Michigan junior running back Justine Hayes was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after a dominant performance in the Wolverines’ 31–20 victory over Michigan State
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Michigan junior running back Justine Hayes was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after a dominant performance in the Wolverines’ 31–20 victory over Michigan State.
Hayes carried the ball 26 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns, accounting for more than half of Michigan’s 276 rushing yards — the team’s most in the rivalry since 1994. His total was also the most by a Wolverine in the series since Blake Corum ran for 177 yards on 33 carries in 2022.
However, Hayes’ health remains a concern heading into Michigan’s upcoming game against Purdue. Head coach Sherrone Moore, speaking on his weekly radio show Monday night, offered little clarity on the running back’s status.
“Yeah, we’ll see,” Moore said when asked if Hayes is expected to play Saturday. “We’ll see what he looks like as he goes through the week.”
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound native of Alpharetta, Georgia, has been dealing with an abdominal/rib injury that caused him to miss the previous six quarters of play.
In Hayes’ absence, sophomore Jordan Marshall has continued to shine, rushing for 100-plus yards in back-to-back games — including 110 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against Michigan State. Marshall sealed the win with a 56-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to make it 31–13.