• Tate will be out today and probably wont throw as much – shoulder is just sore – might participate in some short throws but not deep throws. Trainer is confident that he should be good to go for Saturday.
• RR addressed the physicality of his team and that it’s more of a state of mind and not a result of the system – the coaching staff will challenge the guys this week to be more physical not because it’s MSU – because it’s the way they always want to play.
• On QB’s and RB’s splitting carries – Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor were banged up but mostly a result of how the defense was playing Michigan. In the system, often times the QB needs to keep it and run based on what the defense presents
• Moosman at center – some snaps were obviously off and some were probably catchable. Molk spoiled everybody because he is so good, but they will practice getting the snaps down this week.
• David Molk is going to be out closer to 4 weeks – surgery went will and there is a pin in place. Molk is doing what he can to speed up the healing process.
• On the defense – RR evaluated the defense and said the defense played well at times, but missed assignments that led to some big plays. Claimed they are all correctable errors. Going to challenge some guys in order to make sure the best 11 guys are on the field.
• Donovan Warren playing real well, but other corner spot is wide open. J.T. Turner getting better every week and he will compete with Cissoko and Floyd.
• Giving up big plays are a result of poor technique and simply being misaligned.
• On MSU’s defense – they have played some talented offenses and have given up some big plays. Very aggressive defensively and will pose Michigan’s offense with a different challenge.
• More on Tate – tough guy but will let you if he’s hurting.
• This week’s Wednesday practice will be closed to the public.
• QB’s will be able to go on a silent cadence if necessary this coming week.
• RR not using last year’s loss as a motivating factor or revenge factor – players probably use it more than the coaches do.
• The in-state recruiting war between Michigan and Michigan State is somewhat overblown. Teams go after different players for different purposes. RR doesn’t get the sense that there is much negative recruiting going on between Michigan’s major conference rivals.
• Michigan preparing for both MSU’s QB’s because they have some spread principles that they run.
• On this year’s offense compared to last – scoring a lot more points and the execution has been better but still have a long way to go. A big difference is the playmaking ability of the new guys this year.
• Kevin Grady has some great leadership qualities that have put him in position to get some playing time at fullback.
• Not much is going to be different about the routine this week – trying to narrow the focus of the team this week.

Kevin Grady up next:

• Asked what his favorite MSU moment was – when Chris Perry carried the ball over 50 times. At the time he was in high school getting 40+ carries in games.
• Kevin has friends on MSU and family members that are State fans – he’s just trying to get ready for the game this weekend.
• On the rushing game and it’s historical ramifications – Grady feels that Michigan needs to fine tune the rushing attack for this week.
• The has a hunger that goes beyond this game – the team is working hard on and off the field to improve.
• On playing State – he’d tell his brother Kelvin and others that are freshman – “you better bring your hard hat”
• Kevin is enjoying his role at fullback and wants to improve so he can help his team and get more touches.
• On his key third down catch – he recognized the coverage and that the corner was in Cover 2 – Kevin slowed his pace to give himself space to catch the ball.

Carlos Brown up next:

• His knees were a little banged up on Saturday but he is ok now and will be fine for Saturday.
• On the RB rotation – not difficult at all and typically the coaches allow players to get in the zone. Saturday there wasn’t a specific reason for him coming out (contradicting himself a bit)

Obi Ezeh up next:

• Asked what the MSU game means to him – “whoever wins this game has bragging rights for the whole year – Paul Bunyan trophy is something we want to get back”
• Being from Michigan this is a huge game for Obi.
• Last year’s loss was a reminder – don’t want to add fuel to the fire and want MSU to think last year’s win was a fluke.
• Some think the game will be a shootout – Michigan’s defense is still growing and learning from each game.
• The entire defense is waiting to have a statement game and are hoping that this is the week.
• Doesn’t mind being on the field more because the offense is scoring points faster this year.
• Ohio State is a tougher environment than Michigan State – but it’s close.
• Tough to explain in words what this rivalry means to the team and to the state.

Donovan Warren up next:

• Said that he caught the ball first – focused on getting up with the ball to show he had it.
• When he came in as a freshman – the seniors taught him what the rivalry was all about. Michigan is motivated this year to get the win based on last year’s loss.
• Warren works with all the DB’s including Justin Turner – everyday in practice they do extra things to correct mistakes and get better.
• The defense needs to communicate better to avoid and prevent big plays from happening. Making sure everyone is on the same page in coverage and in the right gaps.
• D. Warren on coming to Michigan from Cali – “I’m a California guy- it’s all about USC and UCLA – as far as deep Michigan tradition I didn’t know much about it”

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