COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The kickoff landed softly in the hands of Michael Barrett, the reserve linebacker for Michigan football who defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald rewarded with increased playing time in recent weeks. Now it was special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh’s turn to do the same.
A former high school quarterback — Barrett threw for 4,640 yards and 45 touchdowns in his native Georgia — he zipped a dart across the field to wide receiver A.J. Henning, who lurked alone on the weak side. Henning caught the ball with nothing but green in front of him and raced down the sideline for a kickoff return touchdown that all but sealed a comprehensive beating before the third quarter expired.