TAMPA, Fla. — Michigan football concluded its 2024 calendar year by knocking off No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. It finished an 8-5 season that, while a step back from three College Football Playoff appearances, featured three top-12 wins and victories over rivals Michigan State and Ohio State.

But take it from the ReliaQuest Bowl MVP, Jordan Marshall: The expectation in 2025 is not to return to this stage.

“We can say it’s a good season, but it’s not Michigan’s standard. We’ve got to get it back to the standard, which is bringing national championships back here,” Marshall told TMI after the game. “Like I told [Bryce Underwood] right when we walked into the locker room, I was like, ‘This isn’t happening again.’

“We’re not playing [in the ReliaQuest Bowl], we’re playing for the chip. We’re playing for the whole thing, the natty. That’s what we want.”

Marshall finished with 100 yards on 23 carries, including a long of 24 yards that helped set the Wolverines up for a crucial field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

And that key offensive drive came with Alex Orji under center, as Alabama’s defense and everyone in the stadium knew the Wolverines were going to run the ball.

“We really don’t care if they know we’re going to run the ball, we’re going to run it no matter what,” Marshall said. “And Coach Moore has already told us that, and on those runs, I was just running downhill and trying to hit somebody. That’s what I do best, and I’m just excited to be out there running the ball.”

For Marshall, the MVP recognition was a capper for a season in which he rarely featured. The freshman won the kick return job out of fall camp but spent a good portion of the year injured. He earned a carry in crunch time against Ohio State, and he was elevated to RB1 against the Crimson Tide with Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings both out. Earlier this week, fullback Max Bredeson told media to expect big things from the youngster, and his message after Tuesday’s win was that Marshall is “special.”

It seems running backs coach Tony Alford had high expectations, too.

“Coach Alford told me before the game, he was like, ‘You’re going to win MVP of this game.’ It’s just kind of that mental thing,” Marshall said. “I like to take a long shower before games every day before, and just think, prepare, picture myself making plays, picture myself running down the field, and picture myself winning MVP.

“No matter what, you want to play like the MVP, and play like the MVP with your heart, and that’s what matters most.”