Motivation Remains the Same for Maize & Blue
9/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team could've used a spark on Saturday (Sept. 27). But it couldn't find that in a big play from its offense, defense or special teams in a 30-14 loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten opener.
Tailback De'Veon Smith showed brief signs of providing that inspiration with a 28-yard run on the Wolverines' first scoring drive and a 10-yard touchdown run that featured great second effort. But he ended up with only nine carries and didn't break off another long-gainer.
Wolverine coach Brady Hoke started sophomore Shane Morris at quarterback over senior Devin Gardner, who played in the fourth quarter and engineered a 74-yard scoring drive. But that change didn't spark the offense.
So, Hoke was asked about where that much-needed spark might come from as Michigan prepares to play Rutgers next Saturday night in Piscataway, N.J.
"I think it's in all of us," Hoke said. "I think it's in how we continue to go about our business and how positive the guys are with each other about what's going on. There's guys in there who are taking responsibility for what we have done, and I'm talking about players, coaches, everybody. So, when you look at what's ahead of us, we've got to go back to work and get better."
The Wolverines are 2-3 overall.
"From the standpoint of our team and their attitude, number one, they're disappointed," Hoke said, "and they should be. We all are."
However, Hoke is stressing that one loss doesn't knock any team out of Big Ten championship contention and likes the spirit of his players through thick and thin.
"I think the guys in that locker room, and I've said this before, and you may think I'm not telling you the truth, but they worked their tails off," said Hoke. "And we're going to keep working for each other, we're going to keep pushing ourselves to be the best Michigan team we can be and goals are still out there. There's a lot of football to play.
"We talked in the locker room about there's two things can you do. You can quit, you can shy away from it, or you can be honest with it and go back to work. And that's what we'll do as a football team."
Going back to work and keeping the faith will be the theme this week for the Wolverines.
"It's disappointing," said center Jack Miller, "but there's no other option. The only other option is to quit."
Free safety Jarrod Wilson added, "I don't think it's really a challenge because I know every guy in that locker room is going to show up (Sunday) ready to work. We're going to watch film and get ready for Rutgers."
The Wolverines lost the total offense battle with 171 yards to the 373 of the Golden Gophers and look to make corrections on both sides of the ball.
"The little things always add up to big problems," said Wilson. "It's the fundamentals we've been doing since spring ball and took through (fall) camp."
Linebacker Joe Bolden was asked about the challenge of assuring that his teammates keep their focus and push forward.
"Like coach Hoke said, our goal is still out there," said Bolden, who had a game-high 10 tackles that equaled his career-high total. "We've just made it harder on ourselves. But, ultimately, it's focusing now on Rutgers.
"If you can't get excited each week now about playing for the Big Ten championship. If you can't get excited for that and to put the winged helmet on each Saturday and each day of the week, then something is wrong with you. Together as a team, as a whole, we love each other, we're there for each other, and we're still together as a team."
Wilson said, "It's belief in the next guy beside you -- that he's going to do his job and you're going to do yours. And just (having) faith in my entire team."
Minnesota tailback David Cobb ran 32 times for 183 yards and a 5.7-yard average. That exceeded the 168 yards Michigan had allowed in its last three games combined.
"It was a lack of wrapping up and driving our feet," said Bolden. "Guys were running to the ball, but I do not think we were wrapping up on contact and driving our feet.
"I don't think you ever expect missed tackles -- especially the amount we had. The low man wins. So, if you wrap and drive your feet, and you've got 10 other guys flying to the ball; that takes care of it."
Bolden said it was a "lacking of the execution of the fundamentals" that they practice constantly.
So, it's back to work for the Wolverines at Schembechler Hall.
"We're just not consistent in what we're trying to get done," said Hoke.
Hoke had a message for Michigan fans: "I would tell them that, number one, we know their frustration, because we share their frustration. I would also tell them that as a team, we all take accountability for it, and we also all are going to work together to rectify it."
