As is often the case in a rivalry game like Michigan vs. Ohio State, a win requires one team to make big time plays in big time moments. Although there were several big time plays made by the Wolverines on Saturday, junior defensive back Rod Moore made what was arguably the biggest play of the afternoon – a play that sealed the victory for the Wolverines.
Reflecting on his massive interception to end the game, Moore said he was prepared for that moment.
“I saw that they were in two by two, and throughout the week, coach Clink (Steve Clinkscale) prepared us for the two minute [drill],” said Moore. “I felt Marvin Harrison Jr. running the dig, and I came across. The ball was short, all credit to Jaylen Harrell getting a rush to the quarterback, and I caught the ball…and it was game.”
Although Moore got a lot of the attention for the big play, he made sure to credit edge rusher Jaylen Harrell for forcing Buckeye quarterback Kyle McCord into a bad throw.
“My guy Jaylen got to the quarterback, man. He’s been doing that all year, he was doing that all game. All credit to the guys up front, they make our job on the back end easier.”
With the Wolverines leading by six late in the fourth quarter, Ohio State had one last shot at getting the ball down the field to tie or take the lead. The Buckeyes were moving the ball and, with a wide receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr. who is capable of making big plays, Moore knew that someone needed to step up defensively.
“I was telling myself, and I told everybody, ‘somebody has to make the play.’ The season was on the line, everything that we talked about before the season was on the line.”
Moore went on to say that Michigan Football legend Charles Woodson came to talk to the team earlier in the week, and that his speech helped give Michigan an extra boost for The Game on Saturday. Fitting that Woodson was spotted in the team picture celebrating Moore’s game-winning interception.
