Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh just left the podium in Ann Arbor after the 27-17 loss to Penn State, their fourth loss in five games and the Nittany Lions’ first win of the season.
Here is a recap of what was covered:
- Harbaugh says the effort from his team is high and that he has continued that since he has been at Michigan when asked about change in fire or demeanor.
- Said that the inability to get the right call in on defense and not being able to tackle when they needed one was not good enough today.
- Cade McNamara’s shoulder tightened up as the game went on
- Frustration on sidelines during the second half during short-yardage situation was due to spots and that the inability to get a yard when they needed to was “critical in the game.
- Joe Milton came in during the game late when McNamara’s shoulder just was not going to hold up
- “Hate losing, so we have to respond by pressing on and attacking it. That will be the response from me and a bunch of our players. That’s our only choice.”
- Mood is “disappointment” after the game and handing two teams their first win of the season this year
- On evaluations being made, Harbaugh says they will continue to give their players their best chance to be successful and putting the players out there who the game means a lot to. “I think the guys are working at it and we appreciate the effort.”
- Harbaugh says the team is showing a lot of progress in running the football and the offensive line and tight ends blocking to open things up. Thinks that both the pass and run games can still get going.
- Run defense on Saturday was due to lack of setting an edge. Says the team has to tackle better and they have to take away what an offense is trying to do to them.
- Harbaugh said that Penn State’s backs were able to find the crease at the edge and that they either folded in or didn’t make the tackle. “A combination of things.”
- Fundamentally, Harbaugh thinks that guys are tackling too high and leaving theirt feet too early.
- Zak Zinter hurt his thumb in the game against Rutgers and was trying to play through that. Trevor Keegan came in to replace him up front.
- On what they have left to play for: “For football. For team. There’s really only two real options. Press on and find away.”
- Asked if his players feel the same way about him as he did about Bo Schembechler, Harbaugh says yes, he thinks they do,
Next up for Michigan is the home finale next weekend against Maryland before the season finale at Ohio State on Dec. 12. Then comes the crossover game on Dec. 19 against an undisclosed opponent in a to be determined location.
