Players Of The Game: Michigan Football Demolishes Michigan State

Another week, another dominant performance by Michigan. But this time, the Wolverines shut out an opponent -- that opponent being MSU.

Some people were wondering if the latest NCAA investigation might've been a distraction to Michigan and its players just days before a big rivalry game. 

Turned out it didn't. 

The Wolverines came out firing and Michigan scored a touchdown on its first three possessions on Saturday night. The Wolverines took a 28-0 halftime lead into the locker room and the maize and blue came out just as strong in the second half. 

Starters were rested halfway through the third quarter, but the Michigan backups held on and shut out Michigan State. It's the first shutout the Wolverines have forced this season and it was another dominant performance. Michigan moved to 8-0 after a 49-0 win over the Spartans. 

Here are my players of the game. 

Offense:

QB J.J. McCarthy:

The junior keeps getting better and better -- not sure how that's possible. But it is. McCarthy didn't even play three full quarters of football, he was replaced by Jack Tuttle with 5:16 left in the third quarter, but that didn't stop McCarthy from throwing a career-high. 

McCarthy was flawless in throwing for 287 yards (78%), a career-high four touchdowns, with a 216 QB rating. McCarthy moved inside the pocket with ease, was elusive when he needed to be to give his WRs more time to get open, and threw some darts. 

TE Colston Loveland:

McCarthy's favorite target this year, Roman Wilson, had another touchdown catch, but Colston Loveland had two and was second on the team with four receptions. The sophomore tight end was masterful at running crisp routes and getting open for McCarthy. Loveland finished the evening with 79 receiving yards after hauling in four receptions. 

TE AJ Barner:

While Loveland had two touchdowns, AJ Barner was McCarthy's go-to guy. The Indiana transfer had a career day with Michigan. Barner caught a game-high eight catches for 99 yards and a score. Barner could've had two scores, but his last-second touchdown in the second quarter was waived after Donovan Edwards was called for a false start and time ran off the clock. 

Defense:

CB Mike Sainristil:

It feels like I write about Mike Sainristil every game, but the captain is always making big plays and is around the football like no other. Sainristil recorded an interception on freshman Katin Houser, but it wasn't just an interception, Sainristil had his second pick-six of the season. The veteran had two tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup against the Spartans. 

LB Junior Colson:

If Sainrstil was around the ball tonight, then Junior Colson was a football magnet. Colson led the team with 11 tackles and was constantly at wherever a play needed to be made. Michigan State tried to get Nathan Carter going on the ground, but between the Michigan interior line and Colson, the Spartans couldn't get anything going on the ground. And when MSU tried to run crossing routes, Colson was there as well. A great all-around game from the junior. 

CB Ja'Den McBurrows:

What a nice game from the junior cornerback who has fought adversity with injuries. It was a nice game from the Florida product and getting some revenge on the field after being one of the players who was assaulted in the Michigan tunnel a season ago by the Spartans. McBurrows came off the bench and was a playmaker. He had three tackles, a pass breakup, and a late interception to seal the shutout for the Wolverines. 

Michigan will now head into a bye week before hosting Purdue on Nov. 4.