The second stanza of Big Ten media days featured a new crop of conference players available to the media, and several gave their thoughts on Michigan’s offense, Jim Harbaugh and a few other matters involving the Wolverines.
One team who returns to Michigan’s schedule in 2017 for the first time since 2012 is Purdue. Nobody on the Boilermakers’ roster has ever faced the Maize and Blue, and fifth-year senior linebacker Danny Ezechukwu shared his thoughts on Michigan.
“The kind of pro-style approach they have will make them a really strong team,” he said. “I feel like it’s going to be different in the way they attack you and play you, especially under Jim Harbaugh. He’s extreme, from what I’ve seen – no nonsense and he wants to get after it all game long. There’s no let up with him – it’s football all the time, and he’s another guy who just really loves the game. I’m looking forward to seeing the strengths of their team and how physical they are. It’s going to be a hard fought game.”
Like Purdue, Michigan didn’t face Minnesota last year either, but pulled out a thrilling 29-26 victory against it two years ago. Redshirt junior running back Rodney Smith said he “remembers the game like it was yesterday,” and noted how all his team needed to do was “gain a half a yard” to win. Gopher senior linebacker Jonathan Celestin said he’s excited to get another crack at the Wolverines in 2017.
“It’ll be pretty cool going to the Big House this year,” Celestin said. “I went there my freshman year, but I didn’t play much in that game.”
One of Michigan’s most impressive performances last season came at the Big House on Sept. 2, when it dismantled Penn State, 49-10.
Senior linebacker Jason Cabinda spoke about that loss, and what they saw from Michigan’s offense on film.
“It was a humbling experience, and it let us know we had a long ways to go,” he explained. “We knew after that game that we didn’t want to experience that again.
“Before the game, we saw on film they were a big, physical team. They want to run the ball down your throat, and then get you on play action pass – that’s their bread and butter. They had a lot of threats – Jake Butt and Jehu Chesson and some good backs like Chris Evans and Ty Isaac. They had a big physical offensive line and an experienced quarterback who was playing really well at the time. Their defense was very talented, especially with a versatile guy like Jabrill Peppers who could do it all.”
One of Michigan’s toughest games in 2017 will come when it travels to Penn State on Oct. 21, in what will likely be a night game.
“Last year’s result doesn’t add any incentive for us,” Cabinda continued. “With them being in the Big Ten East division, we’re excited to beat them regardless. We know that if we beat them, we have a chance of being one of the better teams in the country.”
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