ECU coach expresses concern about Michigan football defense

Ahead of this weekend’s game, ECU coach Donnie Kirkpatrick — the Pirates’ offensive coordinator — had a chance to speak with the media. There, the Wolverines’ opposing offensive play-caller expressed some concern about what his offense is going up against — an elite and angry Michigan football defense.

ECU coach expresses concern about the Michigan football defense

Playing the Michigan football defense is no small task — the Wolverines have one of the top units in the nation, and ECU offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick knows it.

“Their players, they’ve got really good players,” Kirkpatrick said (WATCH). “Defensively, what did they give up? 16 points a game last year — now, that was last year’s team, I get that. But they got most of them returning, they did lose some players. But you know, programs like that, they just reload.

“They’ve lost, what? Three games in two years or something like that. So they’re used to winning, they’re used to having success. That means that they’re recruiting well. And then they just have outstanding talent. I mean, they don’t, they don’t do anything that’s, ‘Okay, wow, what scheme is that?’ They have good schemes. Coach Minter does a great job, he’s got NFL experience, he’s got a lot of NFL stuff in.”

More from Kirkpatrick on the Wolverines’ defense

Donnie Kirkpatrick continued on the Michigan football defense, outlining some worries.

“But that’s not what worries you. What worries me is their defensive line can just explode off the ball and just throw the offensive lineman down, and go make the tackle. And then there’s like four other guys there when they make the tackle as well.”

“They do a nice job with interceptions, a lot of tipped balls. I’ll tell you what, you better not tip the ball as a receiver, because they do a great job of breaking on the ball and getting the turnovers, and setting the offense up for success. So a lot of concerns. We have a lot of concerns, have a lot of respect for them.”

Despite injuries, Michigan football is looking good heading into the 2023 season tomorrow afternoon.

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