Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez met with the media this morning to discuss another awful setback and to look ahead at No. 3 Penn State.
Rodriguez said he isn’t sure yet if quarterback Steven Threet will play Saturday against Penn State (4:30, ESPN). But that they are hoping he can get some reps in practice this week and be ready to go come kickoff.
RichRod said tailback Brandon Minor has bruised ribs.
About the Toledo loss…
“We weren’t sharp fundamentally at times. It starts with the coaches. We’ve got to do a good job of coaching and not forgetting the fundamentals. Not that we have. We always stress it, but there were times in the game that our fundamentals weren’t particularly sharp. We got back to work on that yesterday, and we’ll continue with that the rest of the week.
“We’ve got to get better. It’s frustrating and disappointing, but we had a good meeting last night. The players are usually more resilient than the coaches. Our rule is, we have to forget after 24 hours. We truly have to do that. We don’t want this one to cost us twice, as coaches would say.”
Rodriguez also said that his offense has made strides but backed that up by replying: “Have we? At times and at times not. That’s the frustrating part about it.”
He went on to say that turnovers and missed assignments are what’s killing the Wolverines right now.
And on the Nittany Lions, who enter Saturday’s game a 24 (!) point favorite.
“They’re ranked third now, and they’re playing at a high level with a lot of confidence. They’re very talented. Their staff has been together a long time. Everybody knows about Coach Paterno and his staff and the stability they’ve had.
“They felt coming into the year that if things could go right, they could have a special season. They’re having one. There are no weaknesses in any of the three phases. We’ll have to play really good football.”
