David Molk, Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown 'probable' for Penn State
Running backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown and center David Molk are probable to play Saturday against 13th-ranked Penn State, according to Michigan's official injury report.
Minor and Brown sat out last week's win over Delaware State with a sprained ankle and concussion, respectively, and Molk has missed four games with a broken foot. All three should bolster Michigan's Big Ten-best run game.
The Wolverines (5-2, 1-2) average 235 rushing yards per game. Penn State (6-1, 2-1) tops the conference in rush defense (75.4 ypg) and has not allowed a 100-yard runner this year.
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday that Minor was limited in practice this week for precautionary reasons. Brown practiced without limitations.
"When we are most effective offensively, we have him as a physical presence, not only in the run game but in protection and some of the other things he brings to our offense," Rodriguez said of Minor.
Molk broke his foot in the first half of a Sept. 19 win over Eastern Michigan. David Moosman, who started at center in Molk's place, will move back to his normal right guard position.
Michigan also announced its game captains for Saturday: Brown, Moosman, linebacker Stevie Brown 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.
Comments
scottyb029
Sat, Oct 24, 2009 : 5:56 a.m.
I think Miamiblue said it best. I always supported Carr, although he like the coach from that school in Ohio, was way to consevative for the most part, If Carr was still coaching, there would not have been a 63-6 pasteing of Delaware St. he would have started the rotation before the first half ended. I like RR I liked Carr. RR brings something new every week. MSU and Iowa could have very well been our wins. We are in every game. Who cares what USA Today says about Michigan, people will write what they want. That School down south is on its way down, EVERY major Div. 1 school will have a down season, rebuilding season if you will. After so many years in the thick of things Michigan's time has come..and gone. I am not worried about this season, next year will be awsome...lets see what the papers say about us then. Sports writers outside of Michigan hate us, the will try tatics just to get their article read, But people see Michigan and they want to read it. Let them...every school has issues some are brought to the surface some stay within the program. In the end, Michigan will emerge on top and the we will be the team to beat. Go Blue!
rightmind250
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 10:22 a.m.
Hey Michfan4borw, Is that why Richrod was crying at the press conference earlier this year?(true Michigan men don't whine)
Fresh121
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 9:39 a.m.
He can be "king" rich rod when he wins a few big games...tell then he still just a wv coal minor lmao!!!!!! jk i luv RR..
MichFan4BorW
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 9:38 a.m.
INTELLIGENT people will read the Detroit News article and see that it's primarily based on Rick Leach's paranoia. Any differences Carr and Rodriguez MAY have will be dealt with behind closed doors with class. That's if there actually are any differences between them. The MICHIGAN PROGRAM is a family. Those who do NOT support Rich Rodriguez do NOT support the program. He is the coach and if you can't accept that, then you are the "family member" who ALWAYS has to have your way and that is WEAK. TRUE Michigan men don't whine. They put forth more effort (which sometimes just means giving your support) in order for the PROGRAM/FAMILY to succeed. Carr hasn't commented positively or negatively. He understands what it means to be a Michigan Man. He's not going to give a quote for the sake of giving a quote. I expect him to talk eventually, but it's his decision as to WHEN he'll do so. Let's do like he does and focus on the TEAM and THIS SEASON. Rodriguez must still show EFFORT and WORK to not only prepare for each team, but to also learn and understand the ATTENTION that ALL our RIVAL PROGRAMS give to us. It's that attention that creates EXPECTATIONS and increases the PRESSURE. It's that pressure that creates LEGENDS such as TOM BRADY, JAKE LONG, LAMAR WOODLEY, CHARLES WOODSON (there are MANY more obviously unnamed here). The recruits will come b/c only MICHIGAN offers this type of experience AND education. If anyone Googles (founder/owner of GOOGLE also a Michigan Man) "big ten academic rankings," s/he will see that Michigan RANKS #2 behind Northwestern. If you Google "global academic rankings," you'll find that Michigan ranks #18. My point is this: Quality (determined by talent AND charater) recruits and family of recruits do NOT choose schools based on newspaper articles. They base it on their direct EXPERIENCE with the school and program. Big game this week against PSU. GO BLUE!
Fresh121
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 9:32 a.m.
Minor has been hurt since he got to the UM so what else is new..RR get his first big time big ten game....GO Blue
MiamiBlue
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 9:01 a.m.
To M fans everywhere, a comment and a plea about this article in the Detroit News headlined, Michigan now a BIG HOUSE divided. I will say this from the onset. When Coach Carr was our coach I supported him and the Program (key word) a 100%. But Coach Carr is gone and he is not coming back. I wholeheartedly support our Programs new Coach. Rich Rodriguez. He is an innovative and dynamic Coach that can bring great and exciting football (the signs have already been there this season) to Ann Arbor for years to come if he is given the fair chance to do so. But, this feuding between loyalist to Coach Carr and loyalist to Coach Rodriguez, has to STOP and STOP NOW! There is a bigger issue that no coach, or player is bigger than, and that is THE PROGRAM! The program is the most important thing and its ultimate success hinges on so many factors, not the least of which is to keep the meddling and landmine planters away from Coach Rodriguezs path to success. Those who dont agree with my statement, think about this. When you undermine our coach (who happens to be Rich Rodriguez) and I dont care if our coach was Bill Parcells, when you undermine him you undermine THE PROGRAM. The affects of such a thing could be disastrous. Am I overreacting? Just consider this, besides the NEWS, this feud has made the rounds of a NATIONAL newspaper like USA Today with the first sentence of the article reading, No school may be more paranoid than Michigan. What affect do you think that could have on recruiting? Parents read articles like that and many would say, I dont want my kid in the middle of a feud, something is wrong with that PROGRAM. If that alone, does not give the feuding parties pause for thought. Then how about this? MSU and OSU fans are laughing at us! Lets stop this nonsense and let our Program and our coach Rich Rodriguez succeed. Lets GO BLUE!
james Kurtz
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 8:36 a.m.
Michigan will be at full strength to take on the favored Penn State team. My prediction: UM 31, PSU 28 in an epic battle of wills and determination.
kerch65
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 4:53 a.m.
avgg stop drinking the psu koolaid you sound retarded Michigan shows up in this game and pulls off the upset. psu played a very weak schedule and it showed in the game vs iowa so wake up!!!! GO BLUE
kerch65
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 4:52 a.m.
avg stop drinking the psu koolaid you sound retarded Michigan shows up in this game and pulls off the upset. psu played a very weak schedule and it showed in the game vs iowa so wake up!!!! GO BLUE
avgg
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 4:13 a.m.
I wish you could use a few more cliches, stevieboy. Find a new hobby, and stop punishing us with your horrible posts. UM-6 : PSU - 31
stevieboy
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 1:16 a.m.
RR is just using NFL terms to keep the opponent from locking in on one player. Michigan has a good solid core of backs that are capable of taking over a big game. Give an opportunity like this to Smith or Shaw with their hunger and in front of a home crowd...I will put money on them to show out and win.
azwolverine
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 10:27 p.m.
Minor AND Brown probable? That's not good. We're going to need to be able to run the ball effectively behind our improving O line to keep our defense off the field. Good thing we've got some other solid backs, too...although not up to Brown or Minor's caliber yet.