ANDREW VASTARDIS

Michigan football will enter the 2022 season ranked No. 8 in the AP poll after winning the Big Ten title and advancing to the College Football Playoff a year ago.

The Big Ten announced revisions to the 2022 football schedule on Wednesday (Jan. 12) for all 14 teams in the conference, including two noticeable changes for the Michigan Wolverines.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The next generation of Michigan playmakers stayed on the field a few extra minutes Friday night. But, I mean, nothing’s going to take away from our accomplishments this year.”Player after player pointed to the positives of Michigan’s situation. What followed was season after season of disappointment. 1 draft pick elected to return for one more season in 2021, helping set the stage for the improbable ride that Michigan took to becoming one of college football’s best. “All these young guys, they got this scar tissue now, being in the playoffs, losing, having to feel this,” Hutchinson said.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Georgia entered Friday’s Orange Bowl matchup against Michigan with a chip on its shoulder. Although the Bulldogs had been gouged by the Crimson Tide, head coach Kirby Smart said there was no need to drastically alter the team’s game plan, especially on defense. I don’t think it was a magic potion. “I think we just didn’t execute the way we were playing, not executing the way we had been all season,” Michigan senior center Andrew Vastardis said. When they don’t or they give up penetration, Stetson did a good job avoiding.”Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh credited the Bulldogs for executing their game plan.

In a breakthrough season for coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan became the first team to start a season unranked and reach the playoff.

Michigan has its replacement for Andrew Vastardis along the offensive line. With the sixth-year center on his way out, Olusegun (pronounced Oh-lah-sha-goon) “Victor” Oluwatimi will join the Wolverines’ football program for the 2022 season, he indicated Monday evening. Oluwatimi is a three-year starter at Virginia, where he earned second-team All-American honors and was a Rimington Trophy finalist. Michigan’s recently introduced director of recruiting operations, Albert Karschnia, celebrated the announcement Monday evening on social media, calling offensive line coach (and Oluwatimi’s primary recruiter) Sherrone Moore “Joe” in honor of his group earning the Joe Moore Award. The Wolverines anticipate losing at least two starting offensive linemen to expiring eligibility, Vastardis and right tackle Andrew Stueber, after the season ends.

Any time the Wolverines score a win, like they did in grand fashion on Saturday, a 42-27 victory over archrival Ohio State, they have 24 hours to celebrate. “For many of us, that was a tremendous, tremendous weekend and game,” Harbaugh told reporters at Schembechler Hall. While the Wolverines (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) had to win their way to the game, Iowa had to win and get some help. “The same we prepared for Ohio State — mentally, physically, spiritually, in every way,” Harbaugh said. We planned for Ohio State and understood and thought that they would be the best opponent on our schedule.

Second-ranked Ohio State plays at No. 6 Michigan on Saturday with high stakes.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan football players aren’t interested in dwelling on the past. Another chapter of the Michigan-Ohio State series will be written Saturday, and the Wolverines are hoping to change the recent narrative of the rivalry. The second-ranked Buckeyes (10-1, 8-0 Big Ten) are riding an eight-game win streak against the Wolverines (10-1, 7-1) heading into Saturday’s game in Ann Arbor – a streak that isn’t lost on Michigan players. But that’s the past, and none of that matters. “That’s the game we always have circled on our calendar and always want to play, and as a Michigan Wolverine, that’s a game you’d die for.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Players described a somber locker room at Spartan Stadium in the wake of Michigan’s 37-33 loss to Michigan State on Saturday. Michigan is no longer unbeaten (7-1) and is expected to drop in the rankings when they come out later today. The response will have to begin Saturday against Indiana (7:30 p.m., FOX), the only remaining winless team in Big Ten play. It was 2018 when Michigan dropped its season opener to Notre Dame and went on to win 10 straight games and reach No. “The players played hard — and now they’re going to have to strengthen their resolve.”Said Vastardis: “We’ve gone through it already.

EAST LANSING – A 16-point lead in the second half wasn’t enough for Michigan on Saturday. No pointing fingers.”-Senior center Andrew Vastardis on the mood in the locker room after the game. Tackling wasn’t good enough. Got to be better.”-Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson on Michigan allowing 23 points in the second half“It’s a gut-punch, like we just said. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Northwestern lost its opener to Michigan State and dropped its last road game by 49 points.

Michigan football survived the first half of its season without a loss. Now, after a well-placed bye week, the Wolverines face a much tougher second half.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Television cameras caught the Michigan football team, armed with a 10-point lead and having knocked Wisconsin’s starting quarterback out of the game on Saturday, having the time of their life. The moment, while fun and innocent at the time, was captured by many and spread across social media. And it’s quickly become the unofficial breakthrough moment of the Wolverines’ 5-0 start, a turnaround so impressive it’s caught many outside observers by surprise. Michigan is the ninth-ranked team in the country heading into a Saturday night showdown at Nebraska (7:30 p.m. “It’s by far the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time,” offensive lineman Andrew Vastardis, a sixth-year senior, said this week.

Michigan football is coming off a dominant win over a Power Five program and fans are still angry. Oh yeah, football season is most definitely back.

Starting center Andrew Vastardis’ exit during the fourth quarter of the Wolverines’ 31-10 win over Washington Saturday was due to dehydration, not injury. He never returned to the game, with the coaching staff electing to go with true freshman Greg Crippen at center. Still, Harbaugh was complimentary of Vastardis, whose leadership has rubbed off on the offensive line. More: Aidan Hutchinson brings the pressure — ‘They couldn’t block (him)’ZINTER STARTS: Speaking of the offensive line, Michigan had starting right guard Zak Zinter back in the lineup again on Saturday. HONORARY CAPTAIN: Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson, a two-time All-American at Michigan, served as honorary captain on Saturday.

It seems like every season a handful of true freshmen step into significant roles for Michigan football, but could it only be one this year?

Turner,” Harbaugh said. Vince, D.J., Gemon; D.J., Gemon, Vince. With time passed and the University of Michigan imposing a vaccination mandate for all students and staff, the rate has reached 99 percent among players and staff, Harbaugh said Monday. Asked about the remaining 1 percent — estimated to be just 1 or 2 players — Harbaugh said they must adhere to stringent COVID-19 protocols in places, such as wearing a mask and attending meetings virtually. “Mainly, wearing the mask inside.”Harbaugh has participated in public service messages for the state of Michigan promoting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Andrew Vastardis, at 23 years and six months, is the oldest player on the Michigan football roster. And with Michigan set to open the season on Saturday, Sept. 4, against Western Michigan (noon, ESPN), Vastardis is considered a frontrunner to maintain his post as the starting center. “We’ve been bleeding, we’ve been sweating,” Vastardis told reporters Thursday as Michigan neared the end of preseason camp. Whether you’re a freshman or a senior like Stueber, Vastardis says he tries to make the guys around him feel comfortable enough to speak up and be themselves. Being here for six years, I’ve seen a lot of guys grow up with me — and a lot of guys just starting their journeys.

Hutchinson, Ross and Vastardis are all repeat captains, but all three agreed the distinction carries more cachet this year. Last season, the coaches appointed the captains, a modification to the program’s usual standard of allowing the players to elect them. Ross said he accepts the responsibility to hold others accountable in order to raise the standard of Michigan football moving forward. Let’s go do and let’s play.”Bell is the lone first-year captain, an honor that he said took him by surprise. I’ll still keeping doing what I do, but you have to live up to that captain standard.”For Vastardis, the captain standard is elevating those around him.

Michigan’s football team closed spring practice with three starters determined along its offensive line. “There’s just a battle going on to get to the five best,” Harbaugh told host Jon Jansen. “Very good players,” Harbaugh said to describe all three. Zinter started four games at right guard in 2020, suggesting that might be his preferred spot. Michigan only lost one starter from its offensive line in 2020; right tackle Jalen Mayfield, who declared for the NFL draft.

Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh discussed the starting competition along Michigan football's offensive line.

Michigan football’s 2021 spring roster is out, quietly released Wednesday evening by the program, and while there aren’t a ton of surprises on it we do have updated heights and weights for the early enrollees. And while many of these are subject to change (and likely will after the summer), here’s where each player sits as they begin their journey at Michigan:— Willie Allen, offensive lineman from River Ridge, La. Since the NCAA didn’t technically count last fall against player eligibility, he was able to return. As MLive reported earlier this month, linebacker Josh Ross and defensive tackle Donovan Jeter are both back and on the spring roster as key additions to the defense. The 6-foot-4, 318-pound Stewart arrived as an offensive tackle, redshirted his freshman season and did not see any playing time in 2020.

Ten freshmen are off to an early start in their Michigan football careers as mid-year enrollees. Last season, five of Michigan’s eight early enrollees saw the field as freshman. While the truncated 2020 season was an outlier because of the NCAA’s eligibility blanket waiver, a few Wolverines early enrollees earned notable roles as true freshmen. With that said, here are five early enrollees in the 2021 class who can benefit the most. Four-star receiver Cristian DixonThe California product was one of two early enrollees who had his senior season postponed because of COVID-19.

Giles Jackson has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against Penn State (noon, ABC) due to injury, a team spokesman confirmed to MLive this morning. Jackson is coming off a four-catch, 50-yard game last week against Rutgers, in addition to a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Also absent on the offensive side of the ball will be tackle Jalen Mayfield and center Andrew Vastardis, both of whom missed last week’s game. Hawkins left last week’s game with an undisclosed upper-body injury, while Paye missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. However, linebacker Cam McGrone was not on the field and is out due to injury, a team spokesman said.

Andrew Stueber was in a battle last preseason for the final starting spot along the offensive line. But with the Wolverines losing four starters to the NFL draft, Stueber was expected to be a leader among an inexperienced group in 2020. Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner said Stueber has exceeded those expectations. He loves Michigan, he loves Michigan football, he’s competitive, he’s a leader, he did some things yesterday that really stood out to me as a leader with our team. “Karsen was the offensive line player of the game for us (against Rutgers).”Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers.

There’s a chance that the Michigan football team gets two of its starting offensive linemen back this weekend against Penn State. “They’re both practicing, so we’re just seeing how quickly they can come back,” Warinner said. Both — or one — might be available Saturday.”More: Michigan QB Cade McNamara credits play call, key block for early sparkIn their absence, Michigan has started redshirt freshman Karsen Barnhart at left tackle, moved redshirt junior Andrew Stueber out to right tackle and started true freshman Zak Zinter at right guard. Stueber has experience at tackle, having played the position before he was sidelined with an ACL injury in 2019. He remains on the mend, which means redshirt freshman Zach Carpenter could be in line to make his second start against the winless Nittany Lions.

The injury list for Michigan’s football team continues to grow, and it is unclear when some players might return to action. The Wolverines were already with three starting offensive linemen as tackles Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes missed their third straight game. Center Andrew Vastardis also missed his first game because of injury as redshirt freshman Zach Carpenter started in his place. Redshirt freshman Taylor Upshaw and redshirt junior Luiji Vilain have primarily filled in at defensive end, while fifth-year defensive tackle Carlo Kemp also has moved to the outside on occasion. Since the injuries to Mayfield and Hayes, redshirt freshman Karsen Barnhart has started at tackle, while guard Andrew Stueber has moved to the other tackle spot.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — As if injuries weren’t a problem already, Michigan’s football team will be down a third starting offensive lineman tonight. The Wolverines are without starting tackles Ryan Hayes and Jalen Mayfield for a third straight game, and now center Andrew Vastardis, for their game against Rutgers (7:30 p.m., BTN). That means Karsen Barnhart will get the start at left tackle, Andrew Stueber at right tackle and true freshman Zak Zinter at right guard. Michigan will also be without starting defensive end Kwity Paye, who remains injured, leaving the Wolverines down both starting defensive ends. Look for the Wolverines to replicate what they did last week, by starting redshirt sophomore Taylor Upshaw and fifth-year senior Carlo Kemp at end, and Donovan Jeter at tackle.

Michigan 48, Rutgers 42SECOND OVERTIMEMichigan drive starts on Rutgers 25The Wolverines answered Rutgers’ touchdown to send the game to a third overtime. Michigan 35, Rutgers 3511:17 – Michigan drive starts on own 15What a drive from Michigan. Michigan 35, Rutgers 2713:32 – Rutgers drive starts on own 19LB Josh Ross had a pivotal sack to push Rutgers back for a second-and-21. Michigan 28, Rutgers 27THIRD QUARTER1:57 – Michigan drive starts on own 29A Rutgers facemask penalty put Michigan into Scarlet Knights territory. Rutgers 7, Michigan 04:26 – Michigan drive starts on own 28Not a good offensive possession right after Rutgers takes the lead.

Michigan’s third-year offensive line coach acknowledged that he had a new group of starters (minus right tackle Jalen Mayfield), but pointed to their familiarity. And perhaps more importantly, it opened up a few massive holes for the running game. More: QB Joe Milton sparkles, and sheds a tear, in first Michigan start• Which is where we’ll start, at 12:23 of the first quarter with Michigan trailing 7-0. But what made this play so successful was Filiaga recognizing (and blocking) Minnesota defensive back Jordan Howden on the right side. That creates an open running lane on the right side for Milton, who found a hole for a 23-yard pickup.

After several months of uncertainty, the 2020 Big Ten football season kicks off this weekend. “It kind of feels surreal, finally getting to this week where now it’s actually game week.”It will be a unique, strange season. Michigan, following a long, challenging offseason, will play a football game on Saturday. More Michigan football content:Around the Big Ten: Penn State star RB could miss seasonQ&A with Minnesota beat writer: Who’s going to help WR Rashod Bateman? Big Ten picks: MLive’s predictions for Michigan-Minnesota, MSU-RutgersUpdated: Projecting Michigan football’s depth chart vs. Minnesota, 2.0Recruiting a ‘guessing game’ for Michigan coaches with some states postponing fall football

The long layoff to the college football season had adverse effects for different position groups on the Michigan football team. Along the offensive line, the hope this offseason was to get an inexperienced group — one tasked with blocking up front for a new quarterback — some additional time. “That was the biggest thing that kept me awake at night,” offensive line coach Ed Warinner told reporters on Wednesday. How long will it take for Michigan’s offensive line to become an effective, cohesive unit? “Same with an offensive line.

Andrew Vastardis' early years on the Michigan football team reflected that of a walk-on. "He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s worked his tail off. While Kemp rose faster on the depth chart, Vastardis' continued his upward trend to 2020, when he’s finally going to get his opportunity. “Especially on the field — whatever happens during a play, he’s going to make sure he finishes to the best of his ability. “We like to think of Andrew just like a Mack Truck, and he drives his Mack Truck to work every single day and pours his concrete,” Kemp said.

With less than a week to go before Michigan begins its disrupted 2020 football season, head coach Jim Harbaugh has noticed a few unique qualities about his team. “Nothing more important than team and oneness.”Unification was a point Harbaugh tried hammering home on Monday, pointing to a new-look, in-it-together offensive line and a defensive front that he’s said embodies the identity of Michigan in 2020. More: U-M football names 7 captains for 2020 season“It’s been that kind of group,” Harbaugh said. But he really believes the pandemic brought his team closer together; an advantageous spot to be in as the season draws near. “I really feel like this team is at a championship level in terms of that,” Harbaugh said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football has to replace four offensive linemen from last season, and Jim Harbaugh revealed the new starting five during his Monday press conference. Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes will be the starting tackles, which is no surprise since both have prior starting experience. Stueber and Mayfield were in a battle for the starting right tackle spot last August before that injury, and now Stueber has moved inside. LATEST: Michigan vs. Michigan State will kick off at noon on HalloweenFormer walk-on O-lineman Andrew Vastardis will start at center as a fifth-year senior. “He has been the leader on the offensive line for several months, since the season ended, since last year ended,” Harbaugh said.

TRANSFER NEWS: Charles Thomas enters transfer portal as future linebacker room gets crowded“They have been through a lot,” Harbaugh said. I feel really good about them in terms of competitiveness, and oneness -- probably the most important thing. “A lot of really good leaders, a lot of guys who are really invested and a lot of guys who really like each other,” Harbaugh said. “(Nordin)'s in a real competitive battle with (Jake) Moody, who’s also doing a really good job, so it’s still playing out,” Harbaugh said. I feel the talent is really good, and I think they’ll all eventually see action, but those are really tight battles."

With padded practices underway and game week just 14 days from today, things are getting serious for Michigan football. The league’s decision on Sept. 16 to reverse course and play football this fall, amid increased, rapid testing and stringent protocols to deal with the spread of COVID-19, was a major one. The most important position on the field, the player who has hold of the football on every offensive snap, will come down to Joe Milton and Cade McNamara. First-round NFL draft pick Cesar Ruiz was often praised for the job he did, setting a standard for how Michigan wanted the position played. That’s unclear, but it bodes well for Michigan’s depth along the defensive line, something it didn’t have in 2019.

Even with Jalen Mayfield planning a return to Michigan, the football team’s offensive line has some work to do this fall. Among the group, Gattis singled out Andrew Vastardis, the fifth-year senior, as having taken over a leadership role. And offensive line coach Ed Warinner has praised the ability and ceiling of redshirt sophomore Ryan Hayes — who started two games for Jon Runyan last fall — at left tackle. “Obviously getting the great news that Jalen’s coming back (helps),” Gattis said, pointing to the honorable mention all-Big Ten selection’s desire to improve his play while helping bolster Michigan’s offensive line. But the offensive line is an all-or-nothing unit.