Michigan Wolverines Football: Tru Wilson’s Impact, Wangler’s Revenge & More
Michigan junior running back Tru Wilson was a nice story, a kid whose dad was a marine, a hard worker and a walk-on not expected to play a huge role. He has changed the narrative, having earned a scholarship with his play and adding heart to a team that’s started to gain momentum.
Wilson’s contribution came to a head on one play in the fourth quarter of Michigan’s 42-21 win over Maryland Saturday.
“He effectively blocked two people on the same play,” head coach Jim Harbaugh praised. “He came back the next down and broke a long run, caught a pass out of the backfield. He’s been very effective; he’s doing a great job.”
He also pancaked a defensive back to pave the way for sophomore wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones’ third-quarter touchdown and carried five times for 32 yards in the win.
On the year, he now ranks second on the team with 188 rushing yards, leads all running backs with a 6.5-yard average, has scored a touchdown and hauled in four passes.
“He’s getting better and better,” Harbaugh said after the game. “He’s a trusted agent now. He goes into the game and has the ability to make plays, and he did that again, made plays in pass protection, in the running game.
“We’re just really happy about Tru and what he’s brought to the ball club.”
Jared Wangler Has A Message For D.J. Durkin
Fifth-year senior fullback Jared Wangler posted the following on Facebook after Michigan’s win over the Terrapins, a quote from former Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, now the head coach at Maryland, to him:
Durkin, who has been suspended following the offseason death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair, was U-M’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2015. Wangler, once a Penn State pledge, was a U-M linebacker before moving to fullback.
Wangler caught a key touchdown pass to give the Wolverines a 35-14 lead in the fourth quarter.
“It’s great to see Jared make that play. It was a big touchdown for us,” Harbaugh said. “The offense had a lot of critical drives in this game, starting with the 95-yarder. That drive was big, answering after Maryland had put their touchdown on the board and drove the field. That was big to get that touchdown back and get the score back to a three-score game.
“His role is expanding a lot because of [sophomore fullback] Ben Mason, and Ben Mason’s role is expanding so there are packages now that you’re seeing where there’s Ben at tailback and Jared playing fullback. Jared continues to do a great job in the special teams. Also, he has a good ability to block and be versatile on third down.”
Michigan Rises To No. 9 In SI.com Power Rankings
Michigan moved from No. 12 to No. 9 in SI.com’s power rankings with the victory over the Terps.
“The steady improvement by Michigan’s offense has some thinking it could finally challenge for an elusive conference title game appearance under Jim Harbaugh,” the website noted. “Shea Patterson threw for a season-high 282 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense, which entered Saturday ranked first in total defense, held the undisciplined Terrapins to 220 yards of total offense, almost 180 yards below their season average.”
This week's opponent, Wisconsin, checks in at No. 13 after a 41-24 win over Nebraska.
Quotable
Jim Harbaugh on Wisconsin: “I’m very impressed with just how sound they are in all phases. That’s a team that does not beat themselves, does not give up big plays. People aren’t out of position. They don’t turn the ball over. They just make themselves very tough to beat.
“That’s a sign of a well-coached team and a great program.”
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