Blake Corum out, Donovan Edwards limited ... Michigan hanging tough at Ohio State
Michigan running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards both warmed up in full uniform for U-M’s game with Ohio State, but it was clear neither was 100 percent. Corum was wearing a knee brace underneath his uniform and while he caught some passes, he generally ran in a straight line without cutting.
RELATED
• Pregame updates: Michigan vs. Ohio State
• Staff Predictions: Michigan football at Ohio State
The junior shook out his knee quite a bit and took some handoffs in shell drills. Edwards, meanwhile, was working catching softly thrown passes with a hard cast on his hand.
It became apparent early that neither would likely have a major impact. Freshman CJ Stokes was working with the first string offense in pregame warmups, followed by Tavi Dunlap. Corum, though, gave it a go and carried twice for 6 yards in the first quarter, clearly not able to cut.
He came to the sideline after his second carry.
Edwards, meanwhile, was used primarily as a decoy. The Wolverines turned to sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the passing game early, and he hit a few plays. Michigan turned to Stokes late in the first quarter, and he stumbled through a huge hole for only a short gain.
The U-M backs ran 4 times for only 11 yards in the first quarter. with a 10-yard sack on McCarthy included, Michigan managed only one yard on 5 carries. Ohio State, meanwhile, picked up 65 yards on 11 carries with a balanced attack.
The Buckeyes took a 10-3 lead in the first quarter on two drives. Michigan countered with a 49-yard Jake Moody field goal, but the Wolverines were in trouble without a running game.
Edwards returned in the second quarter with a carry for a one-yard loss. He’d finish the half with only 9 yards on 5 carries.
The Wolverines even turned to linebacker Kalel Mullings for a third-and-1 carry, but he was stopped late in the second quarter. Michigan would finish with only 10 yards rushing in the half to OSU’s 124. Long touchdown receptions of 75 and 69 yards from McCarthy to senior receiver Cornelius Johnson kept the Wolverines in the game, the second giving Michigan a 17-13 lead.
The Buckeyes, though, took a 20-17 lead into the break.
Watch for more updates on ‘The Game’ in the hours to come …
