Michigan fans have had a lot to be happy about this year. The Wolverines boasted an undefeated record with a massive win over rival Ohio State to finish the regular season. Then, the team won the Big Ten Championship with relative ease to earn their second consecutive conference title. And then, Michigan learned they earned a spot in the College Football Playoff, as they’ll play TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.
Michigan received even more good news on Saturday. The Wolverines achieved yet another historic feat in their program’s rich history.
Michigan’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award again. The Wolverines’ line was wonderful all season. They led the Big Ten in yards per carry with 5.6 and trailed only Ohio State in the conference with a sacked percentage of just 3.74.
In winning the award, the Wolverines became the first program to win Joe Moore Awards in back-to-back seasons since the award was first handed out in 2015.
Michigan Football’s Twitter account tweeted in celebration. They said, “The first program to win back-to-back Joe Moore Awards as the nation’s best offensive line unit!”
The first program to win back-to-back Joe Moore Awards as the nation’s best offensive line unit!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/ax7rd6KyE5
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 17, 2022
Michigan is not the first team to win the award twice. That was Alabama, who received the award in 2015 and 2020. But there was a four-year period where the Crimson Tide didn’t win, so Michigan beat Bama to the punch there.
That says an awful lot, especially with how great Alabama’s lines have been. To say nothing of the Wolverines, who have produced some fierce offensive line play. They earned the award, certainly, and have another historic achievement on top of many.
The CFB world and Michigan reacted to Michigan’s awesome news. Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ in Detroit, tweeted, “Big fellas go back-to-back. Michigan again won the Joe Moore Award for the most outstanding offensive line in college football.”
Big fellas go back-to-back 💪 Michigan again won the Joe Moore Award for the most outstanding offensive line in college football.
The Wolverines are the first back-to-back winners since the trophy’s 2015 inception. pic.twitter.com/zRosQ70QrZ
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 17, 2022
Austin Meek of The Athletic wrote, “Becoming the first offensive line to win the Joe Moore Award in back-to-back seasons was a major goal for Michigan. With center Olu Oluwatimi bringing home the Outland Trophy and the Rimington, quite a haul for Michigan’s o-line.”
Becoming the first offensive line to win the Joe Moore Award in back-to-back seasons was a major goal for Michigan. With center Olu Oluwatimi bringing home the Outland Trophy and the Rimington, quite a haul for Michigan's o-line. https://t.co/qNjldzvhYZ
— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) December 17, 2022
Brandon Marcello waxed poetic and tweeted, “That has never been done. Well deserved. Those guys are maulers.”
Michigan's offensive line is the Joe Moore Award winners for the *second* year in a row.
That has never been done. Well deserved. Those guys are maulers. pic.twitter.com/5RpNDy0W36
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) December 17, 2022
And none other than star running back Blake Corum reacted to the news. Andrew Graham of On3 Sports informed Corum of the news. Corum smiled and said, “Them boys deserve it, man. That just made me happy.”
Blake Corum reacting to Michigan winning the Joe Moore Award back-to-back years. pic.twitter.com/YHOssWKpW6
— Andrew E. Graham 🫡 (@AndrewEdGraham) December 17, 2022
