The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies 34-13 to win the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.
The University of Michigan capped off a perfect 15-0 season with a dominant victory under coach Jim Harbaugh at NRG Stadium in Houston, winning the 10th title in school history.
Running back Blake Collum, who led Michigan's running game with a national championship game record 303 yards, including 134 yards and two touchdowns, was named the offensive MVP of the game. Meanwhile, Will Johnson, who made an interception in this game, was named Defensive MVP.
As they have many times this season, the Wolverines set the tone for the entire game with a hard-hitting and explosive run game, thanks to Colm and Donovan Edwards, who scored two touchdowns in this game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
#7 Donovan Edwards 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 Rimentani/ISI Photo/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Michigan's defense stymied Huskies star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throughout the game, holding him to just one touchdown pass and completing 27-of-51 passes for 255 yards through the air. did.
Michigan's run game made an immediate impact on the first drive of the game, thanks to Edwards.
Edwards hadn't scored since the Nov. 11 game against Penn State, but he noticed a gaping hole on the left side of the line of scrimmage and used his incredible speed to gain 41 yards and quickly put the Wolverines on the line. They led by 7 points. -0.
The Huskies tried to fight back on the ensuing drive, reaching first-and-goal from the 10-yard line, but Penix and Co. were forced to kick a field goal. The game started tied at points, but Michigan quickly found the paint again on longer runs from Edwards. There was another hole that I had to run 46 yards through.
After the Huskies went three-and-out, unable to stop Michigan's run game, it looked like the game would get out of hand. Penix continued to struggle to score touchdowns as the Wolverines added a field goal to make it 17-3.
That was until the game got pretty close when the Huskies forced a turnover on downs and Penix took advantage of good field position to fire a touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan.
Unfortunately for the Huskies, this was the only touchdown pass he threw in the game, as Michigan held the lead to just three points in the second half.
Washington Huskies No. 9 Michael Penix Jr. throws the ball during the second half of a game 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)
With momentum, the Huskies could have stolen the ball for one touchdown to start the first half. However, Will Johnson intercepted Penix's first pass, intended for Roma Odunze, on the left sideline.
Michigan only made a field goal, but the momentum quickly shifted back to the Wolverines' sideline.
Thanks to good defense on both sides, a flurry of punts followed, and Colm finally got a crack at the end zone for a 12-yard gain on his first second-and-7 of the night.
Penix then made his second interception of the first half on fourth-and-13, and Mike Sainristil returned it 81 yards to the Washington 8-yard line. Colm then missed his second goal in two plays.
Colm finished the game with 21 rushes for 134 yards on the ground, 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 completed just 18 passes, completing 10 of them for 140 yards.
Michigan Wolverines #2 Blake Collum scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on January 8, 2024 . (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Questions about Harbaugh's future in Ann Arbor will dominate the headlines, but until then, he and the Wolverines will celebrate a roller coaster season that ended with a national title.
