Chase Winovich Grew Up A Buckeye Fan, Says He Was Flipped The Bird At OSU
Michigan redshirt junior defensive end Chase Winovich didn’t grow up a fan of the Wolverines.
In fact, it was quite the opposite.
His earliest experience with the rivalry came growing up, when his brother got him tickets to see the Buckeyes take on Michigan. Michigan got blown out, Winovich recalled — and he was decked out in Ohio State colors.
Now things are a bit different — he’s a Michigan man through and through, doing everything he can to beat the team he once loved.
“It was a great experience growing up as a Buckeye, since obviously they were really good in that decade, but it’s just an awesome experience,” Winovich said. “I’m a Wolverine all the way now, and I’m looking to find a way to win this football game and help in any way I can.”
Michigan hasn’t won “The Game” since 2011 and has only won once in the last 13 tries against Ohio State.
“This means everything for our season, for my career here at the University of Michigan,” Winovich said. “It’s humbling to be able to get out there and represent the University of Michigan as a starter, first time starting in this game.”
Despite the losing streak, Michigan’s sack leader said you have to take it year by year and game by game. He said he’s always understood the importance of the matchup.
“It’s not so much the magnitude of what Ohio State has done this year, or their ranking or anything,” Winovich said. “It’s more the fact that it’s Ohio State and we’re Michigan. We’re going to everything we can to prepare for this game to find a way to come out on top.”
His memories of Ohio State aren’t all warm and fuzzy anymore. After last season’s loss in double overtime, a fan flipped him the double bird while another (which he called a rollie pollie type fan) ran into him as he was running back to the locker room.
“It’s crazy,” Winovich said. “It’s motivated me personally ever since then, and I’ve tried to motivate others. Make sure the message is known that we have to do everything that we can to win this game by all means necessary.
“The police made sure they protected the field goal posts, but not the opposing team’s players.”
He said it’s a big opportunity for redemption.
“It’s tough to win a game if they don’t score any points, so that’s kind of our mindset going into any football game,” Winovich said. “That’s what we’re going to try to do. They have a great offense. It might be the best we face all year and it’s going to present challenges.”
The leader of that offense is fifth-year senior quarterback J.T. Barrett, who has completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 2,698 yards, 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also rushed for 605 yards and eight touchdowns.
“Anytime you have a quarterback that can run and pass, is just an explosive playmaker, it presents a challenge because there’s an extra person you have to account for,” Winovich said. “He’s a great player and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
It’ll be up to Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown to scheme up a plan to slow down the potent Buckeye attack. Ohio State has the No. 4 ranked total offense in the nation.
“[Brown] is 62 in age, but he’s got a young soul,” Winovich said. “One of the best feelings is when you’re out there and do something good and he calls you bro. I don’t know why, but I love it. ‘You’re an animal, bro’ is probably one of the highest compliments I’ve received here.”
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