A players-only meeting provided a reset for the Michigan Wolverines following the loss at Oklahoma two weeks ago, and it resulted in a dominant win over Central Michigan in the final tune-up before Big Ten play gets started this weekend.
The purpose of the players-only meeting — which was driven by the six team captains — was to ensure the program remained focused and united moving forward, instead of allowing one frustrating loss to create division within the team.
“We lost in Week 2 last year and
it was a dividing factor with our team,” Michigan running back Jordan Marshall told the media on Tuesday. “We had a player-led meeting this week. The message was to come together. We have to be stronger from this moment.”
It was important for the Wolverines to learn from what went wrong in the Oklahoma loss but not dwell on it too much. It appears that was the case as Michigan played with a lot of confidence, freedom and physicality in the bounce-back win.
The meeting offered the players an opportunity to express how they feel about what the team needs to do to succeed. Heading into the Big Ten opener at Nebraska, the entire program needed to be on the same page and work together as one, and it sounds like that mission has been accomplished.
“It was definitely helpful to bring the players together and let everyone say how they feel about everything going on,” Michigan tight end Hogan Hansen said. “It shows our strength as a team. Connection is our catalyst to being a great team.”
“Everyone had a sense of what was going to be said and what we needed to do to get us back on track and going in the right way. Our captains conveyed it well and everyone was on the same page.”
There are plenty of experienced and high-quality leaders on the team, which sets the standard for being connected and unified during difficult times. It will be key to keep that mindset going because Big Ten play always presents challenges.
“Michigan has always been about putting your head down and going back to work,” Marshall said. “We’re going to have to win on the road. The guys are embracing it. I’m excited to see what this team does. We’re in a really good spot right now.”
The captain-led, players-only meeting gave the team an opportunity to reset prior to a pivotal matchup at Nebraska this Saturday. Now that the entire team is on the same page, this week could be a defining moment for the 2025 season.
