Michigan Offensive Line Looking Forward to Road Environment

The first road game of the year for Michigan football is set to be a primetime matchup on October 5 against Washington. For some players, it will be the first time they’ve played outside of Ann Arbor in the maize and blue. 

Senior Michigan offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi has been through more than a few visiting tunnels, and he said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to take over Husky Stadium. 

“It’s kind of exciting, actually, being in different scenery,” El-Hadi said. “Even though it’s going to be loud, we know it’s going to be loud. We know it’s going to be wild. It’s the rematch of the national championship. I’m ready to make their field our home field. That’s what it’s about. Have fun. Let them boo us. Let them talk all the crap they want.”

When the Wolverines and Huskies kickoff in Seattle it will mark the first time they’ve played as Big Ten foes, and it will be a national championship rematch. El-Hadi said he’s just focused on one thing: leaving with a win. 

“It’s a new week, we’re 0-0,” El-Hadi said. “That’s how we do it. We have to be 1-0 after this week. We don’t look too far into the season. We don’t look at the past. We just worry about the now. Yes, it is Washington. Yes, it is a rematch of the national championship, but we treat every game the same. Every game is important, no matter who we’re going against.” 

El-Hadi said nothing compares to the feeling of hearing crickets during an away game. 

“Beating a team at their own home and taking that spirit out of the fans, they’re all loud…and then they’re all quiet, that’s probably the best feeling.”

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