SDSU players 'still like and respect' Brady Hoke, San Diego Union-Tribune beat writer says
San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman (13) picks up some of his 191 rushing yards during a 42-24 win over Washington State last Saturday.
AP Photo
It's one they could know quite well after Saturday (noon, BTN), when the Wolverines take on San Diego State in a game between two 3-0 teams.
Hillman is the country's second-leading rusher (165.7 yards per game) and is facing a Michigan defense that allows, incidentally, 167.0 yards per game. That ranks 82nd in the country.
Aztecs beat writer Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune sees Hillman as being Michigan's biggest matchup disadvantage Saturday. He discussed the sophomore and a few other topics with AnnArbor.com while breaking down the matchup.
Q. Brady Hoke left San Diego State for Michigan after just two years with the Aztecs. Do you think there is a "revenge" factor for SDSU players in this game, or at least an out-to-prove-something factor?
Brent Schrotenboer: I think the SDSU players understand why Hoke left and don't begrudge him for leaving. They still like and respect him. At the same time, when somebody important to you makes a choice to leave you for something or somebody else, it's human nature to want to prove they made a mistake.
Q. Hoke recruited many of the Aztecs' players and coached nearly all of them. Does that give Hoke an advantage in game planning? And what do you think SDSU coach Rocky Long will do to try to shake things up?
Schrotenboer: Rocky Long says it's a huge advantage for Hoke and his staff to have such vast knowledge of SDSU's personnel. It probably makes Michigan's preparation easier this week than normal. But knowing habits and tendencies only gets you so far. They've still got to stop them. Rocky Long always has surprises. The players don't know what he might cook up from one week to the next.
Q. In what ways has San Diego State changed the most since Hoke's departure and Long's hire?
Schrotenboer: It's mostly the same, except for the personalities of the head coach. It's considered Year Three of the program even though it's Year One under Rocky Long. Rocky has kept the same emphasis on toughness, with the same style of offense and defense.
Q. In a lot of ways, San Diego State's Ronnie Hillman is the power-running lead back Hoke and Al Borges wish they had at Michigan. What makes Hillman so effective?
Schrotenboer: Vision. Seeing where the holes are going to be before they're there. He's also demanding of himself and well-grounded. Sometimes fame goes to your head if you get it at a young age. But that hasn't happened, which is important because it can take away from your game.
Q. Where on the field will be Michigan’s biggest matchup disadvantage?
Schrotenboer: I would say Hillman vs. the Michigan defense. I might say that about Hillman and most of the defenses in America, so it's not a slight on the Michigan defense.
Q. San Diego State nearly beat Michigan at the Big House in 2004 before the Wolverines eventually pulled out a 24-21 win. The Aztecs finish the job this time if ...
Schrotenboer:Hillman has another big game, and Rocky Long succeeds in surprising and confusing Denard Robinson.
Brent Schrotenboer is the San Diego State beat reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune. You can follow him on Twitter @Schrotenboer.
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.
Comments
OldBittyBates
Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 12:21 p.m.
Are you ready to recite some Hail Mary full of grace prayers? Them Aztecs are mucho big time major tough opponents. Lindley and Hillman are the new kids on the block. They may literally be unstoppable when you consider how porous the U of M defense has been. Somehow Michigan will need to keep its offense on the field for much of the game if they want to keep San Diego State from chewing them up like crispy bacon. Denard must learn how to accurately throw the football or the SDSU blitz and pass defense will break him in two. I can't see Denard smiling like a pretty boy once this game is over. He will be a muddy mess (there's a good chance of rain).
Howard Elzinga
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.
SORRY JIM CZN'T READ THE FINE PRINT BUT HE CONTENT WAS SUPERB ! RIGHT ? parallels drawn, sense of accomplishment; far fetched as it may seem. its yours for the taking and I am sure that I will find it on some where under someone else's by- line. it was brilliant so say my fifth grade teacher here at U of M . Total shoot out the Indians against the Cowboys, Aztec against Custer he was " a MICHIGAN MAN" as I understand history ? Contain the guerrillas of the west surprize attack against the more conventional of the mid-west. pro- spread . OLEO AGAINST BUTTER 10 POINT AGAINST HE SPREAD SOUNDS like they are laying it on kind of thick don't you think? --All world Qb. half-back combining all at the "Harvard " Yale" and "Dartmouth" of the west. we are out numbered as was Custer. Las Vegas wins! The line is "" HAIL TO THE VICTORS" by game time. High Noon or get out of town ! a surley Turley, turkey for lunch ! GO BLUE--COACH--Z
Jim Knight
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
A comment written in all caps was removed. Please refrain from using all caps.
Bruce Kennedy
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
Scary game. I like what Hoke has done with the Aztecs. I just hope he knows what to do to defeat them.