RYAN HAYES

Michigan recovered after a slow start to beat Penn State 21-17 on Saturday. PFF grades every player on every play in multiple facets of the game, such as passing, rushing, receiving, pass blocking, run defense, etc. With that in mind, here are Michigan snap counts from Saturday’s win and key takeaways from PFF’s grades. His 86.6 grade in the passing game led the Wolverines as he had a team-high five catches for 45 yards. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

After getting outgained 145 yards to 15 in the first quarter, the Wolverines (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) settled in in the second quarter. Hutchinson and Ojabo are tied for the Big Ten lead with 10 sacks each after they recorded three and two, respectively, Saturday. They both forced a fumble, and Hutchinson also caused a holding penalty on a Penn State tackle. Junior ColsonThe true freshman inside linebacker led the team in tackles for a second straight game, this time finishing with 12. The Wolverines allowed 15 plays of 10 or more yards, with most coming in the first half.

“It means everything, going out there and playing Michigan State, playing our in-state rival,” Ross said. going into Michigan State, beating them in their stadium will mean a lot, and I think it will take our season to another level.”- Corum on if Saturday being a playoff elimination game changes how he views the matchup. *In 2007, Michigan rallied back from a 10-point deficit to beat MSU 28-24. I’ve seen his past with Michigan State, but right now, he hasn’t really said much. We’ve been preparing the right way every week, and this week, it definitely is higher stakes and we’re going against our in- state rival.

ANN ARBOR – Like many in Michigan, Wolverines football coach Jim Harbaugh was tuned into Sunday’s Detroit Lions-Baltimore Ravens game at Ford Field. And like most, Harbaugh, the brother of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, was astounded by the ending. “It was the incredible,” Jim Harbaugh told reporters outside Schembechler Hall on Monday afternoon. With his connection with John Harbaugh and adding two former Ravens assistants to his staff this offseason in Mike Macdonald and Matt Weiss, Jim Harbaugh said there are a lot of parallels between the two organizations. “Quite a bit, really,” Harbaugh said Sept. 20.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Whatever you took away from Michigan’s Houdini act on Saturday, the offense would prefer you remember the first half — not the second. Michigan (4-0) boasted the nation’s top rushing attack ahead of the Rutgers game and only rushed for 112 yards, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. That number was even worse in the second half, when starting backs Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins struggled to find holes. “Obviously we were happy that we got the (win), but as an o-line we didn’t put our best performance together that second half,” Hayes said. “We didn’t have that same energy, I guess, coming out in the second half.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — If Saturday’s game against Washington felt like a throwback offensive performance from Michigan, well, that’s because it was. Yet every time, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and co-coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore had an answer. Very impressive.”Everyone who spoke to the media after the game, including Harbaugh, Corum and Haskins, who was eager to move on to the next game, praised Michigan’s offensive line for its improved play and creases formed. Getting back to emphasizing the run game was an important one, paving the way for the playbook to victories in the first two games of this season. We’ll see.”On Saturday, the game plan was a simple one — and Washington had trouble stopping it.

With new offensive line coach Sherrone Moore in charge up front, the Wolverines have reverted back to their philosophy of playing their five best players. Stueber lined up at tackle and guard last year, while Zinter is in the running inside at either guard or center. “If it’s Zinter there (at center), then you’re going to see right tackle that would most likely be the position (of change),” Harbaugh said. “Stueber would move to right guard, and then right tackle could be Trente Jones, (or) could be Karsen Barnhart. But Stueber, speaking to reporters recently in Detroit, says he has no issue playing right guard or right tackle.

Two years ago, as Michigan’s football team was primed to start fall camp, Ryan Hayes was just cracking the discussion among coaches. The converted offensive tackle from Traverse City had shown the physical traits to play at the Big Ten level, but he was still young. Now, as 2021 gets ready to pick up, the senior with three years of eligibility still remaining is considered a shoe-in to start along Michigan’s offensive line this fall. “There’s a difference.”More: Battle brewing for two starting spots along Michigan’s offensive lineHayes has put in the work, too. Now, with a new season looming, Hayes’ play will need to be more refined and ratcheted up a notch.

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.

The 2021 NFL Draft is in the books, with Michigan continuing its streak of pro prospects. But let’s look ahead to 2022, Michigan’s top prospects at the moment and who might be eligible. Also of note, Hutchinson could be utilized a bit differently in Michigan’s new defensive scheme under first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald. Whether that helps or hinders his production remains to be seen, but could be a good thing for his NFL draft prospects. But a high-ankle sprain in ’19 slowed him and the COVID-19 pandemic shortened Michigan’s season to just six games in 2020.

Michigan’s offensive line is set to return one starter at tackle and two at guard, but will be tasked with developing a second tackle and identifying a starter at center to help snap the ball. Related: Another NFL mock draft has Jalen Mayfield in first roundImprovement is a must for Michigan’s offensive line in 2021. While that certainly does not fall exclusively on the offensive line, the group certainly plays a part. So, while Michigan loses its best offensive lineman (Mayfield) and likely starter at center (Carpenter), there’s good depth at tackle and options to make this thing work. But an early start to spring and full offseason should help, making Michigan’s offensive line a potential strength this fall.

Tight ends were so plentiful on the roster at the time, first-year position coach Sherrone Moore was licking his chops upon arrival in Ann Arbor. Tight ends are utilized heavily for blocking the run-pass option given to the quarterback. But the abbreviated 2020 season, just six games in its entirety thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, was marred by the inordinate number of dropped passes by tight ends. Michigan’s collection of tight ends will be led by a new (yet familiar) face in Jay Harbaugh, who moves over from coaching running backs (while still coordinating special teams). His immediate task will be to bring All and Schoonmaker along, while developing Hibner into a college tight end.

The recruiting process for Traverse City West senior safety Christian Boivin during the COVID-19 pandemic was grueling. During a normal recruiting cycle, Boivin could attend college camps, where coaches could evaluate his skillset and take height and weight measurements. “I would say it was a pretty difficult recruiting cycle,” Boivin told MLive in a phone interview. “My initial reaction was like, ‘It’s gonna be hard to say no to the University of Michigan’,” Boivin said of the offer. But when it comes to recruiting, Boivin said players in northern Michigan can be at a disadvantage.

Michigan’s football program picked up a preferred walk-on commitment from an in-state prospect on Tuesday night. Traverse City West 2021 defensive back Christian Boivin will walk on at Michigan, according to The D Zone. He was the only player from northern Michigan to be named first-team all-state by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. After the Michigan High School Athletic Association originally announced in August that it was moving the football season to the spring, Boivin transferred to Johnston High in Iowa to play his senior season. Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers.

Penn State 20, Michigan 104:59 – Penn State drive starts on own 32Sean Clifford had a crucial third-down conversion with a 29-yard run. Penn State 17, Michigan 72:41 – Penn State drive starts on own 31The Nittany Lions quickly went three-and-out, but Michigan WR Mike Sainristil muffed the punt, and Penn State took over with great field position. Penn State 14, Michigan 77:00 – Penn State drive starts on own 24Sean Clifford is back in at quarterback after being attended to on the last drive. Michigan 7, Penn State 7FIRST QUARTER0:30 – Penn State drive starts on own 25Caziah Holmes rushed for 1 yard on the final play of the quarter. Penn State 7, Michigan 015:00 -- Penn State drive starts on ownThe Nittany Lions are without RB Devyn Ford Saturday.

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.

Wisconsin wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) gets away from Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray (4) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. 13 Wisconsin build a big lead in a 49-11 rout of Michigan on Saturday night. “It was great to get back to playing.”The Wolverines (1-3) fell behind 28-0 at halftime, their largest deficit at home since the Big House opened in 1927, and are off to their worst start since 1967. The team announced that 10 players would not be available to play at Michigan, but didn't say why they were out of the lineup. POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Badgers might up a little after slipping in the two weeks they were idle after rising to No.

— Michigan’s football team will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season, but it will have to do it without two starting offensive linemen. Mayfield departed last weekend’s loss to Michigan State with an undisclosed lower-body injury. Expect Andrew Stueber to slide over from right guard to fill the right tackle spot, with redshirt freshman Zak Zinter getting the start at right guard. We’ve seen Honigford used as a sixth offensive linemen in the first two games, a role that could certainly be utilized again in run-blocking situations today. • After rolling with two quarterbacks in their first road game, Michigan has four in uniform today: Joe Milton and Cade McNamara, along with true freshman Dan Villari and walk-on Ren Hefley.

Michigan was on the verge of field goal range late in the third quarter Saturday trailing by three against Michigan State. Hayes' false start was one of 10 Michigan penalties on Saturday, with most of them proving costly in a 27-24 loss to MSU. “There was quite a difference in the penalties,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We know Michigan State was kind of a run-team, so we wanted to stop the run game,” Hill said. “We didn’t have the personal fouls (MSU had four 15-yard penalties),” Harbaugh said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are 25 players on the Michigan football roster who received scholarship offers from Minnesota during their recruiting processes. TE Erick AllRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. OL Karsen BarnhartRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. HenningRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. DL Luiji VilainRecruiting profile: 4-star, No.

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."

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.

Mayfield was named the starting right tackle last month after an ACL injury sidelined Andrew Stueber. He didn't rule out the possibility that Hayes could battle Mayfield for the starting right tackle spot when Runyan returns on the left side. It's a meritocracy all the way, so is there an ability to compete at the other (right) tackle spot? The extra effort run was really, really good, as well." "Really good," Harbaugh said.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh argues a call during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Jim Harbaugh knew he would need contributions from young players this season after the Michigan football program lost nine players to the NFL. In the opener against Middle Tennessee State, that's exactly what happened. 3 cornerback spot behind Lavert Hill and Ambry Thomas, and he was tested right away against Middle Tennessee State's spread offense. If Gray continues to improve, Michigan will have a strong top-three cornerbacks and plenty of talent for the future.

Andrew Stueber #71 of the Michigan Wolverines blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Michigan football lost a possible starting offensive lineman this week as right tackle Andrew Stueber suffered a leg injury, Ed Warinner said. BIG time accomplishment #ourworkisntdone pic.twitter.com/0C3f0WIWuM Ed Warinner (@4Warinner) November 29, 2018Stueber, now a redshirt sophomore, filled in as a starter last season when right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty went down with an injury. "We have a lot of good players developing behind Jon Runyan and Jalen Mayfield," Warinner said. Here is Coach Ed Warinner (@4Warinner) with Jon Jansen (@JonJansen77) on the loss of Andrew Stueber to injury.