The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
michigan football tor is to make sure you get guys in the right positions and they make plays. On one of the big plays we're right in position, there's no question it's going to be an interception and it turns into a touchdown. That I blame myself for. "We have to work harder on running to the football. We should have had five more guys around that football at the time. That's not how we play here." Both completions against Penn State came with true freshman nickel back Channing Stribling in perfect position but unable to knock the ball down, the first going through his hands en route to a Nittany Lions receiver. Against Indiana, he again had his hands on a ball only to see the Hoosier wide receiver tear it away. "You've seen the same things we saw throughout camp — he's there, he intercepts those, knocks those down in practice," Mattison said. "There are some guys that wouldn't be there. The thing we have to do with him is make sure he keeps his confidence and that attitude of 'I'm going to go get that ball.' That will happen because of the kind of kid he is and the way we coach him." Stribling may have been victimized three times against Penn State and Indiana, but he was not alone. Junior cornerback Ray Taylor, sophomore safety Jarrod Wilson and senior safety Thomas Gordon all let balls get behind them, while the linebackers did not pursue the football after a pass was completed, a significant no-no. "This was the first time in maybe three years where I didn't see every play everybody running to the football like they should," Mattison said. "With our ability to rotate, you can't say they're tired." With a renewed emphasis, perhaps Michigan will take drastic strides against Michigan State and in its next few games. There is evidence U-M could; after allowing six pass plays of 20 yards or more against Akron, the Wolverines yielded only one the next two weeks. football Notebook Injury Update Add redshirt sophomore left guard Joey Burzynski and sophomore defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins to the list of season-ending injuries. Pipkins suffered a torn ACL in week five against Minnesota, while Burzynski blew out his ACL against Indiana in week seven. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Russell Bellomy was already sitting out this year after tearing his ACL in spring practice. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Amara Darboh, meanwhile, is progressing from the foot injury that ended his year before it began. "He's coming along well," head coach Brady Hoke said. "He was in a boot for a long time. He's not in a boot, and I think [the medical/training staff ] is happy with his progress."