Image courtesy of Mike Hickey/Getty Images
Immediately after scoring the eventual game-winning touchdown on a 22 yard run late in the third quarter against Ohio State on Saturday, Michigan running back Blake Corum looked at the camera and signaled 6 and 5 with his hands.
That was for the heart and soul of the Michigan offensive line and team, Zak Zinter. The former BB&N star lineman suffered a broken tibia and fibula on a gruesome injury during the drive when he was rolled up on. Zinter not only put Massachusetts his school football on the map more than its ever been when he was being recruited, but he earned ‘true leader’ status during his days as a Wolverine and his impact on the team was evident when looking at their faces as he was carted off the field.
As he was given a standing ovation, Zinter pumped his first and gave a slight wave to the crowd at The Big House.
“When you’re around the player for four years or you’re just around all these guys in general, you don’t want to see any of them get hurt in any way,” interim head coach Sherrone Moore said. “And it was hard, especially a kid of his caliber on and off the field, more so off the field, just such a great student, athlete, great person. He’ll be ready to go down the road at some point.”
“When it happened, I looked back and Zak was screaming and (right tackle) Karsen (Barnhart) was literally holding (Zinter’s) foot as it was just limp,” quarterback JJ McCarthy said. “It was a sight I don’t wish upon anyone to see. And at that moment, seeing the look in everybody’s eyes, seeing them rally together, there was something about it. It was spiritual, honestly. It was a different drive that came out of everybody after that happened because we’re doing it for one of our leaders and one of the brothers we all love.”
Later in the evening, Zinter posted an update to his social media accounts after surgery, seemingly already planning on making the trip to the Big 10 Championship game next weekend.
“Surgery went great, love team 144!” he wrote. “Thanks for having my back boys and finishing strong! I’ll be back better than ever. See you in Indy!”