Monday Presser Notes: Looking Ahead to Wisconsin

By Sean · Monday, September 22, 2008 · 10:03 AM |  Share | Leave a Comment 

Rich Rodriguez:

• Mark Ortmann should be able to play against Wisconsin.
• Perry Dorrestein hurt his knee in practice last week, but has made some progress and may be able to play.
• Mark Huyge is practicing again.
• “It doesn’t look like [Terrence Robinson] will be able to play” against Wisconsin. It isn’t known if he will redshirt yet.
• Michael Shaw is back to full health.
• Michigan’s base defense is “completely different” from what he ran at West Virginia.
• Kevin Grady and Mike Cox will simulate P.J. Hill in practice.
• The return game is wide open and 7 to 8 different guys have practiced back there.
• John Ferrara is working at both right and left guard.
• David Moosman can play both guards and center.
• David Molk is getting better each week at center.
• Terrence Taylor has played well.
• Taylor, Will Johnson, and Mike Martin have been solid.
• Starting off Big Ten play with a win would be huge.

Zoltan Mesko:

• “Field position is important.”
• On a read play you first have to have the look to fake it. Since he has the option to punt it, the run has to be a sure thing.
• The rugby style of punting was “quite a change.”
• Some Big Ten teams will be exposed because of their schedule. When asked who, Mesko replied, “No comment.”
• Mesko is a business school student and explained what has been happening on Wall Street.

John Thompson:

• The #1 goal coming into the season is winning a Big Ten championship.
• The defense has progressed from game to game.
• This was a good time to have a bye week to take care of the fundamentals in practice.
• Travis Beckum, Wisconsin’s tight end, can spread out like a receiver.

Terrance Taylor:

• “Everything is running much smoother.”
• “Little mistakes can cost you a touchdown or a first down.”
• Playing Wisconsin is fun for him and the d-line since they run the ball.
• He doesn’t pay attention to what people outside the program say. He hasn’t watched the news since the Appalachian State game.
• The mood is a little more serious once Big Ten play begins.
• He gives Michigan a C or C+ grade through non-conference play.

David Moosman:

• The Wisconsin game is the most important thus far since it is a conference matchup.
• With every snap Steven Threet gains more confidence.
• “We have potential all across the board.”