University of Michigan Football Player Comments
11/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
University of Michigan Football Player Comments
Previewing Ohio State (Nov. 17); Reviewing Wisconsin (Nov. 10)
Fifth-Year Senior Center/Guard Adam Kraus
Talk a little bit maybe about how you look at this game differently than you did when you walked on this campus, what you've learned about it... "I always knew it was a big game, even growing up in New Orleans. But getting up here, you really get a feel for the rivalry and how important it really is to both teams, to both states. It's a great game with a lot of tradition, and I'm excited about playing it."
Is there any special feeling around campus this week... "I was in class real early in morning, so nobody was really out but me. So I can't really comment on that. But yeah, during Ohio State week there's always a lot of energy throughout campus, and it's always the same, it's always a lot of fun."
Can you compare the difference between last year where you had incredible buildup and this year, both teams having lost Do you think there's any difference that you can sense... There's a lot of hype around last year's game, but there's going to be a lot of hype around this year's game, too. It's for the Big Ten Championship and for the Rose Bowl. I know we're excited, I know Ohio State is excited to play."
About the 2003 game... "I remember how great it was to win that one, to be on the field, students rushing the field, and the roses and just having the feeling that we just won the championship outright. It was a tremendous feeling. You know, I'm excited for this game, too."
About Ohio State winning three straight against Michigan... "We haven't really talked about it, no, not really. It's a new year, it's a new team, and we're not really talking about the past or the future. It's about this team, and we're excited to get out there on Saturday and play."
A lot has been said about Coach Carr this week. What do you think people should know about him or what would you want to say about him, just the job he's done this year and throughout your career... "Well, he's a great man, he's a great leader, and most importantly he's taught me how to be a man off the field. It's not only about football, it's about more than that, its about life. I can't say enough good things about Coach Carr."
After the start you guys had, you're in a position to win an outright Big Ten Championship and go to the Rose Bowl. Who or what do you attribute that to... "I think it starts with Coach Carr and his leadership and the seniors. I mean, Coach Carr, after those two losses, he said, this is how we're going to do it, and we've worked hard since and got back on track."
A lot of guys have talked about a moment with him where they've really been challenged by him at some point. Did you have a moment like that with him where he really pushed you hard... "I think when you're young, especially when you're having a lot of trouble learning the offense and everything, you know, there were times where I had to be pushed a little bit when I was younger. But nothing specifically where he sat me down and said, this is it or hit the road. That's good; I didn't want him to do that."
When you first came here how aware were you of the offensive line and its tradition, and what have you learned since... "I knew the Block M. Growing up in New Orleans I knew the tradition, most winningest team in college football history. And as far as offensive linemen, when I got here I was a tight end, so I was trying to be like Bennie Joppru and those guys. But when I moved over it was obvious that the tradition that the offensive line has here with guys like Jon Jansen and Jeff Backus and Steve Hutchinson, just to name a few from the past ten years. It's great to be able to play next to a guy like Jake and other guys along the years that have been great players. I just really appreciate the tradition."
Have you learned to hate Ohio State... "Hate Ohio State You know, you always want to beat your rival. They're our biggest rival. They've given us problems in the past, so yeah."
Do you think it's fair that your senior class is going to be ultimately judged on how you do against your arch rival... "Yeah, I think it's fair. We always talk about winning your rivalry games, and I think if we didn't win any of them, if we lost to Michigan State and Notre Dame, we'd be judged by that, too."
About Jake Long... "You've seen how great of a player he is over these past two years. You really can't say enough about the way he plays and about the talent that he has. He really keeps the line together, and a lot of credit of our success goes to him."
Has Ohio State gotten into your heads... "I don't really know if they've gotten in our heads. They've just gotten the best of us the last few years on the field, the last three years on the field. We've just got to practice hard this week and get ready to go."
Talk a little bit about the Ohio State defense, what you see in them and what you expect from them... "They're a great team, bottom line. They're fast, they can run, and they're physical. So we're going to have to bring our best."
How much have you thought about this being your last game in that stadium and what are some of your best memories... "It's crazy how fast these past five years have gone, and to look back, all the great times that we've had in there and some of the bad times we've had in there, it's really helped. It's really been a great career, and one day I'm going to look back and I'm going to cherish the memories that I've had in that stadium. It's going to be tough to know that this is my last one."
With a couple days' distance, what went wrong with the protection in the run game last week What do you need to do better this week... "I think around the board we made too many mistakes, missed assignments, a lot of unforced things. We just need to come out and practice hard, have a physical week in practice and get ready for this team."
How did you learn of Ohio State's loss Did that kind of give you a little boost knowing this is going to be for the outright championship... "Not really. It really doesn't matter to us. We know what this game is for. It's for the Big Ten title, it's for the Rose Bowl, even if they would have won. It really makes no difference to us."
How is the intensity on the field during this game compared to some of the other environments you play in... "The intensity at home against Ohio State I mean, this rivalry, wasn't it voted like the biggest rivalry in sport history So there's always going to be a lot of energy around the field, within the fans, within the town. It's a great atmosphere to play. It's what college football is all about, and we're excited."
Do you have a high and a low moment you could name... "There have been a lot of great wins, Michigan State, Penn State in '06; '05, Penn State; 04, Michigan State. Those were all great games. Ohio State, '03. Those are some of the great memories and some of the bad memories, just looking back to the first game this year."
Do you see a change in the armor of Ohio State's defense considering what Illinois did... "You can do that with anybody. People can look at us and say, oh, look at all the problems that they have. I think that they're a great defense, and their statistics say it all. We're going to have to prepare hard all week and get ready for them."
Fifth-Year Senior Left Tackle Jake Long
What's more important, the comeback of the season or getting a win over Ohio State... "It's winning the Big Ten Championship. That's what we've been trying to do all year, and that's our goal. It's right there for us. Beating Ohio State and winning the championship."
How much have you thought about playing this team... "I've beaten them once my redshirt year, but I really dont count that. We the seniors havent beaten them yet and what a better way to win than to play for the Big Ten Championship at our own place. They're a great team and its going to be a lot of fun."
From a player's perspective, does the hype and the attention ever get kind of ridiculous for you guys... "We try to block it out. We try not to listen to the TV or media all year. Now is no exception."
Can a team get inside another rival's head... "I don't know. They haven't gotten in our heads. We just havent beaten them in a couple of years. We've just got to go out and practice well. It's a new year and new team, so we just have to go out there and try to get a win."
What do you remember about that 2003 game... "I remember it was the 100th game and that there was just a lot of emotion. It was for the Big Ten Championship and thus was a real emotional game. It was a fun game if you were part of it."
When you look back at these last three games, why do you think you guys have struggled and why do you think you havent broken through... "I don't know. I really don't know. That's in the past and that's why I said it's a new season and a new team. We're not thinking about the past and we're not thinking about the fact that we haven't beaten them in a couple years. We just want to go out, play this game, and play this season."
Was yesterday any different than any other Sundays during the eight game winning streak... "No, not really. We were disappointed that we lost, but everybody was. But after we got done watching the film, everyone was excited to get back to work and start watching film of Ohio."
How much do you use the mentality of having to bounce back after starting 0 and 2, having to bounce back after your loss against Wisconsin... "We're not even focused on that. We don't care what happened at the beginning of the season and we don't care what happened last week. We wanted to be in this spot and to be playing for the Big Ten Championship. We just got there a different way. Nothing more needs to be said. We're ready to go and everybody is going to work hard this week. We're playing for the Big Ten, so everybody is going to be excited, ready to go, and theyre going to work hard."
Were there areas of your game you thought you wanted to improve upon, and if so, what were they... "There are just little things that I wanted to work on, such as some footwork, using my hands every time in pass pro, just punishing people, and run blocking a little more. You know, I felt I've done a good job at getting better at these things this year."
Were you more relying on physical ability in previous years and now are combining the technical part of it more... "No, I've always tried to have the best technique that I can. I've worked on it and gotten better every year. It's just the same this year. I wasn't where I wanted to be yet and I just kept improving on my technique."
No matter how much film you watch, do you count on them pulling out a few new wrinkles... "Yeah, I'm sure they have stuff that they save for us. We've just got to pick it up and just play whoever they bring at us."
To what would you attribute the reason you guys are about to play for a Big Ten Championship after the way you started... "I think the seniors on this team; the leaders. Everybody really stepped up. Seniors didn't want to go out that way; nobody wanted to. They really stepped it up in practice, made sure we brought everybody else along, and that everybody was really excited to start winning again. We just really turned it around."
Guys have said in the past that Coach Carr is a little different during rivalry week, especially this one. Have you noticed anything different this week... "He's seemed the same. I'm excited about this week because there's always a lot of emotion and excitement at practice. Practices are hard, and exciting and there's just a lot of emotion all week. It's going to be fun around the building and at the game."
Do you have a feeling about whether Mike and Chad will be ready to go this week... "I don't know. That's a question you'll have to ask Coach, but they're looking good. They're ready to go, and I'm sure they'll do anything they can to get back on the field and play the last game."
What would you say Lloyd Carr has taught you in your time here... "What has he taught me He's taught me so much, especially when it comes to being a better football player and person. There's a sign in our building that says 'Those Who Stay Will Be Champions' and he pounds that into everybody. If you stay at Michigan and do all the right things, you will be a champion in life and in football. There are just so many things that he does for all the players, myself included. He's just a great person and a great coach."
There's been some speculation this may be his last year. Has that crossed your mind... "I haven't thought of that and I haven't heard of that. That's something you'll have to ask him. I don't know."
Talk about the Ohio State defense and what you expect from them. ... "Vernon Gholston is a great end; one of the best ends in the league, if not the best. He's a strong, physical, and a fast guy. We played against him last year. They have a great defensive line and great linebackers. With James Laurinaitis back there, they fly around and they can run fast. They're all physical, big, and a great defense."
Did you have about as good of a career as you can have here Will it bother you if you lose the championship you will have never beat Ohio State... "I mean, I don't know. I really don't think of it that way. I'm sure I will once I'm done playing here, but right now I don't care what happened in the past and I don't care what my record is against them. I just want to go out and focus on this game and win this game."
How much of you wants to win this game for Coach Carr... "A lot of me does. You always want to win for your coach. He got a lot of flak at the beginning and throughout the year, but people don't see what happens behind closed doors and how great of a coach and person he is. We just wanted to win all year for him and this game is big."
How much of an adjustment has it been to have Adam move over and have Justin in there Do you sort of feel the difference at all... "Not really. We practice it in practice all the time. We did it through camp. Every day it seems like someone on the line is playing in a different spot. You get comfortable with different guys and the other guys get comfortable in other positions, so that's really not a big of a difference."
How would you compare the Michigan State rivalry to the Ohio State rivalry... "It's about the same. It's intense, emotional, and anything goes. Like I said, Ohio State doesn't like us and we don't like them. It's an intense rivalry and it seems like every year it's for the Big Ten, so it's always a lot more emotional that way. It's going to be fun."
Your last game in the stadium, have you thought about that, and could you name a high and a low from your time here... "I've thought about it, but I don't think it's sunk into me yet that it's going to be my last game. You know, it went by fast. I just have so many great memories from within that place. I said it was going to be a real emotional game because it's my last game and it's going to be hard once it's over."
There are a lot of former players at the game this week. Do you think that they are planning anything special for you guys this weekend... "I have no clue. I don't know what they're planning to do. That would be pretty cool if they did that. Just watching the old guys come back and supporting you is a great thing to see and be a part of. But I have no clue what they have planned."
How much contact do you have with the former offensive line... "You know, I've talked to (David) Baas, (Adam) Stenavich, and (Matt) Lentz a lot. I was pretty close with all those guys. I've talked to them every now and again. We talk about Michigan, where they're at, and how they're doing."
Talk about how much more difficult it will be to win this game if Henne and Hart do not play... "Mike and Chad are great veteran players that do everything right. They don't make mistakes and they give everybody emotion on both the offense and defense. They play every play 110 percent. You know you're going to get their best effort. If they don't play, that means everybody else just has to step it up. The whole line has to step it up, in order to protect Ryan better and get bigger holes for the running backs. Everybody has to pick up the slack and just go harder and make sure anybody whose back there feels comfortable and is ready to go."
I think most people watching will see a difference in the team. Do players see a difference in the team... "I don't know. They definitely bring more energy. Everybody gets excited seeing those two back there and you know you're going to play harder to make sure they don't get touched. They just bring a lot more excitement."
Do you think Shawn has something personal to play for being an Ohio guy this week... "I don't know. I'm sure, but I really don't know. That's a question you'll have to ask him."
What's Ryan done well... "He's done well with being thrown in there. A lot of games he's been thrown in there at weird times and he's adapted well and made good plays. He's stepped up. I think he's becoming a better leader throughout the year. He just has to keep improving his leadership skills and make sure that he commands the huddle and everything like that. As a young guy, it's only natural that you're going to improve your leadership skills as you get older and more mature. I'm sure he'll keep getting better."
Of all the times he has talked to you guys, what do you remember about what Bo would tell you about this rivalry... "Oh, man. Just to leave it all out on the field. Just to go in there and not hold anything back. It's always your last game and it seems like it's always for the Big Ten. Just to leave everything out on the field because you don't have football the next day. You don't have another game the next week. This is it and it is for all the marbles."
Can you talk specifically about Bo's talk last year to the team... "His talk contained pretty much the same message. His message was that he's watching us, that we're going to do great, and to just leave it all on the field."
What do you think it was about Coach Schembechler that has allowed him to continue to have that legacy even after he retired, that it was still real meaningful when he came to talk... "Just everything he's done. He's a true Michigan man and left a great legacy behind him. He made Michigan football into what it is today. He was a great coach and person and touched everybody's lives when he was around. You don't forget a man like that."
Does the fact that both teams lost last week tarnish the match-up... "That doesn't tarnish the match up. I'm sure they think the same way as and they want to play for the Big Ten Championship. We took a different road there, but we're still playing for the Big Ten and they're playing for the Big Ten. It's a great rivalry and last is not going to tarnish it."
Would you feel the same way if the title wasn't on the line... "Absolutely. Even if it isn't for the Big Ten, you still want to play and play well to beat them. It doesn't change anything."
Are you going to take it upon yourself to describe the 2003 win to the team for guys that haven't experienced it... "If someone asks what it was like, then I'm going to tell them. But I'm not going to make sure to bring it up and tell them that. We're not looking in the past, good or bad."
From the beginning of the season until now, how did Lloyd Carr handle that Was he the same, was he different... "It was frustrating after the first two games and he was frustrated. But he knew that we could be a great team, so he demanded our best. He brought a lot of emotion to practice and team meetings and he expected our best. He got it out of us and we've been giving it to him all season."
How did he show that emotion, louder, angrier... "I don't know, he was just different. He seemed like he was more excited. I really don't know how to explain it. But you could just tell and everybody could tell that he wanted our best and he was going to get it from us."
How doe the team react when he shows emotion like in the instance with Shawn's penalty... "It gets us excited to see him like that. All the emotion that he has and the fact that he cares about us a lot is going to make us go out there and play harder and make sure that we play our best."
Do you think a win would help validate your decision to come back this year... "I don't feel like I have to validate my decision for coming back. That was my decision and I felt like I made the right one. That's not what this game is about. This game is about this team and about the Big Ten championship. It's not about me. I'm not even worried about that."
Is it difficult to concentrate on anything else this week... "Yeah, it's pretty hard to focus on anything else but football this week. There's just so much that goes into this game and this year in our quest to win the championship. So it's hard to focus on anything else but football this week."
It's been a pretty crazy year in college football, but here at the end are Michigan and Ohio State playing for the rights for the Rose Bowl. Does that give it a sense of normalcy... "I guess, yeah. It seems that during the five years I've been here, this game has always come down to Ohio State-Michigan for the Big Ten and for a chance to play at the Rose Bowl. That's what it is this year again. Its fun and it's where it should be."
After the second game did you think you would be here... "Absolutely. I had no doubt that we would be in this position. We just stumbled the first couple games, but I knew that we had a great team. I knew we were going to turn it around and there's no doubt in my mind that we would be playing for the Big Ten Championship."
Why did you think that... "Just because of the team, the seniors, the leaders, and coaches we have. I just knew that the team that played those first two games was not the team that we are."
Senior Defensive Tackle Will Johnson
Can you talk about the big plays Ohio State has been able to make, and how you're going to try to make sure that doesn't happen again this year... "Yeah, they made some big plays in the past that has no bearing on this year. I'm sure they're going to hit some big plays. We have to have a good game plan together, and everybody has to execute, do their job, and keep the ball out of the end zone."
Can you describe what this week is like not only in football practice but around campus... "The students here are excited. I've talked to a couple of them. They're pumped for the game in my classes. I talked to them in my class today. It's a good atmosphere this week, and I think we're going to be ready to go."
What are the guys in your class saying... "Oh, they're just excited for the game. We have a great opportunity to win Big Ten outright. And I wouldn't want it any other way, and a lot of them feel the same way."
Is it surprising to be in this position... "No, I think the first two losses, we rebounded really well, and the pass loss was a wake-up call that we need to step it up and get ready for Ohio State."
Do you anticipate the seniors doing anything special this week or having talks in regards to what's happening... "I'm sure we'll have some meetings, but I expect every senior to get his game plan in, study a lot, and get ready to play an emotional game, and get ready to play."
What were they saying after the first two games compared to what they're saying now... "I don't really hear negative stuff to my face, but I'm sure there was some. But they were supportive, and they told me I had to get it going and we did that."
What's Coach Carr talk about the turn around process from a tough start to where you are now... "Just keep an eye on us. Telling us we have a great opportunity ahead of us with the Big Ten championship. And we capitalized on it, and still got a chance to win it."
About Ohio State's offensive line... "They're a big line, they have a lot of returning starters. So we have to keep leverage on the ball. They run a power gap scheme offense, and if one person's out of position, they might have a big play on us, and we can't have that."
After looking at Wisconsin is the run defense maybe not what you want... "Yeah, some people were trying to do other people's jobs. Tackling was an issue. We're going to work on that this week a lot. And just leverage on the ball -- some people were out of position. We realized that and we'll be able to fix it."
Coach Carr's taken a lot of shots this year. How bad do you want to beat Ohio State and get the championship for him... "Yeah, definitely. Definitely. We want to win it for him. He's taken a lot of criticism, but that's his job as a coach. But we represent him as a coach. So yeah, we definitely want to win it for him."
How old does it get hearing, 'you have to beat them'... "It does get old, but those games are in the past, we're concentrating on this week. I'm not going to concentrate on last year or whatever. It has no bearing on this game."
You guys saw Chris Wells last year. Can you talk a little about him as a running back What makes him good How do you try to stop him... "He's a big, physical back. He's running behind a big line. He's got great feet, great vision. He knows when to cut back. We've got to have people in position where they can make plays and get them down on the ground."
You obviously want to win this game for yourself and for Michigan... "I want to win it. I'm playing for everybody on the team. I'm playing for everybody. Chad and Mike have been through a lot here. And this past year with the injuries, they're fighting back and getting in games. And we're going to try to win this one for them and everybody on the team."
Has Coach Carr's demeanor changed this week... "I expect this week we'll be pretty fired up, and we'll be pretty intense. That's what I expect out of it. I expect there will be a lot more film study."
What was yesterday like Was it different than during the Sundays during the 18-win streak... "I think we got in, we watched the film, and we realized where the mistakes were made. And we went into a little bit of a game plan of Ohio State. I mean, we're all fired up and ready to go for this game."
Can you talk about how you got to where you are now... "I know football. Everybody's got to put their effort in. It's not given to you every year. Ohio State's a great program so are all the other Big Ten teams. On any given year, you can step up and win it. And we're in a position to win it this year. So we're looking forward to it."
On the field is the intensity different in this game than in other conference games Are the hits harder Is it more difficult for you guys as players when playing a rivalry to keep your composure... "Yeah, this game's not going to come down to X's and O's. It's going to be an emotional game and come out with a physical play. Whatever team hits harder, tackles better, blocks better and keeps them out of the end zone is going to win the game, so, yeah."
Take us back to last year, Bo's speech to the team and his passing the Friday before the game, and the team what that whole scene was like with Coach Carr... "Bo gave a great speech before he left. It was real sad when he passed away. But we knew that he would want us to go out and fight to try to win that game."
Senior Safety Jamar Adams
On whether it has sunk in that this is the end of his career at Michigan..."Its kind hard to think about that -- the last time playing in the Big House. It's going to be a special day."
On what he'll remember most about playing at Michigan Stadium... "I don't know, there's been so many. Maybe the biggest one -- probably the overtime against Michigan State -- watching Braylon (Edwards) out there performing. You know, I realize, I was watching a great player in his element. The last second win against Penn State, I was on the sideline praying so hard. And the crowd erupted and the team was on the field. It was a great feeling, too, to be part of that team, as well."
On Shawn Crable playing against his home state school..."You're playing against guys you played high school against particularly when you play Ohio State the last game of the season and right after that you're going home for Thanksgiving. Then you go home to that same atmosphere. I know he wants to win that game.
"You don't want to lose to everybody and hear back about how you should have went to Ohio State."
On whether Shawn is hearing that... "I'm sure people say that to him."
On how important it is to beat Ohio State... "It's extremely important. Excluding the last three years, this is for all the marbles in the Big Ten. We haven't had a Big Ten championship ring since my freshman year. The majority of our freshman didn't play a huge role in that, Mike and Chad did, but some of the other guys, the personnel team guys get in there a little bit on offense and defense. But this is our time to go out there and play a huge part, and a huge role in winning a championship."
On whether he is surprised the team is in a position to win the Big Ten Championship... "I'm not surprised. We played hard, we fought back. We did a good job in the Big Ten Conference schedule. We put ourselves in position to be here."
On Coach Carr's role in getting the team in position to win the Big Ten... "His leadership, his poise and his understanding of how to get team together after such a tough start. He had all the skills that were needed to bring us together and get our focus there. He had previous experience in that same situation where he could draw from his past and kind of remind us that these things had happened before and can you definitely come back from them."
On feeling extra pressure to win this game... "You don't really think about the media when you're thinking about a huge rivalry like this. It's just a joy and a pleasure to be on the field and compete for a Big Ten Championship. We definitely want to play hard and win the ball game. And that is extra incentive with Coach Carr. I really have grown very close to Coach Carr, and we definitely want to win the ball game for Coach Carr, the staff and the whole program."
On whether there was a particularly significant meeting with Coach Carr... "We've had countless meetings and bringing me into his office to tell me where he sees me at, where he sees me in the future. I respect his honesty towards me, and I respect how he deals with players. It's been a pleasure to play for a guy like him."
On how Thanksgiving is after a loss to Ohio State... "Any time you lose a ball game sometimes your family doesn't know how to deal with it. They don't know whether to talk about it or leave the issue alone. I'm more the guy that likes to leave the issue alone. So any family members that want to talk about it, they have a hard time dealing with me (laughing). But that's just with any loss. But particularly with Ohio State, because you're there in person with them."
On judging this senior class... "I'm not really focused on that right now. Our goal at hand is to win this game, to prepare all week, to be ready for this game. It's a huge game. It's at home. It's our last home game. That's our focus right now. I'm not focused on our legacy or what we've done here in our career. We've had really good players who have come in. And we've had a good recruiting class that, for the most part, most guys have panned out and been where most of us thought we were going to be. So we're proud of each other, we're proud of the hard work that we've put in the classroom as well. A lot of guys are graduating, so that is a great honor as well."
On what the team can correct against Ohio State... "The running play is not magic. Nobody has a magic running play. It is the same running play. You just have to execute better. You have to say I'm tougher than you. I'm going to control this gap. And that is the bottom line about the running game. There are no X's and O's, problems. Hey, you've got to say, 'I'm tougher than you, I'm going to control this gap and execute.' That is the bottom line. "
On Bo's speech before the Ohio State game last year... "Coach Schembechler was coach to a lot of players, particularly because he was a person who cared about the player. Coach Schembechler would know about an injury you had your freshman year. If he saw you in the training room, he would say, 'I hope you're not here for that foot injury again.' And this is a guy that knows about an injury you had two years ago, so you start to care about a guy that cares about you that much. And it was a great honor to see him come in and speak. We definitely new knew the importance of the game when coach Schembechler took time to come in and speak to the team."
On what it is like without Bo... "It's tough. His office is still there. The building is still named after him. We've given so much to the season, that you don't have time to really think about things like that. We're just trying to give as much as we can to the season."
On preventing big plays by OSU... "They had a lot of big plays last year. The key is to go out there and execute your assignment. You can't worry about not giving up big plays, you have to go out there and execute your assignment. We just know if you don't give up big plays, it kind of keeps the momentum in your favor the majority of the time. And it allows you and forces them to drive the ball down the field. It forces them to execute properly and sustain drives. That is very difficult for any offense to execute properly, play after play for a 10, 11-play drive."
On whether Mike Hart will play... "Yes."
On whether preparing for OSU was part of the reason he didn't play against Wisconsin... "I have no idea about that, but I always expect Mike Hart to play."
On whether Chad Henne will play... "I always expect Chad to play."
On whether there is a mental block to beating OSU... "I don't know about any of that. I know the players play the game, the coaches stand on the sideline. We're going to be out there this Saturday, that's all I know."
On if the losses by both teams last week diminishing the importance of the game... "Not at all. It's another game. It's a big game, for all the marbles in the Big Ten. I can't see how it would."
On Chad Henne and Mike Hart not being 100 percent... "Here at Michigan we believe defense wins championships regardless of what the offensive situation is. We always want to go out there and play a game that allows Michigan to win the football game. As long as we hold them to less points than we have, we have a chance to win the ballgame, and that's the only thing we focus on."
On OSU's team... "They have a good coaching staff and good players. You can't expect anything less. You have good players, good coaching staff, that's what you should do."
On this year's OSU game compared to last year's OSU game... "Last year, was last year. We don't think about that. This is a new year, new team. New chemistry on the team. Our main focus is just this -- watching film, practicing hard, working out in the weight room hard. We're getting ready for this game."
On whether the seniors feel a need to win this game... "I think that's part of being at Michigan. The seniors have to step up. The seniors are the guys that have been around the longest, have the experience. They are physically stronger and have the mental toughness. And it's our time now, you know what I mean. It's our time."
On the week leading up to the OSU game on campus... "On campus a lot of people are talking to you about the games in class, and everybody's wishing you luck. People are excited around campus. You see more T-shirts. For me, it's a week of extreme focus. You want to make sure you get in the classroom, get everything done. You don't want any classroom issues. When it comes to football, there is extreme focus. -- studying film, you don't want to leave any page unturned. You want to make sure you've covered everything so you can go into the game confident and ready."
On what emotions the words 'Ohio State' evoke... "The next opponent. The next opponent."
Fifth-Year Senior Safety Brandent Englemon
On whether he is ready for the game..."I'm definitely 100 percent going into this game. Nothing's going to keep me out of this game."
On whether the rest of the team feels the same way... "Oh, yeah. All the seniors. Anybody who is playing in this game, whether they have any nicks, bruises, anything, they're going to play in this game."
On the senior class being judged on the rivalry with OSU... "Any time you have a rivalry to this magnitude, you're going to be judged based off of it. Where, like, I'm 1 and 3 against them, including my redshirt year. So I guess the last game matters the most -- just going out on a good note."
On whether this year's game is different... "Yeah, definitely, with the Big Ten on the line. It's the last game we'll ever play in the Big House. It's the biggest game of my career."
On his thoughts through the last few games... "This season's gone by pretty quick. This is my fifth year, like I said. This year's been going by extremely quick. Just counting down the days we have left in the stadium, its crazy."
On what the defense has to do better against OSU than it did against Wisconsin... "Really, it was just us. A fit here or there, and not understanding the routes we're getting out of certain formations. We knew pretty much going into the game the formations and the type of players they were going to run out of then, we just didn't fit them up correctly all the time."
On whether he takes a break when he is away from practice during Ohio State week... "You really don't want to take your mind off of it during the week. Everything you do you prepare for it. So just day-in and day-out, that's on the back of your mind. Even in class, anywhere you go, it's in the back of your mind."
On last year's loss affecting this year's outlook... "It's a new season, new team, different implications on the line. It's the Big Ten still on the line. But last year was a different story and two different teams this year."
On coming back from being 0-2 to start the season... "Just other people being able to step up and know their positions and be effective, too. Here we just have the expectation of the position, really, to do well. If you're on the field, you're expected to do well."
On Coach Carr... "Coach Carr's been through it all, so just like when we started off 0-2, he's been through similar situations. And just him being the leader of the team, he helps the players on the team understands that we still could reach one of our goals, which is to win the Big Ten Championship."
On what Coach Carr has taught him... "There have been so many lessons. But the game of football, in general, teaches you a lot of lessons. You can't take anything for granted. You have to fight through adversity. Just little things like that that carry on for the rest of my life."
On character and the role it plays... "Anytime you face adversity and you have the opportunity to bounce back, it builds your character, like Coach Carr always says. But Wisconsin was a stumble, just like earlier in the season when we stumbled. So hopefully we'll bounce back from that."
On the 2003 game against Ohio State... "I remember our defense was very aggressive. Chris Perry had a great game. The defense was real aggressive though getting out back then."
On whether it would be bigger to beat OSU or win the Big Ten... "Both. At the same time, you always want to beat Ohio State, but that could be for the Big Ten championship as well. I mean, it's just added to that hype before the game."
On preventing OSU from making big plays... "Any time you allow an offense to drive the ball all the way down the field and give up the big play 30, 40 yards, I mean it really kind of wears down the defense and demoralizes the defense. In order to stop that, everybody has to execute the techniques and fly around and get to the ball and making plays, really."
On Bo's speech before the OSU game last year... "I can't remember anything in particular. It's just the magnitude of the game, really. We have great respect for coach Schembechler, so just his presence alone kind of stunned everybody."
Remembering the 2003 victory over OSU... "Being a freshman, you kind of take for granted what happened. I didn't really understand what it takes to get there being a freshman. I just thought it was kind of given to you. But like over the next three, four years you learn that it's not that easy. And me being on the demonstration team for that year, I don't know. I feel like I wasn't really part of it. But at the same time I look back at that film or whatever and learn what I had to do in order to get there again."
On the seniors not having beaten OSU since 2003... "It's definitely not a concern. It's a different team like I said before. We have different players, they have different players. But it's still a rivalry. We want to go out on top."
On what has hurt the team the most over the last three games against OSU... "Big plays, probably. We've given up maybe four to five big plays each year on average the last three times."
On the absence of Troy Smith in this year's game... "They have other weapons to compensate for him being gone."
On how quickly the younger OSU players have developed... "At the beginning of the year we knew the defense was going to be strong. And their offense just coming along like they have been, it's just extra for them for their defenses it's great. And then the offense is good, too."
On stopping Chris Wells... "I mean, any time you have a great running back like that it's up to everybody on the defense to stop him. You have to get 11 guys to the ball, hitting him every play, every chance we get."
On whether it gets old hearing how the team hasn't beaten OSU..."Yeah, it definitely does. Like I said, any time you have a rivalry, and you haven't won in a couple of years, you get tired of hearing 'oh, they can't beat Ohio State or they can't win this game.' It's getting old."
On whether OSU has something up its sleeve... "Their coaches do a great job of attacking the defense's weaknesses. So as a defense, we have to be disciplined every play. In order to stop any kind of trick plays or something they might have up their sleeve."
Media Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
