De'Veon Smith, defense lead Michigan to first win of Harbaugh Era

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Michigan's defense allowed the first points of Saturday's game against Oregon State. It didn't allow any more.

A strong defensive effort, a huge day from running back De'Veon Smith and a bunch of Oregon State mistakes allowed Michigan to grab the first win of the Jim Harbaugh Era, bouncing back from a season-opening loss at Utah with a 35-7 victory in Ann Arbor.

Smith rushed 23 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns as Michigan totaled 225 rushing yards. Smith scored the Wolverines' first touchdown after a Beavers penalty set up good field position for the home team. That gave the Wolverines their first lead of the game, 10-3. Then, at the end of the first half, Oregon State committed back-to-back penalties, first on a fourth-down attempt and then on a punt attempt, forcing another punt attempt. That snap went sailing over the head of the Beavers' punter, setting the Wolverines up on the doorstep of the end zone with less than a minute till halftime. Smith cashed that opportunity in and put Michigan up by 10 heading to the break.

[MORE BIG TEN: Illini crush Western Illinois, two straight dominant wins under Cubit]

The second half was all Wolverines, with a third-quarter field goal and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns — including Smith's third — turning it into a blowout. Smith also caught a two-point conversion.

The Michigan defense was outstanding, limiting Oregon State to an eye-popping total of just 138 yards, 79 through the air and 59 on the ground.

It wasn't all terrific for Michigan, though, as quarterback Jake Rudock threw an interception after throwing three last week. That was one of two Wolverines turnovers, and Michigan also committed 10 penalties.

But overall, it was a strong day for the Wolverines and a strong showing after the Week 1 loss to a solid Utah team. Need more proof? Michigan possessed the ball for 38 of the game's 60 minutes.

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