In the Trenches: 'Fired Up' Haskins Ready for Season Opener Against Western Michigan
9/1/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football, Features
In this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast, Jon Jansen looks ahead to this weekend's matchup with Western Michigan before catching up with running back Hassan Haskins to discuss his excitement level for Saturday's opener, the mentality of the team and the offense heading into the season, and his personal expectations for the year.
By Brian Boesch
Energy is a valuable commodity in college football. During long days on the practice field or in the weight room, players must feed off the energy of their teammates and coaches. For months, running back Hassan Haskins has felt the energy within the running back room, the offense, and the program as a whole.
"I can see the energy is good around here, and I just see everybody working, everybody coming together," Haskins said on this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast.
Within his position group, Haskins has witnessed that mentality despite a spirited battle for playing time. According to head coach Jim Harbaugh, Haskins and Blake Corum are going to see the bulk of the work out of the backfield, with five-star freshman Donovan Edwards scheduled to be part of the conversation and many others right on the heels of those top three options.
"We just make each other better every day," Haskins said about the Wolverines' running backs. "We don't let off on each other. If we don't finish down the field, somebody is going to say something."
A competition like this, with such great talent at the running back position, could bring about a less-than-desirable dynamic. However, good and fair coaching can go a long way in each player understanding that the decisions are made for the betterment of the team. Haskins has enjoyed working with first-year running backs coach Mike Hart, whom Haskins said is "a legend to me." Plus, Haskins is as familiar with third-year offensive coordinator Josh Gattis as anyone on the roster.
"I'm 100 percent comfortable with his play calls," Haskins said about Gattis. "I feel like any situation that's thrown at us, he's going to have a play for it. I can't say too much, but he definitely has my confidence."
One other thing Haskins and the Wolverines are confident about -- Michigan Stadium is going to be a special place on Saturday afternoon. Finally, the Big House will be jam-packed again, providing Michigan with that aforementioned valuable commodity -- energy, and a ton of it.
"I'm fired up. I've been waiting for this moment for a while now. (We) finally get to have fans back, so that's going to be definitely exciting," Haskins said. "We gotta come out strong and fast.... We gotta get that done and show everybody that we come to play."
The Wolverines have had energy this entire offseason. On Saturday, Haskins and his teammates will feel the pent-up energy that Michigan fans have been waiting to provide at the Big House for more than 21 months.
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