Brandon Peters didn’t have to do much in his first collegiate start.
The redshirt freshman threw just 13 passes, completing eight of them for 56 yards and a touchdown.
He looked sharp on some throws. He also missed a couple. Either way, Jim Harbaugh was pleased with the performance — enough to name Peters the starter for this week’s game against Maryland.
“God willing and the creek don’t rise, he’ll be starting the game,” Harbaugh said Monday afternoon. “He had an excellent week of practice. But a real exclamation point on the ball game that he had last week. Great to see him start and the team to get the win.”
Michigan had a scare in the third quarter when a mistake in pass protection left Peters motionless on the ground. But he got up from the hit, to the relief of the crowd.
It was a new experience for Peters, who wasn’t sacked against Rutgers last week in his first extended action. The Golden Gophers got to him three times Saturday night. More of that will be expected as Peters sees more time. For now, he’s passing the test.
“Thought he held onto the ball well and did the things to keep us from losing the ball game,” Harbaugh said. “Did the things to help us win the ballgame. Know he can execute all throws, so feel good going forward.”
Harbaugh provides update on Speight, others
Michigan was without sophomore right guard Mike Onwenu, fifth-year senior running back Ty Isaac, junior receiver Grant Perry and redshirt sophomore tight end Tyrone Wheatley Jr. against Minnesota.
All were injured last week — and all are crucial members of the offense. It appears there’s a chance the Wolverines get all four back in just a few days, though.
“Yeah, there’s a very good chance,” Harbaugh said. “There’s a very good chance that all could be back Saturday but questionable.”
Michigan is still without freshman receiver Tarik Black, who broke his foot earlier this season, and redshirt junior quarterback Wilton Speight, who fractured three vertebrae against Purdue.
The Wolverines began fall camp with a quarterback competition. Harbaugh wouldn’t confirm whether there would be another battle for the position once Speight returns — though that seems likely.
And that moment is growing closer: according to Harbaugh on Monday, Speight has been cleared to do “some throwing and exercises” and there’s a chance he returns this season.
“I think there’s more second opinions to be had, but I know Wilton’s really excited about his most recent CAT scan,” Harbaugh said. “Not to sound over the top, but I think some of the doctors are a bit stunned that it’s so far along and he’s healing well. Young guys can do that sometimes. Good blood flow throughout their body. … They’re young and they’re healthy and he’s healing fast.”
Michigan corrects Hudson’s stats
Sophomore VIPER Khaleke Hudson had the game of his career Saturday night.
It was a game for the history books, as well.
Originally, Hudson was credited with 6.5 tackles-for-loss. But upon review of the game, Michigan revised those numbers. Officially, Hudson finished with 15 total tackles, 8 tackles-for-loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.
Harbaugh believes Hudson could’ve had an even gaudier stat-line, as well.
“Eight TFLs, three sacks, 15 tackles, one forced fumble, and could have been two blocked punts,” Harbaugh said. “He was everywhere. You don’t see that every day, the kind of performance that No. 7 had. It was outstanding. … Khaleke was a shining star.”
Hudson now owns the school and conference records for most tackles-for-loss in a single game. For his efforts, he was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week, sharing the award with Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson.
Hudson, though, stands alone when it comes to a different conference merit. He now leads the Big Ten with 14 tackles-for-loss on the season, ahead of teammates Maurice Hurst Jr. and Chase Winovich.