Michigan football defeated USC on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, despite missing one of its finest players.
During a timeout in the fourth quarter with the Wolverines leading 20-17, cornerback Will Johnson went to the locker room with a staff member. Johnson was the trigger for Michigan’s greatest play in the second half, a pick-6 that put the Wolverines up 20-10. According to the CBS program, Johnson was walking towards the X-ray room.
Johnson allegedly told Jason Avant on Michigan’s radio broadcast just after the game that “he’s doing well physically.”
PICK-SIX!!! đź’Şđź’Ş
Will Johnson making huge plays for @UMichFootball!!! 〽️ pic.twitter.com/Ff5QBLEa1w
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2024
Johnson, a consensus first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft and one of college football’s best defensive backs, has been a reliable shutdown force on the perimeter of Michigan’s defense. On Saturday, the junior set a school record with his third career interception return for a touchdown, bringing his total to nine.
He played briefly on the drive following his score, then stayed in for the next drive before exiting the game when the defense forced a punt early in the fourth quarter and went to the locker room.
The Wolverines were already without top pass catcher Colston Loveland, who was ruled out pregame after leaving last week’s win early due to an injury.
