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Michigan football podcast: Balas and Skene break down win over Nebraska, Crippen's big day, more

Chris Balasby: Chris Balas09/23/25Balas_Wolverine
Sep 13, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines assistant head coach Biff Poggi on the sideline in the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines assistant head coach Biff Poggi on the sideline in the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Sep 13, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines assistant head coach Biff Poggi on the sideline in the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Michigan beat Nebraska, 30-27, in a game that was closer than it should have been, improving to 3-1 heading into a bye week. The Wolverines had another huge day in the running game behind Justice Haynes, Jordan Marshall, and an offensive line that opened some huge holes for the backs.

Even better was how they closed it out. The Michigan offense marched the field on a 9-minute drive to kick a field goal and go up 10, and then iced the game with two Marshall runs to go to victory formation.

“Man, that drive was incredible,” head coach Sherrone Moore, watching from home while serving the second of his two-game suspension, said. “It was like waking up on Christmas morning, seeing all the presents opening up, and then figuring out you got that last present at the end, and you can open that present and be as happy as can be.

“You know you want to end it with a touchdown, but taking eight minutes … it was eight minutes and 56 seconds with 15 plays. That’s drudgery for the other team. They’ve just got to watch you do it, so it proved the fact the connection of the team. Because I watched the sidelines and watched the defense just rooting the offense on. To watch them do that — and it’s a great rest for them too — but the O-line, a lot of pride in the O-line there to do that.”

Moore said he spoke with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey after the game about some of the play calls, excited about what he saw. He also gave center Greg Crippen his props for what they all called his best game in a Michigan uniform.

“I loved every moment of it, every minute of it,” the Michigan coach said. “First of all, great job by Chip Lindsey and how he called the drive. Smart with the drive … smart with the plays. I thought about the time and the maturity and the ability to do that, control the clock, and understand the game.

“That’s a ‘team over me’ mentality, because there are passes there that we could hit. But when there’s eight minutes and 56 seconds off the clock, that’s way more important than anything else.”

Chris Balas and former Michigan All-Big Ten offensive lineman Doug Skene break it down in today’s podcast.