Friday Quick Hits: Injuries Alter Offensive Line Again

By Sean · Friday, September 26, 2008 · 12:47 PM |  Share | 1 Comment 

• Michigan’s offensive line has been constantly changing due to injuries this season, and more changes are on the way for tomorrow’s game.

  Left guard Tim McAvoy has worked at left tackle, coach Rich Rodriguez said, and backup right guard John Ferrara has been getting repetitions at left guard. Those moves were precipitated by injuries to starting left tackle Mark Ortmann and his backup, Perry Dorrestein.

  Ortmann, who missed Michigan’s loss to Notre Dame with a dislocated right elbow, practiced in a green, non-contact jersey Wednesday. Rodriguez said before practice that Ortmann would be able to play against the Badgers. He wasn’t so optimistic about Dorrestein, who donned a green practice jersey because of a knee injury.

  Thankfully Mark Huyge should be returning from an injury he suffered before the season even started. Any added depth at this point is needed because Michigan is only an injury or two on the offensive line away from complete disaster.

• Along with Michael Phelps and other Michigan Olympians, Mike Hart, Jake Long, and Mario Manningham also will be at the Wisconsin game since their NFL teams have a bye this week. (HT: MGoBlog)
• Michigan will open the 2008 basketball season against Michigan Tech in the first-round of the 2K Sports Classic (aka Coaches vs. Cancer). If Michigan gets by Michigan Tech then they will play the winner of the Northeastern-IUPUI game. It was originally thought that UMass would be in Michigan’s regional, but since they are not I would expect Michigan to advance out of their regional and to Madison Square Garden. If that happens, the Wolverines would likely play UCLA or Southern Illinois. Duke also will probably make it to the semi-finals, but since Michigan plays them in December, my guess is that the Blue Devils are on the other side of the bracket.
• An article on ESPN discussed how some high school athletes are homeschooled, and Tate Forcier was mentioned quite a bit.
• Football recruit Thomas Gordon, a player from Cass Tech High School, is announcing his college decision after his game this afternoon. Gordon’s final two is Michigan and Michigan State, and all indications are that he is going to pick Michigan.
• Greg Mathews likes brownies, especially ones made by Rich Rodriguez’s son.
• The top of the polls are going to look much different next week as Oregon State upset #1 USC last night. The Beavers got out to a 21-0 lead after the first half and managed to stave off a USC comeback to win 27-21. Even though USC had more talent, Oregon State outplayed them.

  Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was able to find room to run on nearly every play thanks to his lack of size. Being only 5’6″, he disappeared after getting the ball and really was dominant against a usually great USC defense. James Rodgers, the brother of Jacquizz, scored two touchdowns as well. He was on the receiving end of a couple TD passes from QB Lyle Moevao, meaning the two brothers played a big part in helping Oregon State take down USC.