The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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10 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2023 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Mason Graham, Michigan's outstanding sopho- more defensive tackle, came back from a thumb injury and dominated in a 52-10 win over Min- nesota with 6 tackles, including 2 for a loss and 1 sack. He talks about playing with a club on his hand, the U-M defense and more in this Q & A. The Wolverine: When did you know some- thing was wrong with your thumb, and what happened, specifically? Mason Graham: "The Bowling Green game … my hand was throbbing, and I knew something was wrong. I just went to the trainers and then shortly after the game, checked it out, checked up on it, and then took some X-rays and found out … broken thumb." The Wolverine: How were you able to get back so quickly after surgery? How much does the cast bother you? Graham: "I went to the doctor [Oct. 3] just to see how the progress was on my surgery. He said I was good to go as long as it's protected. I wanted to get back on the field as soon as pos- sible, so that's why I did. "It's not uncomfortable. I'm just getting used to playing basically with one hand, so I've just got to find ways to get it done. No pain. It's all casted up and everything, so it's protected as much as it should be. We're expecting [a smaller cast each week], but we'll see how it goes, how it keeps on healing and stuff like that." The Wolverine: You obviously need to use your hands in the trenches. How much did it hinder you against Minnesota? Graham: "Obviously, I felt limited, but you've just got to do it … it is what it is. I'm just trying to get more comfortable every day in practice so I can be more comfortable in the games. Some people always come up to me [and say], 'Do you hit people with it?' I try not to. I just try to play as if I would have two hands still. I was just not thinking about it so I could just play freely." The Wolverine: You had some key tackles for loss and a sack against the Golden Gophers. How much has that been emphasized this year? Graham: "I feel like a big focus on our defense coming in this year was creating negative plays for the offense, because that sets them back. They get off track. It helps us get to that third down where we have those opportunities to pass for us and get to the quarterback and all the things that you want to do as a D-line. I feel like that's been a big emphasis for us." The Wolverine: What is it about the defense that makes you guys play so well with one an- other? Graham: "I think you heard Coach Harbaugh say, the 'wefense,' something like that. We all just play together. I feel like that's how our de- fense is. That's what we preach. We don't want one person to make all the plays. We just want everyone, when the play comes to them, to make that play, and we all rely on each other when that time comes." — Chris Balas ❱ Sitting Down With Sophomore Defensive Tackle Mason Graham Graham (55) broke his thumb against Bowling Green in Week 3 and returned to the U-M lineup three weeks later with a dominant performance at Minnesota Oct. 7. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Heading into Michigan's game against Minnesota Oct. 7, senior running back Blake Corum stood fifth in program history with 40 career rushing touchdowns, one shy of his position coach and run game coordinator, Mike Hart, at 41. When asked about it, Hart, who determines which back is in the game at any given time, playfully said he'll protect his standing on the all-time list. "No more touchdowns for Blake," Hart joked. "It'll be [senior running back] Kalel [Mullings scoring]." Hart added, on a serious note, that he was "excited" for Corum. "He better get it this week," Hart said. "He better get past it this week, to be honest with you." Corum scored 1 touchdown in the Wol- verines' 52-10 win in Minneapolis, tying Hart, who's also Michigan's all-time leader with 5,040 career rushing yards. In a 52-7 triumph over Indiana the following week, Corum rushed for 2 touchdowns, surging past Hart. "As long as he doesn't catch my yardage record, I'm OK," Hart joked again. "Actually, I hope he does catch it — that's a lot of yards. But it doesn't bother me at all. It's something he's worked for, and hopefully we'll get him as high as we can on that record chart before he's out of here." With 3,072 yards, Corum is now 10th in Michigan history, still trailing Hart by a sizable margin. In career rushing scores, Corum trails only Anthony Thomas (55, 1997-2000) and Tyrone Wheatley (47, 1991-94). He now stands third all time, having sur- passed assistant director of player personnel and former U-M quarterback Denard Robin- son (42, 2009-12). Excluding last year's win over Ohio State in which Corum played hurt for only five snaps, Corum has now scored touchdowns in 18 straight games. During that stretch, he's averaging 1.7 rushing scores per game, meaning he actually has a legitimate shot of matching Thomas' record if the Wolverines play for the national championship (eight more games). At the least, the No. 2 spot appears more than attainable. — Clayton Sayfie Ranking Player Rushing TDs Years 1. Anthony Thomas 55 1997-00 2. Tyrone Wheatley 47 1991-94 3. Blake Corum 43 2020-current 4. Denard Robinson 42 2009-12 5. Mike Hart 41 2004-07 6. Chris Perry 39 2000-03 7. Rick Leach 34 1975-78 8. Steve Smith 31 1980-83 9. Billy Taylor 30 1969-71 Tom Harmon 30 1938-40 Hassan Haskins 30 2018-21 BLAKE CORUM PASSES MIKE HART, DENARD ROBINSON IN RECORD BOOK