Give Michigan tailback Brandon Minor a choice and he'll plow straight ahead, opting to try to run over what stands in his way rather than run around a defender.

Michigan running back Brandon Minor tries to break free from Iowa linebacker A.J. Edds on Saturday. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

Despite being hampered with a nagging high ankle sprain that limits his ability to explode out of cuts at full speed, Minor relies on his power to help carry the workload in the Wolverines ground game.

That's just the way he prefers to operate.

"I ain't shying down from any bit of contact no matter what position you play or how big you are," Minor said Monday. "I'm just going to take a shot at you.

"(Contact) doesn't hurt as much if you're delivering it."

Minor, who ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns in Michigan's 30-28 loss at Iowa Saturday, dismisses the notion that bigger, hard-hitting defensive lineman should dictate when and how contact is dispensed.

For all the talk surrounding the Hawkeyes' string of 33 consecutive quarters without allowing a rushing touchdown, Minor surged ahead, carrying the ball 22 times.

Minor scored on runs of 1 and 3 yards as Michigan reached the end zone three times on the ground. The Wolverines, who rank second behind Wisconsin in the Big Ten in rushing (197.3 yards a game) finishing the loss with 195 yards a week after only registering 28 yards in an overtime loss to Michigan State.

Again, it was Minor who led the charge.

"There was a lot of talk about (Iowa's run defense), but I wasn't really too worried about it because I knew I was going to come with hard, physical play," Minor said. "We were just going to see who was tougher."

Toughness enters the discussion when Minor's involved. In a Michigan backfield known for speed, it's the 6-foot-1, 218-pound Minor that adds a different dimension, physically and mentally.

Just ask center David Moosman. Moosman, who moved to center due to an injury to starter David Molk, defines Minor by his edge. He compares his toughness to Molk, who Moosman said changes the complexity of Michigan's offensive line with his attitude.

He throws Minor in the same category.

"He's got that hard edge, that motor," Moosman said Monday. "When you see the guy keep running and keep going and keep moving his feet, you've got to keep blocking for him. You can't just watch someone else hit him."

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez has said numerous times this season that the Wolverines are a different team when Minor is on the field.

And while Minor has been slowed by the high ankle sprain, his desire to run over people hasn't diminished, keeping him hungry to play through the injury, even this weekend against Delaware State (Noon, Big Ten Network).

With several demanding Big Ten tests ahead, convention wisdom may suggest this weekend may be the time to rest Minor. Minor doesn't see Saturday's game with a lesser-known opponent the time to stop pushing forward.

"I'm anxious - I don't want to take no weeks off," he said. "If the coach wants to sit me, that's his decision, but if it's up to me, I'm playing."

And as Michigan looks to re-establish the offense that led to four straight wins to start the season, Rodriguez look to Minor to make the difference.

"He just brings that hard-edge attitude, and I love the passion he plays with," Rodriguez said.

"Not that the other (running backs) aren't good - Carlos (Brown) is a very good player and Mike Shaw and Vincent Smith - we have confidence in them, but we think Brandon Minor is one of the most physical runners in the country."

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2554 or jeffarnold@annarbor.com