Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown is grateful to have put Air Force and its triple option behind him, relieved the Wolverines’ defense played well in a 29-13 win.
For months, Brown prepared for the Falcons and thought about the challenge.
“To be honest, I’m glad we don’t have to play them again. It really takes you out of your element,” Brown said of Air Force. “Getting ready to defend that outfit … is a difficult task. Everything is different. It’s dive, quarterback, pitch. It’s block the dive play, quarterback pitch. It’s counter action. It’s unbalanced formations, get a extra guy over there, pound against the wall, make it split. All those things are just difficult tasks.
“You know who we are. We’re a go get ‘em defense. It’s a completely different deal. Now, the good thing we’d do against them was when they got into non option formations, we went and got them. There’s no doubt about it. We were making a call every time, and if they gave us a non option formation, Mike McCray checked it on the line and we went to work. Credit to him. He was kind of making the checks for me as we went along.”
Purdue is a different challenge. The Boilermakers are much improved, but Brown was matter-of-fact about the opponent.
“It’s kind of back to what we’re used to. They’re a spread offense, but I know Coach [Jim Harbaugh] talked about how they like to throw it all the time, all that,” he continued. “They look fairly balanced to me. They’re running the ball pretty good, doing running backs by committee, know what they’re doing up front in terms of blocks and concepts they’re trying to run.
“Couple that with they’re gimmick crazy … obviously, that’s gotten our attention and our discipline. They throw the ball really well, which is [Coach Jeff Brohm’s] history. They’ve played extremely well here early in the season. Dismantled Missouri.”
Reverse, double reveres pass, flea flicker … they’ve got it all, Brown said.
“If there’s a trick play out there, I don’t think coach has seen a trick play he didn’t like,” he said. “They’ve actually rolled out, thrown the ball back to the offensive tackle back behind the line of scrimmage. It keeps your attention, that’s for sure. It’s really good for us because we really have to stay disciplined in our keys and reads.”
They won’t see the triple option again this year, but there were elements inside the game plan that will help his team for future games, Brown said.
“Now we’re back to rush them on third down, play balanced defense on first and second, be ready for the screen game, gimmicks. It’s kind of back to normal football,” he said. “Those things, the service academies can wear you out not just for that game, but the next one. It was nice to see us all on our feet and practicing yesterday.”
NOTES
• Redshirt junior defensive end Chase Winovich has played at an All-Big Ten level (or better) through three games.
“He’s really playing at a high level. Just couldn’t be happier with him,” Brown said “He makes a play … they run the reverse, we’re a little unclean on the first one. He’s kind of down inside, just takes off, hauling you know what, and runs the guy down for about an eight-yard gain … a really big play in the game. A red zone play. That kept us alive in the red zone, because if he goes in the end zone, it’s really not what looking for.
“He’s playing at a high level, rushing the passer. The thing he’s doing is playing the run game at such a higher level than he ever played a year ago. Much more physical, great at the point of attack, understands what blocks he’s getting and playing with in responding that way.”
He finally found a home after playing tight end and linebacker in his first few years.
“He’s a natural fit for us,” Brown said. “He’s fast, physical and relentless. He can use his hands to rush the passer and has a unique way of turning the corner on people.
“I’m really happy with the things he’s doing.”
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