Hart's record-breaking day helps Michigan beat Eastern Michigan 33-22
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Mike Hart ran for 215 yards to become Michigan's career rushing leader, and matched a career high with three touchdowns to lead the Wolverines to a 33-22 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
Michigan (4-2) has won four straight since Appalachian State's stunner and Oregon's rout, but its latest victory didn't come easy.
The Eagles (2-4) opened the second half by recovering an onside kick and scoring a TD to pull within two points. Instead of attempting a two-point conversion with a chance to tie, they had an extra-point kick blocked and the game quickly turned.
Michigan pulled away by scoring 17 points in just under four minutes to take a 33-14 lead late in the third quarter.
In the final minute, the Eagles scored a TD, converted a two-point conversion and recovered another onside kick. The game ended with an interception in the end zone.
Mike Hart needed 33 yards to break Anthony Thomas' record of 4,472 yards rushing.
The senior surpassed the mark midway through the first quarter, fittingly with shifty moves that have helped him become the nation's active leader in yards rushing.
Mike Hart started a drive from the Michigan 1 with a 20-yard run, then he later broke Thomas' record by making a defender miss in the backfield and picking up 14 yards. Thomas, who plays for the Buffalo Bills, set the previous record at Michigan from 1997-2000.
Mike Hart also became the first Wolverine to run for at least 100 yards in six straight games to start a season. Jamie Morris surpassed the milestone in the final six games of his career in 1987.
Mike Hart finished with 22 carries and more than 200 yards for the fifth time, extending his school record.
His second and third scores - from 24 and 17 yards - gave Michigan a 19-point lead over the Eagles of the Mid-American Conference.
Chad Henne was 17-of-26 for 195 yards with a TD and two interceptions for the Wolverines. Adrian Arrington had six catches for a career-high 102 yards and a score, playing in place of standout Mario Manningham, who was not in uniform.
Eastern Michigan's Andy Schmitt completed 15 of 28 passes for 108 yards with an interception. Schmitt had 41 yards rushing, including a 10-yard TD that made it 16-14 early in the third.
Terrance Taylor blocked the extra point, leaving some to wonder why the Eagles kicked instead of trying to tie the game.
Michigan then handed the ball off to Mike Hart on three straight plays - putting him over the 100-yard mark - and he ended the drive by running to the left and cutting back on a 24-yard score.
Mike Hart ran for 61 yards on the first play of Michigan's next drive, setting up K.C. Lopata's second field goal. Lopata replaced Jason Gingell, who made just three of nine kicks over the first five games of the season.
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