Michigan football podcast: Balas and Skene on O-line play, more in latest win at MSU

Michigan handled Michigan State for the fourth straight season, a 31-20 victory in East Lansing in which Wolverines fans took over Spartan Stadium in the fourth quarter once again. The Wolverines didn’t play their ‘A’ game but won going away, regardless … and head coach Sherrone Moore was pleased with the result.

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Once again, the Spartans picked up their share of penalties, including some taunting and unsportsmanlike calls. The Wolverines did their best to stay above the fray, and Moore was pleased with that, as well.

“Can I add just how proud I am of our players to not respond to a lot of that, because it could have been… 12 is a lot,” Moore said. “It could have been easy for them to do that, and that was an emphasis all week. 

“We wanted to play clean football. You wanted to play disciplined football, want to strain for 60 minutes within the whistles, so I’m really proud of our team for doing that, because there were a lot of times they could have retaliated. To be disciplined like that speaks a lot of these young men and their thought process, and we talk about the team over me.

“It was [chippy]. I’m just proud of my players and how they responded. We always talk about reacting versus responding, and they didn’t react. They didn’t throw the punch or do whatever they do, they responded … and they responded with the pads. The rivalry is the rivalry … I’ve been a part of it now for what, 8 years? It’s nuts, but it’s great to be a part of. I love it. I never want to stop and, I’m just proud of the players for conducting themselves the right way. We’ll continue to do that as we go through the season.”

The Michigan offense did just enough, turning to the run game in the second half, while the defense contained Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles effectively. He was no threat as a runner.

“I feel great about the defense, and yeah, there are things we’re going to have to fix and work on,” the Michigan coach continued. “There are players that got out that we know that we have to fix, but he’s super athletic. I give a ton of credit to their staff, the Michigan State staff and that kid … he’s an exceptional player. He’s a really good player.

“So, for what our defense did and keeping him in the pocket, keeping him honed in, a lot of respect for our staff and our players for what they did.”

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