Saturday, October 8, 2016

Peppers runs No. 4 Michigan past Rutgers in 78-0 rout

 Jabrill Peppers ran for a career-high two touchdowns and set up another score with a 63-yard scamper in his return to his native New Jersey and No. 4 Michigan routed Rutgers 78-0 Saturday night in a game in which the Scarlet Knights were limited to 22 yards total yards and two first downs.
Peppers had scoring runs of 7 and 4 yards after taking direct snaps, and his career-long run midway through the first quarter paved the way to a 4-yard touchdown run by Ty Isaacfor the first score of the game.
It could have been a better day for the junior who has played 12 positions for Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) this season. He had a 44-yard punt return for a first-quarter touchdown nullified by an illegal block.
Wolverines are 6-0 for the first time since 2011 That team finished 11-2.
Rutgers (2-4, 0-3) now lost three straight, with the last two being embarrassing for new coach Chris Ash. No. 2 Ohio State beat the Scarlet Knights 58-0 last weekend, holding them to 116 yards in total offense.
This was worse, and seeing Peppers come home and put up a highlight reel added to the woe for the crowd of 53,292.
Rutgers did not get a first down until Trey Sneed had a 12-yard run with 9:06 left in the fourth quarter.
The 78-0 loss was Rutgers worst since an 82-0 setback against Princeton in 1888.
TAKEAWAY
Michigan: If Michigan wanted to make a statement to New Jersey recruits of where to play, coach Jim Harbaugh is going to get a ton of players from the Garden State. He has nine already. Peppers also made a statement for the Heisman rushing for a career high 74 yards on three carries and finishing with two tackles and a quarterback pressure.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are making a run for the worst team in the Power Five. Instead of getting better as the season progresses, the offense has gone downhill since Janarion Grant was hurt against Iowa. This was so bad Michael Cintron punted 16 times.
UP NEXT
Michigan: has a bye before playing at home against Illinois on Oct. 22.
Rutgers: The competition level dips as Illinois comes to the birthplace of college football on Oct. 15.

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