Rod Moore explains why Michigan vs Ohio state is…..
Rod Moore explains why Michigan vs. Ohio State is personal
Michigan safety Rod Moore made one of the biggest plays of the year for the Wolverines.
With that moment a couple of weeks into the rearview mirror, Moore sat down with Sam Webb and The Michigan Insider to reflect on beating the Buckeyes for a third straight year. The Game is circled and highlighted by both programs, but for Moore, it’s personal: The Clayton, Ohio, native did not receive an offer from the Buckeyes as a high school prospect, and when he committed to Michigan, he was on the receiving end of jabs about how he would never win The Game.
Instead, Moore is three-for-three in wins over Ohio State. He started against the Buckeyes and held his own as a true freshman in 2021, had two pass breakups and a TFL at the Horseshoe in 2022, and clinched the three-peat with an interception in 2023.
Here is what Moore told TMI about the rivalry and his junior season:
Rod Moore reflects on the 2023 Ohio State game:
Man, that game was one hell of a game. Everyone on offense and defense played great. But me personally, man, that game was so great. Especially starting off with Will getting that pick in the first quarter. That set the tone for the DBs. We weren’t letting anything go. And then when they got to running the ball, they were running the ball pretty well at some point in the game. But then, toward the end of the game, when we didn’t get that first down and the defense had to go back on the field, I was just thinking to myself and I was telling the guys up front: ‘You gotta get to the quarterback for us. That’s what kills these type of drives — get to the quarterback.’
And the drive came and I believe they got that dig that I thought was a incomplete pass, but they reviewed it and it was a fumble. I’m not gonna lie to you: I looked at the clock, it was probably 34 seconds left. I looked at I and said, ‘Oh my God. This game has got to stop right here.’ And I told myself: ‘Somebody got to make the play.’ And I’m like: ‘You know what? Just make the play. Make the play.’
And they ran the double dig, and the ball was in the air and I’m like: ‘Oh, that’sissed that tackle that I really usually don’t miss. I found myself not being the same as I am now. I feel like I’m getting back into it now ever since I got back.
Michigan offensive film study with Al Borges – Iowa edition
Former Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges dissects Michigan’s offensive film and from its 26-0 victory over Iowa in the Big 10 championship game.
Every week, TMI’s Sam Webb, former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, former Offensive Coordinator Al Borges, and former Michigan defensive backs coach and Oklahoma State, Louisville, and Texas Defensive Coordinator Vance Bedford come together for The Michigan Insider’s Film Study series. These chalk talk sessions break down team and player performances as well as key offensive and defensive plays from the prior week’s contest. They feature deep dives into the X’s and O’s of how it all unfolded.
Devin Gardner passionately reviews the quarterback play of Michigan’s offense, drawing on his own time behind center, in film study and in his own coaching and mentoring experience. Devin gives fans his clear opinion of how he feels the quarterbacks performed during the game – where they excelled and where they need to perform better.
Coach Borges uses his extensive time as a play caller and quarterbacks coach in the PAC-12, SEC and of course here at Michigan to review and detail how today’s Wolverine offense is schemed, how well it executed, and where it shows a need for improvement.
Coach Bedford uses his decades of defensive position coaching and coordinating to explain, in great detail, the key defensive moments from the contest and reviews which defensive players are taking their games to another level, and also those who need to step it up a notch.
If you missed this week’s