Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Notes from the Big Ten teleconference
By Michael Rothstein
Both Michigan coach Brady Hoke and Nebraska coach Bo Pelini finished up their 10 minutes of media chatter on the Big Ten conference call a few moments ago.
As always, here are the highlights in convenient bullet form:
Hoke on Denard Robinson adjusting to the new offensive scheme: "Well, I think he's gotten better every week within the offense." Then Hoke went on to say he's adjusted, led the team and paid attention to things in the passing game and with fakes.
Similarly, Hoke said offensive coordinator Al Borges has done a "tremendous" job understanding what Michigan has in Robinson and playing to his strengths. Relieving pressure from Robinson has been aided by the emergence of Fitzgerald Toussaint and offensive line play.
Hoke on Ryan Van Bergen: "He's done a really nice job of being a leader for us as a senior. He's come to work every day and Jerry Montgomery has done a great job with our guys up front with fundamentals and techniques."
Hoke on Will Heininger: "Will is a guy, he's probably as sharp a guy as we have in our program. He's done a tremendous job from an academic standpoint." Praised his on-field play, too.
Pelini on similarities between Michigan and Nebraska: "They do a lot of things, I guess there are some similarities. There are some differences with style of offense and such but they do a lot of things that give you problems. It’s a well thought out scheme and they do a good job in all phases of the game."
Pelini, an Ohio State graduate, on whether he hated Michigan growing up: "Growing up I watched football like anybody else. I wouldn’t say I had venom for Michigan, I visited Michigan. ... I have a lot of respect for their program and what they do and the history there. It’s part of the deal. Having been through those games and that rivalry, any time you play Michigan you know that you’re going to be challenged."
Pelini on Robinson: "He’s going to be a real challenge for us. he’s a heck of a football player."
