Rod Moore shines vs. Wisconsin, back to full health and raising U-M’s ceiling substantially

Three plays summed up grad safety Rod Moore‘s impact in Saturday’s 24-10 win over Wisconsin and proved just how much better the Wolverines’ defense is when he’s on the field:

No. 1 — Jumping a route and nearly picking off a pass that might have been a huge play for the Badgers early. Wisconsin sent everyone right before throwing back across the field, where there was nobody but Moore, a blocker, and a receiver … but Moore stayed home, read it, and made the play where younger safeties might have missed their responsibility. 

No. 2 — Closing on a reverse and beating a blocker (albeit one who fell down) to a spot for a short gain on what looked like it might be another potential big play. The sure tackle prevented huge yardage on an afternoon in which it was going to take that for the Badgers to score after an early touchdown drive.

No. 3 — An early fourth quarter interception down the right sideline on which he had to cover a lot of ground to get to it, and on which corner Jyaire Hill had let a receiver behind him (and, if we’re being honest, had gotten a bit handsy and probably should have drawn a penalty). 

All three were of the “wow” variety and showed why Moore’s impact can’t be overstated. He looked fast, decisive, and not at all hesitant in making an impact in the win — and, really, looked like the difference maker we expected last year before he blew out his knee in the offseason. 

“His impact is something you can’t really describe,” head coach Sherrone Moore said after Saturday’s win. “He’s a coach on the field, a coach in the meeting room. You just feel his energy when it’s on the field … different and special. 

“Guys like him just don’t come along very much. He’s a guy that’s made plays here for a long time. The last time he had a pick in the big house was against Ohio State in ’23, and then today he comes across the field like a laser beam and picks it off today, stops the reverse …”

In short, they’re just a much better team when he’s on the field. He’s one of the most instinctive safeties Michigan has ever had (not hyperbole) and makes a very good defense potentially elite. 

There was some question if he was ever going to get back to 100 percent. Moore answered that before and during the win over the Badgers.

“It feels like he’s at 100 percent,” his coach continued. “I remember talking to him before the game and he said, “I feel outstanding. I feel so good, better than I have felt in a long time.’ I think he’s there. I think there’s always going to be a little soreness because you haven’t played football in a year and a half, but to me, it looks pretty good. He’s playing at a high level.

“I’m so proud of him and what he’s done, how he continues to fight, what he’s done with his body, how he’s gotten better. It feels like he’s faster now than he was before. It’s great to have him back.” 

And yes, it really does look faster on the field. Maybe it’s him being more decisive the ball, but he got there Saturday quicker than we remembered. 

The journey back from his knee injury, though, was anything but. He persevered through two surgeries to return for the Nebraska game two weeks ago, but he didn’t look like he did Saturday. He was a difference maker they needed.

“To watch him in his journey and what he’s done, I couldn’t be more proud of this young man and having him a part of our football team,” coach Moore said. “For me as a person, to learn from him as a leader and what he’s done, how he leads … he not only leads on the field, he leads off the field. Everything you want, he does it the right way. 

“He’s really special, and he’s going to help us win a lot of games. Whatever team gets to draft him in the NFL, they’re going to be very lucky to have this man on the roster.”