Brady Hoke, Michigan football players talk night football and more
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke addresses the media after the weather-shortened 34-10 victory against Western Michigan.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Here comes Notre Dame, the first night game at Michigan Stadium, special jerseys and something Michigan athletic director said is "going to be a great spectacle."
Already, tickets for the Notre Dame at Michigan football game Saturday (8 p.m., ESPN), are going for as much as $1,500 on StubHub.com.
Brady Hoke, fresh off a "wet and wild" opening week 34-10 victory against Western Michigan, was scheduled to talk at his weekly press conference at 12:30 p.m.
We'll have updates in this story throughout the press conference and more coverage later today.
DAVID MOLK, senior offensive lineman
David Molk: Said he'd like to have a game where there's no preparation whatsoever, where both teams "Just go in and react." Said he'd be very interested to see how that goes.
David Molk: "It was a clean game. ... Short game. ... It was good to get first game nerves for all the guys. Really excited to see where this thing goes."
David Molk: Said adjusting to new starting guard on game day isn't very different.
RYAN VAN BERGEN, senior defensive end
Ryan Van Bergen: "It's a big deal," about Notre Dame rivalry. Rehashed some history about Michigan. Instead of going to Evanston to play Northwestern, went to South Bend and taught Notre Dame to play football. "But you'll have to check on that," he said.
Ryan Van Bergen: "It was a big deal, was a great accomplishment for me," on being honorary captain for last week's game.
Ryan Van Bergen: "We had some good things, but there's a lot of room to improve."
Ryan Van Bergen: "Night games, they're fun in terms of atmosphere and stuff, but what people don't realize is we're waiting around all day, which sucks."
Ryan Van Bergen: "When (Western) came out in a no huddle, hat off to them, we didn't see that coming."
Ryan Van Bergen: "One thing we gotta do better is we gotta improve our four-man rush."
Ryan Van Bergen: "When you score on defense, it's just something that's unexpected and exciting."
BRADY HOKE
Brady Hoke: Michigan, in addition to permanent captains, will have an honorary senior captain for every game.
Hoke: Said will have headset on with defense all the time, mostly listening "because that's my expertise." Will listen in situationally on offense.
Hoke: "I like how Al (Borges) calls a game." Said he was pleased with offensive mix.
Hoke: "I thought he felt comfortable." on Denard Robinson's play against WMU.
Hoke: Said he doesn't like night games, "but I have no say, and that's OK, too. I like 12 o'clock games."
Hoke: Said at Ball State had about seven night games his last season, so expect to be well prepared in how structures day for players. Said will not change practice times.
Hoke: "As a coach or a player, it's a long day because we all have a nervousness to us." On difference of playing at night.
Hoke: "Only playing 39 plays, I don't know if we know that yet." Regarding how much team will need dynamic play out of Denard Robinson against Notre Dame.
Hoke: Though Michael Schofield did a nice job filling in for Ricky Barnum. Barnum listed as starter at left guard despite being out last week for undisclosed team issue. Said both will compete this week.
Fliers on counter indicate ESPN "College GameDay" still plans to broadcast from Ann Arbor next week.
Hoke: "Our routes, we broke a couple off early. Our receivers gotta be a little more disciplined."
Hoke: We've gotta play better run defense, we gotta play tighter in a zone."
Hoke: Rushing for 190 yards in three quarters of a game, "That was a good thing. ... In man coverage we have to be better than we were because of talent Notre Dame has."
Hoke: No countdown clock for Notre Dame (as there is for Michigan State and Ohio State) because not a conference game, in-state rivalry is special as is end-of-season rivalry. But said national spotlight is special for this rivalry.
Hoke: Said Troy Woolfolk and Cam Gordon are healthy and are expected to play and start on Saturday.
Hoke: Said team can't get caught up in "all the other stuff" surrounding night game.
Hoke: Thanked everyone for coming out on the holiday, "But when you're in our profession or around our profession, there really are no holidays."
Noteables from the two-deep depth chart: Troy Woolfolk still listed as No. 1 left side corner; Fitzgerald Toussaint now listed above Michael Shaw, but both still listed at the No. 1 running back spot; Brandon Herron still listed as No. 2 weakside linebacker behind Mike Jones (what's a guy gotta do?); Jeremy Gallon now listed as top kick returner; Drew Dileo moved up to No. 1 holder spot.
Comments
MRunner73
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.
Coach Hoke so far, reminds me of a young and intense Bo Schembechler...in terms of his attitude. He's only coached one game but his whole approach is very similar. Thus, I expect him, his coaching staff and his players to overachive this season. That means we as fans should be pleasantly surprised, as I was about the defensive adjustments made in the Western game by doing more blitzing. A bigger test awaits Saturday against Notre Dame, so let's sit back or stand up and cheer as to how we'll fight through adversity. Notre Dame is a huge question mark after their home opener loss. Michigan probaly gained more confidence in our home opener win. As Bo used to say, a good team should show a lot of improvement from the first game to the second. I'll be happy with any kind of win because it will have been hard fought. Go Blue!!
Keith
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:27 p.m.
Molk, open mouth & insert foot. You had better take this time to prepare this week. Better bring your A game. !!!!!!!Better not to wing this one!!!!!! Notre Dame is coming off a BAD (As...) LOSS and they are DESPERATE to WIN at the BIG HOUSE.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
Desperation is a poor motivation factor for winning football games. Ask the WCiMFH about having to win to keep your job, and don't downplay this for ND, BK is now on the "hot seat". Not so much for how ND lost, although it looked very familar, but for how he handled himself during the meltdown. (That also looked familar.) That's not to say Michigan is a lock to win, but it's better to play the game with your mind focused and you leaders on the same page emotionally. Let's play ball. TiM Go Blue!
Mick52
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
At this level, major college football, and that this is Michigan,there are no excuses. I think last year the coaching was poor and the players were very inexperienced. Now they have another year of experience and development and new coaching. There are eleven players on the field on each side. I reject the notion-at this level-that one team is much more talented than another. This is Michigan. You would not be on the team if you are not capable of winning. When I was active in sports and I played in a close, down to the final play game, I told myself "if we loose, it's not going to be because I got beat or I made a mistake. It all boils down to who wants it the most.
MRunner73
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.
You got it right. Those who win wants it the most. I think there is a talent factor. The notion that David can slay Goliath always will not always work. In football, one mistake can cost you as win, so as the other team capitalizes on that mistake. I look for the Wolverines to play their guts out out every game. In the end, they may or even will come up a short a few times. It is refreshing the Coach Hoke is making no excuses and he expects no less than 105% from each player on the roster. So buckle up for an exciting season.
DonAZ
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
To a point ... but not beyond. Talent on the field does ultimately make a difference. And there are disparities in the talent level between teams "at the major college level." Indiana is at the "major college level" and it would lose 100 out of 100 games to a team like Alabama or LSU. Motivation and desire to win is important. The absence of that means even teams with superior talent can lose. But for a team lacking in talent and -- perhaps more important -- depth of talent, motivation only goes so far.
DonAZ
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
Bottom line -- there was nothing I cringed and shook my head over, and there were quite a few things I was pleased with because they showed progress in the right direction. My strong sense is Borges kept a lot of his playbook off the field. My sense is we're going to see a pretty darn effective Denard Robinson this year. His rushing numbers will be down, but when the dust settles at the end of the year they'll be talking about how much he's improved in the passing game. I *loved* watching him stand tall in the pocket, check down his receivers and then loft one to Hemingway. LOVED it. Defense will get better each game. They won't be top rated. But not bottom dweller either.
golfer
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
need 10 more yards in the end zone on kic offs. gave them to much running room to return the kicks. put a shoe to it.!
umgoblue47
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.
the D started out slow but as the game continued it diden't get WORSEr it got BETTER, this is expected for a first game! the ND game will be the real test for both sides of the ball. . . GO BLUE!!!
rightmind250
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
Live by the blitz, die by the blitz. If your only way to stop a team is blitz, you will eventually be killed. Watch by the 5 or 6th game if UM hasn't found a way to stop teams without blitzing every down,. yhey will be lucky to win a game. Teams figure out a way to exploit that kind of weakness.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.
Hello? Like I pointed out, once you get the QB looking for the blitz, you fake it, drop the safety back and almost pick it off. Did YOU watch the game. Kovacs pulls that in and it's a pick 6. Plus on the first series the announcer noted the Mike Martin had presure up the middle, with no blitz. Why would you start the FIRST game blitzing when you don't know what you have matchup wise? Plus what's Coach Mattison's number one rule? NO BIG PLAYS. Yes now that you are playing attention, what happens if an experienced QB catches you in one on one coverage on the first play with a proven receiver? rightminded is Skip Holtz still coaching UCF in Tampa? Glass house!
rightmind250
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
You can disagree all you want. The fact is UM could not get any pressure on the QB from their front 4. The only way they got pressure was when they blitzed. Simple numbers tell you when you take a linebacker or safety out of position to blitz, you leave a hole. Its up to the offense to find that hole and exploit it. When they do its usually for big numbers. Why didn't Mattison just start the game blitzing? He would rather not expose his defense if he doesn't have to. He had no choice. He had to take risks. You should be happy. It worked. Don't you think Brian Kelly is looking for those holes created by a blitzing safety? Mick, you must not have watched the game or listened.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
M52 Some people just like to stir the pot. The DC changed up the blitz package and the proof was after Kovacs leveled Carder, he faked the blitz, stepped back in coverage and knocked down the pass. When the offense starts to make changes based on what the defense is doing, then you're in the QBs head. Then the D changes again based on what the coaches see, to stop the next play. You're in the OC's head. Game over. Hey how did "UCF" do vs ND last Saturday rightmind250? Did you ever figure that out?
Mick52
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
I disagree and would not describe Saturday's defense as LBTB. I think the biltzing was properly spread out. Last year with a three man front and no blitzing, is what caused the defensive problems. I think you have to pressure the QB and get tackles for loss to succeed defensively and if you DL is not penetrating and getting it done, you have to bring on the LBs and DBs to get in there and create some ruckus.
tim
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
First game--- I'ld wouldn't read to much into it. Most teams can compete in the first and (in all or part)of the second quarters , but then the emotion runs dry and then the better team starts to take over. That's what I saw Saturday, if not for the rain Michigan would have completely run over Western. Time will tell what they're capable of, but I did like the blitz. Michigan's defense looked much better when they started using it.
UofMbeWorser
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.
Up till the point where we intercepted michigan and ran the ball all the way back, we were getting out muscled out coached, and out played by Western. I think we should thank our lucky stars for a MAC meltdown. My prediction...... we don't beat any B10 team that finishes above .500 Thats pretty much been Hokes career as a head coach, and while he now has better talent, he now has to play better teams every week.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
Worser, who is "we intercepted michigan" and aren't you a msu or tsopio fan? So when you write "we don't beat any B10 team that finishes over .500", "we is who? My prediction is you will be wrong with your prediction, again. Not only is Coach Hoke a better coach than the WCiMFH, his staff is way better than the WCSiMFH. TiM Go Blue!
MRunner73
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
You are entitled to your opion. If you were ever a student athlete, then you would understand about practicing hard and believing in yourself as well as your coaches. First, you have to get the mindset, then you work on the mechanics, then you execute them in game situations. We are only fans so all we can do is comment. My guts tells me that the football Wolverines will pleasantly surprise you more often than not. I know your kind; you fear being dissappointed.
azwolverine
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
umgoblue...thank you for some logic. YES, Michigan's D improved as the game wore on. Let me say that again: Michigan's D IMPROVED as the game wore on. When is the last time that happened? Certainly not in the past three seasons when the D got progressively worse in the second half of games. No, they can't live by the blitz as their base defense all season long, but the fact that they have effective blitzes in their arsenal and defenders who appear able to actually make tackles this season will certainly be a plus. Michigan's defense is a long way from great, but they do appear to be making big strides towards improvement and, with the quality coaching they've got, will continue to improve as the season goes on.