Brandon Minor will not play against Ohio State; Michigan names captains

By Dave Birkett AnnArbor.com

Posted on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 6:37 p.m.

Running back Brandon Minor will not play in Saturday's Michigan-Ohio State game.

Minor was listed as "out" on Michigan's official injury report released Thursday. Minor suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of the Wolverines' Nov. 7 loss to Purdue and played sparingly last week against Wisconsin.

"That's a tough blow," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said on his radio show. "If there was anyway at all he could go, he would. But he can't. You got to protect the young man and he's got to protect himself, so he's not going to be able to go."

Minor, a senior, leads Michigan in rushing with 502 yards and 8 touchdowns on 96 carries. Either Carlos Brown or Vincent Smith will start against the ninth-ranked Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1).

Safety Mike Williams also is doubtful for the Wolverines (5-6, 1-6) because of an ankle injury, while receiver Martavious Odoms is probable with a sprained knee.

Michigan, which needs a win to become bowl eligible and avoid its first back-to-back losing seasons since 1962-63, also named its season captains Thursday: defensive end Brandon Graham, linebacker Stevie Brown, offensive tackle Mark Ortmann and punter Zoltan Mesko.

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.