Michigan defensive lineman Will Campbell celebrates after recovering a Notre Dame fumble, one of five Fighting Irish turnovers in Michigan's 35-31 win last Saturday.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Except for one thing: Turnovers.

The Wolverines have forced eight turnovers in two games, including five in Saturday's 35-31 comeback win against Notre Dame. One came on an interception by junior corner J.T. Floyd at the goal line, and another came on a fumble recovery by defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen with the Irish at Michigan's 7-yard line and leading 24-21 with 6:08 remaining.

The turnovers helped keep Michigan in the game, despite Notre Dame's 513 yards of offense.

"We emphasize that in practice. Whether we're in shoulder pads or not, we're trying to strip our backs," Van Bergen said Monday at the team's weekly news conference. "Every ball that's on the ground is our ball, regardless of if it's incomplete or a fumble. We're going to get that ball.

"When you look at it, we're probably creating (some of the most) turnovers in college football. Hopefully that's a trend that we can maintain, because that's only going to mean good things for us as a team."

After posting an NCAA-worst minus-32 turnover margin the past three years, Michigan currently is plus-five, sixth in the country when including the opener against Western Michigan (which the NCAA does not recognize statistically).

One player who picked up a fumble recovery against Notre Dame was junior Will Campbell, the enigmatic tackle who has been inconsistent throughout his career despite being a highly regarded recruit.

Van Bergen said Campbell has played well lately, despite moving from the nose tackle position to the three-technique defensive line spot, responsible for the gap between the offensive guard and tackle.

"If he's playing well, we have a great defensive line," Van Bergen said. "I think coaches are a little bit concerned with consistency and we've moved him from nose to three, so he's had to learn a little bit more scheme than they wanted him to at first.

"He's a great player when he's playing well, he just has to be more consistent in practice."

Defensive line struggling

The turnovers helped mitigate what otherwise has been a poor start for Michigan's defense, especially up front.

A week after struggling to put any kind of pressure on Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder, Michigan's front four struggled again to get to Rees.

"We’re not near to the expectations that we have," Hoke said. "I think the kids feel the same way at that position. I think there are things that Ryan Van Bergen has done at times that are really well.

"We have to feel those guys. We need to get a little big more pressure with four guys rushing the quarterback, so you don’t put (corners) J.T. (Floyd) or Courtney Avery out there on an island. I think we’re a work in progress in a lot of degrees.

Rees finished 27-of-39 passing for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Michael Floyd had 13 catches for 159 yards. Cierre Wood had 25 rushes for 141 yards and one touchdown.

"Some of it is because it’s a little different schematically, and how you attack the line of scrimmage, take on blocks, and get off blocks," Hoke said. "We would think we’d be further along.”

Van Bergen said a lot of the schematic changes for defensive linemen is in their attitude and that, despite a dearth of positive results, he likes playing in the system and thinks they'll get untracked.

"It's a more aggressive attitude," the senior said. "It's not a 'Get in your gap and play it,' it's an 'Attack the guy across from you, and if you happen to see the ball, good.' It's a really aggressive (defense) and it's fun to play that way. It really is."

Michigan, for the most part, has been able to pressure the quarterback only when defensive coordinator Greg Mattison works in his intricate blitz packages.

That has been effective, but also often left the middle of the field open against Notre Dame.

"Honestly, it shouldn’t have been (open)," Hoke said. "It’s open for a second, and then we’ve got to execute a little better at closing it off. You can get hurt, no question."

Hoke on Denard's bizarre day

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson accounted for 98.7 percent of his team's offensive production, but also threw three picks and completed only four passes in the first three quarters.

Did he have a bad game, good game or little of both?

“Probably a little of both," Hoke said. "Obviously, he made some plays when we needed to have some plays made, which a guy of his capability and caliber can do, but we also needed to make better decisions at times.

"He was the first one to come off the field after one (bad play) and say, ‘My footwork was bad.’ So, that’s good to see. The whole thing is a process, to some degree, and we’re learning everyday.”

Players keep jerseys

Players can keep their "legacy" jerseys from Saturday’s win. Athletic director Dave Brandon told reporters he received several requests from players to hang on to the uniforms, but first had to check with the school's compliance department.

Hoke thinks Toussaint will play

Hoke said he expects starting tailback Fitz Toussaint to play against Eastern Michigan (2-0) after he missed the Notre Dame game because of an ailing shoulder. Hoke said the sophomore hurt it when he bumped against a defender in Michigan’s opener against Western Michigan.

Woolfolk 'fine' despite mounting injuries

Hoke said top cornerback Troy Woolfolk is "fine," despite spraining his left ankle in the opener, hurting his right hand in practice Thursday and cutting his nose badly against Notre Dame. He also wore a large cast on his right hand and forearm.

WMU stats are no more

Hoke, on the NCAA ruling it will not recognize stats from the opener against Western Michigan: “You know what, that’s their decision.”

Does he need an explanation? “No.”

Does he care? “No. It’s a 'W,' right?”

Quote of the day

Hoke, on calming Robinson before games: "I’d rather break a bucking bronco than a lame mare. He’ll be all right. He’ll play within the framework and he’ll play within the offense.”

Odds and ends

• According to several players, Robinson joined Twitter on Monday night with the handle @DenardX. The school verified it is a real account. As of 10 p.m., he had picked up more than 7,000 followers.
• Michigan is 5-for-5 in red zone opportunities this year. “I think we’ve got a pretty good package down there, and the kids are executing," Hoke said.
• Michigan, which finished last in the country last year in field goal kicking, has yet to attempt one this year. Placekicker Brendan Gibbons is 9-of-10 on extra-point attempts. His one miss was blocked.
• Overall, Hoke said his team is “pretty healthy,” a refrain he’s echoed since the start of fall camp.
• Hoke said he won't hold walk-on tryouts until January. "I want to see them go through the strength program first," he said

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.