Speaking with the media this afternoon, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore previewed The Game against Ohio State, provided some injury updates on Colston Loveland and Will Johnson, and much more:
The Michigan Wolverines are coming off a 50-6 pounding of Northwestern, but immediately shift their attention to Ohio State . The Game is always important, even in a season that has been disappointing coming off a national title.
Head coach Sherrone Moore spoke with the media this afternoon to preview The Game (Noon, FOX), give some injury updates, and much, much more.
- Former assistant Biff Poggi was in attendance for the Northwestern game last weekend after being fired from Charlotte a few weeks back. Moore said it was “great” having him back over the weekend and it is “definitely a possibility” to get him back.
- When reflecting on the game against Ohio State last year, Moore called it a “collaborative effort” with former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and others. The strategy last year was to be “pretty aggressive,” so it seems possible to see that strategy again this season.
- Ohio State’s defense has been very good this season, and Moore went as far to say that it’s as good as any in the country. “They’re a really good team, so we have to go execute at a high level to go win.”
- Moore noted the environment down at Ohio Stadium is a hostile one, and that the Wolverines have to embrace the hostility, crowd noise and other distractions.
- When asked about balancing high school recruiting and the transfer portal, Moore mentioned you have to “cut your teeth” with recruiting at the high school level, and then supplement the remaining needs in the portal. “We’re going to focus on both, we have plans for both. Obviously we’re continuing to try to bring in the best players we can that fit us and fit the systems and fit this culture here.”
- Moore said a game like this one has a major emphasis on the rushing battle. “The team that wins the rushing battle wins the game … that’s gotta be an emphasis for us.”
- On the injury front, tight end Colston Loveland is “trending in a good direction” to play on Saturday, Moore said. He didn’t give much of an update on cornerback Will Johnson, but he did say “we’ll see” regarding their statuses on Saturday.
- Moore didn’t know about the importance of The Game until he arrived in Ann Arbor, but now he is fully aware of the magnitude of it. “The fans, the people, coaches here, coaches of the past, they make sure you understand what it’s all about.”
- “I think we’re not gonna forget about what’s happened (with the losses earlier in the year) but I think we’re gonna use it as motivation for this game. This game means a lot. Every year it means that much. Each team could be 0-11 or 11-0 and the records go out the window in this game and you really just care about winning the game. That’s what our guys are focused on and doing everything we can to go win.”
- Kicker Dominic Zvada had another good game over the weekend and converted another 50+ yard field goal. Moore made his pitch that Zvada should be the Lou Groza winner this season. “He’s outstanding, he’s been that way since he’s gotten here … whoever’s out there listening, you should give the award to him for sure.”
- Much was made over the weekend when cornerback Jyaire Hill was on the bench for much of the game. Moore said “we’ll see” if he gains his starting spot back, and acknowledged that Aamir Hall, who notched his first interception on Saturday, “stepped up” against Northwestern. “We’ll see how this week progresses.”
- Moore was complimentary of quarterback Davis Warren, and more specifically, the confidence he has in himself. He also mentioned guys around him, specifically pointing out the receivers, have played better and that has helped Warren play better as well.
- Ohio State is known for its high quality wide receivers. Michigan has already played a couple teams with good receivers, such as Oregon and Texas. Moore said OSU’s group is as good, if not better, than Oregon’s and Texas’ receivers. “Jeremiah Smith is as advertised … then you got Emeka Egbuka, you got Carnell Tate, you got Brandon Innis. They’ve got a lot of threats out there … they’re gonna make plays, they always do, and they will, but we’ve gotta limit those plays.”