By: Megan Saul

Media Production Editor

On Monday, Jan. 8, the University of Michigan football team won the 2024 College Football National Championship. The matchup, between the number two seed Washington Huskies and the number one seed Michigan Wolverines, took place in Houston, Texas, inside NRG stadium. The final score was 34-13.

Going into the National Championship, Washington won the Sugar Bowl 37-31 against the Texas Longhorns. Michigan won the Rose Bowl in an overtime victory of  27-20 against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Out of Washington and Michigan, many experts predicted Michigan to win the College Football National Championship.

Michigan held the lead at the end of the first quarter, with a score of 14-3. Wolverine running back Donovan Edwards had two 40-yard rushing touchdowns. Grady Gross kicked a field goal for the Huskies. In the second quarter, Michigan kicker James Turner had one field goal. Washington scored their first touchdown with a pass from quarterback Micheal Penix. Jr to Jalen McMillan with less than a minute until half. At halftime Michigan led by seven points. 

The third quarter progressed slowly as each team only scored one field goal. Going into the last quarter of the championship, the score was 20-13 with Michigan holding the lead. The Wolverines then ran away with the game when running back Blake Corum scored two back-to-back rushing touchdowns. At this point in the game, Penix Jr. was limping and holding what appeared to be his ribs. Towards the end of the game, Michigan started preparing for their victory as the players, including quarterback JJ McCarthy, pointed at their ring fingers, showing where the championship rings would soon be.

As the clock ran out, Michigan began cheering to celebrate their national championship win. After the game, the award ceremony took place on the field, where many players and coaches received awards. Corum was named the most valuable player on offense and defensive back Will Johnson won the most valuable player on defense. 

Winning this game left Michigan undefeated this season, holding a record of 15-0. Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan coach, won his first College National Championship after coaching college football for nine years. This win also gave Michigan a total of 12 National Championships. Since the game, many players on both teams have declared for the NFL draft. It is predicted by some that Harbaugh will be leaving college football for the NFL. Following the team’s return home, a championship parade and celebration was held in Ann Arbor. Coaches, fans, and players joined together to celebrate their accomplishments and journey to win the trophy. Congratulations to all Michigan fans as they are the winners of this year’s National Championship.

(Sources: CBS, College Football Playoff, ESPN)