Michigan freshman linebacker Brennen Beyer to miss Ohio State game, might be lost for season
Michigan freshman linebacker Brennen Beyer won't play against Ohio State.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Michigan freshman linebacker Brennen Beyer has an injured leg that will keep him out against Ohio State, and it may end his year.
Beyer is a true freshman from Canton. He didn't play much early in the year, but had become an important reserve at strong-side linebacker after breaking into the rotation against Purdue.
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said he doesn't expect Beyer to play Saturday against the Buckeyes (Noon, ABC). Asked if Beyer would play again this season, Hoke responded: "Not sure yet."
Beyer played in 10 games this year, recording 11 tackles, before leaving last week's game against Nebraska with the injury.
Another freshman, Jake Ryan, is the starter at strong-side linebacker. Sophomore Cam Gordon is listed as his backup, although was surpassed by Beyer in the rotation while he missed action early in the year because of a bad back.
It is not known who will back up Ryan against Ohio State (6-5, 3-4).
Other injury news
- Left guard Ricky Barnum (ankles) is improving, but might not start. Sophomore Michael Schofield has played well as Barnum's replacement and is practicing at left guard. Hoke, when asked who would start there: "Either one. We'll start somebody there."
- Running back Vincent Smith, who was held out last week against Nebraska because of a shoulder injury, is expected to play.
Hoke responds to Pelini
A day after defensive coordinator Greg Mattison vehemently denied Nebraska coach Bo Pelini's assertions that Michigan defenders were faking injuries to slow the Cornhuskers' no-huddle offense, Hoke offered his take.
"That's ridiculous," he said. "I wouldn't do that. (Jordan) Kovacs? Come on. Us?"
Pelini said on Monday that "it has been pretty obvious" that teams are faking injuries against his team. He didn't call out the Wolverines by name, but his team did lose 45-17 against Michigan last weekend.
In that game, Kovacs stood up after making a play, then went back to the ground, grabbing a left knee that has bothered him this year. He was helped off the field, then returned on the next series.
Mattison's response was similar to Hoke's.
"I better not talk too much about that," he said. "The only thing I can tell you is we never have and we never will have someone fake an injury, and for somebody to even say that, to me, is absurd."
Hoke on Thanksgiving
Hoke said playing after Thanksgiving doesn't affect the performance of his team, but would prefer not to do it because it takes away from family time at the holidays.
"The one thing I don’t like about it is your kids don’t have a chance to go home and be with their loved ones — especially when you’re playing away on that 12th game," Hoke said. " We’re going to have a good amount of people here for Thanksgiving."
The team is hosting a 500-person dinner Thursday afternoon after practice.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Jimbo
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
It's obvious this guy is frustrated with the fact that his team cannot coast through the cute teams of the Big 12. The Big ten is turning out to be much tougher than he thought and he is reaching for excuses.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4:18 a.m.
In our excitement and focus over our own Thanksgiving plans and The Game, we quite naturally overlook what it means for the Michigan Wolverines players. I'm sure everyone is happy to see that "our guys" will be enjoying Thanksgiving with their families, thanks to the Michigan Athletic Department. For those wondering where a 500-person banquet like this might be held I can only say: Michigan's football program includes the largest football stadium in N. America (3rd largest in the world) and - the largest indoor practice field in the U.S.A. Not that the stadium would be the place, it's just that as far as getting this done goes, it should be no problem because: This Is Michigan. As for Nebraska's Coach Bo Pelini: first off, I recommend we insist he drop the name "Bo" - that name's already taken! In a few years, he'll be calling himself "Brady Hoke." We have to wonder, don't we, how smart it is for the newest member of the Big Ten to be talking smack at one of the OLDEST and the most successful member. He's just providing fodder for what I'm sure will now become a "tough adjustment" in this conference. Just a reminder: Nebraska people say that beating Michigan in 1962 began their rise to prominence. Well - that was always a laugh because the '62 team had one of the worst records ever. Nebraska likes to talk about it's National Championship of 1997: a championship which NEVER existed because it was just a Coaches Poll decision to "honor" retiring Coach Osborne. It's like an honorary doctorate: about a useful as the paper it's written on. We must face it; Nebraska Football isn't the most honorable of football programs. We should be hoping Michigan hands Nebraska a ten-year string of 45-17 losses. I certainly do - right now.
1st Down
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 9:44 a.m.
lol....thats why I only refer to him as Pelini.... no first name, he is not worthy
mgoblue48348
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
He (Pelini) is feeling the sting of a good ole butt whoopin, I know as a parent I would not be to thrilled with coachs telling kids to fake injuries. Seeing my son lying on the field only to find out it was a coaching ploy, my heart couldn't take it. They had better call me first, then I would ask, whats next, steroids? Anyway all that matters today is beating that team down there and beating them soundly. Go Blue beat the buck$
ted
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.
I really like Hoke. He says all the right things. Just what I want to hear. I think I can safely speak for all the other Michigan Men here by saying that, it really turns me on
heartbreakM
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 11:07 p.m.
turkey for 500? Where in the world on campus can they handle that? Do they use a dorm? Do they do it in Crisler? A UM football stadium luxury box? What a nice thing for the team and university to do.
1st Down
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
Hoke on Thanksgiving Hoke said playing after Thanksgiving doesn't effect the performance of his team, but would prefer not to do it because it takes away from family time at the holidays. "The one thing I don't like about it is your kids don't have a chance to go home and be with their loved ones — especially when you're playing away on that 12th game," Hoke said. " We're going to have a good amount of people here for Thanksgiving." The team is hosting a 500-person dinner Thursday afternoon after practice. That is awesome. Kids cant go home for Thanksgiving...then bring the familys to the kids...way to go Coach Hoke!
1st Down
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 9:42 a.m.
garrison...he spoke the word... and didnt write it...it could very well be a typo by the Annarbor staff here....Im sure that Coach Hoke knows better than this.. Ive seen such typos here before and IMO its probably on whoever transcribed Coach Hoke's words, not the coach himself.
garrisondyer
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
I know I'll catch a lot of flack for this, but the only gripe I have with Hoke's statement there is that he used the noun "effect" when he meant to say "affect", the verb. Other than that, I can't wait to get all this talk over at the end of the week so we can watch some good old Michigan Football! Gotta admit, I'm a little anxious. Saturday can't come soon enough!
Lolly
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:28 p.m.
They did say from the booth that players are coached to go down with an injury and not take a chance of trying to get off the field quickly and injure it more. That seems prudent, and I believe Mattison said something similar.
1st Down
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
Hey Pelini: Boy that is a lot of Faking going on when the player misses the next game and possibly the rest of the season as well... isnt it? Got in to a debate with some idiotic Nebraska fans over on ESPN yesterday...they think Michigan was taking dives... as if 2 legit injuries (Kovacs and Beyer) and a 4 TD win are enough to warrant actual dives. Of course the Buckeye Spewman shouting accusations in the booth, probably fanned the fuels of these dumb Neb fans... hopefully he keeps his trap shut this weekend when he is in the booth for the game.
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
1st Down. Agreed. Spielman came up with all this crap while doing the color on saturday. I noticed when that when i got home and watched the dvd's saturday night. I dont really don't think Pelini is smart enough to think of this, all by himself. The look on his face all day was silly. He never knew what hit him. Both of these guys (Spielman & Pelini) are old buckeyes, and neither one of them, can handle losing. It's always someone elses fault. Hey, Bo, the UM defense was on the field only 18 minutes all day!...are you sayin' this walk-on, beat you in only 18 minutes! The Huskers lost because their D couldn't find a way to get off the darn field! Pelin would be well advised to focus on Iowa. Kirk Ferentz has gotten a lot of valuable film, to use when he visits Lincoln on Friday. Go Hawks.
michigan7011
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
That Pelini fellow he is smart guy. Has us figured out. Loses by 28 and thinks Michigan faking injuries is the reason.
Rufus
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
I hadn't even noticed Beyer playing. Quite a difference from last year when every linebacker seemed lost on every play.