Jim Harbaugh talks Michigan's dominant run defense, a 'block destruction dominator' and Mike Sainristil injury

The best run defense on the field Saturday in Lincoln wasn’t Nebraska’s, which ranked No. 1 nationally in rushing yards allowed per game entering the contest — it was Michigan‘s elite outfit coordinated by Jesse Minter. The Wolverines rank 14th in the country, allowing only 86.8 rushing yards per outing.

Michigan gave up just 31 rushing yards on 20 carries to Nebraska’s run-heavy attack before a 74-yard touchdown occurred in garbage time of a 45-7 U-M domination in Lincoln. The Wolverines stopped a 4th and 1 quarterback run up the middle in the first quarter and stonewalled the Cornhuskers on a number of plays throughout the afternoon.

Speaking on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show, head coach Jim Harbaugh discussed how pleased he’s been with his team’s run defense.

“I want to get a picture of that 4th and 1 stop in the red zone,” the Michigan coach said. “That’s what a run wall looks like. You want to see a picture of a run wall, that was it. Coming to your point, striking a blow, controlling the block, seeing the ball-carrier, shed and go make the tackle — and they’ve gotta be done in that order. If you try to look at the ball-carrier before you’ve controlled the block, it’s not gonna work. You try to shed before you know where the ball-carrier is … it’s gotta go in that order.

“Guys just hustling, running to the ball, not staying down. If you’re down, get back up and start pursuing the ball. Good tackling. Some real good edge play, that’s another thing. And then the inside guys are as good as they get.”

RELATED
• Jim Harbaugh on J.J. McCarthy’s unselfishness, offensive lineman who’s ‘gotta play more’
• MMQB: Deep, talented and disciplined Michigan team shows elite gear at Nebraska

Harbaugh highlighted a slew of his Michigan defensive tackles.

“That’s why I’ve always called [sophomores] Kenneth [Grant] and Mason Graham the ‘gifts from the football gods.’ KG’s playing great. [Graduate] Cam Goode is playing really good. But [senior] Kris Jenkins is a block destruction dominator right now. He is dominating on getting off of blocks and destructing blocks as well as anybody that I’ve coached here. He’s playing great.

“I keep forgetting [junior] Rayshaun [Benny]. Rayshaun is just an ascending, ascending football player. He’s so athletic in there.”

Jenkins leads the nation in PFF’s run-defense rating (90.3), and ranks 12th in run-defense stop percentage (15.8). Led by Jenkins, Michigan has been able to be successful against the run each of the last two games even without Graham at nose tackle, with Grant, Goode and Benny stepping up.

Michigan’s edge rushers are also impressing.

“The EDGE guys, they’re rotating in there; there’s no drop-off,” Harbaugh said. “Totally unselfish at a position that’s usually a selfish position, just by nature. But those guys are doing everything, and they’re playing on special teams. It’s a cohesive group and getting better and better each week.”

Mike Sainristil limited with injury

Michigan graduate nickel back Mike Sainristil was banged up at the end of the Rutgers game in which he had a game-changing pick-six, , entering the medical tent in the second half, and he played limited snaps the next week against Nebraska. He was on the field for just 16 of the team’s 46 defensive plays. With that, graduate Josh Wallace stepped up and played 21 snaps at nickel in addition to 16 at cornerback.

“Josh Wallace was a great contributor, another guy who got a game ball this week,” the Michigan coach said. “But Josh Wallace stepped in at nickel. Mike had to limit some of his reps. And three, four stops for Josh Wallace. He’s been a heck of an addition. Every single one of the transfers has been a really great addition for the team.”

In addition to Wallace, junior EDGE Josaiah Stewart, a Coastal Carolina transfer, played at a high level in Lincoln, posting 2 sacks in his breakout game.