The Michigan Wolverines didn’t just win—they reasserted themselves. On November 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time in College Park, Maryland, the No. 18-ranked Wolverines crushed the Maryland Terrapins 45-20, turning a shaky season into a legitimate playoff conversation. The spark? Substitute running back Kuzdzal, who rushed for exactly 100 yards and scored three touchdowns—no more, no less. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. And for a team that nearly choked away a win against Northwestern just weeks earlier, this was redemption with cleats.
From Chaos to Control
Just seven days before, Michigan had survived a self-inflicted disaster against Northwestern, committing five turnovers in a 24-22 nail-biter at Wrigley Field. Fans held their breath. Was this the same team that started the season 6-0? The answer came in College Park. This time, the Wolverines played clean football. No fumbles. No interceptions. Just precision.
It started with a surprise. Maryland’s freshman quarterback Malik Washington opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dorian Fleming. But the Terrapins’ attempt at an onside kick backfired—Michigan recovered. Moments later, freshman QB Bryce Underwood connected with wide receiver Andrew Marsh for a 12-yard touchdown, tying the game 7-7. Then came the turning point: a pass intended for Maryland’s Lavain Scruggs slipped through his fingers. He had it. He lost it. And Michigan capitalized.
Kuzdzal’s Moment
That’s when Kuzdzal took over. A backup running back who’d barely cracked the top 10 on Michigan’s depth chart before November, he turned into a human wrecking ball. His first touchdown came on a 2-yard plunge. His second? A 15-yard burst where he broke three tackles. The third? A 4-yard sprint that sealed the game in the fourth quarter. He didn’t just run—he dominated. And he did it with exactly 100 yards. Not 99. Not 101. Exactly 100. Coincidence? Maybe. But in football, timing like that feels like destiny.
Underwood added two more scoring passes—22 yards to Donaven McCulley, and another to Andrew Marsh—while Michigan’s defense held Maryland to just 285 total yards. The Terrapins’ lone offensive highlight came from wide receiver Farooq, who caught his second touchdown of the season, but it was too little, too late.
The Bigger Picture
Michigan entered the game with a 7-1 Big Ten record and their only conference loss coming on October 4, 2025, when they fell 31-13 to USC in Los Angeles. Maryland? Winless in conference play, riding a six-game skid. Their bowl hopes were hanging by a thread. Michigan’s? Still alive—but barely.
Postgame analysis on Woodward Sports Network was electric. Analysts Justin Satawa and Nicholas Kohloff didn’t just break down the game—they laid out the playoff math. “If Michigan beats Ohio State,” Satawa said, “and wins the Big Ten Championship, they’re in. No debate.” Kohloff added: “They’ve got the resume. They’ve got the momentum. They just need one more statement.”
That statement comes on November 29, 2025, at noon Eastern Time, when the Wolverines host the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. It’s Senior Day. It’s the biggest game of the season. And for Michigan, it’s the only path left to the College Football Playoff.
What’s at Stake
Win that game, and Michigan advances to the Big Ten Championship GameIndianapolis on December 6. Lose? Their season ends with a 9-3 record and a likely trip to the Cotton Bowl. No playoff. No national title dreams.
Ohio State, meanwhile, enters the game at 8-1, their only loss coming to Michigan State in overtime. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 7 nationally. This isn’t just a rivalry game—it’s a playoff elimination match disguised as football.
Special teams played a quiet but critical role. Kicker B. Sunderland nailed two touchbacks in the fourth quarter, including a 65-yard boot that killed Maryland’s momentum. And when Maryland’s D. Williams gained just 3 yards on a run late in the game, it wasn’t just a tackle—it was a statement: Michigan’s defense wasn’t backing down.
What Comes Next
The Wolverines’ path is narrow. But it’s real. One win against Ohio State, and they’re in the conversation for the final two playoff spots. Two wins? They’re in the top four. Three? They’re national title contenders.
But here’s the twist: Michigan hasn’t made the College Football Playoff since 2023. They’ve come close—twice in the last five years—but always fell short in the final game. This year feels different. The offense is clicking. The defense is disciplined. And Kuzdzal? He’s become the kind of unexpected hero that playoff runs are made of.
Background: The Road to November
Michigan’s season was supposed to be about redemption after a 2024 campaign that ended with a loss in the Big Ten Championship. They brought back Underwood, a highly touted recruit, and retooled their offensive line. But injuries and inconsistency plagued them through October. The USC loss was a wake-up call. The Northwestern game was a panic attack. This Maryland win? It was the first time all season they looked like a team that belonged in the playoff conversation.
Meanwhile, Maryland’s season has been a study in frustration. After a promising 3-0 start, they’ve lost eight of their last nine games. Their quarterback rotation has been chaotic. Their defense has given up an average of 38 points per game since October. This loss to Michigan wasn’t just a defeat—it was a confirmation of their struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kuzdzal’s performance impact Michigan’s playoff chances?
Kuzdzal’s 100-yard, three-touchdown game was the offensive spark Michigan desperately needed after five turnovers against Northwestern. His ability to consistently gain yards and convert short-yardage situations gave the Wolverines a reliable scoring option, reducing pressure on freshman QB Bryce Underwood. With only one conference loss, Michigan now needs just one more win to secure a Big Ten Championship berth—and a realistic shot at the playoff.
Why is the Michigan vs. Ohio State game so critical?
The winner of the November 29 game will represent the Big Ten East in the December 6 championship game. Ohio State is ranked No. 7 nationally and has a stronger overall resume. A Michigan win would not only give them the division title but also likely vault them into the top four of the final playoff rankings, especially if they beat a top-10 team on the road. A loss? Their season ends in a New Year’s Six bowl, not the playoff.
What role did Michigan’s defense play in this victory?
Michigan’s defense forced two turnovers, including a key interception by Mason Curtis that led to a touchdown. They held Maryland to just 3.8 yards per carry and limited their third-down conversion rate to 28%. After giving up 42 points to Northwestern, this was a complete turnaround. The unit played with discipline, avoiding penalties and containing Maryland’s playmakers, especially freshman QB Malik Washington.
Could Maryland have won if they’d recovered the onside kick?
Possibly. Maryland’s surprise onside kick after their opening touchdown was a high-risk, high-reward move. If they’d recovered, they could’ve built momentum and taken a 14-7 lead. But Michigan’s special teams were prepared, and the recovery shifted the game’s energy. That moment was the emotional turning point—Michigan’s offense never looked back, while Maryland’s confidence visibly cracked after that play.
How does this win affect Michigan’s national ranking?
Michigan jumped from No. 18 to No. 14 in the latest AP Poll released on November 24, 2025. Their win over a ranked opponent (Maryland was ranked No. 23 before the game) and their improved offensive efficiency boosted their strength of schedule metric. If they defeat Ohio State, they could climb into the top 10, making their playoff case nearly undeniable.
What’s the historical significance of Michigan hosting Ohio State on Senior Day?
Michigan has hosted Ohio State on Senior Day 12 times since 2000, and in 9 of those games, the Wolverines won. The last time they did so was in 2021, when they beat the Buckeyes 45-27 en route to the playoff. This year’s game carries emotional weight—12 Michigan seniors will play their final home game. A win would cement their legacy and give the program its first playoff berth since 2023.
