Michigan's 'run wall' likely getting a major reinforcement back this weekend
The Michigan Wolverines have played the last few games without sophomore defensive tackle Mason Graham in the lineup, but that is likely changing soon. Graham is expected to return from a thumb injury ahead of this weekend’s game at Minnesota, and the defensive line group text has been buzzing about it.
The defense is currently firing on all cylinders, getting pressure with the guys up front while also making other team’s lives miserable trying to run the football. Graham being back in the mix this weekend ahead of a trip to the Twin Cities has spirits lifted even higher.
“We know what our goal is, so we’re just trying to keep building block by block, brick by brick,” junior defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny said on Tuesday night. “And even better, we got Mason back, so he’ll be back to help.”
Players are not always privy to the plans of the coaching staff, but Benny reiterated that those preparations are being made when he was asked to confirm. Michigan currently has Graham penciled into this weekend’s plans, likely with some sort of club on his hand.
Graham or not, Michigan’s run defense has been tremendous through the first five weeks of the season, headlined by shutting down Nebraska for most of Saturday’s game in Lincoln. The Huskers were held to 20 carries for 32 yards when removing a 74-yard touchdown run in garbage time.
The Wolverines have the No. 13 rush defense in America at 85.2 yards allowed per game. It’s been a complete synergy and buy-in from the coaching staff down to the players.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” Benny said. “From the players to the coaches, everything. We all make the train turn, we all work together as a unit and the coaches lead us in the right direction. We just follow in their footsteps. So that’s what makes us the best.”
Michigan is also aided by its depth up front. Benny is part of a rotation that often goes four deep at defensive tackle and four deep on the edge. It is leading to a lot of painless Sundays and far less bumps and bruises through the first month of the season.
“Definitely feel fresher with the rotation we got, with the guys we got,” Benny said. “We know we can send anybody in and we know that the job gonna get done still.”
In recent seasons, Michigan has taken major pride in its ability to go on the road and steal the show. The crowd’s energy becomes their enegy, and Benny says that is easy to pull off when everyone is having fun and is on the same page.
“I’d probably say the biggest thing is we feel like we’re brothers,” Benny said. “So, you have fun with your brothers, travel together. Do everything together and we just know we’re together. So that’s that’s the best part about it. So that just brings out the life in us.
“It’s really not really a challenge, because like we know, we know the talent we have across the board. We just take it for what it is, and just enjoy, enjoy the game, enjoy the win. We see our brothers in there and everybody making plays, we are happy. We are happy with where we’re at.”
