ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan running backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown are solid players who seem to be good guys.
They just don't stay healthy.
The Wolverines (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten) simply can't count on both seniors being on the field Saturday when they host No. 13 Penn State (6-1, 2-1) or in any of the other four games on the schedule.
That's why it was important for sophomore Michael Shaw and freshman Vincent Smith to get a lot of carries in Michigan's 63-6 win over Delaware State.
Shaw started and had nine carries for a career-high 73 yards and a touchdown. Smith rotated in and ran 17 times for a career-high 166 yards and a score.
"Vincent Smith and Mike Shaw were the guys we really wanted to get a lot of reps," coach Rich Rodriguez said. "Some people say you need two tailbacks. I think you need at least three, especially in our offense with two in the same formation. It's critical for us to get those guys some reps."
Both had played four games previously this season with Shaw running the ball 22 times and Smith just nine.
"I wasn't expecting so many carries, but I was prepared mentally and physically," Smith said.
Brown missed his second straight game because of a concussion. Minor missed a second game this season with a sprained ankle.
Michigan had to rally to win two of its first four games and its losses were closely contested, keeping their backups on the bench. Against Delaware State, reserves played a lot.
"They played more than starters," Rodriguez said. "That's good because we need depth."
The Wolverines also were able to give Denard Robinson much-needed experience behind Tate Forcier, who watched the game in good health after playing only one series.
Robinson, though, threw just four passes and two were TD passes before Rodriguez showed mercy by using his third-, fourth- and fifth-string quarterbacks.
Forcier said he had no doubt the concussion and injured right shoulder that have slowed him recently will prevent him from playing Penn State.
"I'm ready," Forcier said Saturday.
Michigan hopes center David Molk will be ready, too, after missing four games with a broken foot.
Rodriguez hopes Molk can help the Wolverines make a push to contend for the Big Ten championship with home games remaining against the Nittany Lions, Purdue and Ohio State along with trips to Illinois and Wisconsin.
"It's wide open," Rodriguez said. "Obviously, we stubbed our toe twice. We're behind it so we got to try and catch up."
Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham said he and his teammates noticed Ohio State lost to Purdue, leaving Iowa as the only Big Ten team without a loss.
"The goal is still to win a Big Ten championship," Graham said. "We got a shot if we keep working hard and improving."
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Michigan Gets RBs Shaw & Smith Needed Experience
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Published: October 19, 2009
Published: October 19, 2009
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