No. 19 Michigan holds off Rutgers for 20-13 victory

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- , No. 19 Michigan found out, almost the hard way, that its running game can be slowed down. Hassan Haskins ran for touchdowns the first two times the Wolverines had the ball to help them take a 17-point lead, but the undefeated team had to hold on to beat Rutgers 20-13 on Saturday. “Gritty game," coach Jim Harbaugh said. “It wasn’t pretty, but when they start making a space for pretty on the scoreboard then we’ll worry about that." Michigan (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) opened conference play by running the ball on its first seven snaps and Harbaugh's conservative game plan almost cost him. After leading 20-3 at halftime, the Wolverines failed to pick up a first down on their first four possessions in the second half. “We just couldn’t really find a rhythm and that’s the first time that’s happened when I’ve been in the game," quarterback Cade McNamara said.