Defense/ST Notes: Jimmy Rolder's star-making turn, shutting down Aidan Chiles

EAST LANSING – Michigan football‘s 31-20 win over Michigan State had a potential star-making performance for senior linebacker Jimmy Rolder, who finished the game with 10 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery.

That sort of stat-stuffing made for one of the best linebacker performances in recent Michigan history, and also included a 2-point conversion attempt that was broken up.

Now in his fourth year at Michigan, Rolder is finally getting to pay off some of the promise seen in him by the staff.

“I stayed just because I love Michigan, and I always believed in myself, knew I was going to be able to play here,” Rolder said. “It’s a blessing to be out there, starting with my guys out there. Just playing today, just playing hard … it was any other game for me. Just a little extra focus during the week, practicing hard to make the game easier. Guys played great, and it was just awesome to see, awesome to be a part of. A lot of fun.”

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore could not have been more impressed wit the performance and the defensive output overall. While it was not perfect, U-M’s defense mostly dominated for the second week in a row.

The Spartans were able to rack up 305 total yards of offense on Saturday night, but punted 7 times, turned over the ball twice on downs and fumbled on their opening possession. Michigan also forced 4 3-and-outs.

“Yeah, Jimmy played outstanding,” Moore said. “Just elite. Just played really well. He played outstanding. This guy played really well. I thought the defense overall, you know, there’s some plays that we let get out because we didn’t have contain, and we got to close the gap and just play more physical, can’t jump around those blocks. But, you know, Jimmy, just the defense in general, they play so hard. They play so physical, and they continue to do that. And we clean up those little things that will help us and just make us an elite defense that we are.”

Michigan had two critical fourth-down stops and the two-point conversion swat that kep the game in hand. He was pleased with the preparation and execution.

“The fourth-down stops were just unbelievable,” Moore said. “Just the effort that it takes to do that. And you pretty much know the kind of plays you’re going to get in those scenarios. I think that speaks to the preparation that our coaches have done, but really to the effort and the thought process of our players and how hard they practice, how hard they prepare for those moments, and intentionality when we prepare and practice. Because you’re not going to get those full-speed reps, but you’ve got to practice with that mentality. So just proud of them for those moments.”

For the second week in a row, Michigan also kept a talented quarterback who is a run threat in check. MSU’s Aidan Chiles completed only 50% of his passes, and was held to 15 carries for -7 yards on the day.

“I feel great about the defense,” Moore said. “There are things we’re going to have to fix and work on because you’re never perfect, and there are plays that got out that they know that we have to fix. But he’s a super athletic quarterback. I give a ton of credit to their staff, Michigan State staff, and that kid, Aidan Chiles. He’s an exceptional player, and he’s a really good player. So, for what our defense did in keeping him in the pocket, keeping him honed in, a lot of respect for our staff and our players for what they did.”

Miscellaneous Michigan defense/ST notes

• Junior defensive back Brandyn Hillman forced the first fumble of his career on Saturday, coming on MSU’s third play from scrimmage.

• Senior EDGE Derrick Moore had two sacks for the second game in a row.

• U-M’s opponents have combined to score only 4 field goals and 4 touchdowns in fourth quarters through eight games. U-M has allowed only 7 touchdowns and 4 field goals in second halves.

• Senior punter Hudson Hollenbeck had a 67-yard punt in the third quarter, his longest of the year and longest in his career since the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama.

• MSU star wide receiver Nick Marsh was largely held in check, grabbing 6 catches for 75 yards on 13 targets.

• Michigan had 4 team sacks on Saturday: Derrick Moore (2), Rolder, TJ Guy