Notebook: Michigan defense impresses Rich Rodriguez with first-half performance

“I thought the first half was just, they were phenomenal,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “I don’t know what Western had in the first half total offense, but our defense had a bunch of three and outs. We were getting pressure on the ball, tackled well. Second half, not so much.” Despite starting fifth-year senior Tim Hiller at quarterback, Western Michigan had just 79 yards of total offense in the first half. The Broncos ran three or fewer plays on six of their first seven drives, and didn’t take an offensive snap in Michigan territory until the final three minutes of the second quarter. “It felt good to get off the field, three-and-out,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “That was the goal, just fly to the ball, get as many three-and-outs as we can, get the offense back the ball so they can run up the score.” After finishing last in the Big Ten in turnover margin last year, Michigan forced three turnovers Saturday and committed one.

"That was one of our biggest points of emphasis and probably the biggest key to us in this season is eliminating the turnovers and negative-yard plays," Rodriguez said. Injury update Sophomore cornerback Boubacar Cissoko left Saturday’s game late in the first half clutching his right leg. He gave up two straight completions along Michigan’s sideline, then limped off the field. Rodriguez said Cissoko “had a shoulder or a nerve problem,” and Cissoko said he’ll be able to play next week against Notre Dame. Running back Brandon Minor went through warm-ups Saturday, but did not play because of the high ankle sprain that limited him through most of fall camp. Minor is expected to play next weekend, too. Fullback Mark Moundros left the game in the first quarter after getting injured covering a kick Surprise starter Forcier wasn’t the only true freshman to start for Michigan Saturday. His classmate, Craig Roh, won the starting job at quick end and played most of the game ahead of Brandon Herron. Roh said he learned he was going to start on Friday. “I was thinking about it the whole night, the whole day, really nervous about it,” Roh said. “That was one of my goals this year to start every game this year. Just achieving one of my goals, it’s an accomplishment for me, but I’m going to keep setting more and more goals.” Roh had his first career half-sack when he combined with Ryan Van Bergen to drop Hiller for a 9-yard loss late in the first half. The sack helped knock Western Michigan out of makeable field-goal range. John Potter missed a 44-yard kick on the next play. Dave Birkett covers the University of Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com