Key takeaways from Sherrone Moore’s pre-USC press conference

Michigan

Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore met with the media on Monday to preview the game this Saturday at USC (7:30 p.m., NBC). Here is a recap of the key things he had to say.

• After leaving for the West Coast game at Washington last year on the day before the game, Moore has changed up the team’s travel plans. Instead of Friday, the Wolverines will now be heading to L.A. on Thursday to adjust to the time change prior to the game on Saturday. Moore also revealed that the team will be practicing at the Los Angeles Chargers facilities.
• Another game with more dropped passes, as the Wolverines accounted for three on Saturday vs Wisconsin. Moore said his guys aren’t making excuses for the drops and that the receivers need to catch it if the ball hits their hands. He also gave a shoutout to Donaven McCulley and Andrew Marsh for how they performed on Saturday. “So happy with how those guys played.”
• Regarding USC, Moore noted it has an “explosive” offense, especially at the wide receiver position with Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon. “It’s gonna be a battle. It’s gonna be a four-quarter battle in The Coliseum which we’re really excited about.”
• Michigan gave up an opening drive touchdown to Wisconsin on Saturday, and the Wolverines are emphasizing getting off to better starts. Moore said that Wink Martindale brought up tackling as one of the problems with that drive. Moore also credited the defensive coaching staff with adjusting and learning from the mistakes of that opening drive.
• Moore said that Andrew Marsh has “earned the right” to be a starting wide receiver and will continue to get playing time. He also noted that it’s an open competition for everybody else, with guys like Semaj Morgan, Channing Goodwin, Kendrick Bell and Jamar Browder being the ones mentioned by Moore.
• Regarding the missed field goal by Dominic Zvada, Moore said it was a low snap and “there is a rhythm to kicking,” so there are things that need to be fixed.
• Moore said that left guard Giovanni El-Hadi and tight end Hogan Hansen are both considered “probable” for Saturday. More on that news here.
• When asked about running back Justice Haynes, Moore said he is an “animal” and should be considered for the Heisman Trophy. He also called him an “explosive player” and that he is “consistent, works his tail off … I’m glad we got Justice Haynes on our team.” When asked a follow up question later on, Moore said Haynes reminds him of Blake Corum and former Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray. “Everything he does off the field is awesome.”
• Moore was also asked about true freshman wideout Jamar Browder, who he detailed as someone who has “great ball skills” and is fast. However, Moore also said Browder has to work on “understanding the concepts” and learning other things.
• Michigan has a lot of California-born players on the roster, but Moore is trying to keep all focus on the matchup this Saturday. They won’t be “celebrating” or taking selfies in The Coliseum, as Moore said, but he did sound excited that the game is sold out “because Michigan is coming.”
• Davis Warren continues to recover from his torn ACL suffered in the bowl game last year. Moore said Warren has been throwing and running during his recovery process, all while being “a great team player” to help Bryce Underwood and the other players in the quarterback room.