As Sherrone Moore took to the podium on Monday following Saturday’s 10-point victory, the No. 18 Michigan football coach was uncharacteristically open about his plans for Saturday.
Answering the million-dollar question, Moore announced that junior quarterback Alex Orji will start against No. 11 USC. But there’s another question that Moore couldn’t answer on Monday that will also have a similarly massive impact on the Wolverines — the status of junior tight end Colston Loveland.
“No updates right now on Colston,” Moore said in reference to Loveland’s injury. “We’ll keep with the progress of the doctors and see where it goes from there.”
Nursing an apparent left shoulder injury after a hard-nosed catch late in the second quarter, Loveland was pulled early in the second half against Arkansas State, casting his immediate future into doubt. And while tight end might not always be the most important position on the field, it’s difficult to overstate just how important Loveland has been for Michigan’s passing offense up to this point. In 2.5 games, Loveland has notched 19 receptions and 187 yards.
Every other Wolverines wide receiver’s yardage combined adds up to 188.
Similarly, with only two fewer receptions than every other wide receiver combined, it’s fair to say that Loveland has been the only receiving option that has demonstrated both chemistry and consistency with Michigan’s quarterback. Now, Loveland’s immediate prospects of playing have been cast into doubt, though Moore said late Monday that his injury is less severe than initially feared.
Luckily for the Wolverines however, the weapons that filled in for Loveland on Saturday showed glimpses of potential they will need if Loveland isn’t yet cleared.
With Loveland injured, junior tight end Marlin Klein took the first team reps in his absence and made the most of them. On back-to-back plays, Klein snagged 7- and 33-yard receptions to move the Wolverines rapidly down the field. And at the game’s conclusion, with three receptions and 43 yards, Klein went down as Michigan’s leading receiver for the first time in his career.
“We’ve always had a lot of confidence in Marlin and still do,” Moore said Saturday. “I think he’s a really good player and he’s continuing to show that, in the run and in the pass, so, confident in him.”
But more surprisingly, a name that many fans likely haven’t heard of yet — freshman tight end Hogan Hansen — also delivered in Loveland’s absence.
Late in the fourth quarter on the Red Wolves’ 9-yard line, Orji rolled out right, scanned the field, and found a wide open Hansen for his first career touchdown on his first career reception. According to Moore however, Hansen’s early success doesn’t come as a surprise, and the freshman tight end could see an enhanced role throughout the remainder of the year.
“Hogan’s a guy that’s just worked his tail off and been fearless throughout camp,” Moore said Monday. “You put him in there with the two’s and he’s good, you put him in there with the one’s and he’s good. He makes plays and just doesn’t say anything, just works his tail off. Bright future for Hogan and he’ll obviously have a role as we go through.”
While it isn’t yet clear whether or not Loveland will be able to return this Saturday for Michigan’s impactful contest with the Trojans, a potential absence would be massively detrimental. Loveland sparks the offense with his speed, size and sticky hands, and without him, an already struggling passing offense might struggle further.
But if Loveland can’t play, it’s apparent who Michigan’s options at tight end will be. Klein and Hansen cannot make up for a loss of Loveland, but they certainly can act as spark plugs for the Wolverines’ offense — they proved as much last Saturday.
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