The Michigan Wolverines handled business on the road at Maryland, 45-20, on Saturday afternoon. On a day where they were down both Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, Michigan still managed to run for
228 yards and four touchdowns, led by Bryson Kuzdzal’s 100 yards and three scores.
Haynes was never expected to be available for this game, but Marshall was listed as questionable on the pregame availability report and was seen suited up on the sidelines. Following the game, head coach Sherrone Moore confirmed Marshall very well could have played on Saturday against Maryland, and they fully expect him to start next week in The Game against Ohio State.
“Jordan could have went if we needed him to,” Moore said in his postgame press conference. “And I talked to him after this, I was like, ‘I guess you’re not gonna play next week.’ And he just laughed at me. He said, ‘Is that really a question?’ No, he could have went (against Maryland).”
Marshall injured his shoulder late in the game against Northwestern last week. He was taken out, replaced by Kuzdzal and never returned.
Prior to this week, Marshall had gone for more than 100 yards and at least one touchdown in four straight games. He also had a 50+ yard run in three straight games (56 at MSU, 54 vs Purdue, 65 at Northwestern).
Kuzdzal picked up the slack for Marshall, rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against the Terrapins. He also played a crucial role in the Wolverines’ game-winning drive at Northwestern, picking up first downs and keeping the clock running to eventually set up Dominic Zvada’s walk-off field goal.
It’s great to hear that Marshall will be back next week against the Buckeyes, and it’s even more reassuring to hear that he could have played against Maryland as well. Obviously, holding him out against the Terrapins was a great move to get him even healthier and be at his very best against the No. 1 team in the country. Michigan will need him and everyone else to be on their A-games next week if they are to have a shot at pulling off the upset and taking down Ohio State for a fifth consecutive season.
