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PHOENIX –Michigan football has officially arrived in Arizona and is set to begin a week of practice and media availability with opponent TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Saturday.
Upon arriving at Sky Harbor Airport, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines were greeted by a gathering of fans on the tarmac and immediately moved into a tent where he, running back Donovan Edwards, safety Rod Moore and linebacker Michael Barrett took questions from the media.
At the end, Edwards motioned to a child fan to ask a question (which you can read at the end of the text).
Here’s everything the group had to say about the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Opening remarks
COACH HARBAUGH: Thank you. Were here. It was a good flight. We had a good practice today. I jumped on the plane and it’s great to be here. We are honored to be here. This is playing the best of the best, and our team is ready for it.
MIKE BARRETT: Like coach said, it’s great to be back. It’s nice to be here. It’s a blessing to always play in December, January. So it’s a great feeling, especially the change in weather. It feels good to be here.
ROD MOORE: Blessed to be here. Thanks everybody. And Go Blue.
How much has Donovan Edwards meant to this team since Blake Corum was injured?
COACH HARBAUGH: About 401 yards. How many TDs, Donovan?
DONOVAN EDWARDS: In the last two games? I think three. Three touchdowns in last two games.
COACH HARBAUGH: Pretty huge.
Jim, back in July you talked about four goals for this year. Three of those have now been done, and this is one of the last games to make it to the fourth. Can you just talk about this season, this moment, and where you are right now.
COACH HARBAUGH: Right where we want to be. And like I said, the best of the best play the best. That’s where we want to be. Glad it is.
Jim, now that you’ve had time to watch TCU on film, what have you seen of them? And Sonny Dykes talked about them having team speed. What have you seen that side?
COACH HARBAUGH: They’re a great team. There is no question about that. Really good in all positions. Yeah, I agree, the speed, but this is a strong team in all three phases as well.
Jim, could you talk to Max Duggan, what you’ve seen from him on tape and what he means to the TCU offense?
COACH HARBAUGH: He’s one of the best players in the country and leads one of the best teams in the country. A great competitor. He is so productive. Complete offense and leadership and all. You can tell he’s on a mission. And so is our pal JJ McCarthy.
Jim, you clearly made the College Football Playoff last year. Now that you’re back, what have you gained from last year? What did you learn last year? And what’s different about this?
COACH HARBAUGH: I think this team — from day one, it’s really just, ‘I’ll do my best today.’ And that’s how they approached each day going back to winter conditioning, spring ball, training camp and throughout the season. So no change. That’s our goal: I have to give my best today.
Could you talk about your relationship with JJ and how he’s grown and matured this year in the offense?
DONOVAN EDWARDS: I mean, he was always ready — always able to quarterback one spot. Now that he’s here, now that he has it, he’s just going to continue to do what got him here to continue to be successful.
Hey Donovan, how’s your hand? And how much do you enjoy playing on the big stage, even going back to your West Bloomfield days?
DONOVAN EDWARDS: Like I said, after the Big Ten Championship game and Coach Harbaugh, he said it first, I’m comfortable in big games. I come alive in big games. That’s what I’m here for. I’m here to play in the big games.
I am blessed by God to play in big games and do my thing on the big stage and give Him glory after the game and before the game.
I would like to hear from the players. What is so special about this Michigan team?
DONOVAN EDWARDS: Everyone works hard. We are all humble. Everyone wants everyone to get better. There is no selfishness in this team. Everyone is disciplined. Everybody’s well coached—everybody’s kind of ready to be a Michigan man. Our head coach and all the coaches in our positions train us excellently. And it’s easy when you’ve got guys to coach and great guys to play with and play with. We play for each other.
MIKE BARRETT: I would just say our ability to make each other better every day and make ourselves better than we were yesterday. We’re constantly coming out to practices, meetings, practices, what have we, and just trying to make each other better so we can be the best team in the country.
Jim, how many freshmen have enrolled early? And what impressions have you had of them during training, when they have been able to spend with the team so far?
COACH HARBAUGH: Really good. It didn’t take long to get up to speed. Hearts pounding for the first couple of days. But in the second, third practice, they really acquitted themselves well.
DONOVAN EDWARDS: My son in “Harbaugh’s my Hero shirt,” do you have any questions?
Harbaugh, you are my hero.
DONOVAN EDWARDS: I’m sorry, we couldn’t hear you. You must be sure, my son. Be confident.
Coach Harbaugh, you are my hero.
(End of the press conference.)
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