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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Could Michigan get something of a boost this week against Penn State up front?
Both offensive tackles in Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes have missed from the end of the Michigan State game to last week’s contest against Rutgers. While Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner wouldn’t say whether or not either would play this weekend against Penn State, he did say that both players have, at least, been cleared to practice and have been on the field working to get back this week.
“They’re both practicing, so we’re just working, seeing how quickly they can come back,” Warinner said. “They’re both out there and doing practice reps, so it’s good to see them out there. I won’t say anything other than that, but they are not in the training room during practice. They are on the field in gear working out and we’re moving them along. They want to get back as quickly as they can, so we’ll see when that is. Both or one might be able Saturday.”
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But Mayfield and Hayes aren’t the only two offensive linemen who have missed time. This past week against Rutgers, center Andrew Vastardis also was a no-go, and was replaced by Zach Carpenter, a second-year player, at center in Piscataway.
Warinner didn’t have as firm an update on him — though he wasn’t responding to a direct question about his availability, as he was with Mayfield and Hayes — but said he’s making progress.
“We’ll see where Vastardis is as he works his way back,” Warinner said. “He’s working hard to get back, too. So go from there.”
The offensive line already was coming in as a young unit, with Mayfield the sole returning starter from 2019. Though Hayes and guard/tackle Andrew Stueber both had starting experience, it was minimal — two games a piece — heading into 2020.
With Mayfield, Hayes and Vastardis out, the line had been completely reshuffled, with second-year tackle Karsen Barnhart, fourth-year guard Chuck Filiaga, second-year center Zach Carpenter, first-year guard Zak Zinter and the aforementioned Stueber playing against the Scarlet Knights from left to right.
It’s been a difficult transition, Warinner notes, given the massive, wholesale changes up front, these aren’t excuses — they’re facts. The Wolverines are massively inexperienced up front, and could have used spring ball and traditional fall camp more than most — certainly more than any unit on the team.
Still, the group is adjusting and learning on the fly, especially given the relative youth of the offensive line.
“We’re doing the best we can,” Warinner said. “We lost four starters last year and three this year. So we’re down seven starters since the Alabama game. Pretty good – I’m pretty proud of the guys how they’re sticking together and working.”
Those players up front will have some strong competition lined up across from them in the form of the Penn State front seven, as the Nittany Lions come to The Big House on Saturday at noon EST.
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