Mason Graham says 'effort and angles' can improve on Michigan defense
The Michigan Wolverines have another showdown game coming up this weekend with USC coming to town, meaning stars like junior defensive tackle Mason Graham will need to step up in order to secure victory.
So far, it has been a mixed bag for the Michigan defense. At times, it has looked every bit the dominant unit that was expected. Against Texas, there were pockets of good play followed by major gaffes, especially on third down.
“I feel like we played really pretty solid games,” Graham said. “There’s always stuff to correct, but some plays we haven’t made. Huge, crazy plays as everyone’s seen. But we’ve been playing within the defense and doing our job. And I feel like, especially on the rushing end we only gave up so many rushing yards so far this season.
“That’s something we’re trying to keep on getting better at. Just fine-tuning the details. I feel like we’re just trying to build every week. Play within our game plan, not do anything too crazy. Just try to win the game at the end of the day. So I feel like that’s our goal every week.”
Both Graham and teammate Kenneth Grant are averaging around 45 snaps per game at defensive tackle, which is a bit higher than the team is used to doling out. In these big games, Michigan needs them on the field more, and it’s something that they are getting used to.
“I really wasn’t used to that,” Graham said. “But I kind of knew I was going to need to play that many snaps. But I was a little tired out there. Everyone was. We’re just trying to get the job done somehow some way and I feel like we’re doing a better job getting some of those younger guys in. I know you guys saw Ike [Iwunnah] and Trey Pierce, those types of guys, getting in and making plays so that’s really helping us and our whole defense overall.
“It’s pretty taxing, but it is what it is. If that’s what we needed to do to win, then that’s what we’re going to do. But I feel like a lot of young guys are starting to step up and make plays. Everyone can get reps and play at a high level.”
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Michigan’s season trajectory is incumbent upon the defense leading the way, and there is not an area where improvement is not needed or possible.
“One of the things I think we need to do better is the effort and angles,” Graham said. “And that’s kind of just like the fundamentals of just getting to the football, taking the proper angles. Tackling in space. Missed a few tackles in open space that have led to bigger plays that develop drives. But I feel like that’s something we can work on.”
USC comes in as a near-touchdown favorite in Saturday’s game, and has displayed a physicality on both sides of the ball that it has not had the last few years. It will be a challenge for a Michigan team looking to hit its stride to kick off Big Ten play.
“Yeah, I feel like they work well together,” Graham said. “Obviously a great group. Their offense goes a lot with how they do. They have a lot of playmakers on their side of the ball, and obviously we need to do a good job containing that and playing Michigan defense and executing our pillars.”
