The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/629217
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL On going into the Utah game as the starter: "I was mostly anxious to get back on the field. Starting a new experience, a new chapter of life … it didn't click until I was on the field. I had the normal pre-game jitters. "Surprisingly, I wasn't overly nervous. Fortunately, all my teammates made it easy to feel comfortable." On Harbaugh sticking with him after a rough start: "He'll stand up for his guys. One of the big things as a player you really appreciate, you love the fact that coach will go to bat for you, have your back. "As a team, we felt there was nothing we can't do. There was no reason we can't go out every single day and win a game. Put the work in every week and be prepared Saturday. We knew coach would give us a great game plan … we just had to go out and execute." On a 41-7 win over Florida to cap the year: "I was excited we got the win. Just getting 10 wins is such a big thing in college football. We won the bowl game, our goal all month, and it didn't really hit me that my college career was over. It hit me that night that my eligibility was exhausted. When I left the stadium I started thinking I won't be able to do that again. "It still hasn't quite sunk in. It's something I'll appreciate and was really happy to finish it the way we did." On next year's team contending for the Big Ten: "I think we have a good chance. We'll have a bunch of guys coming back — a lot of good leaders, un- derclassmen, guys willing to work for it. "Just because they had a successful year, it wouldn't make them happy or satisfied. They'll go back and keep working. "They're all really hungry. I think that's the biggest thing. Coming off a year not going to a bowl game, now having had some success — got to 10 wins, won a bowl game — they're really hungry to make that next step. "Obviously only time will tell and we'll never know until next year. But I think they're really hungry to prove the University of Michigan didn't go anywhere. We're still right here." On rising redshirt junior quarterback John O'Korn: "He's a very hard- working guy, very passionate about football, that's one of the things I like most about him. "He's got good spin on the ball, will try to make plays however he can. He's a competitor. How much more can you ask for?" — Chris Balas Rudock was appreciative of the support he received f r o m h e a d c o a c h J i m Harbaugh this season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL