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Wolverine TV: Donovan Edwards addresses run game struggles in opener, more

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•09/05/23•

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(Anthony Broome/TheWolverine.com)

Michigan Wolverines junior running back Donovan Edwards was part of a run game that had its share of struggles on Saturday in the 30-3 win over East Carolina, which was uncharacteristic for them. Teams are focusing on stopping the run and making U-M adjust, and the Wolverines obliged.

Junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the game, converting on 26-for-30 passes in the opener. The run game had 122 yards and averaged 3.9 yards per carry.

Edwards – who had 12 rushes for 37 yards and four catches for 33 yards – and company want to be able to impose their will on opposing defenses, but he knows that not everything is going to be a home run play.

“That’s football,” Edwards told the media on Tuesday night at Schembechler Hall. “Every play is not going to be 20, 30, 50 yards, 70-yard touchdowns. I would love that but the thing is just getting as much as you can and protecting the program, and the program is the football. That’s all you can do when there’s not many things that you can do [in the run game], like when safeties are coming down or there are eight to ten people in a box like how ECU had. It’s just protecting the ball, and getting what you can.”

Edwards had an opportunity to cash in on his first touchdown of the season but was kept out of the endzone on a goalline stand in the third quarter. He wishes he would have got in, but knows that the film shows otherwise from the Michigan opener.

“I’m true to the game,” Edwards said. “I saw it on the replay. I know I didn’t get in. I know I reached the ball out, but I did it late. My knee hit the ground first. But at first I thought I got in, but it broke my heart when I replayed it like, man, why are y’all replaying it?

But at that same time, I know that I have got to be better on the goal line and do something better for myself, even if there’s maybe nothing there, I can always do something better there.”

A portion of Edwards’ Tuesday night session with the Michigan media can be viewed using the vide player at the top of the page.

What’s next for U-M?

Michigan is back in action next week against UNLV at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

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