Jim Harbaugh said finding a dependable backup running back would be a need during the bye week.
It seems like Michigan has its guy, as least for the time being.
Redshirt freshman Christian Turner made up for himself practically speaking a week ago as the back up to genuine first year recruit Zach Charbonnet, who developed as the eleventh ranked Wolverines’ No. 1 alternative.
“Yeah, Christian Turner has stepped up in that role,” Harbaugh said Monday night “Inside Michigan Football” radio show.
It was after Michigan’s 24-21 additional time over Army in which Harbaugh made it a point in saying the team expected to locate a second choice at running back. Charbonnet had quite recently conveyed the football multiple times for 100 yards and three touchdowns, with no other back accepting multiple carries.
Turner was credited with missing a rush pickup that prompted a sack on Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson and subsequent fumble, while Ben VanSumeren fumbled the football on his lone carry of the game (and first of the season).
In two games this season, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Turner has 14 carries for 69 yards.
Senior Tru Wilson (2 carries, 8 yards), maybe the best pass defender of the bunch, was sidelined for Week 2 with undisclosed damage. He remains out with no clear timetable for his arrival.
“We’ll see if he’s back this week, or soon,” Harbaugh said. “And after that Ben Van Sumeren, Hassan Haskins both got a ton of work this week. Both those guys. And furthermore (walk on) Nick Capatina.
“So I believe between those three guys, we’ll have somebody really emerge to be that third while Tru is coming back.”
Jim Harbaugh kept running into ex-Michigan basketball mentor John Beilein throughout the end of the week.
Asked Monday night “Inside Michigan Football” radio show about face a Paul Chryst-led Wisconsin football crew on Saturday (noon, FOX), known for its extreme, rough style of play, Harbaugh raised a discussion he had with the ex-Michigan men’s basketball coach at a flag football game in the Ann Arbor zone.
“He said the Wisconsin football team is exactly like the Wisconsin basketball team,” Harbaugh said. “It’s practically difficult to succeed at their place. Consistently they believe they will lose a couple guys to graduation, and after that someone’s been there for three or four years that is simply standing ready, prepared to have their spot.
“There’s never really any drop off and they’re always really good. That’s the football team, to a tee.”
Of note, Harbaugh said Beilein – who left Michigan to take the head training occupation of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers – “looked really good.”
“The summer is over and they’re getting ready to get started,” Harbaugh said. “We’re all Cavalier fans now.”
Michigan spent the initial two games substituting place kickers, allocating goes to Quinn Nordin and Jake Moody.
Both went after the beginning job in spring and fall, with neither player determinedly pulling away from the other.
Through two games, be that as it may, Jake Moody is an ideal 3-for-3 with the game-winning 43-yarder against Army. Nordin is 0-for-1, having missed his only attempt from 55.
Inquired as to whether the rotation would proceed against the Badgers, Harbaugh answered on Monday: “I haven’t decided yet.”
