Defense/ST Notes: Michigan adjusts, Rod Moore hits his milestone

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Wolverines were dealt a bit of a curveball ahead of Saturday’s 24-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers. Despite preparing for UW quarterbacks Billy Edwards Jr. and Danny O’Neil, they turned to third-stringer Hunter Simmons for the contest.

Michigan’s defense was as caught off guard as most of us were on the opening drive. The ball came out quickly, the Badgers marched down the field and took an early 7-0 lead over the Wolverines on the first drive of the game.

RELATED: Rod Moore shines vs. Wisconsin, back to full health and raising U-M’s ceiling substantially

Michigan made the big adjustment and cruised the rest of the way, allowing a garbage-time field goal and only 252 total yards in the win. Of that total, 75 of them came on the opening drive, and 100 of those yards total came in the second half.

“It was all about tackling,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game. “Shout out to [defensive coordinator] Wink Martindale, defensive staff, the players. After that first drive, we looked at it. It was tackling. It wasn’t the calls. It was tackling. It was missing tackles.

“And after that, I think it was eight punts and an interception. And then a field goal at the end of the game. So pretty good. That’s what it came down to. And something we worked on all. We worked on it during opportunity week. We worked on it this past week, and you can see the emphasis of that, with tackling, which helped us be successful on defense.”

Graduate defensive back Rod Moore – more on him soon – said that Michigan’s defensive adjustment had more to do with the players clicking into focus than it did a schematic adjustment.

“Honestly, it wasn’t really Wink’s message,” the Michigan captain said after the game. “It was just players coming together and knowing that’s not our standard. We’re supposed to start fast, especially coming off a bye week. Going down 75 yards on the opening drive is not what we do, so just holding ourselves accountable, going back out there the next drive and stopping them.”

Junior defensive back TJ Metcalf praised the team’s response after the opening drive.

“Y’all saw the beginning of the game, the first drive,” Metcalf said. “It was a longer drive than we expected, but we do a good job of facing adversity. When that happens, we know that can’t happen anymore.

“I feel like we did a great job on defense of flying around and making plays on the ball. I’m just proud of everybody that played today. We did a lot of preparation for this week, and displayed it on the field today.”

Rod Moore’s return headlines defensive outing

Earlier this week, Rod Moore was asked when he thought he might be fully “back” as he was on the Michigan defense. He said it would be when he had his first interception.

Late in the third quarter of Saturday’s game, it happened.

“Yeah, I can finally say I’m back,” Moore said, channeling his inner John Wick. “Against Nebraska, I was still fighting a little bit of pain, but finally, I kind of feel pain-free. Like I said last week, when I get my first interception, I’ll feel back. I could’ve had two more, but it is what it is.”

Moore said that Wisconsin tried to get the ball back, but a Michigan staffer was able to make sure it stayed with the captain.

“They tried to take it back, but I think [head equipment manager] Sonny [Anderson] got it for me, so I’ll probably put it in a case, just my first game getting an interception after the injury,” Moore said.

The interception was Moore’s first since a game-sealing pick against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Nov. 25, 2023 en route to a College Football Playoff National Championship and undefeated season.

“It was like a full-circle moment,” Moore said. “The last time I was here, I had a pick against Ohio State, and it’s just a testament to all of my work and thanking God and my family for having my back through this journey, because honestly, it was really hard. I know you guys know I had a setback at one point and thought I was going to be back sooner than I was. But just working through it and continuing to chase greatness.”

Miscellaneous Michigan vs. Wisconsin defensive/special teams notes

• Michigan held Wisconsin to 75 rushing yards and 2.7 yards per attempt, and the Badgers had just 7 yards rushing in the second half.

• Michigan has forced at least one turnover in all five games this season.

• Junior linebacker Troy Bowles tipped a Wisconsin punt in the second quarter, altering the trajectory of the kick for a distance of 32 yards.

• Graduate transfer defensive back Caleb Anderson made his Michigan debut in Saturday’s game.

• Senior kicker Dominic Zvada missed his third field goal attempt of the season on Saturday, due to a botched snap. He missed only one field goal and one extra point last season.