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Mason Graham remains humble after Rose Bowl MVP performance

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•01/02/24•

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Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham needs a big day Saturday vs. USC. (Photo by Lon Horwedel / TheWolverine.com)
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham needs a big day Saturday vs. USC. (Photo by Lon Horwedel / TheWolverine.com)

Talk from Alabama players before the Rose Bowl was that there was one guy in particular who “popped” on defense when they watched — Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Despite playing through a broken thumb and with a cast for part of the year, Graham dominated from his position and had one of the better years for an interior lineman in recent memory. 

RELATED: WATCH: Reactions, analysis of Michigan’s Rose Bowl win, natty showdown with Washington

Several Michigan defenders could have won Rose Bowl MVP honors Monday. Linebacker Junior Colson, playing with one hand, notched 10 tackles, 5 of them solo. Senior edge Braiden McGregor registered two sacks, including the tone setter on the first play. But Graham got the nod for his play all game inside, and his huge tackle for loss on second and goal from the 9 set up the game winning stop on fourth and 3.

“It was just a pressure I was expecting,” Graham said of the play. “I just saw from the O-lineman … I kind of anticipated what was going to happen, and I was right, so I got there real fast. 

“I feel like we were well prepared coming in. Great scheme. This group of D-linemen is pretty special. Everyone out here can play ball at the highest level. I just feel like that’s where we had an advantage.”

For the most part, it played out that way. Alabama started to control the game on the ground in the second half, all but abandoning the pass — their running backs would rack up 125 yards and 6.9 per carry ‚ and quarterback Jalen Milroe was picking up chunks of yardage, too — but the men up front rallied. 

“We know to make it a close game they were going to need to get their quarterback activated and get him more involved in the run game, and that’s what they did,” Graham said. “We were kind of expecting that.”

They were prepared for him to keep the ball on fourth and goal, as well. The Michigan crowd was so loud it was hard to hear, Graham added.

“We kind of knew … we were expecting what was going to happen, and they were going to live or die with their QB,” Graham said. “That’s exactly what they did, so we were ready for it. Especially later in the game, you really kind of notice [the crowd] more. Especially on that last play, I couldn’t hear anything … just watch the ball and move. It was a cool atmosphere — a great game. An historic game.

“You come to Michigan to play in games like this. Ohio State, get to the college football playoff, and play in the Rose Bowl … it’s an honor. Everyone dreams of this, so it’s a dream come true.”

They’ll enjoy it until today, he said, and then focus on the biggest game of the year — a national title game tilt with Washington.

As for all the talk about SEC dominance and quieting the doubters …

“I don’t think it matters,” Graham said with a grin. 

Only the final score … and finishing the job Monday night. 

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