The Wolverine

December 2016

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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28 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2016 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan has had its share of great running backs over the decades, including plenty who have shoul- dered the load pretty much on their own. In the last 15 years alone, Doak Walker Award winner Chris Perry ran a school-record 338 times in one sea- son (2003), even carrying 51 times in a win at Michigan State on his way to a 1,674-yard campaign, while Mike Hart monopolized carries for four sea- sons (1,015 from 2004-07, a Michigan record). Not since 2011, however, has U-M featured a 1,000-yard rusher (Fitz Tous- saint, 1,041 yards), and unless some- thing unexpected happens in the last few weeks, this won't be the year that changes. Four different Michigan run- ning backs had managed over 400 yards rushing through 10 games, led by senior De'Veon Smith's 592. Freshman Chris Evans (508) paced the Wolverines with a whopping 7.8 yards per carry, sophomore Karan Higdon (415 yards) is not far behind at 6.8 and redshirt junior Ty Isaac (411, 6.0 per carry) had also shouldered his part of the load. "All four running backs have really shown that they belong," head coach Jim Harbaugh said at the end of Sep- tember. "They can make plays and de- serve to be out there getting playing time. I've had something similar [other places], but not quite four. "I don't think I've ever seen obstacles in having multiple good players. I al- ways looked at that as a good thing. I guess if you took the 'less is more' phi- losophy in life, then you might be able to find an obstacle there. I've always subscribed to 'more is more.' Having more good football players always seems better." Harbaugh certainly has his share this year. In addition to the aforemen- tioned backs, fifth-year senior Drake Johnson (271 yards a year ago) was ex- pected to join the corps before deciding to hang it up with a hamstring injury that's prevented him from playing this year. He'll petition for a sixth year and seems a good bet to get it. The offensive coaches have also employed a number of options on jet- sweep runs to the outside of defenses. Fifth-year senior receiver Jehu Chesson was given the role last year, but he's only logged nine carries for 47 yards this season. Freshman speedster Eddie McDoom (15 carries, 154 yards, 10.3 yards per rush) has taken the lead this season and (literally) run with it, while redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers (21 carries, 161 yards, 7.7 yards per carry) has been a workhorse in the wildcat, especially in the red zone. Seven different players rushed for more than 100 yards last year, but only one (Smith) eclipsed 300. There are already six with triple digits this sea- son, and four have 300-plus — and it's feasible Peppers could join them with a big game or two down the stretch, depending on his workload. ALL FOR ONE … Chances are the Wolverines won't have a 1,000-yard back this year, and while an elite back can be critical to a championship season, it isn't always necessary. Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno believes one rusher handling the lion's share is almost counterpro- ductive for both program and player in this day and age if there's more than one capable back on the roster. Michigan's last national champi- Four-Headed MONSTER Michigan Has Received Great Results From Its Committee Of Running Backs This Year PHOTOS BY LON HORTWEDEL Rookie Chris Evans has been a crucial piece to the rushing attack in his first year on cam- pus, debuting with a 100-yard effort against Hawai'i and also reaching triple digits in the win over Rutgers. Despite just 61 totes and missing one full contest, sophomore Karan Higdon has racked up 415 rushing yards (6.8-yard aver- age) and six touchdowns in U-M's first 10 games.

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