Published Oct 11, 2017
Michigan Football: Rashan Gary Dishes Out Praise To Defensive Teammates
Austin Fox  •  Maize&BlueReview
Staff Writer
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Michigan’s defense put on a dominant showing in Saturday’s 14-10 loss to Michigan State, holding the Spartans to just 252 yards.

Each unit of the defense played well, and sophomore defensive end Rashan Gary spoke about a number of individual players who stood out to him. He started with fifth-year senior defensive tackle Mo Hurst.

“Mo Hurst is showing why he’s the best defensive tackle in college football right now,” Gary said. “I’m just happy he’s on my side.”

Gary next moved on to his position-mate, redshirt junior defensive end Chase Winovich.

“Chase is a baller and a beast,” he said. “He just keeps on going and never gets tired. His best games are yet to happen, so keep your eyes open. You never know where he’s going to be — he’ll be making plays 30 yards down the field and then come right back and make another play.”

Finally, Gary talked about his close relationship with sophomore safety Josh Metellus.

“Josh is a beast,” he said. “He plays every play like it’s his last. As you saw after the game, he was emotional — that just shows how much the game means to him. I love playing with him — he’s my brother. I lived with him over the summer and worked out with him — sweated, cried and bled with him.”

Although he’s obviously not a defensive player, Gary had some words regarding fifth-year senior quarterback John O’Korn as well, specifically regarding his emotional state.

“He’s good,” the sophomore said. “John is a team leader and has been telling everyone ‘let’s go, it’s Indiana week!’ He’s doing what he has to do to be the leader of the team.”

In this day and age where social media is as popular and prevalent as it is, it’s easy to understand how a player can get down on himself after a poor performance. However, Gary explained how he avoided that on Saturday.

“I tried to stay off that,” he said. “My mom was here and we just went back to the hotel after the game — I wanted to get off campus. I was pretty down, and wanted to get my mind off the game.”

Although the outcome of the affair was obviously a disappointment, Gary said the game itself was a blast to play in.

“They [MSU] don’t care who you are — they’re going to run the ball regardless,” he explained. “That was actually one the most fun games I’ve played in, because it was nice and physical.”

Finally, the team has moved on to Indiana, a squad that has given Michigan all it can handle in recent years.

“We always go back and watch tape of a team we played in past years to see if there are any similarities,” Gary explained.

In that case, the team will surely watch film of last year’s 20-10 victory over the Hoosiers — a game that was started by none other than O’Korn.

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