Michigan TE Hogan Hansen talks injury, impressive Bryce Underwood, 'statement' game vs. Nebraska

Michigan Wolverines football sophomore tight end Hogan Hansen missed the 34-17 season-opening win over New Mexico with an undisclosed injury, but returned in limited action for the following week’s 24-13 setback at Oklahoma.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder wasn’t full-go until late into fall camp, after going down with an injury toward the end of spring practices.

“It was a long process,” Hansen admitted.

“It was something that I knew wouldn’t worry me too much and I would be back near the start of the season, so I was just focusing on the little things, everything I could do to get better, stay up to date with the offense so that when I came back, I was ready to go.”

The Bellevue, Wash., native logged 13 offensive snaps against the Sooners, ranking third among Michigan tight ends behind junior Zack Marshall (42) and graduate Max Bredeson (27). He wasn’t targeted in the passing game despite running 10 routes, and the Wolverines’ offense was largely ineffective. Senior tight end Marlin Klein, who posted 93 yards and a touchdown in the New Mexico game, was out with an injury, so the position group didn’t add much production outside of a catch by Marshall.

Facing a defense as tough as Oklahoma’s, in a raucous environment in Norman, was a challenge for Hansen in his first game back.

“I would say I was pretty healthy for that game,” Hansen said. “But, yeah, it was tough going through spring ball and fall camp not being a full participant. But, I mean, just getting out there any way felt pretty good, so I felt good about it.

“It helped playing the games I did last year as a freshman. But, yeah, the first few snaps, obviously, it was different. But once you get going, once you hit a person, you’re just back in it. It all comes back to you pretty naturally.”

Hansen showed out in Michigan’s 63-3 win over Central Michigan last weekend, though, hauling in 3 catches for 43 yards, including a sick 26-yard grab on a jump ball along the sideline. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood placed the football perfectly.

“I think that’s what 19 [Underwood] brings to the offense,” Hansen said. “Even when I was running the route, I was like, where’s he going to throw this ball? Where’s he going to put it? And he put it in a perfect spot where no one but me could catch it. He’s been doing that all camp, so it’s really nothing new for us. I just got to go and do my job.”

Watching from the sideline, Hansen got to view Underwood’s progression from spring until the moment he caught passes from the 6-foot-4, 228-pounder in the CMU game.

“Watching fall camp, it hurt me not being out there,” the Michigan tight end noted. “But seeing the steps in maturity he took from spring ball to fall camp and how he carried himself and how he’s able to command the offense and take lead and, when practice wasn’t going our way, to step in and go, ‘Alright, let’s bring it together, let’s keep going. We’re all good.’”

With Hansen healthier and Klein back in the lineup, Michigan is closer to being at full strength than it was for the Oklahoma game, set for a Big Ten opener at 3-0 Nebraska.

“Big Ten Conference play is really all that matters,” Hansen noted. “I think we got a good opportunity to go send a statement this weekend, so just focusing on that.

“Just go prove what team we are when we play our best. We’re not worried about the outside factors or anything like that. Just doing our best and everyone playing their 1/11th.”