The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS coach Urban Meyer on treating the Michi- gan game as a bowl game with OSU ineli- gible for the postseason in 2012 dium there will be a buzz about that. I've already heard it. And I haven't made that decision on how we're going to attack that game other than it's the big- gest game of the year and we will get ready for it. " — Ohio State first-year head "I certainly imagine in our home sta- THEY SAID IT Head coach Brady Hoke on Michigan's season-opening matchup with Alabama "You go to Michigan, you coach at Michigan, to play against the best. If you want to be the best, you have to do that. For us, it's a great opportunity. It's going to be a fun game. We'll learn a lot about us, win or lose. That's a big benefit." "A friend of mine says, 'Character is who you are when nobody is watching.' It's easy when the camera is on us to do the right thing, but it may be tougher at other times. "This year, for good or bad, I've be- come aware of how big our platform can be. I've met the President of the United States, and I've met LeBron James. They both knew who I was. I had the honor to meet several Navy SEALs this summer, and they talked about how it was an honor to watch us play. "On the other hand, I've been fol- lowed around by the media. Even when I was just a regular student at basketball games, my every move was watched — but I try to find the positive in it. We all should. "My motto is, 'It's my goal to make somebody's day every day.' With this platform, we have the opportunity — the opportunity to make a difference. — Senior quarterback Denard Robinson addressing coaches, teammates, fellow Big Ten players and fans in his speech at the Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon July 27 vored." — Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio on his team being a po- tential underdog to U-M this year despite winning four in a row over the Wolverines "In our locker room, they won't be fa- think he can have a great impact in there. I see him being a great tackle for Michigan. If he comes out and plays like I know he can, he's going to make some noise this year. "He's going to wreak some havoc. I defensive lineman Larry Black Jr. on his brother, Jibreel, moving from defensive end to defensive tackle this fall for the Maize and Blue " — Indiana senior I never liked Michigan State. I always thought they played dirty, and now that I'm going to Michigan, I can't wait "I grew up an Ohio State fan and " to be a part of that rivalry." — Pickering- ton, Ohio, 2013 tight end commitment Jake Butt on his feelings toward MSU the season, that's the best opportunity to expose any weaknesses they have. This year the Tide return five starters on defense, not nearly the rebuilding situ- ation they had in 2010 after the 2009 national championship where only one defensive player was coming back. They do have some pieces in place, but I do think this defense will be some- what a work-in-progress early in the season. "Any time you play Alabama early in PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL ment and Mathews, N.C., native Chan- ning Stribling on a recent Ann Arbor shopping trip while visiting Michigan for the BBQ at The Big House event ground." — Senior nose tackle Will Campbell on living up to expectations in 2012 "It's time to put my footprint in the Phil Savage in an interview with The Huge Show on Michigan potentially catching Alabama at the right time " — Crimson Tide color analyst and a bandana. I'm going to rock all of it down in North Carolina and wear the bandana under my helmet during games this fall. 16 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2012 "I bought socks, shorts, a t-shirt, a hat " — U-M 2013 commit- talks. Being a quarterback, you're a fo- cal point here at Michigan. Plus, you're Denard Robinson. The younger guys want to know what's on your mind. He's speaking up a lot now. "He chewed a couple of guys out in the "He's not quiet any more. He actually summer. It's just coming in and being Denard. He's a senior and everybody is going to listen to him. He's accomplished so much. From a freshman standpoint, it's like, 'Man, I'm playing with Denard Robinson. That's a big thing. year senior receiver Roy Roundtree on Rob- inson's role as a senior leader '" — Fifth-