Michigan’s loss to Oregon got uglier early, and the biggest blow may have come before the game was even out of the first quarter.
Sophomore wide receiver JJ Buchanan, Michigan’s leading pass catcher, left after a targeted throw he couldn’t haul in and was later taken to the hospital for further evaluation, according to coach Kyle Whittingham. The injury is believed to involve Buchanan’s shoulder, though Whittingham said he didn’t have much beyond that.
“JJ, they took him to the hospital,” Whittingham said. “I don’t know beyond that, other than they were taking him to the hospital for more tests and just to check him out and make sure he’s OK. ”
“Apparently,” Whittingham said. “I don’t know much about it.”
The Wolverines were already in a tough spot in Eugene on Saturday, and Oregon made it worse by piling up a season-high 31 points. Michigan’s offense, working under interim OC Jim Harding, managed just seven points, all coming on a 70-yard Savion Hiter touchdown run. Outside of that burst, there wasn’t much traction at all.
The passing game was especially quiet. Tommy Carr and Bryce Underwood combined for just 71 yards through the air.
Buchanan’s exit only deepened the frustration. On the broadcast, sideline reporter Josh Sims said Buchanan appeared emotional right after the injury and was tearing up. With the injury serious enough to require a hospital visit, it seems unlikely he’ll be available next week against UCLA, and possibly not the week after at Ohio State.
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