ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Jake Rudock ran for two touchdowns and threw for another one during a first half in which Michigan did all of its scoring in a 31-0 rout against No. 22 BYU on Saturday.
The Wolverines (3-1) have won three straight under Jim Harbaugh after their season-opening loss at Utah. They were 1-9 in their last 10 games against ranked opponents, and had won just three of 22 games against teams in The Associated Press poll since midway through the 2009 season.
The Cougars (2-2) have back-to-back losses, including a one-point setback at then-No. 10 UCLA. That came after they beat then-No. 20 Boise State by double digits and Nebraska on a Hail Mary.
De’Veon Smith ran for 125 yards on 16 carries, including a tackle-breaking, 60-yard touchdown before leaving the game late in the third quarter after appearing to hurt his right ankle.
Rudock, who avoided turnovers that plagued his first three games, was 14 of 25 yards for 125 yards and a TD. He ran for 3- and 17-yard scores on plays that were designed for a passes, helping Michigan lead 31-0 at halftime. Instead of forcing passes, he threw the ball away or ran it himself.