[Fuller]
Devin Bush picked an opportune time for his first credited QB hurry of the game. It took Indiana two plays to get to Michigan’s side of the field on their final drive of the fourth quarter; then their right tackle false started, resulting in a 10 second runoff and 1st and 15. From there Michigan lined Bush up over center and he went to work, twisting Ramsey to the ground and causing what looked like it should have been intentional grounding. I thought it would be interesting to talk to him about a play where he bulled his way through the line instead of looping in from a couple gaps away. The conversation that follows starts right after we finished watching the play below.
Obviously we’re at the end of the game here. What are you expecting out of their offense at that point?
“At that point?”
First and 15, 28 seconds left in the game.
“Oh, with 20 seconds, trying to drive the ball down the field, keep the ball in bounds or try to get the ball to the sideline as fast as possible and run out of bounds so you can get another play.”
You’re head up on the center, then you hit the A gap. What are you expecting from the center and the guard and what does that guard end up doing? Looks like he loses you.
“I’m expecting a double team, for them to mesh me. I’m able to gash that gap and draw both of their attention and try to get Maurice [Hurst] a lane to hit and get a QB pressure.”
Walk me through the finer points of splitting a double team.
“Just putting your helmet in that gap and hitting it as hard as you can trying to crease it. Keep your hands alive. Don’t bury yourself; they can jump on your back or push you down. Keep your head up and keep your feet running.”
What did you see when you got in the backfield? Did you see Rashan flush him up and into the pocket?
“Yeah. I saw his eyes drop. He wasn’t looking downfield no more. Rashan had him flushed away from him. He created an opportunity for me to get off a block and make a play.”
So when you see his eyes drop, that’s the moment you know you have to get that arm out?
“Yeah.”
Coach Harbaugh just said you guys were concerned about him and his mobility, so is--
“Yeah, we knew pressure’s going to make him drop his eyes and run, so we tried to get him in that situation as much as possible. Once I saw him drop his eyes I knew he wasn’t looking to throw the ball downfield. He’s looking to get out and create a first down and try to get as much yardage as he can to get in the red zone.”
Did he drop his eyes pretty quickly or were you surprised by how long it took?
“He kind of held it a little bit but eventually he dropped his eyes.”