Hassan Haskins racks up career day despite inconsistent usage

Scoring a 29-yard touchdown and finishing with 125 yards, Michigan redshirt freshman running back Hassan Haskins had a career day in No. 16 Michigan’s 42-25 victory over Illinois (2-4) on Saturday.

Impressively, Haskins put up these stellar numbers despite inconsistent usage from the Wolverines’ offensive coaching staff.

Michael Spath, host of Inside the Huddle on WTKA 1050 The Ticket, pointed out the lack of rhythm in Haskins’ touches on Twitter:

Here's what I'd like to know – Hassan Haskins' first four runs go 29, 2, 28 and 9. He then goes 36 offensive plays before getting a carry again. Three drives in the 2nd Q, three in the 3rd, two in the 4th Q. Michigan does so many odd things with its personnel utilization.

— Michael Spath (@MichaelSpathITH) October 12, 2019

Prior to Saturday’s performance, Haskins’ career-high was 45 yards in the September 28 victory over Rutgers.

A product of Eureka, Missouri, he was a three-star prospect in the 2018 class, per 247Sports. Appearing in three games on special teams in 2018, Haskins was able to retain a year of eligibility.

Scoring the first touchdown of the game, Haskins and the Wolverines built up a 28-0 second quarter lead at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday. Allowing a 23-yard touchdown to redshirt junior receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe shortly before halftime, Michigan took a 28-7 lead into the break.

Following a 50-yard field goal by redshirt junior James McCourt, redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Robinson scored from one-yard out to cut the gap to 28-17.

Making his first career start with redshirt junior Brandon Peters in concussion protocol, Robinson finished 16-25 for 192 yards and the touchdown to Imatorbhebhe.

Redshirt senior running back Dre Brown’s one-yard touchdown run with 13:01 left in the game made the score 28-23. Converting the two-point attempt, the Illini pulled within three, 28-25.

Michigan, however, would add some space late. Senior quarterback Shea Patterson found junior receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones for a five-yard score with about nine minutes left to extend the lead to 10.

Immediately following a fumble recovery by redshirt junior Carlo Kemp, Patterson scored the final touchdown of the game from one-yard away with 6:25 left.

Improving to 5-1 win the win, the No. 16 Wolverines travel to State College to face the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19.

Dropping their fourth straight game, Illinois hosts No. 8 Wisconsin next.