There wasn’t just the insult of USC physically imposing its will upon Michigan football on Saturday, despite getting some previously hurt players back; there was new injury, to boot.
Running back Justice Haynes’ streak of 100-yard games came to a screeching halt, after he had 10 carries for 55 yards. Haynes was seen grabbing below his rib cage, and late in the first half, he went into the locker room to be evaluated. He came out a few minutes after the start of the second half, still in uniform, but he never returned to action on Saturday.
After the game, head coach Sherrone Moore said that Haynes probably could have returned to action, but they were holding him out for precautionary reasons.
“Yeah, just something inside,” Moore said. “He came back out and was working through it, probably could have went. Extra cautious on our student-athletes when anything happens to them. So make sure they’re OK. But the game plan was the same.”
The Wolverines leaned on Marshall in Haynes’ absence, and he managed 69 yards on 14 carries, good for 4.9 yards per attempt.
Near the end of the game, quarterback Bryce Underwood also appeared to be visibly limping. He remained in, but the final drive was handled by redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis, who went 0-for-2 with an interception.
Moore said that Underwood was banged up, but there are no concerns there.
“A little bit, but he’s fine.”
Michigan will return home to lick its wounds after the 31-13 loss to the Trojans, and will host Washington on Saturday at noon EDT, with the game set to be broadcast on Fox.
