CHICAGO — Michigan’s party at Wrigley Field nearly devolved into a nightmare, but Dominic Zvada hit a 31-yard field goal as time expired to give the Wolverines a 24-22 victory against Northwestern on Saturday.
The No. 18 Wolverines survived five turnovers, including three in the fourth quarter, to stay in the College Football Playoff chase. Michigan (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) blew a 12-point second half lead thanks to two interceptions and a fumble in the final period while leading rusher Jordan Marshall left the game with an injury, but it drove 50 yards in the final two minutes to escape with the victory over the Wildcats (5-5, 3-4).
According to Stathead, Michigan is the first team to win a game with a turnover margin of minus-5 or worse since SMU against Duke on Oct. 26, 2024.
⬆️ Dominic Zvada’s walk-off FG
⬇️ @UMichFootball carrying the K off the field pic.twitter.com/svrjpCQsaN— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) November 15, 2025
“In college football and the Big Ten, it is hard to win,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “Every week it’s a battle. You can’t have five turnovers every week. That’s not going to help you win.”
Along with the two interceptions, Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood completed 21 of 32 passes for 280 yards, including 12 receptions for 189 yards by freshman receiver Andrew Marsh, and Marshall rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns before exiting. Here are some instant takeaways:
Too many Michigan mistakes
Michigan started 5-1 in the Big Ten despite showing cracks against some of the conference’s weaker teams. Those mistakes were bound to bite Michigan eventually, and it almost happened Saturday.
The most glaring mistakes were Michigan’s fourth-quarter turnovers. The first was an Underwood interception thrown directly into the arms of Braden Turner, setting up a Caleb Komolafe touchdown run that gave the Wildcats a 22-21 lead. With Michigan in field goal range on the next series, Robert Fitzgerald stepped in front of an Underwood pass for Northwestern’s second interception of the day.
The Wolverines got a stop and advanced into field goal range again, but running back Bryson Kuzdzal — a former walk-on playing in place of Marshall, who was injured a drive earlier, and leading rusher Justice Haynes, who has missed three of the past four games — fumbled a fourth-and-1 handoff.
“The people who feel the worst about those turnovers are the guys who had them,” Moore said. “We’ll continue to coach it. The win is what we’re really proud about.”
Michigan’s fourth-quarter turnovers will be dissected, but those were far from the only mistakes. Semaj Morgan fumbled away a punt return, and Zvada missed a chip-shot field goal on Michigan’s first drive, in addition to a 60-yarder at the end of the first half.
On top of that, Michigan’s defense gave up a 75-yard touchdown drive to let Northwestern back in the game after the Wolverines pulled ahead 21-9 in the third quarter. The Wolverines have been playing with fire much of this season, but it didn’t cost them against the likes of Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue. Northwestern almost made Michigan pay. — Austin Meek
Michigan’s CFP hopes hanging by a thread
Michigan hasn’t looked like a CFP team this season, and that was the case again Saturday. But the Wolverines — who have lost only to No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 17 USC — still have a path to play their way in if they can beat Maryland and pull off another upset of No. 1 Ohio State to close the regular season.
Much of the focus has been on Ohio State. But Northwestern was no slouch, and Michigan’s underwhelming wins against Michigan State and Purdue point to a team that was vulnerable to an upset. Michigan’s CFP hopes nearly came crashing down with a disastrous fourth quarter, but the Wolverines gutted out a final field-goal drive to stay in the hunt.
They have a 10 percent chance to make the field as of Saturday afternoon, according to The Athletic’s projections. Michigan will have to play much better to have a prayer of beating Ohio State, which is a refrain that’s been repeated ad nauseam this season. In the meantime, Michigan keeps finding ways to win. — Meek
Northwestern’s Michigan misery continues
Northwestern’s loss extends plenty of the program’s recent misery against the Wolverines. Michigan now has won nine straight games in their series dating to Northwestern’s 24-21 victory in 2008 at Ann Arbor. Northwestern hasn’t beaten Michigan at home since the epic 54-51 outcome in 2000.
The Wildcats have yet to claim the George Jewett Trophy, which was established in 2021. Jewett was the first Black player to play football at each institution and in the Big Ten.
The Wildcats haven’t beaten a ranked AP opponent since stopping No. 10 Wisconsin during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, and they missed a chance to get bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons under coach David Braun. Northwestern must win one of its final two games vs. Minnesota and at Illinois to get to a bowl game. — Scott Dochterman
Braun emotional following loss
Braun didn’t want to be perceived as accepting a moral victory. He spoke in sharp tones and his eyes watered throughout his news conference.
“I also want to be really clear, whether it’s our football team, whether it’s our coaching staff, whether it’s anyone that touches the program, our fan base, the media, both local and national, officials,” Braun said, “none of us want to hear, ‘Hey, good effort, guys. You gave Michigan a run for their money.’
“That was great effort. We came here to win a football game, and that was the expectation and my commitment that made to those guys. I’m going to get right back to work. I’m going to battle my butt off for every single guy in that room, and I expect the same out of them.”
Northwestern coach David Braun was emotional after the last-second loss to Michigan: pic.twitter.com/XeK4e1kUVx
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) November 15, 2025
Northwestern trailed 21-9 entering the fourth quarter before scoring touchdowns on consecutive drives to take a 22-21 lead. The Wildcats then obtained the ball twice later in the fourth on an interception and turnover on downs. But on the ensuing offensive possessions, Northwestern totaled 3 lost yards and failed to pick up a first down.
“I’m proud of the way that the offense finished, proud of their resolve,” Braun said. “Ultimately, that’s something that we’ve got to evaluate every single day. There’s no one to call out here.” — Dochterman
