The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
space required to move the chains. all of that recovering," Ryan assured. Ryan got there quicker, stopping the "I'd read about it before. I knew I had rookie in his tracks for a one-yard loss. to have patience." Those three feet, for Michigan's He'd also seen it play out right on redshirt junior 'backer, represented his own team. In addition to following a much, much longer road. It's one from afar Peterson's dramatic recovthing to say you'll be back from such a ery to win the NFL's MVP award in devastating football injury. It's another 2012, Ryan witnessed cornerback Blake altogether to enter into the grueling Countess and defensive lineman Chris misery of rehabilitation to get there. Wormley battle their way back from Ryan didn't really soak up the mo- ACL surgery to return to the lineup. ment at Penn State. He couldn't. He Ryan set a clear goal for a return: was in the moment, with a job to per- six months. He geared everything toform. ward making it back. The second-team "It was definitely different, just be- All-Big Ten linebacker from a year ago cause I wasn't on the sideline. I'm in knew that, if he returned by mid-Octothere, I know my position, I know ber, he'd be coming back to a team still what I have to do," he assured. with a shot at a Big Ten championship. Ryan wasn't in The crucible any mood for exfor Michigan arTheWolverine.com ultation, or even rives in NovemRadio On Demand satisfaction, followber — at Michigan ing the quadrupleState, Nebraska, Click this icon overtime teethat Northwestern, to play or stop grinder of a loss in at Iowa, and the the podcast! State College. His finale against the words after the deBuckeyes in The Big feat came out clipped, frustrated. House. Returning this season meant he Sure, he was glad to be back. Losing could throw himself into the battle for wasn't in the script, however. an elusive championship ring. "I was bummed at the press confer"It's tough," Ryan admitted." I had ence," Ryan acknowledged. "You have to go in twice a day, rehab after reto get over it. You watch the film. There hab, therapy after therapy. There were are always going to be losses, but you so many things you had to do. I give have to move forward and pick your credit to the doctors. I had to do a lot, head up." but it was mostly the doctors." Ryan could have lost more than one Ryan couldn't help himself at times. game back in April. He could have lost As the rehab progressed, and he bethe season. The low point, for him, in- gan to run, he'd bolt up to this or that volved the surgery itself, signaling the Michigan coach, noting he was getting start of a process that he knew would better, pointing out he could beat a sideline him for a good long while. certain teammate in a sprint if given "It wasn't fun, knowing I had to do a chance.