It was senior edge rusher Derrick Moore who delivered the final blow Saturday in the No. 25 Michigan football team’s statement win over Washington.
With roughly nine minutes left in the game, the Huskies sat on fourth-and-3 at their 32-yard line and decided to go for it. Down 21-7, Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. prepared to throw the ball downfield — but he never got the chance. As soon as the ball was snapped, Moore sideswiped the blocking tight end and pounced on Williams for the game-sealing sack and a forced fumble.
“I already have my reps playing, thought of, and I just go with it,” Moore said Tuesday. “Going back and thinking about that play (it was) really just thinking of getting off the ball. I got off the ball, saw the tight end, went around him, quarterback was right there.”
That talent and tenacity has distinguished Moore as one of the Wolverines’ top defenders. And so far, his steady presence and production have been exactly what Michigan needs.
Toward the beginning of the season, Moore told the media that it’s a race to the quarterback for him and senior linebacker-turned-edge rusher Jaishawn Barham. Evidently, Moore has won the majority of the races so far, leading the team with 4.5 sacks.
These kinds of performances, however, wouldn’t be possible without Moore’s careful preparation — preparation that Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore says Derrick does the right way. It starts far before the game kicks off with taking care of his body, watching film and working closely with the scout offensive line. As a result, Derrick delivers every time he steps on the field.
“He one of the hardest working guys in the building,” Tré Williams said. “… one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around, and somebody who, from what I’ve known, has really grown up into that role. He might not have always been that, but for the nine, ten months I’ve been here, he’s been the epitome of a Michigan man.”
As both a team captain and experienced player, that leadership will be critical this week as Michigan prepares for its rivalry matchup against Michigan State. For a game that the players have often likened to a state championship, the stakes seem to outweigh the standings. But with the Wolverines being a relatively young team, the experience of playing in such a hostile environment isn’t quite familiar.
That’s where players like Derrick come in.
Derrick has gone toe-to-toe with the Spartans multiple times before and knows, just as well as the other veterans, the emotions that surround the game. While he’s proven consistent on the field, Michigan will now rely on Derrick’s leadership to guide it through the noise of the rivalry.
“Since I’ve been here, this game means a lot,” Derrick said. “To the alumni, to the university and also like to the Michigan native guys. So I try to go out there and just perform well (as) possible as I can. And also make sure everybody dialed in this week, because this game just not another win, you know, this game means a lot to the university, so we got to get that return back to them.”
If the Wolverines’ performance against Washington is any indication, Michigan can rely on Moore to bring both sparks and stability. Because when the moment calls for it, Moore has shown he knows how to deliver the final blow.
