Seven games into the season, Michigan may have finally found its feature running back.
Sophomore Fitzgerald Toussaint went into halftime with 75 yards rushing to lead the Wolverines. But in the third quarter, he asserted himself in the running game even further.
Powered by a highlight reel 59-yard run, in which he eluded then ran past several Purdue defenders to the end zone, Toussaint has compiled 170 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries for Michigan. That score just before the end of the third quarter gave the Wolverines a 29-7 lead over the Boilermakers.
With Toussaint running so effectively, the Michigan offense hasn’t needed much from Denard Robinson. But he’s added another 63 yards rushing. Additionally, he’s thrown for 156 yards, completing 9 of 13 passes. Jeremy Gallon leads Michigan in receiving with 79 yards on three catches.
Caleb TerBush returned at quarterback for Purdue after leaving the game with an injury, but since leading the Boilermakers to a touchdown on their first possession, he hasn’t been able to do much against the Michigan defense.
Michigan looks to have control of the game as it heads into the fourth quarter. Could Toussaint reach 200 yards rushing, or will another of the tailbacks pick up the load?