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The two players who had the biggest impact, at least on the scoreboard, in Michigan football's 27-24 victory over Minnesota have earned some recognition in the conference.

Running back Kalel Mullings was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week, while kicker Dominic Zvada earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Mullings, making his first start on offense, ran 24 times for 11 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The senior back scored the game's two opening touchdowns, the first as a 27-yard scraper and the second as a 1-yard bulldoze, giving UM an early three-point lead.

“I think the pure vision that you have is God-given and He has it,” head coach Sherrone Moore said. “And he has the innate ability to turn himself into yards through force of will. We talked about it, some were blocked for one and he got four, then there's a guy in the backfield who makes him miss and runs for the first down, he runs over a safety in the hole.

“I mean, he’s incredible and I’m glad he’s on our team.”

IN PROGRESS: Michigan football's Sherrone Moore made notable changes to practice after a rocky start

Although this is the third week in a row that Mullings has rushed for more than 100 yards and two scores (he surpassed 150 yards the last two weeks), it is the first time he has been recognized by the league for his achievements are recognized. Quarterback JJ McCarthy was the last UM player to earn Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors following a 49-0 road win over MSU last October.

Mullings shared the honor with Oregon wideout Tez Johnson, who had 11 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns in a win at UCLA.

Zvada, meanwhile, is simply carrying the torch after punter Tommy Doman won the same award against USC last week. The Wolverines' junior kicker, who has already won the award once in non-conference, made both field goal attempts and all three point-after attempts against the Gophers.

Zvada made a 53-yard attempt in the third quarter and a 35-yard attempt in the fourth, which ultimately made the difference in the game. Zvada, now 7-of-7 on field goals this year, set a UM record with his fourth field goal of 50 yards or more in a single season.

MICHIGAN WINNERS & LOSERS VS. MINNESOTA: Wideouts MIA, Mullings saves the day again

Key Wolverines 'in good shape' to return but lose on defense

Although the Wolverines received a boost from the return of Colston Loveland last Saturday, they lost some key pieces elsewhere.

Moore said the trio of starters who sat out Saturday, cornerback Will Johnson, edge Josaiah Stewart and wide receiver Semaj Morgan, all “look like they're in good shape” for Saturday's game against Washington (7:30 p.m., NBC).

Johnson, an All-American and projected top-ten pick in next April's NFL draft, missed the Week 4 win over USC after injuring his shoulder in the contest. Stewart, who was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Game this week, and Morgan (second on the team with 12 balls) appeared in the report with undisclosed injuries.

Moore was asked about the general health of those who missed Saturday's game, and while defensive backs Wesley Walker and Jaden Mangham sound like they'll be working their way back soon, Moore said that nickelback Ja'Den McBurrows will be out for an extended period of time will fail.

While Michigan suffered some notable injuries in the contest (left tackle Myles Hinton and defensive back Makari Paige both left in the second half), there appears to be good news on those fronts as well. Moore said Hinton “probably could have gone back in,” but Michigan's trainers and doctors opted for caution while Paige, a captain, “will be ready to go.”

With the secondary thinned out, don't be surprised to see more sophomore defender Brandyn Hillman. The Portsmouth, Va. (Churchland) product received rave reviews from defensive coordinator Wink Martindale last week when he called him a “heat-seeking missile.”

“B-Hill just keeps getting better and better,” Martindale said. “He likes contact. He falls into the old-school type of football player – (former four-time All-Pro NFL safety) Brian Dawkins, those types of guys, the way he attacks and tackles the football when he's after the football when someone's behind him ago, and everything else.

“It will be fun to watch him here in the next few years.”

Hillman had a nice game against the Gophers. He played 20 snaps, recorded a tackle, a pass breakup on third down and did not allow a completion when he was targeted twice in the passing game. Hillman, who is 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, was a former quarterback in high school and called “Pound for Pound” one of the best athletes on the squad.

“He matched his athleticism with his potential and really learned the playbook to put himself in a position to be really good,” Moore said. “Great speed, great length, I just know football. I said something to the staff in training camp: 'This guy is always on the football,' even if he's wrong, he's on the football and he's figured out where the football is.”

“He will play a big role moving forward.”

Next up for the Wolverines: Washington Huskies

Matchup: No. 10 Michigan (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) vs. Washington (3-2, 1-1).

Start: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Husky Stadium, Seattle.

TV/Radio: NBC; WXYT-FM (97.1).

Line: Huskies at 2½.

On By John Fenwick

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