The Michigan Wolverines made a major statement to the NCAA with their 31-0 victory over Brigham Young University (BYU). They told the league that they can not only play with, but take control of a ranked opponent.

Going back to the middle of the 2009 season, Michigan has lost 19-of-22 games against ranked teams. They improved those numbers with their win over BYU, who are ranked No. 22 in the country. It was the third overall and second home win for Jim Harbaugh, who is in his first season as the Michigan head coach. 

The Wolverines (3-1) got an outstanding start from fifth-year senior Jake Rudock. The quarterback finished 14-for-25 with 194 yards through the air and one touchdown. It was easily his best game in a Maize and Blue uniform. 

Rudock's passing touchdown came very early in the second quarter. He hit Amara Darboh, who became an official U.S. Citizen on Thursday, for a four-yard touchdown to give Michigan a 14-0 lead. 

Rudock added 10 carries for 33 yards and two touchdowns, but the run game was later taken over by De'Veon Smith. The junior carried the ball 16 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. Smith has 205 rushing yards on the season. The biggest play for Smith was a 60-yard rushing touchdown with 11:37 to play in the second quarter. It was the longest run of his college career. 

The touchdown to get U of M on the board was a quarterback keeper form Rudock for three yards. Rudock later added a 17-yard dance into the end zone halfway through the second quarter to give Michigan a 28-0 lead. 

Five minutes later, Kenny Allen banked a 40-yard field goal to make it a 31-0 lead for Michigan at halftime. Allen finished a perfect 4-for-4 on extra point attempts and 1-for-1 on field goals.  

While Michigan's offense was clicking, the Cougars (2-2) struggled to find any source of offense.

The team did not turn the ball over, but struggled to get first downs. BYU finished 4-for-15 on third down situations and only gained 105 yards over the entire game compared to 448 for Michigan. 

Tanner Mangum, a freshman, finished 12-for-28 with 55 yards through the air. He had late game heroics in victories against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Boise State Broncos, but just could not get the magical spark against the Wolverines. 

Running back Adam Hine added 33 yards on eight carries. One of those eight carries went for 29 yards. 

The only notable mistake by the Wolverines was on fourth and 16. Punter Blake O'Neill called an audible into a fake punt formation and was only able to pick up nine yards. There was definitely miscommunication between the coaching staff and O'Neill judging by reactions from both parties after the play. 

After halftime, nobody scored. The Wolverines could not score and neither could BYU. Wilton Speight came in under center at the end of the game, but did not attempt a pass. The Wolverines stopped BYU with 53 seconds left to complete the shutout. 

For the first time since September 7, 2013, the Wolverines have defeated a top 25 ranked team. During that 2013 season, Michigan, who were ranked No. 17 and defeated the No. 14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. 

BYU will travel back home to face the Connecticut Huskies (2-2) on Friday, October 2 at 10:15 PM EDT. Meanwhile, the Wolverines will start Big Ten play on Saturday, October 3 at 8:00 PM EDT on the road against the Maryland Terrapins (2-1).