{
  "id": 14251907,
  "title": "Whittingham Won’t Name Michigan’s New Punt Returner",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/whittingham-wont-name-michigans-new-punt-returner",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T17:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/whittingham-won-t-name-michigan-172000207.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Michigan's head coach Kyle Whittingham has yet to announce the new punt returner for Saturday's game against Penn State. Sophomore wide receiver Andrew Marsh, who has been handling the job all season, has been removed from the position after marring two punts. Whittingham explained that the change is due to a combination of factors, not just the need to put the ball on the ground. He did not disclose the nature of the injury, whether it affects Marsh's wide receiver duties, or who will replace him on punts, as previously reported. The team's defensive coordinator has floated the name of freshman running back Savion Hiter as a potential candidate, who has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in high school. Brandon Brown, a reporter, also suggested Hiter as a possibility, noting his impressive high school statistics. Hiter, though, would still need to adjust from kick returns to punt returns. Another candidate, senior cornerback Smith Snowden, was initially listed alongside Marsh as a punt returner candidate, but he primarily returns kickoffs in college.",
  "summary": "Whittingham confirmed a new Michigan punt returner against Penn State but would not name the replacement. #GoBlue",
  "key_points": [
    "Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham hasn't named new punt returner.",
    "Freshman running back Savion Hiter considered for role.",
    "Smith Snowden previously listed as punt returner candidate."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}