Happy Thursday, folks. Welcome to Morning Brews. We’re just two days away from the season opener at Notre Dame, and this evening we have the first Big Ten matchup of the year with Purdue playing Northwestern at 8:00 p.m. eastern. To help ease you toward Saturday, we have another football focused installment of the Brews.
Let’s get to it:
Shea Patterson sought, received Woodson’s blessing to wear the No. 2. It’s hard not to like guys who understand tradition, and Shea Patterson appears to be one of those guys. There’s a strong history to the No. 2 jersey at Michigan, which is punctuated by Charles Woodson and his Heisman Trophy winning season. When Patterson asked Woodson if he could wear it, Woodson gave his blessing, saying, “And if you’re going to wear it, know what you’re wearing it for. You’ve got to be a leader and you’ve got to show the guys how hard you work.”
Chase Winovich disappointed, but determined after not being named captain. When the captains for this season’s football team were announced, a couple players who seemed like strong contenders for the honor weren’t among them—including Chase Winovich. On being passed over, Winovich said, “That one stung a little bit. But when you think about it, I came back to win a national championship, not to win a popularity contest. It’s on the board, that’s what I’ll say. My role as a leader is still the same.” Michigan does need Winovich to be a leader, both on the field and in the locker room. It’s encouraging to see he is taking this in stride.
Nico Collins next man up at receiver. When it was announced that Tarik Black would miss extended time with another foot injury, the player perhaps best positioned to benefit was Nico Collins. Collins has been having a strong spring and fall camp, and other players are taking notice. Grant Perry recently said of Collins, “He’s been balling, man. He’s been catching everything. Real-good deep threat, short threat -- really, anything” With Black out for several weeks, look for Collins to play a significant role in the offense.
UPDATE: Limited tickets remain for Purdue, South Carolina, Ohio State, and Maryland.
— Michigan Athletics (@UMichAthletics) August 28, 2018
Tickets are no longer available for: Wisconsin and Michigan State. #GoBlue https://t.co/azOUQTDJUo
Basketball tickets are selling out quick, so quick—in fact—that tickets are no longer available for home tilts against Wisconsin and Michigan State. While you have the chance, grab tickets for the games against Purdue, South Carolina, Ohio State, and Maryland. Last year’s home games against Purdue, Ohio State, and Maryland were decided by a total of 10 points. While you’re at it, grab season tickets for Women’s basketball too.
Check out the sights & sounds from today's Open Practice with a special focus on our running backs #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/j2fIWkqldG
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 27, 2018
With the spring game being canceled this year, Michigan fans haven’t been able to see their team during the preseason. That changed this past week when Jim Harbaugh made the unprecedented decision, during his tenure at least, to open a practice to the public. If you weren’t able to attend in person, check out the recap above from MGoBlue.