TheWolverine.com - Rodriguez: Minor healing up

October 7, 2009

Chris Balas
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor

Michigan running back Brandon Minor continues to heal from the ankle injury that's plagued him since fall camp, head coach Rich Rodriguez said today. While fellow senior Carlos Brown wore the red jersey in practice with an undisclosed injury, Minor appeared good to go.

"This has been his best week probably since training camp," said Rodriguez. "The last few weeks he's been limited during the weeks. Tuesday is our most physical practice, and yesterday he went through the whole practice. Talking to him, it's the best he's felt in several weeks."

Minor only notched four carries at Michigan State.

"It's because he's been limited in practice. He's been fortunate to be able to play because he knows enough of the offense to play, and we talked about it -- he's got to get more reps during the week to be prepared more for Saturday," said Rodriguez. "Yesterday was a good day not only for him, but I was really pleased with the way we practiced yesterday. We challenged the guys to be more physical, we got after it a little bit and it was a good practice."

Rodriguez is hoping for a few more before the Wolverines take on Iowa in Iowa City Saturday night.

Other notes:

On rebuilding the running game after disappointment at MSU: "Really it's just the execution of the whole offense, not just the running game. Last week was different; we didn't have the ball much in the first half and didn't play well when we did have it. The things we saw we can correct, we think we can correct it. They're going to have something to say about it, too. They're pretty strong up front. Hopefully we can establish come kind of continuity on offense.

On Iowa not allowing a rushing touchdown in 33 quarters: "It's a phenomenal stat ? you look at all the quality teams they've played, and to do that against everybody is pretty amazing. But for us offensively, we've just got to execute better. We know we're going to have a challenge up front, and they are so active up front with their defensive line using their hands getting off blocks that we have to strain a little harder this week.

"I don't care how we score. If we score in any way possible, that's a good thing whether you throw it or run it. That's the most difficult thing against them. I think the most points they gave up last year was 27 ? this year they are off to a tremendous start defensively. If you can score in any way possible, I'm all for that."

On Iowa defensive end Broderick Binns: "The biggest thing is they jump the ball really well, anticipate the snap count. They do a great job of using their hands to get off blocks. They do a lot of line movements; I think they've always done that. Inside twists and things with their defensive front.

"More than anything we've got to get a hat on a hat, do a good job fundamentally up front for our offensive line. This will be the biggest challenge we faced all year."

On center David Molk and his foot injury : "He did some things with the trainer but he's still a ways off. I don't know if he'll be able to practice next week or not."

On continuity on the line: "We're trying to get the most production we can out of it. This will be the third game now Dave Moosman has been at center, so I think he'll be more comfortable there. But we miss David Molk, and we know what the situation is. Those guys taking his place, Perry Dorrestein has been pretty solid at right tackle, Mark Huyge has been pretty solid and Steve Schilling is really settled into his role at guard, as well."

On ever playing a night game at Michigan Stadium: "Could be. We haven't discussed it much, but I know the folks at ESPN would like to have one, and I could understand why. I think they'd bring lights in, but that's something for further down the road.

"There are more issues than just playing. The lighting for the parking and all that is an issue. But it certainly is a different atmosphere. The players may like it ? as coaches it makes for a long day and a long next day.

"We have meetings and a little bit of a walkthrough with the team. I don't know what the players do, but a lot of times the coaches will sit around and watch some games. But it's a long day. I've played a bunch of them, too ? the biggest difference is you're not as rushed the day before, and you don't do much Friday, anyway. The anxiety builds for the players and the coaches.

"On the flip side it's great exposure for your team on TV. A lot of programs, it's helped elevate them. In our league a lot of teams get great exposure so we don't have to do it, but the attention you get nationally probably helps in recruiting somewhat."

On night games at West Virginia: "We were very fortunate. We had a lot of great players, so we had a lot of success in night games ? not only the Saturday night but the Thursday games, our night game record was really good. Our players took a little extra pride in that because it was a special atmosphere for them.

"All players, when there's an intense atmosphere and they know everybody's into it, one thing not to be overlooked is sometimes the crowd gets into it for whatever they were doing the six, seven, nine hours before the game. They seem to be more prepared for the game at night than those noon kickoffs, if you know what I mean. I'm sure their students and the fans will be juiced up, if that's the right word, for the night game."

On night games that stand out: As a player back in 1984 when I was at West Virginia, we beat Penn State for the first time in 20 some years. I was a senior and finally got a chance to start. We won and our crowd stormed the field, and they had a big bonfire in the middle of the street ? that wasn't good, but they were burning couches, chairs and tables, lawn furniture. That happened to be a block from the house I was renting so I saw all the smoke. That was pretty memorable at the time."

On Iowa's pink locker room: "The guys that were there a few years ago said that, and I think they still have the pink toilets. I don't even mention that ? I don't think it's a big deal. I hear it's a pretty nice locker room.

"I heard they put [newspaper over it] one time and the game didn't turn out well, so they didn't do it another time. Talking to Jonny Falk, we talked about it ? it doesn't matter."

On preparing for a hostile environment: "Like preparing for the first road game last week, you do a little more crowd noise. We do a little bit anyway, just about every day, but we'll do a little bit more for communication, particularly on offense."

On former U-M receivers coach Erik Campbell, now at Iowa: "I know Soup pretty well, enough to know his nickname. We talked when I first got the job here. He's been by quite a few times over the summer. He's a great guy and an outstanding coach. We haven't talked obviously since the season started, but during the summer I saw him a few times. He popped over to the building and said hello to everybody."

On defensive tackle Mike Martin: "I'm very proud of him. He's a very active player and very consistent, which is one thing we challenged him with because we don't have quite the depth we'd like to have. He's playing a lot more plays ? all those guys are playing more than we'd like to, but they've held up pretty well. Mike has held up really well with the number of plays he's played at that position."

On Tate Forcier: "He was limited yesterday a little bit, Monday didn't do very much at all ? he did everything in the run game, not in the pass game. Today he should be able to do everything."

On Greg Robinson's experience against Iowa while at Syracuse: "He talked a little bit about it. Again, this is a few years ago that he played them -- the first time was overtime the second time Iowa got after them pretty good. I'm sure they're preparing and he's looking at that film, because they may be preparing saying hey, is it going to be the same scheme defensively?"

On the cornerback position: "That thing is ongoing. Eventually you'd like to get things settled, but I don't know if that will be settled for several weeks."

On Jordan Kovacs at safety: "Kovacs has played well enough that we feel really confident in him. Mike Williams is healthier now, so he'll continue to play. We're trying to get more guys in the game, but they've got to show us in practice or in limited opportunities that they can do it ? I know they all want to get in there, but to be fair to them, we don't want to put them in there unless they're ready."

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