ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan soccer is lastly getting out of its nonconference schedule and is about to start Huge Ten play with Maryland coming to city on Saturday.
Up to now, each groups are undefeated, and each enter with high-powered offenses. That is Maryland’s first highway recreation, with the Wolverines being at dwelling.
On Monday, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke concerning the challenges the Wolverines will face, in addition to what he’s seen from his crew these first three weeks. From what he’s preferred to what the crew must work on, he touched on all of it.
Right here is every little thing Harbaugh mentioned in his weekly media availability on Monday.
The challenges Maryland presents, and its cross offense
Actually good playmakers. Their quarterback is enjoying excellent. They’re doing a very good job defending him. They’re making plenty of performs. He’s making plenty of performs — within the pocket, out of the pocket.
General, it’s a very good offense.
Shifting on from the earlier recreation
I simply assume guys are excited to assault the subsequent problem. They’re prepared for it, they understand it’s going to be a step up in competitors — begin of Huge Ten play. I believe it’s extra a perform of extra excited for that subsequent problem.
Is Greg Crippen injured?
No, there’s nothing incorrect with him. He’s good. He’s good. It’s simply a type of issues the place there’s a risk of redshirting him this 12 months. We’re gonna see how that goes. We are able to’t predict the longer term, but when Olu can keep wholesome and play in there, then there can be a shot of getting that 12 months again for Crippen. In order that’s why he’s solely performed one recreation.
Olu Oluwatimi’s progress
Actually good. He had one other actually stable recreation. So did Ryan Hayes, so did Trevor Keegan when he was in there. Zak Zinter and Olu. Trente is continuous to play properly, as properly. He’s enjoying good.
How has the crew modified up observe with Huge Ten play beginning?
The momentum has been good. The work ethic has been nice. management’s been nice. It’s simply selfless individuals in this system throughout and that exhibits up in observe.
On the cross safety points
There’s been some instances the place we’ve gotten beat on a one-on-one matchup this recreation, the sport earlier than. You’re striving for chasing perfection, typically — properly most likely on a regular basis you don’t get perfection. Hope to achieve excellence and — finish of sentence!
What was the purpose of inserting Cade McNamara as an alternative of kneeling earlier than halftime?
To attempt to press the ball downfield to get into subject aim vary.
Is there an replace on Cade McNamara’s damage?
Not at this level.
Who could be the backup QB?
Yeah, seeing good issues in all of them. Davis Warren, Alan Bowman, Alex Orji — seeing superb issues from them in observe after which once they’ve gotten into the video games. We now have good confidence in all three.
Did he count on Ronnie Bell to come back again full-strength?
Effectively, you by no means know for certain however I imply, yeah, he got here again stronger, sooner, all of the pace and agility. Lots of the pace and agility checks had been PRs for him. And by no means actually puzzled about his mindset. I figured that may be his method, and it was.
Additionally, the way in which he’s blocking is at an elite degree. So is CJ and so is Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson, Andreal Anthony. Proper now, it’d be a battle, who’s our greatest blocker. But it surely’s displaying up within the perimeter, perimeter recreation is at a brand new degree for us. And also you’ve seen that within the ball video games that we’ve been enjoying.
However Ronnie’s actually blocking properly and catching the ball and operating routes and doing every little thing he’s doing. Main, his work ethic has been selfless, to be a terrific instance. Lots of what I talked about earlier.
What’s allowed Roman Wilson to succeed this 12 months?
He’s been extremely motivated. It’s been an on a regular basis method for him. I imply, he’s actually had a spotlight and willpower on being one of the best he might be. It’s been every day. I have no idea for certain if he’s taken the day without work however he doesn’t look like it. He’s been attacking always.
A.J. Henning’s emergence
It’s one thing we’ve been engaged on. He’s simply in a position to take action a lot, simply looking for methods, proceed to seek out methods like we all the time have, to attempt to get him the ball. However actually evolving as a route runner. His willpower as a returner has been excellent. From the place he began final 12 months, first time catching a punter to the place he’s now, it’s so good.
Each a part of his recreation, he’s hungry, he desires to maintain getting higher and evolving. He’s actually good.
On the dearth of penalties this season
That’s been a excessive emphasis placed on it. Simply wanting on the manner — instance could be the way in which the protection hits a quarterback. Each time we’ve had free runners, they do a terrific job of maintaining it within the strike zone, the authorized strike zone. Protecting their head out of it. Mike Sainristil and any man that’s gotten close to the quarterback — simply actually specializing in the approach and to one of the best of your skill, doing all your job with out getting these penalties.
Identical with hitting defenseless gamers. Makari Paige had an amazing hit within the recreation that broke up a cross, nevertheless it was in a textbook shoulder pad, helmet not main with the crown and all these issues that which can be coached and actually put into motion. It was these teaching factors within the guys having the ability to assume in a split-second response. Taking their arms off of receivers blocking downfield, simply taking the arms off and simply operating with one arm. Ronnie did a terrific job of that within the recreation. A few of these conditions the place it’s straightforward to get a penalty. However guys have been educated and actually take these teaching factors to coronary heart and placing them into motion.
How Mike Elston is enhancing the defensive position
Yeah, it’s been nice. I might say Mike’s been nice. As I mentioned, the management, the work ethic, simply the selflessness of all people across the program has been phenomenal. Coaches like Mike Elston, have talked quite a bit about Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale, and Mike’s doing a terrific job, George Helow is doing a terrific job. Jay Harbaugh, the offensive coaches, Sherrone, Matt Weiss. actually doing properly. And Mike Hart and Ron Bellam, Grant Newsome — actually, actually proud of how all people’s teaching.
The D-line is standing out. One of the best factor about our protection, after I have a look at them, is simply the way in which guys are getting off blocks. They’re getting off blocks and making tackles. Kris Jenkins had an outstanding recreation on this recreation, so did Junior Colson, Mike Sainrsitil. These two guys, Junior and Kris, actually, actually performed properly, actually getting off blocks. Upshaw — getting blocked, making the deal with. Jaylen Harrell, setting an edge, getting blocked and making a deal with. The upfront video games and, and twists have been actually good. They work on them daily and it’s enjoyable to observe.
14 guys, I believe, have gotten TFLs out of the 18 TFLs that we’ve had there. Once more, factors to a terrific work ethic, management, and selflessness — actually, actually exhibits up in all phases of our soccer crew proper now, in my view.
Blake Corum’s growth because the lead again
You have a look at Blake and he simply was so good instantly proper when he bought right here. He has all the time maintained an impeccable method to the sport of soccer when it comes to work ethic. I believe he’s added a couple of kilos this offseason. And it’s all power. It’s all lean muscle mass. Simply as quick, as fast. Proper? No higher instance of selflessness in this system than Blake Corum. He’s an amazing employee and great chief. Couldn’t say sufficient good issues about him. However he’s all the time been good. His method has all the time been A-plus-plus. And his play speaks for itself.
What he says when receivers textual content him asking to get extra concerned
Let’s go! There’s simply so many who wish to do, and you’re keen on guys like that.
Carrying on one recreation to the subsequent
Yeah, similar to I mentioned, I believe the momentum is simply actually good proper now. And I highlighted the three areas that I highlighted: work ethic, management and selflessness all through this system actually, actually stands out. And excited for this subsequent problem this subsequent week. We all know the competitors degree goes to step up and the fellows are gonna have it, able to assault it with a terrific week of observe after which have at it on Saturday.
Did he watch Aidan Hutchinson on Sunday?
Yeah, three sacks. I watched it. Yeah. It was actually spectacular. Nice to see it.
His transition to the NFL
Fairly darn good! Fairly, fairly good!