The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1412876
OCTOBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 11 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Sitting Down With Offensive Guard Chuck Filiaga M ichigan redshir t junior guard Chuck Filiaga had to step in for freshman Zak Zinter in the opener with Western Michigan, and he did his job. The big Texan was one of the more improved players on the team after a great summer of conditioning, head coach Jim Harbaugh said. Filiaga met with the media for a Q&A re- cently. The Wolverine: What was it that fueled your weight loss (eight pounds) and great sum- mer? Chuck Filiaga: "Flipping the switch. You've got to go down to that dark place. I don't know [how] … you just do. I can't describe it because it's pretty ugly [laughs]." The Wolverine: Where did the motivation come from? Did someone bring it out of you? Chuck Filiaga: "It was just in- ternal. I had to dig deep within myself to see what I wanted with my expectations and fu- ture goals. The path that I was on last year was not the right one to achieve those goals, so I had to change something. "My whole mentality and workouts and everything simply changed. I had to dig deep for that." The Wolverine: How have this year's goals and last year's disappointment fu- eled the offensive line — and you? Filiaga: "Coming into this year, there's a lot on the table. We're serious about everything, especially with the team down south [Ohio State] — that's our main goal, and we practice and prepare for it every day. What we can ask of each other is just to improve ourselves, and that's what I can bring to the team, improving myself so I can help us out. "I've found a bigger chip on my shoulder this year and being nastier on the field, more physical." The Wolverine: What kind of depth have you seen on the line, and how does that help you as a group? Filiaga: "There are a lot of good players on the offensive line. We're all great athletes. What we can do is just be ready for when our number is called. The way we've been practicing is just practice like we're playing Ohio State — be physical, know your assignments and when your number is called, be ready." The Wolverine: What has Sherrone Moore brought to the table in his first year as line coach? Filiaga: "Great guy. He wants the best out of us. He pushes us every day to be the best we can be, so even if we make the littlest mistakes, he's going to yell at us for it, which is what we expect out of a coach. But … he holds us up." — Chris Balas Filiaga started all six games last fall and was in the opening lineup week one this fall as well, stepping in for Zak Zinter. Since Zinter has returned, Filiaga has played as a reserve at both guard spots. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN DID YOU DID YOU KNOW... KNOW... Your home address will be automatically changed to the mailing address on file with the US Postal Service? ALL addresses are cross-refer- enced with the USPS National Change of Address database. It can take up to 7 days for the USPS to update your address in their database? To prevent missed issues, please notify the US Postal Service ASAP. Your postal forwarding order expires in 60 days or less? Most forwarding requests expire in 60 days and DO NOT always include periodical mail. Issues are discarded at their discretion. You should call your local post office to verify your delivery address? Don't assume the post office knows your vacation or moving schedule. AVOID COSTLY DELAYS & REPLACEMENTS! Wolverine Customer Service: 1–800–421–7751 We are happy to assist, but due to privacy laws all postal address changes must be completed by you.