9:00 AM
After Michigan's victory over Ohio State, Aidan Hutchinson burst into tears, as he thrust both arms in the air. His visualization that he could help change the program's culture and his legacy all flowed out in that moment.
After his junior year, when he was receiving first- and second-round grades, he decided to return to Michigan and establish a legacy. He knew his decision had paid off when he was surrounded by thousands of fans.
"He is the epitome of Bo's comment that those who stay will be champion," said his father, Chris, an All-American Michigan defensive lineman in the '90s. He's a champion even if he doesn't win on Saturday night.
His goal of breaking out and increasing his NFL draft stock was derailed by an ankle injury in the third game of the 2020 season. He was not fully healthy by the summer. Chris, an emergency room doctor at a local hospital, was holding his breath to see how it would hold up the entire season, as swelling persisted on his ankle.
Hutchinson was thought to be a good player with a lot of potential. He had the size and the skills, but it hadn't all come together on the field.
He talked about sitting on the bench when Michigan lost to Ohio State at the Big Ten media days in August. He felt like he couldn't do anything about it because he was down by more than two scores. He was able to focus on everything he had this season because of the helplessness he felt that day.
He wanted to beat Ohio State and win the Big Ten.
He said on the 'In The Trenches' that he cared the most about the two things. If I play well this season and we win the Big Ten Championship, that will fulfill my legacy.
One of Hutchinson's goals as a child was to play for the University of Michigan. Chris' white Rose Bowl jersey with the same number as that of Aidan's is on the wall of the family's house. Chris had five championship rings in total, and his jersey sits behind them.
There are three individual awards that are on the same shelf as the championship rings, and one of them is the Richard Katcher award for the team's best defensive lineman. There are no Big Ten championship rings or team awards, and that was something that Aidan was looking to change.
Hutchinson taped a ticket from the Michigan-Ohio State game in 2011, the last time Michigan beat Ohio State, to his dad's jersey as a reminder of what it would take to add to that collection.
There is a picture on our mantle of Aidan tipping a pass against Nebraska when he was a freshman. I have always seen the big 97. When he had 9.5 sacks, I told him it wasn't 11.
He is the epitome of Bo's comment that those who stay will win. He's a champion even if he doesn't win that game on Saturday night. Chris Hutchinson is the father of Aidan Hutchinson.
Chris got to 11 against Ohio State in his final season, so Hutchinson had the chance to break his dad's record.
The Michigan entered last Saturday's game with everything on the line. They are in a good position for their first College Football Playoff spot after a win in the Big Ten championship game.
Jim Harbaugh said that they are not in the position that they are in today.
Hutchinson spent several months working out and studying film while he was rehabbing his ankle injury. He told his parents that something was different. He was a sophomore going into his second season. He was one of the team's leaders and had to relay his confidence to the rest of the players.
"When he stepped into his senior year, he was so enthusiastic about his leadership role, he was so unabashed in his approach and his philosophy, his integrity, and his enthusiasm," she said. It was encouraged for the younger guys to be all of that, because anyone else who had that in them was encouraged to be all of that. Everyone on the team needs to bring everything they've got and put it all on the table.
He pushed himself to do more reps when he thought he couldn't do it in the weight room. He was excited to play in the new system. He was a constant presence in the locker room, reminding his teammates that they can achieve their goals. The mentality wasn't present during Michigan's 2-4 season.
Aidan is an influential person. I think the role that a defensive player has on this team is more important than just being a leader, like me and Josh, because the other leaders on the team, like me, are more important. It's important to hear Aidan's opinion as well. He's contributed so much to the change and the mentality of this team and we truly appreciate him and his leadership as well.
He was ready to leave when the swelling on his ankle subsided. Hutchinson had more sacks in the first four games of the season than he had in the previous three years combined. He had a chance to break his dad's record when he entered the game against Ohio State.
Hutchinson set a Michigan single-season sacks record with his 13th.
Ohio State faced a third-and-goal at the Michigan 8-yard line after Michigan scored a touchdown. Hutchinson set up offensive tackle Dawand Jones to the outside, made a cut to the inside and forced his way past Jones, driving until he finally wrapped up Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud to tie his dad's stat total.
Hutchinson set the Michigan single-season record for sacks with 13 and beat his dad in the game.
Hutchinson wanted to beat his father's number, but he hasn't been about the statistics. He told the "In The Trenches" that you can make all the plays you want, but you don't have a ring. There's a feeling of not being fulfilled.
Hutchinson's vision includes the euphoria of beating Ohio State and being on the verge of a conference title. If the UM beat Iowa, Hutchinson will have a chance at putting a few rings on that shelf with his dad's.
He realized this was his last chance to change the trajectory of the team and how he would be remembered. At Big Ten media days in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, there were questions about how this year is different and why he came back.
He will return to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday to prove that this year was different.
I've spent a lot of my energy. Hutchinson said at the time that he was giving all he had. I'm back for my last ride here, and I've given everything I've got, from working out in the summer to working out in the winter, to make sure I'm in top shape for my last ride. I'm willing to die for this.
I promise you that I want it more than anyone.
