After Zak Zinter’s departure, Trente Jones and Karsen Barnhart took on new duties.
The Wolverines were dealt a severe setback late in the third quarter, with the Michigan football team—then ranked third—tied with Ohio State, which was ranked second.
Senior offensive lineman Zak Zinter suffered a horrific leg injury that forced him to go down following a successful 18-yard throwing play.
Michigan was stunned and inspired by the scene as Zinter was wheeled off the field.
However, despite all of the feelings, annoyance, and anxiety, Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, and the Wolverines knew they had to be ready for this particular moment.
Zinter went down, therefore other linemen had to finish the game.
It’s not going to be five men who help us get to where we need to go, as I told the offensive line when we started the season and as I tell them every year, Moore said on Monday.
“It will require ten — not six, nor will it require seven. Everyone is aware of who the next man up is. Whoever it is, wherever they may be.
But now, with Zinter out for the foreseeable future, Michigan will need that ‘next man up’ mentality to pay off in the long run. And the onus of that burden will fall on two graduate linemen:
Karsen Barnhart who will have to shift from right tackle to guard, and Trente Jones who will come off the bench to assume Barnhart’s role as a starting tackle.
For each, these altered roles will come with their challenges, and whether or not they can successfully fill them will have a large impact on the remainder of the Wolverines’ season.
Jones for his part enters the right tackle role as a lineman with plenty of experience — but limited time as a starter.
Throughout this season, Jones has shifted in and out of games and has served as the sixth man for a five-man line.
But now, major facets of Michigan’s run blocking and pass protection will depend on how he assimilates into his role as a starter.
He filled in well against the Buckeyes, helping the Wolverines’ offense punish Ohio State late. Moore and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh believe he is ready to carry that momentum into the postseason as well.
“He’s been an extra O-lineman, he’s been a selfless player, and he went in at right tackle and played great,” Harbaugh said Monday.
“You hate to see that (Zinter) is hurt, but what an opportunity for Trente to show what he can do as that next man up.”
Alongside Jones, Barhart too will have to occupy a new role. But it’s a role that while different, will not be foreign for him. In 2021, Barnhart stepped up and started in multiple positions along the line.
Evenearlier this year, he took snaps at guard and shifted around before settling at right tackle. All of this has earned him a special distinction from Moore.
“I mean, he’s Mr. Versatile, he can (shift to guard) in a second,” Moore said, snapping.
“And it’s crazy because he can go from right to left, to inside to outside. It’s a credit to him and his study and what he does, and physically how capable he is.”
The offensive line has been the Wolverines’ backbone in their past two trips to the College Football Playoff, but this year there have been up and down moments.
In run blocking, the line has at times struggled to open gaps for senior running back Blake Corum.
Now down a man in the moments when it will matter most, Barnhart and the line know there can’t be a regression — and they don’t expect it.
“It’s great to have the depth that we have, and all the experience in the room that we have,” Barnhart said. “There’s really no dropoff when the next guy comes in at all.”
Michigan hopes to minimize any repercussions in Zinter’s absence with Barnhart’s adaptability and Jones’ experience as the backup.
The Wolverines’ season outcome may depend in part on their ability to live up to that motto.
