Recap: Michigan improves to 3-0 with 31-6 victory over Bowling Green

Recap: Michigan improves to 3-0 with win over Bowling Green

The Wolverines are where they expected to be at this point of the season, undefeated after facing three nonconference foes.

However, unlike the first two wins over East Carolina and UNLV, Michigan did have some uncharacteristic mistakes in Saturday's 31-6 win over Bowling Green. That includes three interceptions by quarterback J.J. McCarthy and a fumble on a kickoff return by Max Bredeson.

McCarthy finished 8 of 13 for 143 yards and two touchdowns, one to his favorite target, Roman Wilson, for 33 yards, and another on a tip drill to Cornelius Johnson for 50 yards.

Wilson now has six touchdown receptions in three games.

Blake Corum had 12 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

After the game, Corum told the Big Ten Network, "I had a great week of practice. As a collective, offensive line, running backs, we did better. But we can't have these mental mistakes going into Big Ten play."

Corum also said he was praying for Bowling Green linebacker Demetrius Hardamon, who was carted off the field after tackling Colston Loveland.

Donovan Edwards had nine carries for 50 yards.

Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, serving as head coach while Jim Harbaugh finished his three-game suspension, told the Big Ten Network, "We're 3-0 now, excited to have you back, Coach. We love you, we miss you."

Harbaugh will be back on the sidelines next week when Michigan welcomes Rutgers to the Big House.

End 3Q: Michigan leads Bowling Green, 31-6

J.J. McCarthy was able to get out of the sack but elected to try to make a play instead of throwing the ball away, which resulted in his third interception of the night.

After the first two games, it seemed like McCarthy had it all figured out but he has a few things he still needs to work on. There's no need to force something when it isn't there.

6:28 3Q: Cornelius Johnson keeps eye on ball, gets touchdown, 31-6 Michigan

Bowling Green was in position and wasn't fooled by the flea flicker but somehow, Michigan receiver Cornelius Johnson was able to corral the ball for the 50-yard touchdown, his first of the season.

11:23 3Q: Bowling Green's Hardamon injured; Michigan leads, 24-6, after field goal

Bowling Green's Demetrius Hardamon had to be carted off the field after tackling Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.

His teammates and many of the Michigan players ran over to wish him the best before he left the field.

James Turner kicked a 42-yard field goal for Michigan.

12:44 3Q: Jenkins INT, Corum TD, Michigan leads 21-6

Kris Jenkins picked off Hayden Timosciek deep in Bowling Green territory, his first career interception.

You don't have to think too much about who should get the ball when you're on the Falcons' 2-yard line and the Wolverines didn't, handing it right to Blake Corum. Corum ran two yards for his second touchdown of the game.

Halftime: Michigan leads Bowling Green, 14-6

This was not exactly what Michigan fans envisioned when facing a MAC school.

J.J. McCarthy, who had been close to perfect in the first two games, threw two interceptions in the first half, one in the end zone.

McCarthy did rally to find his favorite target, Roman Wilson, for a 33-yard touchdown. He finished the first half 5 of 8 for 85 yards.

Quinten Johnson had a pick for Michigan.

Blake Corum had a touchdown on the Wolverines' first drive. He has eight carries for 86 yards. Donovan Edwards has six for 31 yards.

Colston Loveland has one catch for 22 yards and Cornelius Johnson has two for 21 yards.

4:15 2Q: McCarthy to Wilson, 14-6 Michigan

Now that is more what people were expecting — Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy finding Roman Wilson for a 33-yard touchdown.

That is Wilson's sixth of the season.

8:50 2Q: McCarthy intercepted again

After two nearly perfect games, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is looking human in this one.

He has thrown two interceptions, the last one to Jordan Oladokun, who returned it 29 yards.

With the special teams fumble, the Wolverines already have three turnovers midway through the second quarter.

11:39 2Q: Michigan's lead down to 1, 7-6

What is going on with Michigan's kick returners?

The Falcons were able to recover the first fumble on the kickoff return and converted it into another Alan Anaya field goal, this one for 42 yards.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Wolverines lost it again but were able to recover it.

14:13 2Q: Bowling Green gets on the board, Michigan leads 7-3

Alan Anaya kicked a 36-yard field goal, the culmination of a 12-play, 62-yard drive.

The Wolverines then fumbled the ball on the kickoff and the Falcons recovered.

End 1Q: Michigan leads Bowling Green 7-0

Blake Corum has the only touchdown of the game so far.

Camden Orth is starting in place of the injured Connor Bazelak and has had some good moments. He's 7 of 10 for 88 yards but has been sacked twice, once by Keon Sabb for a loss of 12 and once by Cam Goode and Mike Sainristil for a loss of 8.

J.J. McCarthy threw an interception in the end zone and is just 2 of 3 for 22 yards.

4:48 1Q: J.J. McCarthy with a rare mistake, but Michigan leads, 7-0

Michigan appeared to be ready to score its second touchdown but quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw an interception in the end zone to Bowling Green's Jalen Huskey.

10:44 1Q: Blake Corum picks up where he left off, 7-0 Michigan

Blake Corum started the drive with a 54-yard run and ended it with a 4-yard touchdown run.

Donovan Edwards also ran for 11 yards in the 77-yard drive.

Michigan beat writer Angelique Chengelis provides Michigan's availability report:

Michigan wraps up its non-conference slate under the lights against Bowling Green on Saturday and the game is expected to be similar to the previous two against East Carolina and UNLV.

Only once in 36 times have the Wolverines ever lost to a Mid-American Conference school, which was a 13-10 defeat to Toledo in 2008.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and receiver Roman Wilson have demonstrated an early connection which has already led to five touchdowns.

This marks the final game of head coach Jim Harbaugh's three-game suspension. Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore will be the acting head coach.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Dana Wakiji.

Bowling Green at Michigan

▶ Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

▶ TV/radio: BTN/950 AM

▶ Line: Michigan by 40½

▶ Records: Bowling Green 1-1; No. 2 Michigan 2-0

▶ Series: Michigan leads series 2-0 (Last game: Sept. 25, 2010 — (at) Michigan 65, Bowling Green 21)