Michigan Run Game Showing Signs of Life as Wolverines Face Stiff Indiana Test

The Michigan running game finally found a spark in the second half last Saturday, and running backs coach Tony Alford believes there is plenty more where that came from.

Addressing the media this week, Alford reflected on a ground attack that has spent much of the season trying to find its footing. Between early penalties, turnovers, and getting stuck behind the chains on early downs, Michigan’s backfield hasn't always had room to operate smoothly. However, a recent shift toward more downhill running and zone concepts gave the unit the lift it desperately needed.

"It was good in the second half," Alford said. "There were some good points pop open for us. I feel it's getting better."

A massive component of that second-half surge was a dynamic touchdown burst from Bryson Kuzdzal, which Alford noted provided an instant spark for the entire sideline. While Jordan Marshall continues to operate as the room’s premier pass protector and physical interior runner, Kuzdzal offers pure, game-changing speed that alters how defenses adjust.

"Kuz is faster," Alford grinned. "I'm telling you, he's the fastest guy in the room."

Meanwhile, freshman Savion Hiter continues to adapt to the speed of college football, specifically mastering the nuances of option mesh points and soft pockets with the quarterback. Early on, proper mesh timing proved tricky for young backs unaccustomed to full-speed read-option reads. Alford emphasized that both Hiter and Marshall are getting closer to 100 percent health after battling through early-season bumps, and practice adjustments have focused heavily on simulating those fast-moving reads with live bodies.

The timing for a rushing revival couldn't be better. Michigan now turns its attention to an Indiana defense leading the Big Ten in early-down run defense, spearheaded by a formidable front seven.

"First of all, those two interior guys they have in there, Tucker and Landino, are really good players," Alford noted. "Dynamic players, strong, big. Coach Cignetti has put together an amazing staff... so we'll have our work cut out for us, definitely."

Beyond the backfield, Alford also noted the athletic upside of quarterback Tommy Carr when called upon to pull the ball and run. Carr’s natural calmness and sneaky speed add another layer to an offense attempting to find consistency.

To win against a disciplined Hoosiers defense, Alford knows his running backs must do a better job making defenders miss once they break past the line of scrimmage. Michigan’s blueprint for the rest of the season remains simple: eliminate negative plays on early downs, stay ahead of the chains, and execute when explosive opportunities present themselves.