Michigan hasn’t seen a running back rush for over 1,000 yards since Fitzgerald Toussaint did so in 2011, but senior Karan Higdon came incredibly close to achieving the feat last year.
The Florida native tallied 994 yards on the ground, and admitted at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago that things could have played out very differently if he would have gained just six more yards.
“I was very close to leaving [after last season],” he revealed. “If I would’ve touched 1,000 yards, I would've been gone.
“I’ve been put in a better position to achieve that this year. I don’t have a number I want to hit — I know I’ll touch over 1,000, but I can’t put a cap on it there. If I do, I wouldn’t be doing myself justice.”
There is obviously more that goes into playing running back than just carrying the ball though.
Pass blocking is another integral part of the position, and it’s an area that U-M’s rushers struggled mightily with in 2017.
“It's gotten a lot better,” the senior insisted. “We really put an emphasis on it this spring and learned the technique of it. Our linebackers challenged us in that area, and we’ve answered their call.”
Higdon went on to explain that, as a senior, it’s up to the veterans on the team to hold players accountable and to be a role model for the younger guys.
He has embraced that leadership role head on.
“You hold your brothers to a higher standard,” he insisted. “If they’re doing something wrong, you can’t allow them to do that, especially if you want to be a national title contender.
“We need to make sure we’re doing the right things every single day and moment to put ourselves in that position.”
If the Wolverines hope to truly contend for a national championship this season, they will also need to find a way to win big road games, most notably against their rivals.
U-M will face Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State all on the road this season, and will attempt to beat a ranked team on their home field for the first time since 2006.
“Personally, I don’t notice a difference in road games,” Higdon noted. “It’s obviously a rowdier crowd, but it’s going to be rowdy regardless. You just have to be able to eliminate that noise.
“The home team usually feels like they have an advantage and more to prove, and when they come out with that adrenaline and that rush, you have to shut them up right away.
“We’re also motivated [by our lack of success against rivals].
“We can’t look forward to some of those other games before we beat Notre Dame though. That game [against the Irish] will identify who we are as Michigan Wolverines in 2018.”
Notes
• Amazon Prime took a behind the scenes look at Michigan's football season last year, and released their recordings in an eight-part series this past April.
Some felt it only caused distractions, while others appreciated the exclusive look it provided.
Higdon gave his take on the matter.
“I valued it, because it gives you a chance to look back and reflect, outside of a football standpoint," he explained.
"That makes it more bittersweet. Not having the cameras around this year will be good though, because it’s less distractions and more focus on football.
"I do think it was beneficial having them there last year though.”
More of TheWolverine's Coverage of Big Ten Media Days:
• Chase Winovich Says Carlo Kemp is no Longer a Doughboy
• Higdon Gives Update on Running Back, Quarterback Battles
• Ohio State Insider Talks Talent Level Between U-M, OSU
• Chase Winovich FaceTimed With Conor McGregor
• Rival Report: OSU Players Describe Michigan/Ohio State Rivalry in own Words
• What They're Saying: Michigan at Big Ten Media Days
• Winovich Says Offense Just Needs to be Marginally Better
• Podcast: Tom Crawford With John Borton
• One Player Becoming a 'Complete Animal' on Defense, More
• Chase Winovich has no Intentions of Starting Senior Year off With a Loss
• Anonymous Big Ten Players Share True Thoughts on Michigan's Defense: Part 2
• Wednesday Thoughts: Harbaugh is Bullish on Both Lines
• Roundtable: TheWolverine.com Staff at Media Day
• Big Ten Players Discuss Michigan Football During Final Media Day Session
• Rival Report: Michigan State RB L.J. Scott Calls Michigan 'Little Sister'
• OSU Writers, Others Intrigued by Ed Warinner Addition to Michigan Football
• Chuck Long Breaks Down Patterson, Gives Take on Harbaugh
• Addition of Patterson Helped Keep Chase Winovich at U-M
• Michigan Football Podcast: Chris Balas and Angelique Chengelis
• Big Ten Media Days, Tuesday Thoughts: On the Offensive Line
• Big Ten Players Talk all Things U-M at Media Days
• Big Ten Media Days Live Thread
• Anonymous Big Ten Players Share Their True Thoughts on Michigan's Defense
• Anonymous Big Ten Players Share True Thoughts About Michigan's Offense
• ITF Extra: Big Ten Media Day Takeaways
• Winovich, Higdon and Kinnel Pick 2018 Breakout Players
• Wolverine Watch: Jim Harbaugh Draws a Different Line
• Media Day Video: Higdon, Kinnel and Winovich
• News and Views: Jim Harbaugh at Big Ten Media Days
• Jim Harbaugh Talks QBs, More in Chicago
• Live Video: Jim Harbaugh on Michigan Football at Big Ten Media Day
• Media Days Roundtable Gets Blunt on U-M
• Big Ten Media Days Live Thread
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