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    • PJ Fleck, Minnesota, aims to slow down Michigan’s ground game
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    PJ Fleck, Minnesota, aims to slow down Michigan’s ground game

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    Ann Arbor – Michigan makes no secret of the fact that it will run even more if possible. And Minnesota isn’t hiding the fact that it comes into this 106th meeting against the Wolverines with the goal of preventing that from happening.

    The No. 12 Wolverines (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and Minnesota (2-2, 0-1) will play the Little Brown Jug for the 99th time on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. Michigan has a 73-23-2 record in jug games, with the Gophers last winning them in 2014.

    Alex Orji will start at quarterback for Michigan for the second straight game after leading the Wolverines to a 27-24 come-from-behind victory over USC last weekend. Michigan ran for 290 yards and three touchdowns, including Kalel Mullings’ 159 yards and two touchdowns that set up the game-winning 1-yard score on fourth down with 37 seconds left.

    Minnesota is coming off a loss to Iowa, in which Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson scored 206 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Iowa totaled 272 rushing yards and four touchdowns while throwing for 62 yards, which was almost a mirror image of what the Wolverines did against USC.

    Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck said everyone knows Michigan was and is a run-first offense. But with Orji and his ability to run at quarterback, the Gophers’ run defense is on high alert.

    “They do it in a lot of unique ways, especially with the quarterback change,” Fleck said of Michigan’s running ability. “They are big. They are strong. We have to be able to stop the run and we know that. With the Play-Action Pass they will benefit from this.

    “I don’t know if you can stop Michigan’s running game, but you can slow it down. We have a lot of respect for them and what they do and how they do it, and they do it at will. And that’s the only thing.” that Michigan is Michigan. That’s what they do.

    Fleck said there was no panic after the loss to Iowa and that it wasn’t an alarming wiring problem that cost them the game. There was a lack of tackling in the second half and that, he said, could be corrected.

    Conversely, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore knows that Minnesota transfer quarterback Max Brosmer can cause some problems, as can the rest of the offense.

    “Coach Fleck always runs a disciplined, tough, physical program,” Moore said. “The running backs are really good. The offensive line is big, huge. They got the transfer quarterback. They always have a couple receivers somewhere making a few plays, but up front I know they really want to dominate the football and they do a really good job there. They’ve changed a little bit because they have a new coordinator, but definitely a team that’s going to play with all their strength and physicality.”

    Fleck also emphasized crowd noise at practice this week since the Gophers are playing on the road. Michigan Stadium may not be considered the loudest Big Ten stadium, but it can turn up the volume when necessary.

    “The big house is not called the little house. It’s called the Big House for a reason,” Fleck said. “We cannot allow circumstances to dictate our behavior.”

    And Fleck doesn’t want Michigan’s running game to dictate the game either.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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