As the Michigan Wolverines gear up for their highly anticipated matchup against the top-ranked Oregon Ducks this Saturday at 12:30 P.M. Pacific, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the team with the likely absence of All-American cornerback Will Johnson. National reporter Matt Zenitz of CBS/247 Sports broke the news late Friday afternoon, confirming reports from ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Johnson will miss the game due to a lower body injury.
Johnson, a cornerstone of Michigan’s defense and the Defensive MVP of the 2023-24 National Championship Game, has been a standout player since stepping onto the field. Last season, he racked up four interceptions, including a crucial Pick Six in Michigan’s Big Ten opener against USC, which helped propel the Wolverines to a nail-biting 27-24 victory. This year, he has continued to showcase his skills, scoring an 86-yard touchdown return against Fresno State and recording 12 tackles and three passes defended.
The absence of such a key player is undoubtedly a significant blow for Michigan. Johnson left the game against Illinois on October 19 with his injury and subsequently sat out the rivalry contest against Michigan State, where the Wolverines allowed 189 passing yards to Spartans’ sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles. Head coach Sherrone Moore remains optimistic about Johnson’s return this season, stating, “Will has no plan of just shutting it down or anything like that. If he could go out there, he would go out there in a heartbeat. I know that he’ll be back out there at some point this season.”
In Johnson’s absence, the Wolverines will look to lean heavily on their running game to control the clock and minimize opportunities for the explosive Ducks’ offense. Defensively, Michigan’s focus will shift to disrupting Oregon’s quarterback Dillon Gabriel. First-year coach Moore will rely on the talents of 6-1, 245-pound edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who has been a consistent threat on the defensive line.
The secondary will see an increased role for sophomore Jyaire Hill, a 4-star recruit from Kankakee, Illinois, who has already made an impact this season with 22 tackles and an interception. Senior Makari Paige, a sizeable defensive back at 6-4, 208, will also be crucial in filling the void left by Johnson. His experience and ability to read the game will be essential against Oregon’s potent aerial attack.
On the flip side, the Ducks are also managing injuries of their own, with edge rusher Jordan Burch and tight end Terrance Ferguson expected to miss the game. Burch has been sidelined since suffering a lower leg injury, while Ferguson recently underwent an emergency appendectomy. Both players participated in practice this week, but it remains uncertain whether they’ll be ready to suit up against the defending Big Ten and National Champions.
As game day approaches, all eyes will be on the warmups to see if either team can bolster its roster with returning players. For Michigan, the challenge is clear: with their star corner out, they must find a way to contain a quick-strike Oregon offense and rely on their running game to control the tempo. The stakes are high, and while the Wolverines navigate this injury setback, they will aim to prove their resilience against one of college football’s top teams.
Expect a battle on Saturday as Michigan seeks to defend its home turf in the iconic Big House, facing off against a formidable opponent in Oregon. The absence of Will Johnson is certainly a hurdle, but the Wolverines have proven their depth and determination in the past, and they’ll need every bit of it to emerge victorious this week.
