Defense/ST Notes: Mike Sainristil's MVP day leads way

The Michigan Wolverines smothered the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday night in Indianapolis to the tune of a 26-0 shutout win, headlined by a stout defensive effort against the nation’s worst offense statistically.

Graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil came back for a fifth year to hone his skills as a slot corner and cap off some unfinished business. Mission accomplished, as he won the Big Ten Championship MVP honors after forcing a pair of fumbles in the contest.

“This MVP trophy is not for me,” Sainristil said after the game. “It’s for the whole team. The work we put in (during the) off season, the work we  consistently put in every single day. Coach Minter talked about it yesterday, that we got to go out there and be the  best defensive team, give (our) offense the ball and keep them out there.”

Head coach Jim Harbaugh returned to the sideline on Saturday night and saw his two-time captain step up time and time again as he has all season. Michigan gets a little bit of magic everytime Sainristil is in position to make a play.

“When a play has to be made, when the magic needs to happen, Mikey makes it happen,” Harbaugh said. “It’s been game after game. Especially down the stretch here these final four games, he has been a stalwart. He intercepts. He makes the big hit. He makes the big hit in the fumble, causes a fumble. Just an incredible player.  He does it by always being in the right place where he’s supposed to be, playing the right technique at all times, leading other guys to do the exact same thing. But he also does it as a superior athlete. That combination comes together, superior athlete and a guy that does everything right. It’s fun to watch. 

“My brother, we watched the Maryland game together, and he was blown away by Mikey and how he played and gave me a Lion spike to give to Mike, which I did. Gift from my brother. 

“Then after the Ohio State game, he told me how much he’s shooting up the draft boards. But what they all don’t know is what Mikey will bring to your team from a leadership standpoint. His smile is infectious. It’s the accountability that he holds himself to and holds others to. It’s just so, so elite.”

Sainristil did not want to go out with a bitter taste in his mouth, which prompted a return to Ann Arbor for him and so many other upperclassmen. Now, they are basking in their hard work as tougher games and all of their goals emerge in front of them.

“It just feels great,” Sainristil said. “Guys like me and Blake [Corum], this is what we came back for, to have the success with this team, like the brotherhood that this team has is one that I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world, and this team is going down in history. 

“This team is constantly maturing, getting better as men every single day. It’s been a process, but it’s been a very great process, a learning process, learning experience. I don’t think that you could paint a better picture, but the picture also isn’t done being painted.”

Kris Jenkins weighs in on Jim Harbaugh’s return

Harbaugh was over the moon about his team’s defensive showing on Saturday night, where it blanked Iowa and held the Hawkeyes to 155 yards of total offense.

“Glorious defensive performance,” Harbaugh said. “Just tremendous, lights-out. Three and outs, I think we’re maybe four on the game. Then one first down and out. Incredible shut-out.  How many turnovers were there? Three or four — three plus the four fourth down stops. That’s, like, seven turnovers. And giving the ball to the offense in a great position.

Of course, Saturday was most notable for Harbaugh’s return from a three-game Big Ten-imposed suspension. Senior captain and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins felt the lift from having his head coach back on the sideline.

“Oh, it’s an amazing feeling, man,” Jenkins said. “He’s put so much work into us, into this team, all year round. From spring ball to  training camp, you know, etc. So, him actually being able to come back with us, you know, after the suspension,  being able to cheer with us and being able to enjoy that moment, like he should be able to. It’s a great feeling.

“There just that vibe that coach brings, you know. It’s hard to explain, but whenever Coach Harbaugh walks into a  room, you know it. He has that vibe about him, he’s always going to get us hype. Coach Sherrone Moore also does  a great job of that too. But, Coach Harbaugh, something about when he’s speaking up to you, you know, it gets  your blood bubbling a little bit.”

Miscellaneous Michigan defense/special teams notes

• Freshman WR Semaj Morgan’s 87-yard first quarter punt return is the longest in Big Ten Championship Game history and was his first career punt return.
• This was the 11th-straight game that Michigan has forced at least an interception, fumble or turnover on downs on the first series and 12th of 13 games.
• Iowa did not pick up a first down across its last four possessions of the first half and its first possession of the second half.
• Michigan has now forced 24 turnovers (16 interceptions, eight fumbles recovered) this season with two safeties.
• Saturday’s shutout of Iowa was only the second in Big Ten title game history (2014, OSU vs. Wisconsin) and Michigan’s second shutout of the year.
• Punter Tommy Doman now has five-straight games with a punt inside the opponent’s 12 yard line. James Turner was perfect with four field goals and two extra points and is the first kicker in program history with three field goal makes of 50-plus yards.