Overheard outside Michigan’s locker room: Pushing hard to get another win

ANN ARBOR – A “tale of two halves” is becoming a recurring theme for Michigan’s football team.

The 12th-ranked Wolverines pounced on Minnesota early and took a 21-3 halftime lead, but they nearly collapsed in the fourth quarter. The Golden Gophers (2-3, 0-2) scored touchdowns on their final three possessions, came within three points and recovered an onside kick in the final two minutes. But the resurgence was ruined by an offside penalty.

They had to compete again, and this time Michigan (4-1, 2-0) bounced back to secure a 27-24 win. The Wolverines extended their winning streak to three games, but were outscored 57-26 in that span and gained 595 yards to 389 in the second half.

“As I told the team in the locker room, it was really a tale of two halves for us,” head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game. “We played really well in the first half and not so well in the second half. The energy that we had, I felt like we had it, but the execution wasn’t there. As a coach, I have to make sure that I give them good chances in the second half and that they are ready to play. That was true, but we just didn’t do it as well as we needed to.”

Moore and several players spoke after the game. Here are the highlights from the post-match press conference:

“We’ve just got to find a way to put in the effort in the second half and finish teams, put in the effort to go through a four-quarter game and finish the game. “I felt like we ran pretty well in the first half and really let them get back into the game and we got lucky with a few things at the end of the game too. So we just have to push ourselves to get better and be successful all four quarters.”

– Running back Kalel Mullings about the team’s problems in the second half. He managed 111 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

“We just worked all week to get a win. We came here on a Saturday in Big Ten play and achieved our No. 1 goal. I think we all know that the end of the game, especially the second half, was not up to the standard that Michigan football has experienced in the past and in the previous games. So we’ve got to find a way to put a game together for the fourth quarter and just build on the things we caught on tape.”

– Quarterback Alex Orji, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 86 yards, a touchdown and an interception, about the mood after coming away from another close win.

“I was actually on the field on the side that was kicked. Took a weird leap, kind of went beyond what we originally expected, and then yeah, when they got it back, it definitely stirred up a lot of feelings. We know we had to hold on again, but hope our defense can keep them from not even making the field goal. And when we realized they were offside, it was definitely a big relief.”

– Receiver Tyler Morris on Minnesota’s onside kick.

“This guy, he’s a monster. Once we pass 50, it feels like we’re within reach. He’s great. He did that all camp – he ran for 50, 60 yards. You see on TV, all these kickers kicking 60-yarders like it’s nothing. Dom was great. I feel really confident with him.”

– Moore about kicker Dominic Zvada, who made field goals of 53 and 35 yards in wet conditions. He is now 7 of 7 this season, including four of 50+.

“He had a fade. I was just guarding him. I didn’t even think he would throw it, seriously. My eyes got big, I turned around, caught the ball and landed on the sideline.”

– Cornerback Jyaire Hill about his highlight-reel interception in the third quarter.

“Colston on the field is like jumping into the water with a life jacket on. Having him on the field, always knowing that he’s a great target but also a skilled receiver, obviously elite in everything he does. His presence alone is a game-changer for sure.”

– Orji about the return of star tight end Colston Loveland this week. Loveland missed last week’s game due to injury but returned Saturday and caught a team-high four passes for 41 yards.

“Obviously the venue we’re going to play at is going to be pretty cool. Everyone has seen it and watched it and knows that it’s loud, that it’s fun. I’ve never played there, never trained there, so it’s going to be great. But I think you’re traveling with your pack, with this group. It’s a little different, but we’re excited to get out there and get to work. I know they are a good football team. Coach (Jedd Fisch) is a good football coach. But for us, we’re just ready to just keep going.”

– Moore on the team as it prepares for its first road game next week in Washington

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