It was a pivotal moment on Saturday. Michigan football was down only a touchdown, despite rival MSU being able to drive the field with regularity. But the offense couldn’t get much of anything going and the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy had the appearance that it was going to go the Spartans’ way.
But then head coach Sherrone Moore issued a challenge to the offensive line on the sideline, telling them they weren’t playing up to the Wolverines’ standard. From there, the offense drove the field and scored a touchdown. Then, the defense got a turnover, and special teams managed a field goal. On the first possession in the second half, the offense drove the field again, and what was a seven-point deficit was all of a sudden a 10-point lead.
Center Greg Crippen wasn’t surprised at Moore’s motivational tactics, but he said that it did help fire them up and whip the offensive line (and offense) back into shape.
“It’s a normal thing, just trying to find something, just help us lock back in,” Crippen said. “And not overthink things, just play as hard as we can. Plus, he’s a great coach, helps us do that, and after that, we scored a touchdown.”
It’s a much more difficult task awaiting, with the No. 1 and undefeated Oregon Ducks coming to town. So what does the offensive line need to do in order to set a tone and help the maize and blue shock those who don’t see them as having much of a chance?
As Crippen notes, it’s all about getting back to their roots.
“Physicality. I think being more physical,” Crippen said. “We’re definitely physical, I think it’s just the mindset of not trying to think too much, or just going out there and just trying to hit someone as hard as you can. I know we’re super like physical people, and I have 100% belief we’re gonna go out there and do that.”
It will certainly be a challenge. Oregon enters the game with the No. 12 defense in the country and has the nation’s No. 25 pass rush according to PFF.
It’s unclear whether or not Jordan Burch, the star pass rusher that’s been out the past three weeks after sustaining an injury during practice before playing Ohio State, will return, but regardless, Crippen sees the challenge and feels like the Wolverine offensive line will rise to the occasion.
“Yeah, they’re good players,” Crippen said. “They’re good players, and they play hard. And I think they’re good players, I think our game plan, just like things that we see on tape, is we’re gonna prepare for whatever they do. We’re gonna be ready for it”
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football OL wants to bring physicality back to forefront with Oregon next
