ANN ARBOR, MICH. – Berkley Edwards grew up about 25 miles from Michigan Stadium, in nearby Novi. His father, Stan, and older brother, Braylon, both starred for the Wolverines before playing in the NFL.
Berkley Edwards earned first-team all-state honors at Chelsea High School and won two state championships in track, but Michigan didn't offer him a scholarship.
After countless times sitting in the Big House as a Michigan fan, Edwards will be there Saturday with the Gophers, hoping to spoil the Wolverines' day.
"It is big, but for me, I don't want to make it too big," Edwards said. "It's just another game. Go there and get the job done, get the win and move on from there."
As a redshirt freshman tailback, the 5-9 Edwards rushed for two touchdowns in the season opener against Eastern Illinois, including a 42-yarder. But Middle Tennessee limited him to 17 yards on six carries, and he has managed just six short rushes in the past two games.
"He's had a knock-down shoulder [injury]," Gophers coach Jerry Kill said. "We've been careful with it."
But Edwards felt better this week. He said Wednesday's practice was his best of the whole season.
"As the season goes on, we'll definitely use [Edwards] in more ways, as he learns the playbook a little bit more," running back David Cobb said. "So we'll definitely see more of him coming down the stretch."
