6 r ' .. 8 - Friday, September 23, 2011 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com IkL Michigan fifth-year senior center David Molk is well known for both his fiery play on the field and his contempt for the media during press con- ferences. On Monday, when fifth-year senior defen- sive end Ryan Van Ber- gen exited the press conference, he explained Molk's attitude rather simply: "He just hates people." A few minutes later, Molk had a chance to defend himself with the media. And he had a strong showing, laugh- ing andjoking more than ever before: Question: (Van Bergen) said it's nothing personal against us. David Molk: No, I don't actu- ally hate you guys. I actually like you guys. Q: When did that change? When you became captain? Molk: When I had to. I don't hate people. I don't sit at home like a hermit and just toil about how much I hate the world. That's not what I do. Q: So there's no book coming out? Molk: No, there's not a book: "Why David Molk Hates the World." Q: But you have to admit, the last couple years you came out, and there was a little tension at these press conferences. Molk: Sure, there's no doubt about that, especially when you guys ask bad questions. Q: What's a bad question? Molk: When you kept asking about my injury. I hated that. That's what turned me on you guys. Q: So you didn't have an inju- ry? Molk: I did, but you guys kept asking me. I probably shortcut you guys. Q: Looking at the running backs, is there something differ- ent or unique that Vincent Smith does? Molk: They each have their different style of running. They approach each play in a differ- ent way. It seemed like Vince came out in the end and had some pretty good runs, but again some of that's how the offensive line blocks - maybe we didn't do as well at the beginning of the game as we did at the end. It's just kind of how the holes open up and who hits them. Q: Is he easier to block for because he's rather short? Molk: I don't think there's any difference. It's more like it's easi- er for him to hide from defenders. Q: Despite his size, he's a pret- ty tough guy, isn't he? Molk: He's really tough. He likes to hit, that's the weird thing about him. As a little guy, you'd think he'd shy away from it or cut- block some guys to get away from heavy contact. But he will seek out and go find the biggest guy on the defense and just nail him. I love that about him. Q: Do you remember the first time you saw Vince go after the biggest guy on the field? Molk: He goes after the big guys in practice all the time. You usually see a running back take a shortcut and cut a guy below the knees, but he'll actually get down and pop up and hit a guy right below the chin. It's great. Q: The first time it happened in practice, did the guy even see him? Molk: No, you can't see him. No one can see him. Q: When you see Smith take on bigger guys, what does that do for you and the rest of the offense? Molk: Usually you don't see it until you watch the film, because I'm going this way and he's (behind me) somewhere. But when you see that on film, when you have a guy that's so under- sized just manning up and taking on anything that comes, it's really good to see. Q: How good is San Diego State? Molk: They're a good team, a valuable opponent. They have a very good defense. They really have an interesting scheme on defense that will be fun to see. It's just a different scheme, something that no one else does. If you see it on film, you'll under- stand why it's different. Q: If you were facing Rich Rodriguez, like San Diego State is now facing their former coach, how would you approach that? Molk: I don't really know. I'm sure it would be weird, but at the same time, I respect what he did. He made a decision, made a move on his own decision. It's truly becoming a business, and that's what his career path took. I can't fault a guy for doing that. Q: How does this 3-0 start feel different from similar starts you've had the past two seasons? Molk: It feels about the same. We've just got to make sure we maintain this level of play we're at and improve as we get into Big Ten season. Obviously, we're happy for three wins in a row, that's always a good thing, having no losses. At the same time, we're more in tune to what our issues are. We know what they are, we know how to fixthem. We're really put- ting in a valiant effort to fix those - -rrt - -'PI 0 6 6 ERIN ItIRKLANO/Daily Fifth-year senior David Molikhas been known to be a little gruff with the media in the past. But as a senior this season hes said he's committed to treating the media better. Wolverine offense will push team past Aztecs KEVIN RAFTERY Daily Sports Editor San Diego State is off to its first 3-0 start since 1981. The Aztecs are amped up with the chance to beat their former coach. Michigan will be just as excited, hoping to give Michigan coach Brady Hoke a win against his former team. Everybody is aware of the coachingsituation - Hoke, offen- sive coordinator Al Borges and assistant coaches Dan Ferrigno, Darrell Funk, Jeff Hecklinski and Mark Smith all coached for the Aztecs in 2009 and 2010. But what about the players? Here's a breakdown of Saturday's game: Michigan pass offense vs. San Diego State pass defense Junior quarterback Denard Robinson has had problems with his consistency so far this sea- son. Most of his troubles have stemmed from footwork issues. Robinson has been at his best when he's on the move, not think- ing, just reacting to whathe has to work with. But that might bode well for Robinson and the Wol- verines - San Diego State fre- quently blitzes and likes to put pressure on the quarterback. The Aztecs have recorded nine sacks so far this year, good for 22nd in the nation. San Diego State is ranked 36th in the nation in pass defense and has allowed 186 yards in the air per game. In a 42-24 win over Washington State last week, senior cornerback Larry Parker recorded seven tackles, one forced fumble and two interceptions. Look for him tobe a big factor in the Aztec secondary again this week against the 68th-ranked Michigan pass offense. With Michigan still search- ing for a lead running back and with Hoke trying to limit Rob- inson's carries after he tallied 26 last week, Robinson could have a breakout performance in the air against an average San Diego State secondary. Edge: Michigan Michigan rush offense vs. San Diego State rush defense Hoke and Borges have said for months that they'd like one fea- ture running back to carry the load. Week one, that back was sophomore Fitzgerald Toussaint. Week two, senior Michael Shaw. Week three, Toussaint. Andnow it appearsathat junior Vincent Smith, who notched 118yards on just nine carries against Eastern Michigan, willgetthenod against theAztecs. With so much uncertainty at running back, Robinson has continued to take the majority of the carries for the Wolverines - he has just eight fewer carries than all of the backs combined - exactly what Hoke didn't want. Regardless, Robinson is still one of the most elusive runners in the nation and will no doubt cause problems for the Aztecs. San Diego State gives up 197 yards per game, 98th in the nation. Look for Robinson to find the holes often on Sunday, and if Smith and the rest of the running back corps can get it going, it could be along day forthe Aztec defense. Edge: Michigan San Diego State pass offense vs. Michigan pass defense The Michigan pass defense is 26th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten. Not counting the rain-shortened game against Western Michigan, the Wolver- ines have given up an average of 172 yards in the air. That's an improvement from last year's passing defense which finished last in the Big Ten. But on Saturday, Michigan will be facing a quarterback whom Borges calls "the best we've faced this year." And Borges would know - he coached senior quar- terback Ryan Lindley for two years. Last week, after throw- ing for 273 yards and two touch- downs against Washington State, Lindley became just the second player in schoolhistory to pass for more than 10,000 career yards. He's also first in career touch- downs with 74. Lindley has connected with sophomore receiver Colin Lock- ett, a former defensive back, 12 times so far this year for a total of 254 yards. Lockett isn't the only receiving threat, though - the Aztecs have five receivers with five receptions or more this sea- son. With Lindley under center and a strong receiving corps, it might be a little too much for a still unproven Michigan pass defense. Edge: San Diego State San Diego State rush offense vs. Michigan rush defense Sophomore running back Ron- nie Hillman is the Robin to Lind- ley's Batman. It could even be argued that Hillman takes the title of Batman. He's a Heisman Trophy candidate this year and has already put up monstrous numbers. Hillman is second in the nation in rushing yards per game with 166, and he's first in scoring per game. Last week, he rushed 32 times for191yards and four touch- downs; that's equal to the number of touchdowns Michigan's run- ning backs have, combined. There are few defenses in the country that have a legitimate chance of stopping Hillman. The Wolverines, who rank 103rd in the nation in rushing defense and give up an average of 202 yards per game, can only hope to slow him down. Look for defensive coordinator Greg Mattison to throw several different kinds of defensive looks and blitzes at the Aztecs to put the brakes on Hillman. Don't expect any ofthem to be effective. Edge: San Diego State Special Teams Michigan freshman kicker Matt Wile was going to be an Aztec. But when Hoke left last January, Wile followed him. That leftsenior Abelardo Perez with the kicking duties for the Aztecs. But Perez is no slouch - he received second-team Moun- tain West Conference honors last season after posting a league-best 28 touchbacks, and he finished the season 17-for-22 on field goals, including a career-long 53 yarder. Senior punter Brian Stahovich has been one of the nation's best and is third in school history in career punting yards. Wile has yet to attempt a field goal for the Wolverines, as red- shirt sophomore Brendan Gib- bons has been given the nod as the field goal kicker. Wile has taken control as a kick-off spe- cialist, and he has also been the Wolverines' punter in place of the suspended sophomore Will Hagerup. Gibbons is 1-for-1 on the year, with a 21-yard chip shot last week against Eastern Michi- gan. But Gibbons and Wile both remain unproven, snd until they have a chance to prove they can convert a field goal in important situations, they'll almost always lose this one. Considering Perez and Stahov- ich are one of the better kicker/ punter combos in college football, this one's a no-brainer. Edge: San Diego State intangibles This one will mean a lot to Hoke, and he'll have his players ready to go against his former team. Not to mention, he and several of his coaches know a lot about the Aztecs. Edge: Michigan Final Score: Michigan 35, San Diego State 24 r9 beiloninc From waxing to nail services to focials and massage, the Bellanino day spa is an indulgent escope from the everyday. Come ond spa . 0 U of M Students Receive 010% Savings on Spa Services Mention? thsv dAndlrb e:'v 0 an additial: %i /ff i "O ( anfi eml~,dr5 "Ib"Taubman ' Wlg p l S l~se S O MPNYsar #-Ota(