The Michigan Wolverines came into Monday’s CFP National Championship matchup against the Washington Huskies with one of the best running backs in the nation in Blake Corum. However, it was another running back who had the biggest impact early on for the Wolverines.
Junior running back Donovan Edwards saw limited action this season behind Corum, coming into the game with 393 rushing yards on the year as the team’s No. 2 running back. Edwards was far less efficient than Corum on those attempts, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry compared to Corum’s 4.7 yards per carry on the year.
His season high in rushing yards on the year was 52 yards against Penn State. That is until his breakout performance on Monday night, where he exceeded this in the first quarter alone. Edwards only received two carries in the first quarter, but he absolutely made the most of them. His first rushing attempt was taken 41 yards to the house to get the Wolverines on the board.
Donovan Edwards goes 41 yards to the house! 🏈🔥
7-0 Michigan after one drive. #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/YnlcklLQKA
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 9, 2024
He then replicated this success on Michigan’s second drive of the game, breaking another massive touchdown run to give his team a 14-3 lead.
DONOVAN EDWARDS x2! 🏈🔥🔥 #NationalChampionshippic.twitter.com/UmDxvlS3xj
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 9, 2024
Even the most optimistic Michigan fans likely didn’t expect this kind of performance early on from Edwards.
Safe to say that Michigan had a successful first quarter running the ball against Washington. pic.twitter.com/AyEe44cHKY
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 9, 2024
And many fans took to social media to praise him for the unbelievable start on the biggest stage of them all.
Donovan Edwards CANNOT be stopped
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 9, 2024
Donovan Edwards legacy game
— Big Game Bengal (@BengalYouTube) January 9, 2024
This is turning into the Donovan Edwards Game.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 9, 2024
Too EASY for Donovan Edwards pic.twitter.com/Jq6TSP8ueM
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) January 9, 2024
Donovan Edwards with his second TD of the game! 2 carries, 87 yards, 2 TDs. What a start. pic.twitter.com/fGNQj0tSEa
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) January 9, 2024
These two runs put Edwards in rare company when it comes to the history of the CFP National Championship. Only former Alabama star Derrick Henry has a longer touchdown run since the College Football Playoff was introduced back in 2014.
Donovan Edwards has 2 touches for 2 TD in just 1Q 🤯
He has two of the longest runs in CFP Championship game history 😳 pic.twitter.com/0OaR6jNDUa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 9, 2024
Having your star players step up is obviously necessary if you want to take home a National Championship. But when a player like Edwards steps up when it matters most, it is certainly an added bonus that was far from expected.
