In the Trenches: Captains Ross, Vastardis Relive 'The Game,' Look Ahead to Iowa
12/1/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football, Features
For a second straight week, Jon Jansen catches up with captains Andrew Vastardis and Josh Ross on the "In the Trenches" podcast. Vastardis discusses Saturday's victory over the Buckeyes and thinks back on what he remembers from the postgame celebration on the field. Ross talks about why he feels like the happiest man alive and the quick transition from the win over Ohio State to this weekend's matchup against Iowa.
By Brian Boesch
The scene on the field at Michigan Stadium around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday was euphoric. Michigan snapped a losing streak against its biggest rival, clinched a Big Ten East Division title, and stayed alive in the College Football Playoff picture, all with one monumental 42-27 victory over Ohio State. It was the culmination of a year's worth of preparation, as the Wolverines constantly asked, and were asked, the question -- "What are you doing to beat Ohio State today?"
Michigan embraced that question as a team, and they answered that question as a team. The Wolverines' offense did not face a third down the entire second half, during which the team's only non-scoring drive featured the victory formation. The Wolverines' defense limited the Buckeyes' dynamic offense to 27 points, 20 fewer than their season average coming into "The Game." Last, but not least, the Michigan special teams unit executed in some challenging weather elements to consistently put pressure on Ohio State.
"I am the happiest man alive right now," linebacker Josh Ross told Jon Jansen on this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast. "(Saturday) was a movie, to be honest with you. We executed so well in all phases, and we had our best game, and that's what you ask for in games like these."
"I'm so proud of this team, so proud of this staff, and just so overjoyed," fellow captain Andrew Vastardis said. "We went out there and executed the game plan to a 'T.''
Now, the Wolverines must do it again. Michigan cannot bask in the glory of Saturday's convincing win. The 10-win Iowa Hawkeyes await in this weekend's Big Ten Championship Game. Kirk Ferentz's team does not try to fool you, as Iowa provides a physical and fundamentally sound brand of football each week.
As head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "They play at a level of consistency that is at the highest level of any team that you ever play." Fortunately, the Wolverines have also been consistent, both on gameday and in the lead-up to each game.
"(It) goes back to the preparation I've talked about so much this year. Guys enjoy the process. They enjoy the grind. They enjoy preparing for these games," Vastardis said. "We're just getting right back to it. You get your 24 hours to celebrate, and then it's just back to work. This team loves to work."
"We got bigger and better things in front of us, and it's just exciting to be in the position that we're in," Ross said. "Everything's in front of us, and we know that, and it's just time to go get it."
If the Wolverines are successful on Saturday against Iowa, then they will get a chance to celebrate on Sunday before restarting the grind again -- this time, for a College Football Playoff game, and as Big Ten Champions.
