Oregon coach Dan Lanning on Michigan: 'We're getting the opportunity to play the reigning national champions'

The Oregon Ducks are 8-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash at Michigan Wolverines football. The Ducks are battle tested, with three victories over teams that are currently in the top 25, but have made only one trip to the Midwest, winning 35-0 at Purdue Oct. 18.

Having played at West Lafayette will benefit Oregon this weekend.

“Just the experience of being able to do that,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said. “Traveling for games is not new. It’s not like we didn’t travel for games last year, but this is certainly longer distance, so we’ll continue to adapt and prepare for it.”

Lanning has never been to Michigan Stadium, the largest venue in the country with a capacity of 107,601.

“First time,” he noted. “I’ve heard it’s big. That’s one of the things that I think is exciting about being in this conference, is getting the opportunity to play in some historic places, and this is certainly a historic place.

“Certainly excited about the challenge in front of us now, going to Michigan. A talented team. I think last I looked they’ve got five guys that are projected to be drafted in the first round. They’ve got talent across the board. 

“They certainly have the ability to play a really good game, so it’s gonna be a good challenge for our guys, especially making the trip there to a place that we haven’t been before.”

Michigan has lost three games already this season, after dropping three contests in the three previous seasons combined, but Lanning expects a big challenge.

“We’re getting the opportunity to play the reigning national champions,” he said. “In this conference, it’s hard every single week, and we know we’ll get their best. So it’s exciting to have a chance. We’ve gotten to play in some games that are fun for us so far this year, and challenging — and this will certainly be a challenge.”

Oregon on high alert for Colston Loveland

Michigan junior Colston Loveland has been targeted 60 times — the third most in the country among tight ends — and leads the team with 42 catches, 411 receiving yards and 4 touchdown grabs.

Loveland lines up all over the field. He’s most frequently used as an in-line tight end (138 snaps), but also has played in the slot (87), out wide (29) and elsewhere.

“He’s versatile,” Lanning remarked. “They use him in a lot of different ways. He’s the guy that you have to know where he is on the field at all times. They move him all over the place. He can split out at wideout and be one of the best wideouts on the field, and then line up in the backfield or at tight end and be the best at that position. 

“He’s a really talented player that they’re going to find ways to use. He’s an important piece of their offense.”

Michigan graduate Kalel Mullings and senior Donovan Edwards are dangerous weapons, as well, combining for 1,109 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

“More than anything, they don’t go down on first contact,” Lanning said. “They’re guys that break tackles. They do a great job of winning at the point of attack.

“Their offensive line moves people. This is one of the better offensive lines that we’ve gone against, if not the best. And again, they’re always adding extra hats, whether it’s another tight end, fullback body types at times. They do a great job of getting extra hats at the point of attack.”

Dan Lanning on two ‘capable’ Michigan quarterbacks

Michigan senior Davis Warren started at quarterback in last week’s 24-17 win over MSU, completing 13 of 19 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. Junior Alex Orji came off the bench as a change of pace, and was productive with 6 rushes for a team-high 64 yards and a score.

“Orji played again in the last game, as well,” Lanning said when asked about Warren. “So it’s different based on who’s in the game.

“They’re both capable, and they can win in different ways. But I think [Warren] played well in the last game, and getting in a rhythm and finding some consistency is probably important for them.

“But they both can beat you in different ways. They can throw the ball. Obviously, they do a great job of establishing the run game, and that’s something that 10 [Orji] will bring in a little bit more as he comes in. But he’s also proven to have the ability to pass, so you have to prepare for a little bit more when you go against a team like this.

“We’ve had some longer weeks at times, when we play Friday games. This is not one of those situations. So it’s a matter of you making sure that you can be sound and simple for your guys, but also create some complicated looks for the opponent.”

Dan Lanning breaks down talent on Michigan’s defense

Michigan has a pair of star defensive tackles in juniors Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham that headline the middle of the defense. The tandem has combined for 10.5 tackles for loss on the year.

“You watch them, they’re game-wreckers,” the Oregon coach said. “They’re guys that you have to have a game plan for. But 78 and 55 both make an impact consistently in the game. They beat single blocks there, they’re certainly good against double teams, they’re good against the run and the pass.

“They’re guys you have to spend time and effort for. Any time you have guys like that up front, it makes it easier to cover in the back end.”

Senior EDGE Josaiah Stewart helps that cause, too. He’s tied for second in the Big Ten with 6.5 sacks, and his 93.6 PFF pass-rush grade ranks first nationally among edge rushers.

“His power and twitch,” Lanning said of what stands out. “He plays with power, but also has speed and twitch and ability. Certainly not a finesse rusher. He plays it a certain way, but he’s a talented guy.”

Michigan’s run defense has been stout all season but shown some cracks over the last two weeks. The Wolverines yielded 187 and 163 rushing yards to Illinois and Michigan State, respectively. Oregon averages 4.7 yards per carry (58th nationally), with its rushing attack being led by running back Jordan James, who’s registered 800 yards and 8 touchdowns on 136 carries.

“Something we’re preparing for is the ability to be able to run the ball on a team like this,” Lanning said of Michigan’s struggles against the run the last two games. “I think that’s important when you play in games like this.

“They’ve always been a really physical run-game team, they’ve always done a good job of running well. And I think our offense and our team is most efficient when we have a good run game going. So that’ll be an important piece for us to figure out.”

Michigan may be without junior cornerback Will Johnson, who has two pick-sixes on the season, for the second straight game. Lanning knows he’s a game-changer on the back end of the defense.

“He’s a great player,” Lanning noted. “He’s a great player. He has ball production. He gets in and out of breaks. He’s able to take away a side of the field, so he’s definitely a guy that would make an impact.”