Michigan loses starting cornerback for season

By Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press

Michigan suffered more than a one-game loss against Alabama.

The school announced Monday morning that starting sophomore cornerback Blake Countess will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in the first quarter of Saturday's 41-14 loss in Arlington, Texas.

Countess was injured when covering a punt with 11:18 remaining in the quarter and was hit by Alabama's Kenny Bell. Countess hopped off the field and spent the rest of the game on crutches.

He was replaced by cornerback Courtney Avery, who Alabama attacked with a 51-yard touchdown pass two series later. After that, Raymon Taylor manned the corner spot opposite J.T. Floyd.

"Obviously Blake's a talented ballplayer, but the next guy steps up," Michigan co-captain Jordan Kovacs said after Saturday's game. "I thought Ray played pretty well. I don't think that affected our game plan at all. We have all the confidence in Ray, and Jarrod Wilson also came in and was able to play some safety. I think Ray played a good ballgame and he's going to learn from some of his mistakes as well, just like the rest of us."

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