinced that they're unstoppable together. Their chemistry on the field is undeniable - they read each other like a book, and it paid off in big ways. Buchanan's 5 receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown were just the icing on the cake of an already impressive game from Carr.

What I love about their partnership is that it's not just about individual talent - it's about how they work together to create something special. They're like two pieces of a puzzle, fitting together perfectly to form a dominant force on offense. And as long as they keep clicking, Michigan's going to be hard to beat.

It's worth noting that Rutgers' defense was no slouch - they were able to hold the Wolverines to just 21 points in the first half. But Carr and Buchanan found ways to adapt and make plays, even when it seemed like the game was slipping away from them. That kind of resilience is what separates good teams from great ones, and Michigan has shown time and time again that they have what it takes to compete with anyone.

The Road Ahead for Michigan

Now that Michigan has secured a win over Rutgers, the real question on everyone's mind is: what's next? The Wolverines will be looking to build on this momentum heading into their next game, and I'm excited to see how they'll perform against tougher competition. Will Carr and Buchanan continue to dominate, or will they face some challenges?

One thing's for sure - Michigan is a team on the rise, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. If they can keep up this level of play, I think they'll be a force to be reckoned with in the college football world for years to come.

Michigan was up 21-13 in the third when it had a chance to take a two-score lead, but kicker Trey Butkowski missed his second attempt of the game, this time from 35 yards. This gave Rutgers new life, but they couldn't capitalize on it.

The win puts Michigan in a good position for their next game. They'll look to build on this momentum and continue their winning streak. What's next for them? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - they're a force to be reckoned with in the college football world.

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