Everything Michigan OC Chip Lindsey said during his pre-Northwestern press conference

On what the offense self-scouted during the bye week

I think really focused on trying to get details of everything we’re doing. And I think from ball security, basic stuff, we did the first bye week as well. You kind of get a chance to go back and really make an emphasis that obviously that showed up in the last game, kept us from scoring probably a couple touchdowns. So really emphasizing the fundamentals. I think you go back to that when you’re on a bye week, you have time to do that. You have some more individual time probably than you usually have on a practice schedule, which is awesome.

And I think each and every position kind of goes through that and tries to improve all their fundamentals. And Sherrone’s made a big emphasis on that with the team and even for us, hey, on the practice schedule, let’s make sure we’re working the fundamentals this week and really improve for this last stretch run we’re on here.

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On whether the youth has played into some of the struggles on offense

Yeah, I mean, I think some, but at the end of the day, we’ve played nine games, and they’ve played some now. I’m really, really proud of that group, those young guys. Like when you look at those offensive linemen, you’re playing with three young guys up there, I’m really proud of them.

I mean, we’ve had the, I guess the last two times we’ve played, we’ve had the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week at running back. And I think that’s a testament to those guys improving and Grant’s doing a great job coaching them. And we signed them because we thought they were good players, and they’re playing a little earlier maybe than expected, but no, I liked them.

I think they’re only going to get better and improve, you see that each week. And that group is, this group, and Gio’s kind of the veteran in the crib, they’ve kind of pulled that group together some, I think, and you can see that those guys are kind of gelling as a unit. Obviously, we know, as the stretch run comes, we got to play better in every position. But right now, I was really proud of them. If I had one thing, the last game, we didn’t pass pro as well, right? Which caused some issues, but really, really, really excited about that group. Our future is really bright, I think, with those guys.

On what he feels is holding the offense back from firing on all cylinders

From my standpoint, I don’t know if we’re ever happy with exactly where we are from my seat, but there’s some things, I think, that are self-inflicted there that are keeping us from getting to our potential. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about the progress we’ve made, we’ve improved, and all that. But our standard is gonna be really high when you talk about where we want to be offensively. Each year is different. The offense goes around the strengths of your players, we all understand that. But I really like the progress we’re making.

It’s just the self-inflicted things. Cleanup, last week, we had the turnovers, we talked about that. We didn’t pass pro as well, so there’s some things to clean up, fundamentally, and with the running backs. So just as a unit, continuing to grow and gel, we’ve had some different combinations, but that’s not an excuse. We got to get those guys ready to go, and that’s kind of what our goal is and focus is right now.

On whether he would be surprised at the start of the year knowing the offense only had seven passing touchdowns

No, I mean, we’re seven and two and playing well. So my thing is, I’m not really caught up in the stats. We just wanna win and do the best job we can do based on what we have right now. And now, I mean, I remember when I had Drake in 2023, it seems like we got tackled inside the five on all our long passes and stuff. And we ended up running it in, Martin Hampton had a bunch of touchdowns, and Drake didn’t have near as many passing touchdowns. He didn’t care, it’s one thing we wanna win. So I don’t really know much about that other than we wanna score touchdowns every time we get down there, whether we throw it or run it, it doesn’t matter.

On whether he believes there will be a game coming up where the pass game needs to be more consistent

Well, yeah, I think we always wanna be more efficient, but with 250 yards the last two times out over in Big Ten play. So if we’re gonna run it well, that’s fine, we wanna run it well. And if we need to throw it to win, then we have to, or whatever.

I think you have to be multiple, but there’s a lot of factors involved in that. But again, where we are offensively, I just think winning the game is the most important thing, and whatever it takes to do it, we’re gonna do that.

On playing at Wrigley Field and the potential challenges

Yeah, I mean, I’m not sure, I’ve never been to Wrigley. So I’m excited about that venue and seeing that. But once the game starts, it’s on the same field. I know it’s maybe a little tighter, but yeah, it’ll be kind of a cool experience. And play early that day, so we’ll get up and be ready to go. I think we’re looking forward to it, we’re gonna play a really good team.

That’s one thing that, I don’t know how many people are taught, those guys are really good on that side of the ball, the defense. The defense we’re fixing to play statistically is really good, and you can see it on film. Those guys know what they’re doing, the system they’re in. They’re very good players, and their coaches do a great job. So big challenge for us, and that’s why I’m glad we had the bye week, so we could get some guys maybe back. And we’ve had a good week and a half of practice so far. So need to finish the week the right way, big challenge for us on the road.

On the strengths of Northwestern’s defense

Yeah, I think their front seven is really impressive. When you talk about the D linemen, 91 and 4, really jump out. Obviously, number one, I think he’s a really good player. Those linebackers, they run sideline to sideline. They play downhill, safety, number six, is impressive. I think his name’s Fitzgerald, he’s impressive downhill. You can tell they play with confidence. They know what they’re doing. They know where their weaknesses are.

They understand that, and I just see a physical bunch that we’re gonna have to make sure that we’re ready to go. Because if we sleepwalk Saturday morning getting ready, then we’re not gonna be in the best position to win. These guys are gonna be ready to go, and we gotta make sure we are as well.

On whether the offensive gameplan changes from week to week based on the weaknesses of the opposing defenses

Yeah, I don’t think so. I think, I’ll go back to — I think offensive football is about trying to get the ball to your best players, and we got two backs that are really good players. We understand that. I think each week you build your game plan based on two things, what you’re gonna see or anticipate that you’re gonna see, and then also what your strengths are as an offense. And that’s kind of, I think, where it starts. And then as you go through the week, different situations, whether it’s third down or redzone, there’s some things that you have to adjust to. But I just think for us, the way our team is built right now, being able to run the football is extremely important for our success. And then everything kind of plays off of that.

On utilizing more of the tight ends with the third WR spot a question mark

Yeah, we play probably as much 12 as anybody. Depending on how you count those tight ends, defenses sometimes see some of those tight ends as receivers. So they play nickel defense instead of playing base. But I think, again, it goes back to trying to get our best players in position and put them in position of what they do the best. Some guys are great option runners, some are great vertical runners, whatever it is. And I think that’s the trick every week, is figuring out what fits the defense we’re gonna see, and then what fits the guys we have now. Sometimes we’ll be in 11, sometimes we’ll be in 12, and I think being multiple is the key.

On whether he can do different things with Jordan Marshall compared to Justice Haynes

Different, probably, I wouldn’t say we try to do things a lot different. I do think they’re two different styles, maybe, sometimes. But they’re both effective, what they do.

I think, Jordan, you see the pile move a lot when he’s in there, it’s kind of the muddy runs. And he broke one long one the other night. Justice has broken several long ones, right, from long distance, so that sticks out. But I’ve seen him punish safeties as well. So I like the combination of the two, obviously would be better than having one. But at the end of the day, I think our offense is what it is, so to speak.

I think Jordan can adapt to whatever we’re doing. He’s good in pass pro, he’s good at catching the ball in backfield. So no, I don’t think there’s a whole lot of difference. We just gotta, again, it goes back to execute up front and the details of what we’re doing. And that’s kind of what we’re focused on, no matter who the tailback is.

On limiting Marshall’s carries during a game

Yeah, I think he needs to be in that number of 20, 25 touches. Whether it’s carries or whether it’s touches, throwing the ball to him, you feel like you’re pretty sure he’s gonna get the ball. I think he played 50-something snaps or something, which is probably a little much. But the young guys are coming on, Bryson as well as Jasper. So I think there’s gonna be a good mix, a good combination. We can’t let him play too many snaps.

But at the same time, he’s gonna be a workhorse for us at times. And I think Tony is doing a great job of going through our game plan, trying to figure out where we can put the other two guys in. And one thing, they got some reps against Purdue, which was really good. And I think that’s gonna help them develop and be more comfortable. I think a lot of that, the young players, is just confidence. Confident, hey, I can go ahead and do this.

And cuz they were all really good high school players at some point. But there’s always, when you were in high school, I remember being in 10th grade and thinking, man, I’m fixing to start my first game laying there during the stretch. And I hope I can do this.

There is that, and then the next year, the two years later, now you’re used to the speed of the game, you’re used to everything that goes with it. And I think the same thing in college. And the more those guys get reps, the better they’re gonna be. And we got a lot of confidence in them, for sure.

On whether he’s been around a running back who runs as hard as Marshall does

Yeah, we’ve had a couple. Omarion Hampton sticks out, Kerryon Johnson at Auburn sticks out. I think what’s cool when you’re up high in the press box and when it wads up in there and you see the pile move. I like seeing the linemen chasing and pushing, too, instead of just standing there, which our guys do a good job of that. But definitely, it’s cool to see him, cuz for him, he’s a powerful guy. He gets behind his pads very well and moves the pile.

And that’s exciting to see as a coach, for sure, when you wanna be able to run the football and you can hand it off in there and feel like you’re gonna get positive yards.

On whether there is elements of complementary football the staff tries to have

For sure, yeah, 100%. Each week, we sit down as a group, Wink and myself and Sherrone, and say, okay, what do we need to do to win the game? I think that’s the most important thing. And then I think sometimes it’s a feel as you’re going, okay, we’re having success doing this, so you’d hate to go down and try to do something that maybe you hadn’t had success at and make a mistake. When the obvious question then, why do you just keep doing what you’re doing, right? So I think there’s a balance there.

Don’t get me wrong, we wanna be a balanced offense. But at the end of the day, the number one goal is to win the game. And we’re in a great spot, all our goals are still in front of us. We control our own destiny, so we understand it’s gonna get harder here as we go, it does, November — they remember November, so to speak. And the games are gonna be — every game’s a challenge. The later the season, the bigger the games are. So we definitely need to be able to be versatile and do both.

But at the same time, I’m proud of the guys that are, when they have success, whether it’s the running back, the quarterback, whoever it is. So yeah, I would say that we just keep trying each week, find ways to win the football game. That’s the most important, and complementary football is part of it. I think when I was a younger guy, I probably didn’t do a great job of that. And so how many times can we snap it, and how fast can we go? And I think over the years, you become maybe a little more wise to that kind of philosophy. But one thing about our building here is we’re all on the same page. This is what it’s gonna take to win the game. And I think we can do a great job of communicating. If the defense has been on the field for a long time, we’re gonna try to stay on the field a little longer, right? So they can not go right back out. I think that’s part of playing complementary football, and something we take a lot of pride in, for sure.

On what he wants to see from the offense down the stretch

Yeah, just continue to grow, but take care of the ball. That’s the thing where in the big games, when you turn the ball over, that’s usually when you, and the other day, you think about it, we had two turnovers. I think they were both inside of 15. One of them went out for a touchback, the pick. We had a guy open in the end zone, if we just see him, and on the scrambling, he did a great job scrambling, protected the ball, moving out with two hands on it.

But then, those are the two things that stick out to me as a coordinator. Let’s protect the ball. Let’s don’t put it on the ground. Let’s don’t turn it over. Let’s make them earn everything, and make them stop us. And if that’s the case, fine, but that’s what we’re really focused on. Sherrone’s mentioned it to our team. We did a team ball security drill during the off week. We do ball security, obviously, every week.

But we did it as a unit, as a team, and a D-lineman picks up a ball. You see it all the time on TV, and somebody comes behind him and knocks it out, whatever it is. Just trying to get all the details and emphasize that. So, cuz to me, when you protect the ball, your chances of winning go way up.

On Bryce Underwood’s growth down the stretch

Yeah, I think the more he plays, the more comfortable he’s gonna get it. I think it’s about reps. When you have a young player, again, it goes back. We talked about this, protecting the ball. I think that’s the thing that bothered me the most, cuz he’s really, most of the year, really done a nice job of that. And then I think, all the way around, we gotta do a great job protecting him.

We gotta do a great job catching the ball when we get opportunities. And it all kind of works together, but I like his growth. I mean, it’s funny, I was leaving here last night, and this guy’s up here. I know it’s past 10:45, cuz that’s when I was here. He’s in there watching third downs. Guy loves football, he’s a football fanatic, so to speak, and wants to improve. And that’s really what’s earned him a lot of respect with our team here, is the way he’s operating. He’s coming here, blue collar, go to work, earn his way. And I just wanna see him continue to do that. The more he plays, I think the better he’s gonna get.

On whether anything changes based on who is available at tight end

Not really, because like Washington, we had a couple of our tight ends not play. Went to the Washington game, and the next guy stepped up, and a couple of them played really good. I got a lot of confidence in that room. I think that’s one of the areas we recruited really well in those guys. And when they had their opportunity, mistake here or there, but they made plays, and I like that unit we were talking about this morning. You got a lot of different body types in there, and different skill sets in there.

But at the end of the day, they’re all in that tight end group. And I think that allows us to be more versatile. And so far they’ve answered the bell, and they’re gonna have to continue to do that. Cuz everybody’s got injuries this time of year. Everybody’s got to play young players, that’s no excuse. And I think we really do, and you’ve seen it show up with tight ends and running backs, next man mentality, and they’ve really bought into that. So I like that group. I think they’re improving, and we need them here to have a stretch too.