The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No. 19 Michigan routs No. 8 Notre Dame in rain
Jim Harbaugh desperately needed a significant victory to change the conversation, at least temporarily, about the job he’s doing at Michigan. The Wolverines delivered. Zach Charbonnet ran for two touchdowns in the first half and Shea Patterson threw for two scores in the second half, helping No. 19 Michigan rout No. 8 Notre Dame 45-14 in driving rain Saturday night in Ann Arbor, Mich.
The Wolverines (6-2) ended an eight-game losing streak against top-10 teams under Harbaugh, who needed a signature win in his fifth season that likely won’t end with the Big Ten title he and college football’s winningest program desperately covet.
“Some of the tests that the team has gone through, you can make a lot of growth from it,” Harbaugh said.
With the lopsided loss, the
Fighting Irish (5-2) knocked themselves out of the College Football Playoff picture on the rain-filled night that seemed to affect them much more than Michigan.
“Clearly a very disappointing night for Notre Dame,” coach Brian Kelly acknowledged.
In other games late Saturday (last week’s rankings):
No. 1 Alabama 48, Arkansas 7: Mac Jones passed for 235 yards and three touchdowns filling in for injured Tua Tagovailoa as the host Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) whipped the Razorbacks (2-6, 0-5).
No. 4 Clemson 59, Boston College 7: Reserve receiver Diondre Overton, who had only four touchdowns in his previous three seasons, caught three scoring passes
to lead the Tigers (8-0, 6-0 ACC) past the Eagles (4-4, 2-3) for their 23rd straight win.
No. 11 Oregon 37, Washington State 35: Freshman Camden Lewis booted a 26-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Cougars (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12) as the host Ducks (7-1, 5-0 Pac-12) extended their win streak to seven.
No. 12 Utah 35, California 0: Zack Moss ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns to carry the host Utes (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12) past the Golden Bears (4-4, 1-4).
UCLA 42, No. 24 Arizona State 32: Joshua Kelley scored a career-high four touchdowns and rushed for 164 yards as the host Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Pac-12) upset the Sun Devils (5-3, 2-3).