The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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OCTOBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 11 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS A Committee Approach Will Prevent Anyone From Hitting That Plateau By Chris Balas Michigan nearly had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers last season in Justice Haynes (857 yards) and Jordan Marshall (932), and both would likely have eclipsed the number had they not gotten hurt. We assumed Marshall would hit that number easily this year with a new offensive coordinator in Jason Beck whose Utah offense finished top five in the country in rushing a year ago. After two games, though, Marshall had only run 22 times for 76 yards, not exactly a great start. He also looked a bit hesitant running behind an offensive line that just wasn't getting much push. We know Marshall is a better back than he's shown in the early games, and we trust he'll get it going. However, this staff also has an elite freshman in Savion Hiter, a veteran in Bryson Kuzdzal who has been seeing significant playing time, and a quarterback in Bryce Underwood who led the team in rushing through two games. They are going to lean on all of them going forward. In a rugged Big Ten with a tough schedule, it's tough to envision any of these guys going over 1,000 yards. That's especially true after we saw how they approached a tough Oklahoma defense. The coaches always said they'd use Underwood to his strengths. After the passing game struggled in Game 1, they turned to his legs. We expect that trend to continue, but they won't overwork him. Marshall will still lead this team in rushing, but he won't be a 1,000-yard back. Michigan Will Have a 1,000-Yard Rusher By Clayton Sayfie Last season, former Michigan running back Justice Haynes put up 159 and 125 yards in the first two games, respectively, looking well on his way to becoming a 1,000-yard back. However, he was injured in October and didn't play at all the rest of the season, ending the year at 857. Now-junior Jordan Marshall was actually the Wolverines' leading rusher with 932 yards, and he would've gotten to 1,000 if he had stayed healthy, but he, too, was injured, missing the majority of the final three contests with a shoulder ailment. Through three contests a year ago, Marshall had rushed 30 times for 109 yards. In the first three games this fall, he notched 34 carries for 135 yards. It's more than possible that Marshall, who had four-straight games of 100-plus yards a sea- son ago, becomes a 1,000-yard rusher this season, with health obviously playing a factor. Freshman Savion Hiter, too, looks capable, even though he averaged only 1.6 yards per at- tempt with 21 rushing yards in the first two games. The wild card is sophomore quarterback Bryce Under- wood, who paced the Maize and Blue on the ground with 33 carries for 156 yards and 2 scores in the first three weeks. He was on pace to record 624 rushing yards in the regular season alone, and the Wol- verines have already won a big game against Oklahoma, meaning they could find themselves playing multiple postseason contests if they continue to ascend. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ WILL MICHIGAN HAVE A 1,000-YARD RUSHER THIS YEAR? DID YOU KNOW? • Your address will be automatically changed to the mailing address on file with USPS? ALL addresses are cross-referenced with the USPS National Change of Address database. • It can take up to 7 days for the USPS to update your address in their database? To prevent missed issues, please notify them right away. • Your postal forwarding order expires in 60 days or less? Most forwarding requests expire in 60 days and DO NOT always include periodical mail. Issues are discarded at their discretion. • You should call your local post office to verify your delivery address? Don't assume the post office knows your vacation or moving schedule. Avoid Costly Delays & Replacements! Wolverine Customer Service: 1–800–421–7751 We are happy to assist, but due to privacy laws — postal address changes must be completed by you. Jordan Marshall figures to give Michigan its best chance of fielding a 1,000-yard rusher in 2026. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL