CHICAGO — In a thrilling finish at Wrigley Field, Dominic Zvada secured a 31-yard field goal as time expired, clinching a narrow 24-22 victory for No. 18 Michigan over Northwestern on Saturday. Running back Jordan Marshall was instrumental, rushing for 142 yards and two touchdowns before leaving due to an injury, helping Michigan remain a contender in the playoff race.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The Wolverines, now 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten, continue to eye the College Football Playoff after notching their fourth consecutive win. Despite three late turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by quarterback Bryce Underwood, Michigan held on. Northwestern, with a 5-5 record, suffered their third consecutive defeat, slipping to 3-4 in conference play.

Zvada’s decisive kick concluded a 50-yard drive, igniting celebrations on the field and in the stands, where a significant portion of the crowd sported Michigan’s iconic maize and blue colors.

Michigan had established a 21-9 lead when Northwestern’s Preston Stone powered into the end zone from the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap.

Shortly afterward, on a crucial third down at their 26-yard line, Michigan saw Braden Turner intercept a pass aimed at Deakon Tonielli, returning it to the 6-yard line. Northwestern capitalized quickly, with Caleb Komolafe scoring on the following play to take a 22-21 lead, though their attempt for a two-point conversion was unsuccessful.

Michigan then drove to the 30 before Underwood got picked off again, this time by Robert Fitzgerald at the 20. The Wolverines had another opportunity after Northwestern punted, only to give it away again after opting not to go for the field goal. They had a fourth-and-1 at the Wildcats’ 24 when Bryson Kuzdzal fumbled the handoff and Northwestern recovered.

SEE MORE | Warmer weather this weekend in Chicago area week after first snow of season

Marshall had another big outing with Justice Haynes missing his second consecutive game because of a right foot injury. After setting career highs with 185 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a narrow win against Purdue two weeks ago, he scored from the 1 early in the second quarter to give Michigan a 7-0 lead.

Underwood, coming off shaky performances in wins over Michigan State and Purdue, completed 21 of 32 passes for 280 yards against a defense that began the day ranked 22nd in the nation against the pass. He also ran for a touchdown.

Freshman Andrew Marsh set career highs with 12 receptions for 189 yards, and the Wolverines beat Northwestern for the 14th time in the past 15 meetings.

Stone was 13 of 27 for 184 yards.

Hunter Welcing had 81 yards receiving, and the Wildcats dropped their 14th straight against Top 25 teams.

Northwestern also fell to 0-7 all-time at Wrigley Field. Six of those losses have come since 2010, when college football returned to the famed ballpark after more than a seven-decade absence.

Takeaways

Michigan: The Wolverines remained on course to make the College Football Playoff, no easy task with No. 1 Ohio State visiting on Nov. 29.

Northwestern: The Wildcats have two more opportunities to become bowl-eligible for the second time in coach David Braun’s three seasons. They host Minnesota at Wrigley next week before visiting Illinois in the finale.

Up next

Michigan: Visits Maryland on Nov. 22.

Northwestern: Hosts Minnesota at Wrigley Field on Nov. 22.

ABC7 Chicago contributed to this report.