Last weekend, for the first time since Week 3’s 31-6 win over Bowling Green, Michigan football star Mason Graham returned to the lineup. For the Maize and Blue, having Graham back from injury against Minnesota was massive, helping hold the Gophers to just ten points and retaining the Wolverines’ No. 1 ranking when it comes to scoring defense. After the game, head coach Jim Harbaugh explained the impact that having Graham back had on Michigan’s defense.
Michigan football star Mason Graham making a big impact following injury
Yesterday, Mason Graham made his return to the Michigan football defense, helping the Wolverines to a massive 52-10 victory in Minneapolis. Graham missed two games this year with a hand injury — against Rutgers and at Nebraska.
“He (Mason Graham) is one of the really great players, right? Kris Jenkins is a great player,” Jim Harbaugh said after the win. “I mean, the block destruction, the way he plays. Kenneth Grant is a great player. And so is Mason Graham. Now you have three great players. Cam Goode is really coming on, too. And Rayshaun Benny — it’s great. And then there’s when they play and rotate in and play together. It just makes the whole unit, that interior defensive line play better. They’re all really good.”
“… So nice to see those two young guys get in there and play so well,” Harbaugh added. “Mike Elston does a great job, a tremendous job coaching, the technique, the things that he’s brought. We just keep getting better and better on the defensive front with his coaching.”
Wolverine getting Graham back at the right time
Having Mason Graham back is huge for the Michigan football defense, especially as the Wolverines head into the thick of Big Ten play throughout the coming months. Teams like Penn State and Ohio State are going to insist on running the ball early and often.
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