Michigan football podcast: Balas and Skene on U-M win over MSU, more
Michigan held off a late Michigan State rally for a 24-17 win in Ann Arbor Saturday night, the Wolverines’ third straight in the series. The Spartans took the fight to their rivals early, but the offensive line and quarterbacks Davis Warren and Alex Orji made big plays to help lead a victory.
What wasn’t working early in the game started to click as the game went on. Though the running backs were held in check, Orji averaged over 10 yards per carry to lead the run game. Michigan State had no answer for him as the game progressed.
“Guys blocked better. Guys executed at a higher level,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said. “They strained, and you could hear it. When a good run happens, people don’t necessarily hear it. We hear it. You hear the pads popping.
“You saw people get moved and displaced. That’s what you want. It really comes down to moving somebody against their will. There’s no better feeling. That was a challenge to the o-line.”
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland was a difference maker, catching two touchdowns and helping lead an offense that needed a spark. His play was one of the big differences in the game.
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“He’s just a dude. He does dude things all the time,” Moore said. “We just try to give him the ball as much as we can, when we can. But people know he’s going to get the ball at some point, so you’ve got to do some things to make it look like he’s not getting it.
“But he just does great things. He’s a great football player, and his work ethic matches it. Who he is as a person matches it. You can’t come in the building without seeing Colston Loveland around. He deserves all the success, and I’m glad we got him.”
It doesn’t get easier for Michigan with Oregon coming to town Saturday, but the season still has some hope. Chris Balas and Doug Skene break it down in the postgame podcast.
