Ann Arbor, MI -- (Sports Network) - Mike Hart ran for 95 yards with a touchdown and the Michigan defense was again dominant, as the second-ranked Wolverines continued their undefeated season with a 17-3 victory over Northwestern at Michigan Stadium.

Chad Henne completed 10-of-20 passes for 116 yards with a touchdown for the Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten), who have games against Ball State and Indiana before the big November 18 showdown at top-ranked Ohio State.

The Michigan defense intercepted three passes, recovered two fumbles and limited Northwestern to a total of 191 yards. The Wolverines entered the game with the nation's top run defense, allowing just 33.6 yards on the ground, and held the Wildcats to minus-13 yards rushing.

"I thought our defense was outstanding with the turnovers we caused and our pressure," said Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr. "Two big turnovers helped us to 14 points."

C.J. Bacher completed 20-of-41 passes for 204 yards with two interceptions for Northwestern (2-7, 0-5), which has lost six in a row. The Wildcats were coming off the worst collapse in Division I-A history last week when they blew a 38-3 lead and dropped a 41-38 decision against Michigan State.

Northwestern took the opening kickoff and marched to the Michigan 33 before Bacher was sacked and fumbled. LaMarr Woodley made the hit, forced the fumble and also recovered for the Wolverines at their own 48-yard line.

Michigan took advantage of the short field and needed just six plays to reach the end zone. Hart did most of the work with four carries for 22 yards and a facemask penalty helped set up a 14-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Adrian Arrington for a 7-0 lead.

The Wildcats again drove into Michigan territory with their second possession, but Tyrell Sutton fumbled after a 13-yard run and the Wolverines again recovered.

Michigan could not convert the turnover into points, but after a series of punts left the Wolverines with excellent field position at the Northwestern 49, Garrett Rivas booted a 30-yard field goal with 7:02 left in the first half to make it a 10-0 game.

Northwestern caught a break with just over two minutes to play before the break when Steve Breaston fumbled a punt near midfield. The Wildcats recovered at the Michigan 44, but could not take advantage and were forced to punt in the closing seconds.

The Wolverines went three and out to start the third quarter and Northwestern marched from its own 46 to the Michigan five with the help of a 25-yard catch and run by Sutton. However, three plays produced a loss of two yards and a 15- yard penalty forced a 38-yard field goal attempt that Joel Howells drilled to put the Wildcats on the board.

Northwestern's defense forced a Michigan punt, but the Wildcats quickly lost the momentum when Bacher was picked off by Leon Hall on the first play after the kick.

Michigan took over at the Northwestern 36 and needed six plays -- all on carries by Hart -- to reach the end zone. On 4th-and-2, he broke free for 23 yards and soon after finished it with a three-yard touchdown run to give the Wolverines a 17-3 edge.

A fumble by Michigan's Brandon Minor on the first play of the fourth quarter gave Northwestern the ball at the Wolverine 24, but Willis Barringer picked off an underthrown Bacher pass in the end zone to keep Michigan comfortably in front.

"We moved the ball at times, we just did not finish the drives and give ourselves a chance, especially with the short field," said Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

After a trade of punts the Wolverines had a chance to extend their lead, but Rivas had a 40-yard field goal try tipped at the line of scrimmage with just under five minutes remaining.

David Harris intercepted backup quarterback Andrew Brewer at the Michigan 30 to seal the contest.

"We did a good job today against the run, and it made them one dimensional," said Harris about the work of the defense. "It forced them to throw the ball, so it worked in our favor."

Game Notes

Sutton was Northwestern's leading rusher with six yards on seven carries. He also caught six passes for 55 yards...The Wolverines ran for 202 yards and finished with 318 total yards...Michigan has won the last four meetings and leads the all-time series with Northwestern, 51-14-2.