ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The gap between No. 21 Michigan and last-place Purdue was much smaller than anyone on Michigan’s side would have preferred.

The Wolverines (7-2, 5-1) beat Purdue 21-16 Saturday night at Michigan Stadium but didn’t look impressive in the process. Purdue ran only one play in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead, but the Boilermakers hung around long enough to make Michigan uncomfortable.

The Wolverines prevailed thanks to a career-high 185 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Jordan Marshall, who took over as the No. 1 running back in place of an injured Justice Haynes. The Wolverines needed every one of those yards on a day when quarterback Bryce Underwood struggled to get the passing game going. Underwood fumbled in the third quarter as Michigan was dri

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