Michigan quarterback John Navarre didn’t want to talk about his verbal commitment to attend Northwestern five years ago before Saturday’s game or after the Wolverines’ 41-10 win.

But his play said it all.

Sixteen-of-18 for 213 yards and two touchdowns — in the first half.

“I think this is the best I’ve played,” Navarre said. “I think this is the best our team played all season.”

After the game, Michigan running back Chris Perry was asked about Navarre’s performance.

“What did he do today?” Perry asked before grabbing the stat sheet to look for himself. “Whoa. He did pretty nice.”

Navarre completed his first eight passes of the game and finished 22-of-31 for 288 yards.

The senior completed quick outs, long strikes and soft screen passes, and he delivered the ball to seven different Wolverines.

“He played really well,” NU coach Randy Walker said. “But when you let a quarterback throw strikes off the mound like he can, he is going to make some shots.

“They did a good job with their play selection which enabled him to keep us on our heels. We did not get much pressure on him.”

The Michigan laundry staff didn’t have to worry about Navarre’s No. 16 jersey after the game. It was spotless.

The Wildcats didn’t knock Navarre down, and on the three occasions they hurried the quarterback he calmly stepped up and hit receivers in stride.

“Any time you give a quarterback five seconds to throw, he’s going to make some plays,” NU linebacker Pat Durr said.

But Navarre found a way to make an impact even without the ball in his hands.

On a reverse to wide receiver Braylon Edwards in the second quarter, Navarre was the lead blocker and headed straight toward Durr.

The 6-foot-6, 228-pound quarterback sent the linebacker flying into a teammate and cleared a running lane large enough for a semi truck to roll through.

The run was called back by a holding call, but Durr didn’t forget the block.

“Yeah, I mean he’s a big guy,” Durr said. “But he cut block … too bad he didn’t take any one up high.”

That’s about all Navarre didn’t do Saturday.

When the Cats’ defense finally forced the Wolverines into a punting situation in the third quarter, Navarre took the snap from shotgun and kicked the ball inside the Cats’ 10-yard line.

“John’s a very versatile player,” Michigan receiver Steve Breaston said. “He does this stuff every week.”

Navarre has plenty of experience, and the fifth-year senior is only the second player in Michigan history to start in four season openers for the Wolverines. But originally Navarre had committed to join NU before former Cats’ coach Gary Barnett bolted to Colorado.

“I think he really liked Northwestern,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. “I could remember trying to talk him into coming to Michigan.

“He said ‘Coach, I would love to come, but I don’t want to sit that long on the bench, and I think I will have a much greater opportunity to play at NU.”

Navarre has had plenty of chances to play at Michigan since Drew Henson left school to play baseball, and despite receiving heavy criticism from the media and fans, Navarre has emerged as a star for the Wolverines.

“I don’t think there is a guy that is more respected in our program,” Carr said. “He’s done a great job and developed into a leader.”

Navarre led Michigan to a victory Saturday in front of more than 50 friends and family who made the hour and half drive from Cudahy, Wis.

Navarre didn’t want to discuss about his decision to attend Michigan and not Northwestern after the game, but his teammates were pleased with his selection.

Receiver Jason Avant seemed surprised that Navarre thought about attending NU.

“I’m glad he didn’t,” Avant said.