ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore expressed enthusiasm about returning to the team after his absence.
“I missed the players and missed the coaches, staff,” said Moore.
Moore noted the high energy and positive vibes from the team during his time away, serving a self-imposed suspension.
Moore emphasized the importance of how the team plays rather than what they do.
“It’s the how. There were things we had to change and fix and do a little bit differently and adapt to our players,” Moore said.
Moore stressed focusing on the players and their efforts rather than his own time away.
Discussing leadership on the field, Moore praised safety and team captain Rod Moore, calling him “a vocal leader and a leader with the team.”
He highlighted Rod’s ability to make adjustments and calls during the game, describing watching him play as “magical.”
Rod returned to the field on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, to help the men in maize take down the Nebraska Cornhuskers 30-27 in a hostile environment.
The safety was sidelined for nearly two years with a torn ACL and meniscus injury.
Rod was injured in March 2024, but played 21 snaps in his comeback game, which was his first game action since capturing the national championship against the Washington Huskies on Jan. 8, 2024.
→ Report: Michigan Wolverines safety Rod Moore sidelined for rest of season with ACL tear
On defensive improvements, Sherrone attributed progress to communication and execution.
Sherrone credited the coaching staff for developing young players like true freshman Jaden Sanders, who has made impactful plays alongside Brandyn Hillman despite some penalties, but hits people really hard.
Sherrone reflected on the season structure, calling the current phase “the first quarter of the season” with a bye coming up.
He said the team is ready to “attack” the next quarter with continued focus.
When asked about standout players, Sherrone called Jaishawn Barham a “freak” and a “problem for other people,” praising his consistent ability and potential to be a first-round draft pick if he keeps pushing himself.
Barham finished the Cornhuskers game with three sacks on Dylan Raiola, the son of former Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola.
Bryce Underwood
Sherrone also discussed freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood‘s maturity and growth.
“He is mature beyond his years,” Sherrone said, crediting both Underwood’s attitude and coaching support for his development.
Underwood helped his teammates run to glory as they had big runs of 37 yards by Underwood, Jordan Marshall (54 yards), and Justice Haynes (75 yards), all of whom went for touchdowns.
→ Michigan football runs through corn maze while parting Red Sea to take down Nebraska in Big Ten opener
Regarding offensive strategy, Sherrone explained the use of outside zone runs and how the team has adapted to incorporate them more.
Sherrone noted the importance of fundamentals and technique in the offensive line’s success.
He described the bye week as an “opportunity week” to improve fundamentals, technique, and health, while giving players chances to earn playing time.
Underwood is one of the team’s offensive leaders with 733 passing yards this season.
Freshman opportunities
Sherrone reflected on the significant role freshmen are playing early in the season.
“I don’t know how many freshmen, especially true freshmen, that played as early,” Sherrone said, noting that this level of early involvement is uncommon in his years with the program.
He highlighted the presence of a freshman quarterback and two redshirt freshman tackles, along with two freshmen cornerbacks.
“It is exciting,” Sherrone said, acknowledging the youth of the team.
He also mentioned Hillman, a third-year player and redshirt sophomore, as part of the relatively inexperienced roster.
“You have a lot of guys that haven’t played a lot of football that have played against really good competition and practice,” Sherrone added.
Overall, Moore expressed enthusiasm about the team’s development and the opportunity to be part of the program during this exciting phase.
“It’s fun and exciting to be a part of the program,” Sherrone said.
Crowd impact
On team celebrations, Sherrone emphasized the importance of celebrating with teammates over crowd reactions.
“The crowd can’t really help you win the game or help you lose the game,” Sherrone said.
He values team connection and shared celebrations as signs of a connected team.
Justice Haynes
Moore praised Haynes for exceeding expectations in terms of his speed and practice habits.
Haynes leads the Big Ten in rushing yards and ranks third nationally while also becoming the first player in program history to rush for over 100 yards in his first four games with the team.
He is third in the country in rushing yards while leading the team in rushing yards with 537 through four games.
Coaching
Finally, Sherrone emphasized the importance of trust in the coaching staff and players as key to the team’s mindset and future success.
“I got a lot of trust in the staff and in the players, as their thought process and mindset are extremely refreshing to watch them be who I thought they would be on TV on Saturday.
Michigan is 12-2 in one-score conference games since 2001