Wrigleyville Heart-Stopper: Zvada’s Redemption Lifts No. 18 Michigan Past Northwestern
I went into Saturday fully intending to watch Michigan–Northwestern from kickoff to the final whistle. That was the plan — a nice, focused afternoon of Wolverines football. But then Texas A&M decided to mount a Hollywood-level comeback against South Carolina, and suddenly I was flipping back and forth more than a politician in election season.
Every time I switched the channel, the Wolverines were committing a turnover. After the back and forth, I settled on focusing entirely on what was happening in Chicago—Wrigley Field, Baseball Park, November air, Big Ten chaos. Interceptions, Fumbles, This one had it all.
In a game that felt more like a ninth-inning walk-off than a football Saturday, No. 18 Michigan survived a turnover-filled thriller, edging Northwestern 24–22 on a walk-off 31-yard field goal from kicker Dominic Zvada.
Redemption? That doesn’t even begin to cover it.
After missing two earlier attempts, Zvada trotted back out with the Wolverines trailing by one, the clock winding down, and Michigan’s championship hopes hanging in the balance. I don’t think anyone really thought he would miss another kick, and for the legions of Michigan fans who traveled to Wrigleyville, he didn’t disappoint. After Northwestern called a timeout to “ice” Zvada, he calmly stepped in and drilled the game-winning kick.
With the win, Michigan moves to 8–2 (6–1 Big Ten) and stays perfect (3–0) in George Jewett Trophy games.
🏈 Wolverines Stat Capsule
Result: Michigan 24, Northwestern 22 — Walk-off FG
Record: Michigan 8–2 (6–1 Big Ten) — 3–0 in Jewett Trophy games
Offense: 496 total yards • 5 turnovers
Standouts: Marsh — 12 rec, 189 yds • Marshall — 142 rush yds, 2 TD • Underwood — 280 pass yds
Next Up: Michigan at Maryland — Saturday
An Offensive Rollercoaster
The stat sheet shows one thing — 496 total yards, with 216 rushing and 280 passing — but time and again, Michigan opened the door to disaster. As anyone watching could see, the Wolverines moved the ball easily—but kept giving it away. Uncharacteristically, they coughed up five turnovers that turned what could’ve been a blowout into a close game.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood showcased both brilliance and growing pains:
- 21 completions
- 280 yards
- But two costly interceptions
Still, with the game on the line, the freshman phenom delivered. Down 22–21 with 2:10 left, he orchestrated an 11-play, 50-yard drive to put Zvada in position for redemption.
Championship teams need that kind of answer. Michigan found it.
The Young Guns Take Over Wrigley
In a season punctuated by injuries, Michigan’s youth movement has never looked brighter — and Wrigley was a chance to show their goods.
Andrew Marsh — A Star’s Arrival
The first-year wideout delivered a performance for the history books:
- 12 receptions
- 189 yards
- New single-game highs for a first-year Wolverine since at least 1979
Marsh wasn’t just good — he was uncoverable.
Jordan Marshall Answers the Bell
With workhorse Justice Haynes officially done for the season following foot surgery, the pressure shifted squarely onto Jordan Marshall. The sophomore responded like a feature back:
- 142 yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 19 carries of chain-moving, defense-breaking toughness
He was Michigan’s engine… until the moment the stadium held its breath.
Marshall exited in the fourth quarter with an injury scare, but postgame X-rays came back negative, and Sherrone Moore believes he’ll be good to go next week.
Defensive Dominance When Michigan Needed It Most
Turnovers put the defense in nightmare situations, but the Wolverines held firm — especially against the run. The front seven was suffocating, limiting Northwestern to:
- 61 total rushing yards
- 2.3 yards per carry
Both marks are season lows for the Wildcats. When Michigan needed stops, they got them.
This wasn’t pretty defense; it was situational survival, and it kept Michigan’s season alive.
A Story of Redemption
Zvada’s day started rough. Two early misses — uncharacteristic for a kicker who was the Big Ten Kicker of the Year last season and earned multiple All-American honors.
But when the moment returned to him late in the fourth quarter, Zvada didn’t flinch. With the game on the line and Sherrone Moore putting full trust in his kicker, Zvada drilled the one that mattered most.
That’s resilience. That’s Michigan football.
What’s Next: On to College Park
With the Wrigley drama now behind them, Michigan shifts its focus to a road matchup at Maryland next Saturday — another must-have if the Wolverines want to keep their Big Ten Championship dream alive.
A four-game winning streak and a team learning how to survive close games?
That’s a dangerous combo in November.
Teams that commit five turnovers usually don’t come out on top. Be honest, did you think the Wolveriines would pull out the victory? Let us know, drop your comment below, or— Join the conversation in the Wolverine Wire — where Maize & Blue fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
