Michigan’s Improbable Victory: Kalel Mullings Shines Against USC
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Kalel Mullings has often been the subject of playful banter among his teammates, primarily due to his unexpected speed for a player of his stature. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 233 pounds, Mullings may not appear to be the fastest on the field. If the Wolverines’ skill-position players lined up at the goal line for a 100-yard sprint, he likely wouldn’t claim victory. Coming into this season, he found himself overshadowed by Donovan Edwards, the standout star of last year’s national championship game, and was seldom mentioned among the elite running backs in the Big Ten.
However, in a dramatic fourth quarter against USC, with Michigan’s offense struggling to find its rhythm, they discovered a game-changing strategy. The Wolverines handed the ball to Mullings, who showcased his power by breaking through USC’s John Humphrey for a remarkable 63-yard gain. They relied on him again, and again, until they faced a crucial fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with just 41 seconds remaining on the clock. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone anticipated the play call.
“We all knew what was about to happen,” quarterback Alex Orji remarked.
Mullings received the handoff and bulldozed into the end zone, securing a thrilling 27-24 victory for No. 18 Michigan against the No. 11 Trojans. This victory marked one of Michigan’s most unexpected wins in recent years, ignited by a running back who had not been anticipated to be the primary option. It’s evident that while every week presents its challenges for Michigan, the struggle can sometimes culminate in joyous celebrations.
“I feel like that’s a representation of who we are, always straining until the very end,” Mullings stated. “Throughout that drive, it was just grit.”
Prior to that pivotal drive, Michigan had possessed the ball five times in the second half without converting a single first down, accumulating a mere 6 yards in the third quarter and only 32 passing yards throughout the game. This was certainly not the blueprint for defeating a top-15 opponent.
Yet, Michigan managed to pull off the improbable, largely thanks to Mullings, who finished with 159 rushing yards on 17 carries, marking his second consecutive game with over 150 yards. The Wolverines have discovered that, amid their offensive struggles, they can always rely on Mullings to deliver.
“He’s done everything for us,” exclaimed coach Sherrone Moore.
Michigan’s strategy to build an offense around linemen, tight ends, and former linebackers presents an intriguing test for the Wolverines’ offensive philosophy. Traditionally a run-first team, Michigan has shifted to a run-second and run-third approach with Orji at quarterback.
Although what Michigan achieved on Saturday—defeating a ranked opponent with only 12 pass attempts—is likely not sustainable, the Wolverines are focused on securing victories no matter the means. If that necessitates running the ball over 40 times per game, Moore would relish that scenario.
“That’s my dream,” Moore declared. “Yeah, I want to throw the ball, but when you can run the ball effectively, it kind of brings (the defense) down a little bit.”
Saturday also marked USC’s inaugural conference game in the Big Ten, delivering precisely the kind of excitement the conference envisioned when it expanded with four teams from the West Coast: an electric atmosphere, gripping drama, and a showdown between two storied programs with differing styles.
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Michigan’s dominance in the trenches was evident throughout the game. While USC boasted an explosive passing attack, Michigan’s aerial game was virtually non-existent. The contest featured dramatic momentum shifts, including Will Johnson’s 42-yard interception return for a touchdown and Kenneth Grant’s fumble recovery, which was later nullified by USC’s Woody Marks.
Things appeared bleak for Michigan after Edwards lost a fumble, allowing USC to score and take a 24-20 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The offense stalled throughout the second half, and the switch from Davis Warren to Orji at quarterback didn’t seem to provide the spark fans had hoped for. While Warren had been reasonably efficient with short and intermediate passes, he had also thrown six interceptions over three starts. The Wolverines were cautious in their passing game with Orji, yet he managed to protect the ball and rushed for 43 yards on 13 attempts.
“A bunch of people were asking what I wanted out of my first start,” Orji said. “I wanted a ball-secure victory, and we got that.”
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Despite the challenges faced, Michigan stands at 3-1, having lost only to No. 1 Texas and achieved a significant win against a USC team previously viewed as a College Football Playoff contender. Considering the month they’ve had, that’s an impressive start to the season. However, given the manner in which the Wolverines have won their last two games, it’s difficult to feel entirely confident that their current strategy will hold up over the course of the season. Yet, if Michigan can defeat USC without a functional passing game, they likely have the potential to triumph over several other opponents as well.
This season will not come easily for Michigan. They will need to embrace the art of winning ugly. With uncertainties surrounding their quarterback situation, their best bet is to place their trust in Orji and support him in every possible way.
Relying on Mullings is an excellent strategy. As impressive as he has been, he could certainly benefit from more touches. When Mullings is breaking tackles and Michigan’s defense is executing at full throttle, the Wolverines become a formidable opponent, as USC discovered in their first experience of Big Ten football.
Winning against a ranked team with just 32 passing yards is not a feat Michigan is likely to replicate. However, success on the ground with Mullings is a formula they can return to again and again. And Michigan’s final drive was a masterclass in repetition.
“Whether you run it, whether you throw it — (people) say you should throw it more — we won,” Moore concluded. “We beat a good team. For us, that’s what it was all about.”
(Photo: Junfu Han / Imagn Images)
