What went wrong for Michigan football in Oklahoma matchup?
Tony and Andrew break down Michigan’s loss to Oklahoma in Week 2 and what can be learned going forward.
For the first time since the 2024 national championship game, Rod Moore could play in a Michigan football game.
U-M’s fifth-year senior safety and captain was ruled out of the Wolverines’ Week 1 matchup against New Mexico and deemed questionable for last week’s matchup at Oklahoma − he dressed and participated in warmups but did not see the field.
He’s once again been listed as questionable, per the team’s availability report for the Week 3 matchup against Central Michigan.
If he sees the field, it would be for the first time since he tore his ACL in a spring practice in 2024. He also had a setback in December 2024, when he got a second procedure to clean up a torn meniscus in the same knee.
There’s also been another setback in the unit, however, with sophomore safety Mason Curtis ruled out. The 6-foot-5, 211-pound defensive back has been a mainstay in the rotation through two weeks and has recorded 10 tackles already this year: More than the eight he recorded in five games last season.
Also, Michigan’s secondary will not have added reinforcements as Zeke Berry, one of the starting cornerbacks, is questionable.
The last piece of the secondary U-M was hoping to get back, four-star cornerback Shamari Earls has also been ruled as questionable against the Chippewas.
Michigan down two starting offensive linemen
At least one Michigan captain will not suit up on Saturday, Sept. 13: offensive lineman Gio El-Hadi.
U-M’s starting left guard and the vocal leader of the line has been ruled out entering the contest against CMU following an injury sustained in the second quarter against the Sooners. El Hadi’s left ankle/foot appeared to get rolled up on in the closing minutes before halftime and the Sterling Heights native (Stevenson) stayed down on the field after the play.
He got up with the assistance of medical personnel, walked gingerly over to the medical tent and then made his way up the tunnel to the locker room. After the game, he was seen in a walking boot in the tunnel − Michigan coaches earlier this week called him “day-to-day.”
He’s not the only starting offensive lineman who won’t suit up. Brady Norton, the team’s right guard and transfer from FCS-Cal Poly has been ruled out for Week 3. Norton won the battle over Nathan Efobi for a highly contested right guard spot.
Efobi filled in for El-Hadi last week and it remains clear which guard spot he will play, but it’s all but a certainty he will be one of the starters. The options for the other position are transfer Lawrence Hattar (Ferris State) or Jake Guarnera.
Two key starters listed as questionable
Tight end Marlin Klein is listed as questionable. He was dressed for last week’s matchup vs. OU, but had a heavy wrap around his right ankle. He went through warm-ups at half speed, but was unable to play in the contest.
Klein led U-M in receiving in the season-opener, catching six passes for 92 yards and hauled in Bryce Underwood’s first career touchdown pass in what ended as a 34-17 victory over New Mexico. He reportedly sustained the injury in practice leading up to the week two contest.
If he can’t go, it will be another steady diet of Hogan Hansen, Zack Marshall and Max Bredeson at the position.
The last notable “questionable” player is linebacker Ernest Hausmann. He played the entire game against Oklahoma and did not appear to sustain any notable injuries, so it’s unclear what may be holding him out. Hausmann leads the Wolverines with 19 tackles (nine solo) and has been the “green dot” linebacker in the room each of the past two years.
If he can’t go, that means notably more snaps for Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan or possibly both.
Sherrone Moore out for Central Michigan
While Rod Moore will suit up, a different Moore will of course be out for this contest. Coach Sherrone Moore is serving the first of a two-game suspension this season − Week 3 against CMU and Week 4 at Nebraska − as a result of the NCAA’s investigation into the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal in 2023. The Wolverines have named associate head coach Biff Poggi, 66, as the team’s acting head coach for both contests.
“I am glad that this part of the process has been completed,” Moore said in a statement after the NCAA’s report was released. “I greatly respect the rules governing collegiate athletics and it is my intent to have our program comply with those rules at all times. I will continue to focus my attention on our team and the upcoming 2025 season.”
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.