Lewis’ leap helps lift Wolverines

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jourdan Lewis leaped, fully extended his right arm, squeezed the point of the football into his palm and pinned it against his hip.

No. 4 Michigan needed the spectacular play to seal its latest victory, the first one that wasn’t a rout this season.

Wilton Speight threw a tiebreaking 46-yard touchdown pass to Amara Darboh midway through the fourth quarter and Lewis made his spectacular play near midfield with 2:15 left, helping the Wolverines hold on to beat No. 8 Wisconsin, 14-7, on Saturday. The interception was reminiscent of a onehanded reception famously made by a New York Giants receiver.

“I’ve seen Odell Beckham do that,” Wolverines Coach Jim Harbaugh said. “The most impressive thing about it was he jumped a little early.”

The Wolverines (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) beat a top-10 opponent for the first time since a Rich Rodriguez-coached team rallied to beat the ninth-ranked Badgers in 2008. And it was a defensive struggle throughout.

Wisconsin (4-1, 1-1) had the ball at its eight-yard line with 2:59 and no timeouts left with a chance to beat a third team ranked in the top 10. The Badgers went for it on fourth and 10, and Alex Hornibrook’s deep pass was picked off by Lewis. Lewis’ leap to snatch the ball out of the air reminded some of a one-handed interception Charles Woodson made in 1997 at Michigan State.

“It’s a great feeling to be compared to someone so great,” Lewis said. “It’s humbling.”

Hornibrook, in his second start, threw three interceptions. The freshman finished nine for 25 for 88 yards and the Badgers were held to just 71 yards rushing.