[Fuller/MGoBlog]

Wilton Speight and Mike McCray

WIlton, obviously things didn’t start off the way they were supposed to with the interception. Was there anything in particular that Harbaugh said that made you snap into it or was it just instincts?

“Yeah, obviously wasn’t the start I was imagining, but I was kind of rolling to our sideline anyway and my momentum just kind of carried me right into Coach and he just grabbed me and hugged me and was kind of laughing and was like, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get it next drive. Don’t sweat about that.’ And I was able to do that.”

How much did it help you to have the balance that you did in terms of a running game and some receivers and tight ends?

“Yeah, so anytime the quarterback has a run threat it helps them a lot, it helps the passing game a lot. To have that balance and then have guys like Jehu and Amara and Jake Butt, Moe Ways, Drake Harris--the list could go on and on, just weapons after weapons--makes my job a lot easier.”

Mike, we heard so much about Don Brown’s defense and blitzing. You personally had a great game and the defense overall did so well, especially in the first half. What was it like to get out there in a new scheme and show what you guys could do on the greatest stage?

“It felt really good. We talked about it all week just going out there and showing everybody what we’re about. We had a great defense last year and we want to be better than we were last year. I thought we made a good statement coming out.”

Wilton, can you take us through the process of you getting acclimated? You’re comfortable in the system but the gameday environment and taking it step by step and putting it together, what was that like?

“I knew the gameplan front and back, and once I saw my first completion to Jehu on that slant I felt completely settled in and kind of like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and I was able to get comfortable and just fire some shots in the pocket.”

Was there a particular player that you felt like kind of boosted you?

“They were all really helpful. Jake Butt was in my ear a lot; De’Veon last night and this morning. But yeah, everyone was real cool.”

Coach said ‘We’ll get them back and everything will be okay’ and you started at the two-yard line. Talk about the momentum that you guys got on that drive and how you finished it off.

“Starting that deep, it’s just an opportunity to march down the whole field and that was what we were able to do. I was able to complete a few passes, the offensive line was able to hold all their blocks really well, and the running game was outstanding. To be able to march down the field 98 yards and fire a shot in to Grant [Perry] in the corner of the end zone was a good feeling.”

[Hit THE JUMP for more]

Wilton, Coach said he knew who the starting quarterback was early in the week. When did you find out, and what was your initial reaction and process after learning it was you coming out today?

“I don’t really remember a date, like a certain day of the week, that I was named starter. I finished spring ball last year on top, and I was told going into camp that I would start there and it was my job to lose. I made sure to stay there and I didn’t really about them naming the starter or what day it was.”

People have been talking about, ‘Oh, watch out for Chris Evans’ lately. Did what he did today surprise you at all?

MM: “For me, it didn’t surprise me at all. Going against him and all the other running backs every day I see it in practice all the time. I kind of expected it to happen. He’s a great player and a real humble kid, and it’s going to be good.”

WS: “Yeah, from the first day of camp he was making plays and I didn’t even really know anything much about him. I knew he was just a recruited kid and I think he’s from Indiana? But then after two days of training camp we all knew who Chris Evans was. The best part about it is that he doesn’t let anything get to his head and he just goes about his business.”

Mike, the play of the linebackers, yourself, Ben [Gedeon] was very aggressive, too. Can you walk us through that, you approach today as far as being aggressive?

“We both talked about just going out there and just sending a message. We lost three seniors last year at the linebacker position and we just wanted to go out there and prove something and tell them that we belong, basically. And I feel like we did a great job today.”

Wilton, you’ve said how important this quarterback competition has been to you and obviously Jim thought the same thing. How much did it say to you about him when you made the mistake on the first offensive play and he reacted the way he did, staying loyal to you?

“Yeah, there was never a time heading into the game or after that first interception where I was looking over my shoulder. Coach has played the position. He knows that if a quarterback doesn’t perform at a high level he’s worried about being replaced after one bad play. I knew he was going to be cool about it and he was just really happy, big smile on his face, which gave me more confidence.”

Wilton, describe the battle with the other quarterbacks, because they all looked really good today when they did get a chance to come out there. Describe your feelings from last year coming into the spring to when you knew you were the guy, but then you had two really worth opponents coming after you.

“Yeah, John and Shane both had an incredible camp statistically. We kept stats on every day. It was close for a while. John would always come out firing, trying to take my spot, and Shane would do the same thing. The best part about it is we were able to be mature throughout the whole process and be loyal like friends that we are. We all handled it very well and they were able to go out and show what they could do today. I think John was 3-for-3. Shane was 3-for-3 or 4-for-4 with a nice scramble and a juke, so they were able to show what they can do. And Malzone, too. He got in there at the end. It was awesome to see all those guys play.”

Your thoughts on how your line protected? You had a couple young guys there on the left side, but Ben Bredeson seemed to hold up alright.

WS: “Yeah. You wouldn’t think that he’s a true freshman or that he was playing high school football this time last year. The whole offensive line, starting with Mason Cole telling them all what to do and Erik {Magunson], Kyle [Kalis], Pat [Kugler] stepped up today and so did Ben [Bredeson]. So they held their water and gave me plenty of time to make decisions back there.”

Wilton, I know that you’ve had a little bit of time to know that you were going to start. I know you were confident and everything else, but did you get any sleep last night? Were you nervous?

“No. Actually, I was surprised. I went in to the hotel last night thinking, wow, I’m not gonna sleep until 1 or 2 AM. I was just chilling in the room, going over gameplan stuff with O’Korn. He left at like 9:30 and then I just knocked out a little bit before 10. I was up early this morning. I rolled over and I couldn’t fall back asleep but no, I had no problem sleeping last night.”

What time did you get up?

“6:30. We’ve been getting up for camp everyday so my internal clock kind of woke me up.”

What was it like having Michael Jordan on the sideline at the start and what did that add to the pregame experience, and did he address the team before the game?

MM: “Michael Jordan is, like, the GOAT. Really, you know, the actual GOAT. I guess it was kinda like star-struck a little bit, maybe. Having him there gave us a little extra boost of confidence.”

WS: “Yeah, he came and talked to the team last night and he was really just a chill, cool dude. He wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I’m Michael Jordan.’ We put up his highlight tape—or one of many of his highlight tapes—and he was laughing the whole time, kind of ducking his head, a little bit embarrassed. Yeah, it was a really cool experience just to have the ultimate competitor in any sport just kind of being one of the guys in the room.”

What was his message?

WS: “Basically he has so much pride in what he’s done in his life. To have a brand, the Jordan Brand, it represents a lot and it carries a lot of weight. Basically he was saying it’s our job to keep the Michigan brand and the Jordan brand up there on the same level, and he said he went with us because he knew we would do that. Now it’s our job to back it up.”

The amount of freshmen that played today: can you touch on that? What does that feel like in terms of the confidence-building that that may provide to the others around the freshmen that are actually on the field already?

WS: “Yeah, that was huge to see all those young guys, 18-year-old guys out there making plays. Not just filling a role, making plays. Starting with Chris Evans, Rashan Gary, everybody. To be able to step in and get the job done at a high level was big. It’s also just rewarding to see so many guys get playing time today because everybody, the whole 130 people on our team, went through camp at one point or another. For them to be rewarded with that was neat.”

Mike, almost a sense of relief now after all the injuries and everything to be out there and playing like you always expected you would be?

“Yeah. It’s been a long journey, I guess. It just felt really good to be out there. Couldn’t really sleep last night at all. I really don’t have much to say. It’s just great being back.”