ANN ARBOR -- The ultimate grind-it-out offense won Saturday’s game with explosive plays. Michigan beat USC 27-24 in a thriller at Michigan Stadium in the Big Ten opener, leaving the Trojans wishing just a few plays had gone differently.

"That's just a representation of who we are," Michigan football running back Kalel Mullings said after powering the game-winning drive over USC.

No. 18 Michigan inflicted a pair of significant blows in the first half against No. 11 USC on Saturday, taking a 14-3 lead into the break behind stingy defense and explosiveness in its run game. Kalel Mullings busted a 53-yard touchdown run on the Wolverines' third possession to open the scoring after the teams traded early punts.