While Michigan believes it has a path to a College Football Playoff berth, the Wolverines might have to navigate it with a former walk-on running back in the starting lineup.
With injuries piling up in the backfield, Bryson Kuzdzal could get the call on Saturday when No. 18 Michigan (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) faces slumping Maryland (4-6, 1-6) in College Park, Md.
Kuzdzal’s rise up the depth chart has come after injuries to Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, who have rushed for a combined 1,728 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said on Monday that Haynes, who was the Big Ten rushing leader when he suffered a foot injury last month, is likely to miss the Wolverines’ final two regular-season games.
Moore added that Marshall is day-to-day after sustaining a shoulder injury in Michigan’s 24-22 come-from-behind victory Saturday at Northwestern.
The next man up is Kuzdzal, a junior who had not participated beyond special teams in his first two seasons with the Wolverines.
In 25 carries this year, Kuzdzal has 106 yards, half of which came last week at Northwestern as Michigan pushed its winning streak to four games.
“If Bryson has to be the guy, I feel very comfortable with him,” Moore said. “He’s explosive, probably faster than Jordan, probably not as strong.”
Also emerging Saturday for the Wolverines was wideout Andrew Marsh, who broke out with 12 receptions for 189 yards, both season highs for the true freshman.
Moore added that Marsh will likely take over as the Wolverines’ punt returner, providing an injection of speed to a unit that is averaging just 2.8 yards per return, third-lowest in the conference.
Maryland is reeling after losing six straight, but the Terrapins can find inspiration Saturday with news that coach Mike Locksley will be back for his eighth season next year.
On Sunday, Maryland athletic director Jim Smith posted an open letter on the school’s website supporting Locksley and vowing that the school will increase funding for the program.
“To have (administrators) now that share the same special vision that I have, while also seeing the foundation of what we have when we didn’t have all the resources that we needed, I’m excited,” Locksley said on Tuesday. “I see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Terrapins can still make something out of this season, as wins over Michigan and Michigan State would make them bowl eligible for the fourth time in the last five years.
During its skid, Maryland has regressed on offense. The Terrapins scored their season low in a 24-6 loss on Saturday at Illinois. It was also the first game that true freshman quarterback Malik Washington failed to throw a touchdown pass.
In its first season in the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland beat Michigan. Since then, the Wolverines have won all eight meetings.
With Michigan facing its annual rivalry game against Ohio State on Nov. 29, Moore said that the Wolverines are not taking anything for granted against the Terrapins.
“There’s nothing about this game that is a trap game,” Moore said. “This is about a really good team that if you don’t play well, you will get beat.”
