Kyle Whittingham reveals why TE Zack Marshall didn’t play vs Penn State
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The Michigan Wolverines stay at The Big House this weekend for the second game of the homstand to take on the reigning national champs. Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers provide Michigan with its biggest challenge to date, as the Hoosiers are among the best teams in the nation yet again despite coming off a loss to Ohio State.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham met with the media on Monday morning for his weekly press conference to preview this weekend’s game. Here are some key things he had to say:
Whittingham did not reveal who the starting QB will be vs IU
Despite scoring 21 points in the second half with Tommy Carr in the game as opposed to Bryce Underwood, Whittingham did not say who the starting quarterback will be on Saturday vs the Hoosiers. He did say that they have a plan in place, but he did not want to tip his hand as far as who will be out there this weekend.
“We know exactly what we’re doing with the plan going forward,” Whittingham said. “We’re not going to tip our hand to the opponent, but we have a good plan in place.”
When asked a follow up later on pertaining to how he views teams that have a two-quarterback offensive system, Whittingham admitted he isn’t a big fan of that and pointed to the old adage of “if you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have one.”
Read more here from our own Charles Post.
On the run game standing out
The Wolverines had their best day running the football all season on Saturday, compiling 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns, with one of them being an explosive 43-yard carry from veteran running back Bryson Kuzdzal.
“It’s about time we got out and had some explosive runs in the run game,” Whittingham said. He also mentioned Kuzdzal’s touchdown run was “outstanding” and that it was nice to see Savion Hiter “get loose” on his 41-yard run.
“It was very positive. … It was good to see the running backs get those creases, and again, it starts up front with the offensive line.”
Quick hitters
- Tight end Zack Marshall missed the Penn State game due to a “non-injury situation,” Whittingham said. Take that whichever way you want to.
- Whittingham thought the offensive play-calling from Jason Beck was pretty good against Penn State, while also saying everything ultimately boils down to the execution from the players.
- Right guard Avery Gach made his first start over the weekend with Brady Norton out. Whittingham said he “did a fine job” overall and played “at a good level,” and they expect to know later this week if Norton will be available against Indiana.
- Whittingham believes the offensive line played their best football of the entire season in the second half on Saturday vs Penn State. “There’s no question about it,” Whittingham said. “…They came out with a purpose in the second half. … Without a doubt it was their best 30 minutes of football this season.”
- When asked about the Hoosiers, Whittingham said he has nothing but respect for Curt Cignetti’s program. “They’re a good football team,” Whittingham said. “They have all my respect. Coach Cignetti’s done a phenomenal job there.” Whittingham went on to give praise to the Indiana’s offensive and defensive lines, saying they have a ton of veteran players. He also said Indiana has “an amazing staff.”
- Whittingham thought freshman wide receiver Salesi Moa “did a nice job” at punt returner against Penn State. Moa will be the starter at that spot moving forward.
- Offensive lineman Andrew Babalola was available for the first time this past weekend, but ultimately did not play. When asked if he can make his way onto the field this year, Whittingham admitted he hopes so because it will give them a bit more flexibility along the offensive front.
- Safety Chris Bracy had an interception and a forced fumble against Penn State. When asked about Bracy, Whittingham said he’s a “heck of a football player” and is a “vicious tackler and a very efficient tackler.”
- The pass rush was “not quite as ferocious” as he would have liked it to be this past weekend, per Whittingham. He is hoping to see them get better at moving forward, but he has been impressed with the three usual defensive tackles, as well as freshman edge rusher Tariq Boney, who will continue to get more reps as the season progresses.
- Carr has access to the full playbook should he be the starter on Saturday, Whittingham said. He also hyped him up quite a bit and said he’s never been around a quarterback that studies any more than Carr, and that his football IQ is “off the charts, I mean, he’s got a football mind, he’s a football junkie. He is a real student of the game.”
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