Jabrill Peppers was the defensive player Michigan fans wanted to see against Utah.
While the defense kept the Wolverines in the game in the 24-17 loss last Thursday, Peppers felt the Wolverines -- and himself especially -- could have been sharper.
"We definitely beat ourselves," he said in comments aired today on "Inside Michigan Football." "Me speaking personally, I definitely made a lot of mental mistakes, things that we went over constantly in practice."
After a few second-quarter struggles in coverage, leading to the Utes' first touchdown and later a pass interference call, the highly-touted redshirt freshman rallied in the second half.
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With Utah marching in the fourth quarter, getting to the Michigan 30, Utah's Britain Covey caught a swing pass and looked like he had room. But Peppers shook his man and closed quick enough to bring Covey down for a three-yard loss. It was an elite play and forced Utah into second-and-14. Two plays later the Utes missed a 46-yard field goal, tough because of Peppers.
He finished with eight tackles, two for loss and had the game's longest return with a 36-yard kickoff.
After the game, though, he was focused on the problems.
"It's just kind of demoralizing because, we knew what we were supposed to do," he said. "We didn't come out here and execute."
The Michigan defense was the strength of the Wolverines in the Utah game, putting U-M in a chance to win.
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Holding Utah scoreless after to Michigan offensive turnovers, they were strong.
But after the loss, the defensive players took it hard.
"It wasn't the start we wanted defensively and I think I can speak for the team we didn't perform like we wanted to," linebacker Joe Bolden said. "No one said it would be easy and nothing ever is."
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CLEAN GAME: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was impressed with the Wolverines' control, tough in a season opener.
"The team played with very good discipline," he said on the show. "That was not a highly penalized game. I can only think of a couple in the first half offensive penalties. And our only penalty in the second half might have been that onside kick. The guys played disciplined and for the most part played very well."
SPECIAL TEAMS: Harbaugh felt the special teams were a mixed result, from the problems of splitting two field goals and not getting a shot at the onside kick with just under a minute to play, to the positives of Blake O'Neill dropping a punt inside the five and Peppers' return.
"There was good areas there and positive and areas to improve as well," he said. "That's kind of the story of our team right now. I like the way they fought and felt the effort was really good."
While the defense kept the Wolverines in the game in the 24-17 loss last Thursday, Peppers felt the Wolverines -- and himself especially -- could have been sharper.
"We definitely beat ourselves," he said in comments aired today on "Inside Michigan Football." "Me speaking personally, I definitely made a lot of mental mistakes, things that we went over constantly in practice."
After a few second-quarter struggles in coverage, leading to the Utes' first touchdown and later a pass interference call, the highly-touted redshirt freshman rallied in the second half.
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With Utah marching in the fourth quarter, getting to the Michigan 30, Utah's Britain Covey caught a swing pass and looked like he had room. But Peppers shook his man and closed quick enough to bring Covey down for a three-yard loss. It was an elite play and forced Utah into second-and-14. Two plays later the Utes missed a 46-yard field goal, tough because of Peppers.
He finished with eight tackles, two for loss and had the game's longest return with a 36-yard kickoff.
After the game, though, he was focused on the problems.
"It's just kind of demoralizing because, we knew what we were supposed to do," he said. "We didn't come out here and execute."
The Michigan defense was the strength of the Wolverines in the Utah game, putting U-M in a chance to win.
.line-height: 120%; }
DETROIT FREE PRESS
Now Michigan's Jim Harbaugh can be a coach, not a cult idol
Holding Utah scoreless after to Michigan offensive turnovers, they were strong.
But after the loss, the defensive players took it hard.
"It wasn't the start we wanted defensively and I think I can speak for the team we didn't perform like we wanted to," linebacker Joe Bolden said. "No one said it would be easy and nothing ever is."
.oembed-asset-
DETROIT FREE PRESS
Jamie: Give Jim Harbaugh time to turn Michigan around
CLEAN GAME: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was impressed with the Wolverines' control, tough in a season opener.
"The team played with very good discipline," he said on the show. "That was not a highly penalized game. I can only think of a couple in the first half offensive penalties. And our only penalty in the second half might have been that onside kick. The guys played disciplined and for the most part played very well."
SPECIAL TEAMS: Harbaugh felt the special teams were a mixed result, from the problems of splitting two field goals and not getting a shot at the onside kick with just under a minute to play, to the positives of Blake O'Neill dropping a punt inside the five and Peppers' return.
"There was good areas there and positive and areas to improve as well," he said. "That's kind of the story of our team right now. I like the way they fought and felt the effort was really good."
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