Michigan Football head coach Sherrone Moore met with the media on Monday to preview the game this Saturday at the Big House against Purdue (7 p.m., BTN). Here is a recap of the key things he had to say.
- Starting off with some injury updates — linebacker Cole Sullivan’s injury still has yet to receive an official diagnosis, but they will likely get more information later this week. Meanwhile, safety Rod Moore appears to have re-aggravated his knee injury and that his knee is “not all the way there.” Finally, tight end Hogan Hansen should be able to practice more this week in hopes that he will be available this Saturday. You can read more about that news here.
- When asked about how much influence he has on the plays that get called on offense, Moore said he “helps out,” but offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey calls the plays. “I’m just there to help out and help with things I see, but yeah, I’m not calling plays.”
- Moore said he doesn’t “have a strong opinion” on the new rule that collegiate athletes can bet on professional sports games, and that he may talk to his team about it next week during the bye.
- Regarding the pass game, Moore said the pass protection (or lack of) and Michigan State’s coverage played roles in the lack of success through the air. However, given how successful the run game was — particularly in the second half — the game script led them to running the ball more.
- Another game, another struggle at punt return for Semaj Morgan. When asked about it, Moore said they are evaluating the return game as a whole and they are going to keep working at it to get better, which includes communication on the field with the gunners and jammers. “We’ll see” about making changes.
- When asked a follow up question about Morgan’s struggles, Moore said they have been challenging him and there is “constant competition” for him at punt return and receiver. “He practices at a high level, practices hard, practices with energy.”
- Finally, Morgan and Andrew Marsh will compete more at punt return duties this week.
- “Pretty good for (276) yards rushing” is how Moore described the play of the offensive line during the MSU game. “They played at a high level, but there’s plenty to fix, plenty to get right.” Asked a follow up question about the group, he liked “the edge” that Blake Frazier played with — considering he’s a legacy player — that right guard Jake Guarnera has been playing solid the last few weeks, and that right tackle Andrew Sprague played the best of the offensive linemen on Saturday. “Those guys are playing at a great level.”
- “Yeah absolutely … that’d be great to see,” Moore said regarding his thoughts on the potential of the Michigan vs Notre Dame matchup coming back sooner.
- The tight end group was a non-factor against MSU, but Moore said it was a “game flow” thing. They tried to get the ball to Marlin Klein on a number of occasions, but the plays just didn’t work. “That’s just how the game went.”
- The Wolverines tried to have a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half at MSU, but Moore said they didn’t get the ball to a certain spot on the field to where he’d feel comfortable giving it a shot, which is why they decided to go to halftime instead.
- Given how well Jordan Marshall has played the last couple weeks, Moore said “100 percent” when asked if they need to keep getting more carries even with Justice Haynes back. “He’s an outstanding running back. He has the ability to make you miss, the ability to run you over, the ability to take the big one to the house, so he’s done everything he can at this point to get carries and he’ll continue to do that.”
- Moore has been pleased with the tackling and physicality up front on defense the last two weeks. “I thought the way we’re defending the run overall has been outstanding.” He is also impressed with the depth that has emerged and all the guys that have been playing “at a great level for us.”
- According to the coaching staff’s player grades — which are vastly different from PFF, as Moore said he doesn’t even look at PFF — Max Bredeson graded out at 97 percent vs MSU and is “everything you would want” in a football player, teammate and person. “If you had 11 Max Bredeson’s, you’d probably go undefeated.” Moore also mentioned that Jalen Hoffman is “taking all the steps to try and replicate what (Bredeson’s) doing.”
- Finally, edge rusher Derrick Moore also graded out highly to the coaching staff. Per Sherrone Moore: “He’s playing at a high level … he played at an elite level the last two games.”
