Rich Rodriguez:
On the defense this season: “We’re still looking for the right combination. We had more experience on defense last season. We may move guys from the offense to defense in the off-season.
“Brandon Graham has been having a great season.”
“We need to play with more emotion. We want to send the seniors out with a win and be bowl eligible.”
How does a season wear on you: “I don’t coach football, I live it. This season has been tough on me, our coaches; our families. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, we see it. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”
On Evaluation: “We constantly evaluate after every game and practice. I feel good about our staff but I need to evaluate us scheme-wise.”
On Tough Times: “During tough times I rely on colleagues in the profession and long-time assistants. It’s not hard to stay positive when your players our are giving their all.”
Have you asked yourself if maybe your system won’t work at Michigan? – “No.”
On The Game: “The first day I took the job someon gave me a beat OSU button. I understand the rivalry. That’s what is fun about college football. Nothing matches the intensity of U of M/OSU.”
Ryan Van Bergen:
“The difference between last year and this year on defense is we’re giving up big plays compared to last year where we gave up long drives. If we can stop the big plays we’ll turn things around.”
Roy Roundtree:
“I was never a Buckeye fan … I remember Desmond Howard, but Woodson is my favorite U of M/OSU memory.”
Stevie Brown:
“Justin Boren worked hard here, I have no vendetta against him … Pryor is progressing, he throws better and reads coverages better you need to wrap him up or he’ll break the tackle … I don’t think about my college career being over, I’m focused on the next game … I don’t want to beat them because we haven’t beat them for awhile, I just want to BEAT them … I try to lead by example, not with speeches.”
Mark Ortmann:
“I start watching game tape today … We’re capable of beating OSU … I ‘ve talked to Boren a few times but we’re not that close … It hurt to hear him say what he did.”
Donovan Warren:
“This is the biggest rivalry in college football … Key is shutting down their big plays … Boren leaving was a sign of disrespect.”
David Moosman:
“We’re capable of beating them … I don’t think about Boren, I don’t play against him directly, I wish I did … This game is everything, records don’t matter … We have what it takes to attack their defense … It will take our best effort to beat them … The offense goes on the field to score everytime.”