On Michigan’s last gasp, Mullings unleashed a whirling, booming 63-yard run that will go down as one of the best ever in UM history. It gave the offense its first penetration of the Trojans’ red zone all day, and seven plays later he followed a bone-crushing block by Max Bredeson to score the 1-yard game-winning score on fourth down with 37 seconds left.

Alex Orji made his first career start and did very little, but most importantly, he made no mistakes that cost his team the win in a game where UM couldn’t have afforded another misstep. Orji completed 7 of 12 passes for 32 yards, the fewest passing yards in a Michigan win since Bo Schembechler’s final years as coach, and added 13 carries for 43 yards.

But Mullings aside, this game was won by defense. The Wolverines made life difficult for USC quarterback Miller Moss. According to Pro Football Focus, Wink Martindale’s unit had 27 quarterback pressures — eight from Josaiah Stewart, six from Derrick Moore, and three each from Kenneth Grant and TJ Guy — and 16 hurries, seven hits, eight tackles for loss, six pass breakups, four sacks, three batted balls, a pick-6, and a forced fumble.