Michigan's Blake Corum plays vs. Ohio State with knee injury
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Michigan star tailback Blake Corum, with an air of ambiguity hanging over his potential effectiveness because of a knee injury, is playing at rival Ohio State on Saturday.
Corum, one of the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy, injured his left knee late in the first half against Illinois last week. Coach Jim Harbaugh called Corum's knee "structurally good" following the Wolverines' 19-17 win, but Corum returned for only two plays in the second half before being pulled for the remainder of the game. He carried the ball just one time after the injury and did not play during the No. 3 Wolverines' fourth-quarter comeback.
Corum wasn't expected to be 100% against the No. 2 Buckeyes, sources told ESPN. He is tied for No. 1 nationally in touchdowns scored (19) and No. 4 in rushing yards (1,457).
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Here's a closer look at Corum's knee brace. It appears that it will impact him today. Very bulky. pic.twitter.com/1PHbCGFlt1
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 26, 2022
During warm-ups, the Michigan staff closely monitored Corum, who was wearing a bulky brace on the left knee, prior to making the decision for him to play.
Last season, Michigan dominated the line of scrimmage against Ohio State in a 42-27 mashing. That included the Wolverines rushing for 297 yards and 7.2 yards per carry. Corum carried the ball six times for 87 yards in that game.
This year, Michigan boasts the country's No. 4 rushing offense, running for 243.8 yards per game.
Michigan backup tailback Donovan Edwards also returned vs. the Buckeyes after missing time with a hand injury. The dynamic sophomore missed the Illinois game last week and a majority of the Nebraska game the weekend before, when he was limited to two carries because of the injury.
Edwards' effectiveness because of the hand issue will be monitored closely, as he is an explosive part of Michigan's passing offense. Edwards is averaging 12.8 yards per catch on 14 receptions this year. Two of his six touchdowns this season have come through the air.
Ohio State RB Miyan Williams back for Michigan game
Ohio State tailback Miyan Williams will return for the No. 2 Buckeyes on Saturday against No. 3 Michigan.
Williams' return provides an integral spark to the Ohio State run game, as he is the Buckeyes' leading rusher (783 yards). His 6.7 yards per carry is best among the team's tailbacks and ranks No. 5 in the country.
The 5-foot-9, 225-pound tailback, who has emerged as one of the country's most rugged runners this season, is expected to be relied on for a heavier load against Michigan, as sophomore TreVeyon Henderson will not play because of a lingering foot issue. Ohio State will also again be without star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has been out since Oct. 22 with a hamstring issue that has limited him to three games this year.
Williams missed last week's game at Maryland with a lower body injury after being carted off the field against Indiana on Nov. 12. Sources told ESPN that he has looked sharp in practice this week, building up to taking full reps and running strong by the end of the week.
This will mark the fourth game that Henderson has missed this season with his foot injury, and he appeared hampered by it in an 11-carry performance for 19 yards against Maryland. He watched the second half from the sideline with his left foot in a walking boot.
In Henderson's absence last week, freshman tailback Dallan Hayden authored his second straight 100-yard game. After running for 102 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries against Indiana, Hayden carried the load for Ohio State in the Maryland win with 146 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.
Ohio State starting right guard Matt Jones is also a game-time decision. Jones suffered an injury late in last week's win over Maryland and was on crutches after the game.
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