Defense/ST Notes: Michigan's poor tackling leads to dud performance

The Michigan Wolverines had a rough showing in their trip out to USC, which resulted in a 31-13 loss at the hands of the Trojans. Even with two turnovers forced, USC gashed the Wink Martindale-led defense to the tune of 489 total yards in a balanced effort.

Tackling was a major issue in Saturday’s loss in Los Angeles, with Pro Football Focus’ quick postgame data charting 14 missed opportunities to bring down the ball carrier. That, mixed with the explosives, led to Michigan getting exposed by Lincoln Riley and company on the road.

“I think they just played well,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game. “They executed at a high level. We didn’t execute all the times we needed to. We didn’t. We didn’t tackle very well. And we’ve tackled a lot better. And that was not one of our best tackling performances. And those guys executed well; they had a really good plan.

“Just too many opportunities, big plays, third down conversions, scoring in the beginning of the game and half. So we just have to do a better job of rallying those things. So, but credit to them, credit to their game plan. No excuses. We’ve got to continue to attack and get better.”

What was most surprising were the explosive runs. Even with USC tailback Waymond Jordan leaving the contest injured, freshman walk-on King Miller gashed the Wolverines for 158 yards on the ground with runs of 47 and 49 yards on the night. One of them came on a backbreaking 3rd-and-26 conversion.

“We got fit right out of the gap, but it was a great run, great job, execution, blocking by them,” Moore said. “We didn’t fit the run right. So that’s why the hole was so big, and they made a play. So again, credit to them, credit to Lincoln and that staff and what they did.

“But there are things that we have to look at, we have to fix, we have to make sure we attack. It was good to see the fight as the team went, you know, there was never any quit with the team. But there are things that you have to fix in these big-time games against really good opponents to win. So then, again, credit to them.”

Despite the explosives, Michigan knows its tackling woes must get better moving forward.

“We were tackling every week, we were tackling every day, and we didn’t execute. We didn’t tackle when we needed to, and they did a good job,” Moore said.

Michigan players weigh in

Sometimes, the only words that do it justice were those of the folks in the room. Defensive backs Rod Moore and Zeke Berry spoke after the game and were brief and to the point with the Michigan media.

There’s not much to spin or write around it. Here was the full transcript from Michigan’s defensive players in Los Angeles, via The Wolverine’s boots on the ground:

Rod Moore
Media: WHY WAS TACKLING AN ISSUE AT TIMES?

Moore: “We got to get better at tackling.”

THEY HAD ABOUT THREE OR FOUR PLAYS TO BREAK THIS THING OPEN. HOW DID THOSE HAPPEN AND WHAT KIND OF CORRECTIONS NEED TO BE MADE?

“We got to get better at tackling.”

THEY RAN FOR 226 YARDS. WHAT WENT INTO THAT?

“Nah. Got to get better at tackling. Put on the tape — we missed a lot of tackles — and yeah.”

DID IT SURPRISE YOU TO HAVE THESE TACKLING STRUGGLES?

“A little bit, because we always harp on that as one of our pillars, but we’ve just got to get better.”

WHAT IS IT WITH TACKLING THAT IS GOING WRONG?

“Just keeping your leverage. That’s really what it was. It was a lot of bounces, where somebody didn’t keep their leverage or didn’t get off the block and make the tackle. Me myself I missed a couple coming out of the post. That’s usually not how I play, so just got to get better.”

Zeke Berry
YOU GUYS FORCED THREE TURNOVERS. WAS IT FRUSTRATING WHEN THE OFFENSE DIDN’T CAPITALIZE?

“We just got to get better as a team, really.”

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE MOOD IN THE LOCKER ROOM AND THE MESSAGE, AND HOW DO YOU PREVENT THE SEASON FROM SPIRALING?

“We just got to get better.”

DID YOU GUYS FOCUS ON TACKLING ENOUGH THIS PAST WEEK?

“Yeah.”

‘Nuff said. A rough week at the office without a ton to glean from the players, other than to correct Saturday’s issues.

Miscellaneous defensive/special teams notes

• Michigan has forced at least one turnover in every game this season and multiple takeaways in four of six games. Junior cornerback Jyaire Hill forced a fumble recovered by Derrick Moore, while Zeke Berry had an interception in the third quarter.

• The 226 rushing yards from USC were the most Michigan has given up on the ground since Wisconsin ran for 351 yards in a 49-11 loss to the Badgers on Nov. 14, 2020.