Jim Harbaugh provides update on Blake Corum after UM win

Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum. Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jim Harbaugh provides update on Blake Corum after Michigan narrowly beats Illinois

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/19/22

Michigan dodged two potential blows to its playoff hopes Saturday.

Illinois (7-4, 4-4 in Big Ten) provided a tougher dress rehearsal than the Wolverines hoped ahead of their showdown with Ohio State (10-0, 7-0 in Big Ten) next week. Michigan (11-0, 8-0 in Big Ten) won 19-17 on a field goal with nine seconds remaining.

Michigan Leads! pic.twitter.com/gwEmApvP6O
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) November 19, 2022

The team lost running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Blake Corum in the second quarter on a 2nd-and-10 play with 1:45 remaining.

A significant play here:

Blake Corum loses fumble and leaves game with injury.

Let's hope the star Michigan RB is OK. pic.twitter.com/AaRQ7nwAXg
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 19, 2022

Corum briefly re-entered the game in the second half.

Blake Corum enters the game on the second play of the second half.

The Michigan RB left the game late in the first half with an injury. pic.twitter.com/yCqEzDG6FJ
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 19, 2022

He ran for five yards and left the game afterward. Corum ended the game with 18 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown, and has now rushed for 100 yards in eight consecutive games and scored a rushing touchdown in every game.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters the team will take it day-by-day when determining Corum's status for next Saturday's game.

Jim Harbaugh said he doesn't know what Blake Corum's status is moving forward, but says Corum's knee is "structurally good, which is great news."
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) November 19, 2022

Jim Harbaugh says that Blake Corum's knee is structurally good. "We'll see where it is tomorrow."
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) November 19, 2022

His absence against Ohio State would be a huge loss for the Wolverines. Corum established himself as a leading candidate for an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in December with his exceptional play.

Per Oddschecker, Corum has the fifth-best odds to win the Heisman at +1200.

Corum has 245 carries for 1,457 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He's keeping pace with previous Heisman-winning running backs Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015).

Ingram had 205 carries for 1,399 yards and 12 touchdowns through 11 games. Through the same number of games, Henry had 249 carries for 1,553 and 21 touchdowns.

The team eked out a victory against Illinois. Until we get clarity on Corum's status for "The Game," we won't know at what cost.

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