HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS: Mallett gets a game ball, but so does Clausen

Game balls

Free Press sports writer George Sipple recaps U-M's victory Saturday.

U-M quarterback Ryan Mallett: He passed for only 90 yards, but that was more than the opposition. More important, he didn't make costly mistakes and threw three touchdowns.

U-M defensive end Brandon Graham: Led the Wolverines' swarming defense with 3 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble.

U-M linebacker Shawn Crable: Senior had a team-high five tackles for loss, two sacks and a pass breakup.

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen: No, he doesn't deserve a game ball based on his play -- 74 yards passing, no touchdown passes and an interception. He gets a game ball simply for leaving the game in one piece after being sacked eight times in three quarters.

Quarter-by-quarter

First quarter: It didn't take long to see which team would fold under the pressure of starting 0-2. Notre Dame's first play from scrimmage resulted in a 17-yard loss back to the Notre Dame 1. Michigan ended its first possession with a field goal, and Notre Dame gave up another 17-yard loss and a fumble by quarterback Jimmy Clausen on their next possession. U-M running back Mike Hart, who guaranteed a ictory after last week's loss to Oregon, scored on a two-yard run, and the Wolverines led, 10-0. Notre Dame finished the quarter with 17 passing yards -- seven more than Michigan -- but minus-19 yards of total offense.

Second quarter: Hart scored his second touchdown and finished the half with 135 yards on 26 carries, an average of 5.2 per carry. With a 17-0 lead, quarterback Ryan Mallett got into the mix. Ryan Mallett threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Greg Mathews at 11:34 and a five-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Arrington with 25 seconds remaining to give the Wolverines a 31-0 lead.

Third quarter: The crowd of 111,178 put two weeks of misery aside and enjoyed the blowout by starting a wave. Ryan Mallett gave fans more to cheer about, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham. Jimmy Clausen completed four passes on Notre Dame's first possession of the second half, but on a third-and-five, he was sacked for a loss of six by fifth-year senior safety Brandent Englemon.

Fourth quarter: Marshall High's Evan Sharpley took over at quarterback for Notre Dame but couldn't produce any points. He completed two of five passes for 11 yards. He wasn't sacked but threw an interception. With the game out of reach and the guarantee of victory assured, Hart got a rest. Brandon Minor rushed for 39 yards on eight carries in the quarter and finished with 82 yards on 17 carries. Notre Dame fans left Michigan Stadium green with envy.

By the numbers

-31 Rushing yards for Notre Dame after one quarter of play.

38 Largest margin of victory by either team in the history of the series.

2 Times Notre Dame has started 0-3 since 2001.

0 Times Notre Dame has started 0-3 before 2001.

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