A week before one of the biggest games of the college football season, Michigan fans collectively held their breath as the team’s star running back went down with an injury.
Blake Corum was hurt in the second quarter of the Wolverines’ game against Illinois at Michigan Stadium. He was tackled along the sideline and immediately grabbed his left knee. He went to the locker room just as immediately.
Corum has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2022. He became the first Michigan player to score a rushing touchdown in 11 different games, per ESPN Stats and Info. Corum is fourth in the FBS with 134.9 rushing yards per game and is tied for second with 17 rushing touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,349 yards on 227 carries.
Against Illinois, he had 17 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown in the first half. He carried once for 5 yards in the second half, but then left and did not return.
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Here’s the latest on Corum’s injury.
Blake Corum injury update
It appears that Corum avoided the worst. Michigan coach Jim Harbaught told reporters after the game that Corum’s knee is structurally sound, “which is good news,” according to 247Sports’ Alejandro Zúñiga. Harbaugh said Corum was cleared to return Saturday and the team will see where he is physically on Sunday.
Corum was injured with 1:39 left in the second half. He immediately grabbed his left knee after being tackled along the sideline and fumbling.
A significant play here:
Blake Corum loses fumble and leaves game with injury.
Let’s hope the star Michigan RB is OK. pic.twitter.com/AaRQ7nwAXg
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 19, 2022
Corum lay on the ground for some time as trainers looked at him. He eventually walked off the field on his own and went to the locker room.
Blake Corum is down and not getting up pic.twitter.com/e4utINGGRI
— The Field of 12 (@TheFieldOf12) November 19, 2022
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After halftime, Corum came out of the locker room jogging, according to On3’s Clayton Sayfie, which drew an ovation from the fans.
BLAKE CORUM COMES JOGGING OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM, GETS A HUGE CHEER FROM THE CROWD AND RAISES A FIST IN THE AIR
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) November 19, 2022
Corum rushed once in the first two minutes of the third quarter. He did not return to the game after that.
Michigan RB depth chart
If Corum is limited against Ohio State, the Wolverines’ running back depth will be tested.
Donovan Edwards left Michigan’s game against Nebraska and was ruled out for the Illinois game, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Tony Garcia. His status heading into The Game remains unknown. Edwards has 70 carries for 471 yards and four touchdowns, all second-most on the team behind Corum. He has also caught 14 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
From there, the depth continues to wane. Freshman C.J. Stokes is next on the depth chart. He has 53 carries for 268 yards and a touchdown, including an 11-carry, 36-yard performance against Illinois.
Junior Isaiah Gash (19 carries, 101 yards, two touchdowns), sophomore Tavierre Dunlap (nine carries, 46 yards) and senior Danny Hughes (six carries for 35 yards) are the only other running backs with at least five carries in 2022.