The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/603303
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL "When our backs are against the ball, we have to find a way to stop them, and that's just always been our philosophy." The Wolverine: Indiana ran 92 offensive plays, including 55 rushes that to- taled 307 yards. How effective were you in trying to imitate IU's up-tempo style in practices? Jenkins-Stone: "We came close to mimicking what that tempo was going to be like, but we did not expect them to run it the whole game. No one expected that, not even Coach Durkin. We definitely did not run 92 plays in practice. "In the second half, I started to feel it and said, 'We've got to get off the field.' It took a toll. Hitting a guy every play and having to run to the ball, and having to get set with them running no-huddle, it becomes a challenge." The Wolverine: How big of a factor has it been to not have redshirt junior nose tackle Ryan Glasgow available after he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury against Rutgers? Jenkins-Stone: "Ryan is definitely a playmaker. We needed him against Indi- ana, but we need everyone we lost — [sophomore nose tackle] Bryan Mone and [senior Buck] Mario Ojemudia. We are hurting, like every team. No one is 100 percent, but we have to find a way." The Wolverine: How do you keep from allowing the grind of the season to wear you down during this final stretch? Jenkins-Stone: "That goes back to what we built in the summer program. We're a family-oriented team that brings everyone together, lifts everyone up. Offensively and defensively just playing together, staying like a family. We've been preaching that all throughout practice and throughout the year, and we're just going to stick together and find ways to win." — Michael Spath • While he has not played this sea- son and is expected to redshirt, fresh- man tight end Tyrone Wheatley Jr. has been progressing in practice. "Improvement — that's really all I'm looking for," tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh said. "It's getting better at everything, and getting a better grasp of the offense and football in general, understanding more than just a play with his specific little job. It's understanding what is going on around him, and being able to adapt and adjust better. "He needs to get better in every- thing, and that's what he's doing." • With three receptions at Indiana Nov. 14 for 16 yards, redshirt fresh- man defensive back Jabrill Peppers had accumulated 78 offensive yards on 12 touches (6.5-yard average) through Michigan's first 10 games. FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK