Slew of injuries for Michigan football creates added challenge against Penn State
Earlier this season, Michigan football traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, and left Camp Randall Stadium with a road win over the Badgers for the first time since 2001.
This week, the Wolverines travel to State College, Pennsylvania, in search of their second win in Beaver Stadium since 2006 as the story line of upending recent rivalry trends continues.
“It’s a great venue,” coach Jim Harbaugh said during his Monday news conference. “Why? They got a great fanbase that’s really into it. Like a lot of football environments across the country, it’s really good. I’d say you don’t fight against it, you go with it. Enjoy that stage, that opportunity.
“Personally, I try to pretend like they’re cheering for me, you know, when I was a player anyway. I think I see our players taking that same mindset. Their music is our music. People love football. Can’t fault them for that. Just kind of go with it. But when it’s all said and done, there’s only 11 players on each side that can affect the game and the officials. That’s the only people that are out there actually on the field that can, play after play, affect the down.”
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After surviving difficult road environments in wins over Wisconsin and Nebraska this season, the Wolverines lost at Michigan State. Now, Michigan’s task in Happy Valley is more complicated thanks to a rash of injuries that popped up in the past two weeks. Quarterback Cade McNamara, tight end Erick All, running backs Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum, wide receivers A.J. Henning and Andrel Anthony and cornerback Gemon Green all required medical attention during the win over Indiana or missed the game entirely. Which of those players will be available by Saturday is unclear.
“I don’t have any updates on injuries at this time,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a matter of a team working every day, trying every day. You’re refreshing, trying to have good days. Good meetings, good practice and go play the game.”
The volume of injuries to offensive skill positions will test Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis as they attempt to develop a game plan. It’s possible the coaches already have an idea of the personnel at their disposal for the trip to State College, but there’s a chance some players will be game-time decisions. And given the importance of Corum and All — two primary contributors — the focus of Michigan’s offensive philosophy may shift throughout the week, even if Harbaugh downplayed that idea.
“It doesn’t change," he said. "There’s more of a next-man-up mindset than changing a game plan.”
Harbaugh is correct in a literal sense: The next players on the depth chart must step up against the Nittany Lions. But Corum, All and Anthony can do things some of their backups can’t, so the plays Gattis calls will certainly be influenced by who is healthy come Saturday.
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Harbaugh still frustrated with officiating
Following his team’s loss to Michigan State, Harbaugh said the Wolverines planned to send video of several plays to the Big Ten league office for reviews — a common practice by teams each week that became more noteworthy following a game with several pivotal calls.
In particular, U-M was aggravated when a sack-fumble by outside linebacker David Ojabo was overturned following a replay review in which the referees said quarterback Payton Thorne’s shin was down before the ball came out of his hand. On the field, the play was originally ruled a touchdown for the Wolverines when fellow edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson recovered the fumble in the end zone.
Here is the exchange Harbaugh had with a reporter on Monday:
Harbaugh: “Yeah, as we all expected, all saw, mistakes were made."
Reporter: “You heard from them?”
Harbaugh: “That was the response, they made a mistake.”
Reporter: “On that call?”
Harbaugh: “Yeah. And others.”
Reporter: “So they said they said they made mistakes on other calls?”
Harbaugh: “Yes.”
Reporter: “Just being clear.”
Harbaugh: “Can't be any more clear than that."
Reporter: “Well there were a lot of calls, that's why I wasn't sure.”
Harbaugh: “Yeah, there were. The film doesn’t lie, you know.”
Kickoff time for Maryland
The Big Ten announced a wave of kickoff times for the final weeks of the season.
The game between Michigan and Maryland will start at 3:30 p.m. EST and air on the Big Ten Network.
Contact Michael Cohen at mcohen@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_Cohen13. Send questions for his next U-M mailbag.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football injuries complicate plan for Penn State
