Michigan QB situation unclear for Ohio State after Brandon Peters' injury
MADISON, Wis. – With an annual rivalry tilt on deck, Michigan’s starting quarterback situation is unclear.
The Wolverines lost redshirt freshman starter Brandon Peters to a head injury Saturday afternoon during a 24-10 loss at Wisconsin and his status for this week's game at Ohio State (noon, FOX) is unclear.
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Peters was knocked unconscious in the third quarter after taking a hit from Badger linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, according to a person with direct knowledge of the injury.
After remaining on the ground motionless for several moments, Peters was eventually helped onto a cart and driven off the field before being wheelchaired into Michigan’s locker room. He eventually left Camp Randall Stadium in an ambulance for medical tests at a nearby hospital.
The source told the Free Press that Peters’ initial head CT Scan on Saturday came back clear. Peters left the facility with a headache and flew home with the rest of his teammates on the team plane. As of Saturday night, it was unclear how severe his injury situation would be moving forward.
Peters was 9-for-18 passing for 157 yards before his injury. He was replaced by fifth-year senior John O'Korn, who finished the game 2 of 8 for 19 yards.
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Michigan dressed three quarterbacks Saturday, with redshirt sophomore Alex Malzone — who has appeared in just one game as a college player — serving as the team's emergency No. 3 passer.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said last week that fourth-year junior Wilton Speight, who began the season as the team's starter, was cleared to practice in a non-contact role. Speight did not receive clearance for physical contact and was not dressed Saturday in Wisconsin.
Speight has been out since suffering three cracked vertebrae during a win at Purdue in late September. His status next week against Ohio State is also unclear.
Michigan has started three different quarterbacks through 11 games this season and ranks No. 11 in the Big Ten in total passing offense with 166.2 yards per game.
Michigan quarterbacks are 147 of 269 (54.6 percent) for 1,828 yards, eight touchdowns and interceptions.
Ohio State's pass defense ranks No. 4 in the Big Ten, allowing 177.5 yards per game.
Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner. Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!