Michigan rolls past Maryland, earns 2nd consecutive shutout

COLLEGE PARK, Md. _ With this kind of defense, offense is optional.tmpplchld Michigan seems to be taking it personally.tmpplchld The No. 22 ranked Wolverines rolled to their fourth straight win on Saturday, knocking off Maryland, 28-0 at Byrd Stadium in the Big Ten opener.tmpplchld The Wolverines (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) waded into program history with a second straight shutout, the first time since 2000 and another sign that this defense is continuing to improve.tmpplchld Maryland replaced quarterback Caleb Rowe after three interceptions and his backup, Daxx Garman, could barely complete a pass.tmpplchld The Terps (2-3, 0-1) were 1-of-18 on third down. They had 29 rushing yards and 76 passing for 105 total yards and punted 13 times.tmpplchld Most plays they tried were smothered, like when U-M defensive lineman Willie Henry enveloped Garman on a second-half sack. Michigan registered three sacks.tmpplchld It’s a good thing because the U-M offense was ill-prepared to carry the water.tmpplchld With three lost turnovers _ quarterback Jake Rudock with an interception and a lost fumble and tailback Ty Isaac with a fumble _ that showed the offensive struggles.tmpplchld Drake Johnson ended up with 72 rushing yards on 15 carries including two touchdowns (one receiving and one rushing), taking over after Isaac was pulled for another fumble, which he recovered.tmpplchld But it was choppy as Rudock finished 16-for-32 with one touchdown and the one pick.tmpplchld Rudock has tried to hit Jehu Chesson on deep passes a number of times this season.tmpplchld A better move? Just handing him the ball.tmpplchld Two games after Chesson ran for a 36-yard end around touchdown, he did it again, late in the third quarter, taking the first down carry from Michigan’s 34 for a 66-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-0 midway through the third quarter.tmpplchld Johnson pushed it out to 28-0 as U-M seized on a short field in the fourth quarter.tmpplchld It took awhile for U-M to separate, though.tmpplchld In a game of turnovers, Michigan was the team that finally capitalized on one.tmpplchld After U-M cornerback Jourdan Lewis’ impressive interception � thrown behind him, he tipped it to himself off his own helmet before corralling it _ Michigan took a downfield shot and missed.tmpplchld But on third down, a screen pass to Drake Johnson turned into a weaving run to the end zone, with Johnson extending the ball to the pylon.tmpplchld A two-point conversion later and the Wolverines had breathing room for the first time all day at 14-0 almost seven minutes into the third quarter.tmpplchld While the weather was not much of an obstacle, the first half was a mess on both sides as the Wolverines scratched out a 6-0 lead.tmpplchld Each team turned the ball over twice in the scoreless first quarter, with Michigan’s two giveaways coming from Rudock and Isaac on fumbles.tmpplchld Fortunately for the Wolverines, their dominant defense was up to its usual standards _ and the Terps did nothing to alter that perception, converting only 1-of-10 first downs and only 68 yard of offense in the half.tmpplchld Michigan’s biggest problem was its own offense as quarterback Jake Rudock was all over the place with his arm.tmpplchld He overthrew Chesson on a potential touchdown slant down the middle. He threw behind receivers and was even called from intentional grounding on one play where he threw it away.tmpplchld Though the Wolverines reached field goal range three times _ converting the pair from 30 and 32 yards and missing the one from 47 � the most explosive plays came on the ground and not from tailbacks.tmpplchld Rudock escaped for a 20-yard winding run in the second quarter, gaining a first down, and his short pass to Jake Butt became a tackle-breaking 44-yarder.tmpplchld Yet neither time U-M was able to punch it in the end zone, looking far different than the first half last week against BYU.tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 Detroit Free Presstmpplchld Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld