INDIANPOLIS, Ind — J.J. McCarthy threw three touchdowns passes as Michigan beat Purdue 43-22 to win the its second straight Big Ten championship.
"We had a lot of doubters this year, a lot of people that just didn't think that we'd be here," Wolverines linebacker Michael Barrett said. "I just feel like the team we have, we're resilient, we're gritty and we won't be denied, won't be ignored."
The Wolverines defense held the Boilermakers to four field goals and just one touchdown in six trips into the red zone.
"Bend but don't break, that's our thing," Michigan linebacker Jaylen Harrell said. "We got to bend but don't break. They got down there, but we held them out."
Michigan has been very good in the second of half of games all season and on Saturday outscored Purdue 29-9 after halftime.
"It's the Big Ten championship, no team is going to let you take it from them so we knew we had to come out strong and come out and fight and do what we have done all season," Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings said. "That was really all the message was at halftime was just come out and do what we have done all season."
Donovan Edwards ran for 185 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.
This marks the first time Michigan has won consecutive Big Ten championships since 2003 and 2004.
The Wolverines (13-0) set the school record for wins in a season.
"It's great, you got to win conference," Michigan cornerback D.J. Turner said. "Preseason it was beat Michigan State, beat Ohio State, win Big Ten championship and now we got to win a National Championship so we are going to accomplish all the goals and if we leave one of them out, it don't feel right."
Michigan will await its College Football Playoff matchup on Sunday at noon.
