Saturday during No. 3 Michigan’s home game against No. 2 Ohio State, Wolverines offensive lineman Zak Zinter went down with what looked like a brutal injury in the third quarter.
It appeared to be so bad that Fox Sports erred on the side of caution and didn’t show the replay — often an underused move by broadcasters — as Zinter was attended to by the medical staff. Michigan’s entire team and coaching staff solemnly watched the lineman then get carted off the field after the scary injury while “Let’s go Zak” chants reportedly rang through the Big House.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy comforted Zinter’s parents on the field and hugged them in what was surely an incredibly difficult moment for the family of the injured player.
J.J. McCarthy went to give Zak Zinter's parents a hug after their son was carted off the field ❤️@UMichfootball pic.twitter.com/qV8jDsOTCB
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023
Zak Zinter receives a loud ovation from fans after he’s carted off the field 💙#FOXFieldPass pic.twitter.com/ybYeLj45Bm
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 25, 2023
In case there was ever a question about what Zak Zinter means to this team. pic.twitter.com/j8nNoGDQcH
— Jennifer Hammond (@HammerFox2) November 25, 2023
The Wolverines quickly scored after the game resumed, and in celebration, Michigan running back Blake Corum flashed Zinter’s No. 65 at the camera.
After Zak Zinter was carted off the field due to injury, the very next snap Blake Corum broke away for a TD run and the @UMichfootball sideline was loving it ❤️〽️ pic.twitter.com/BaNUmfNPNT
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023
Fox Sports reported Zinter left Michigan Stadium and went to the hospital for further evaluation.
Update: Per Zinter’s family via The Athletic’s Austin Meek, the lineman broke both multiple bones in his leg, requiring surgery.
From Zak Zinter’s family: pic.twitter.com/ek7abkmesG
— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) November 26, 2023