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COLLEGE PARK, Md. — After a win-securing, first-down plunge by Blake Corum, Michigan‘s equipment staff began scurrying along the sideline, getting signs with the number “1,000” ready to distribute.

When the clock expired and No. 3 Michigan had defeated Maryland 31-24, Wolverines players, coaches and staff gathered near midfield at SECU Stadium for a photo to commemorate the program’s historic victory. Amid the turmoil of an NCAA investigation, with coach Jim Harbaugh suspended for the second straight game and a day after beloved linebackers coach Chris Partridge was fired, Michigan made sure to mark the moment, commemorating 1,000 wins.

“We need to edit [Harbaugh] in [the photo],” said Wolverines acting head coach Sherrone Moore, who led the team for the second consecutive week and third time this season. “We’ve got the technology in the world today that we can get that done. It’s historic to be a part of this university, this place, this team.

“The guys were just ecstatic to get that 1,000th win, but they all knew exactly what time it was after that.”

Michigan’s final game before next week’s home showdown against No. 2 Ohio State required key plays in all three phases, especially on defense, after the Wolverines built a 23-3 lead midway through the second quarter. They recorded a safety on special teams — linebacker Christian Boivin‘s blocked punt led Maryland to kick the ball out of the end zone — and on defense. The defense also accounted for a touchdown on Michael Barrett‘s strip-sack and Derrick Moore‘s walk-in recovery.

Harbaugh traveled with Michigan for the second straight road game, but unlike last week at Penn State, there would be no drama about his stadium status. After initially planning to challenge the Big Ten’s suspension of Harbaugh, Michigan dropped its lawsuit Thursday, a response to new evidence in the NCAA investigation of prohibited sign stealing, sources told ESPN.

As Harbaugh watched the game nearby, Michigan held a one-score lead for most of the second half but repeatedly turned Maryland away in key moments.

“It would have been an honor, it would have been great to have [Harbaugh] on the field with us to take that picture,” said defensive back Mike Sainristil, who had two interceptions to bring his season total to five. “There’s no doubt in my mind that when we get back to this airport, he’s going to be there waiting for us. We’ll probably take 10-15 minutes to take another picture at the airplane with him, just be able to celebrate and cherish this moment.”

Michigan knew Thursday that Harbaugh wouldn’t be on the sideline at Maryland, but the program sustained another blow Friday when Partridge was fired. Sources told ESPN that Partridge, who twice served as a Michigan assistant under Harbaugh, tampered with the NCAA investigation and the evidence being gathered.

The team promoted analyst Rick Minter, a longtime college coach and the father of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, to linebackers coach, and also received help from defensive graduate assistant LaTroy Lewis.

“Obviously, a lot of emotion going into it,” Boivin said. “But we’re ready, we’re built for adversity. We have the coaching staff, as well as the players, to handle stuff like that.”

After finishing last week’s win at Penn State with 32 consecutive rushes, Michigan’s offense had a more uneven performance against Maryland, generating only one scoring drive in the second half. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s streak of 158 consecutive pass attempts without an interception ended late in the first half, and he completed only 12 of 23 passes for 141 yards.

Michigan won for the first time since 2020 when its offense was outscored by the opponent’s (24-20).

“Maybe we needed this test a little bit,” said Corum, a Virginia native who played before a large group of family and friends. “We needed a close game like this.”

Sherrone Moore was less emotional after Saturday’s game, saying he looked forward to celebrating his daughter’s birthday that night. The 37-year-old who oversees Michigan’s offense and offensive line joked that that his mother is visiting next week and “she’s probably going to yell at me” for cursing on national TV following the Penn State win.

Harbaugh will once again lead game-planning and practices for Ohio State before sitting out the third and final game of his suspension. A win would move Michigan closer to another program milestone — three straight outright Big Ten championships — and a return to the College Football Playoff. A loss likely would knock the Wolverines out of the CFP picture.

“We all know what time it is,” Barrett said. “We knew where our attention was going to go. It feels great to be a part of this kind of game, coming in undefeated with everything going on, showing how this team’s able to face adversity, work through adversity and keep that one-track mind we’ve been preaching all year.

“To be here at this point, it’s a great feeling.”

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Canes’ Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

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Canes' Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season, worth $2.75 million for the 35-year-old veteran.

General manager Eric Tulsky announced the deal Saturday, a little over 48 hours before his team starts the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals.

Andersen could earn up to $750,000 in incentives for games played and his participation in a potential run to the Eastern Conference finals next season. He would get $250,000 for playing 35 or more games, another $250,000 for getting to 40 and $250,000 if the Hurricanes reach the East finals and he plays in at least half of the playoff games.

“Frederik has played extremely well for us and ranks in the top 10 all-time for winning percentage by an NHL goalie,” Tulsky said. “We’re excited that he will be staying with the team for next season.”

Andersen and the Hurricanes, the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, advanced past the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 last week. They will meet the Capitals, who won the division crown, for the right to make the NHL’s final four.

Extending Andersen could give the team a goaltending tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov for less than $6 million combined.

Anderson, a Denmark native who previously played for the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, has become coach Rod Brind’Amour’s most trusted option in net. He is expected to return to the starting role for Game 1 of the Capitals series after getting injured in the first round against New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday.

Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay.

This time, he knew right away.

Sovereignty won by 1½ lengths and snapped an 0-for-13 Derby skid for owner Godolphin, the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It was quite a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court won the 2,000 Guineas in Britain.

Sovereignty covered 1¼ miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds.

Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.

Baeza was third, Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth.

Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

FORT WORTH, Texas — Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old driver already with two NASCAR Xfinity Series race wins, will miss Saturday’s race at Texas because of lower back injuries sustained in a last-lap wreck at Talladega.

Trackhouse Racing said Wednesday that its development driver will return as soon as possible to the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The team didn’t provide any additional details about Zilisch’s injuries.

Cup Series regular Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 in Texas. After that, the Xfinity Series has a two-week break before racing again May 24 at Charlotte.

Zilisch, sixth in points through the first 11 races, was driving for the win at Talladega Superspeedway when contact on the backstretch sent his car spinning, and head-on into inside wall.

Zilisch won in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen last Sept. 14. He added another win this year at Austin, the same weekend that he made his Cup Series debut. He has six top-10 finishes in his 15 Xfinity races.

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