Carlos Brown sat calmly on the sidelines in the waning minutes of Michigan’s 45-17 win over Eastern Michigan. Looking especially cool and collected, the senior running back chatted with teammates as they trotted over to offer high fives and congratulations.

His 187 rushing yards, including a 90-yard touchdown run, that was the third longest in Michigan history, made him the hero of a Michigan offense that rushed for 380 yards, the most since 2003.

His teammates definitely knew it. But Brown didn’t seem to.

“Our sideline was nuts,” sophomore wide receiver Darryl Stonum said of Brown’s 90-yard score. “I was actually trying to get to him to celebrate in the end zone and he took off on me, so I was like, ‘All right, forget it. I’ll jog. I’ll catch you on the sideline.’ ”

He may have shunned the celebration, but it’s on the sidelines where Brown has spent most of his career. Whether it was because of any number of nagging injuries or former Michigan running back Mike Hart’s enormous shadow, we have only seen flashes of the real Brown.

It’s much too soon to say Brown is “back” and finally emerging as the five-star running back that he was expected to be out of high school. If classmate Brandon Minor returns soon, he should solidify his spot as Michigan’s No. 1 tailback. Sure, Brown had a spectacular game. But throughout his career, he’s had many one-game wonders.

Illinois in 2007 — 113 yards on 25 carries, the first back to break the century mark against the Illini that season. Minnesota that same year — 132 yards.

And last season against Northwestern, Brown exploded in the Wolverines’ eighth loss of the season for 115 yards. But as the cold mix of rain and snow fell over Michigan Stadium with a bowl game already out of reach, his breakout game went relatively unnoticed.

What made his performance Saturday so special was the way it happened. With a rushing outburst that earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the week honors, Brown was finally in the center of it all.

Whether he embraced it or not, Saturday was Carlos Brown’s day. And for his sake, you have to feel good for him.

Although he started because of an ailing Minor, Minor’s physicality was not missed Saturday. Instead, it was Brown’s characteristic elusive speed and breakout power that drew cheers.

Rather than running straight to the locker room following the game, it was Brown who was swarmed by reporters. And he answered every question with the same consideration and compassion that’s kept him around Ann Arbor for four years.

Following his freshman year, Brown considered transferring. As a high school quarterback turned running back, Brown wasn’t sure how he fit in with former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr’s offense.

“I knew my heart was here and Coach (Carr) always told me patience was a virtue,” Brown recalled. “And that if I waited one day, I would get a shot to play here.”

Brown’s playing opportunities have been few and far between. But he’s used his time in the shadows to be a player Michigan fans could be proud of.

Before a 2008 Capital One Bowl team event, Brown befriended a five-year old boy named Lonnie and laughed and played with him for the better part of two hours. Lonnie was blind, and that had a special meaning for Brown.

“We had a little special connection, because when I was younger, my little brother (Angelo) lost sight in one of his eyes,” Brown told The Ann Arbor News in December 2007. “My little brother was younger than that when it happened. It was an accident. He was like 3 years old. … He's got one eye, but now I think he sees better than I can.”

Brown may have been destined for the spotlight when he came to Ann Arbor. He was supposed to be the one to make 110,000 fans in the Big House feel good. But in passing, he’s always been a Michigan Man on the sidelines.

It’s time for us to feel good for Brown. He’s certainly done enough to deserve it.

— Lincoln can be reached at lincolnr@umich.edu.