What Michigan coach Biff Poggi and players said after defeating Nebraska 30-27 in Lincoln

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1) fell to the No. 20 Michigan Wolverines (3-1, 1-0) 30-27 on Saturday afternoon. The Wolverines played the game without head coach Sherrone Moore, who was serving the second game of a two-game self-imposed suspension for the University of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal.

Associate head coach Biff Poggi served as the interim head coach during Moore's absence. He, along with center Greg Crippen and running back Justice Haynes, talked in detail about the success of the running game.

The Wolverines' ground game dominated the Blackshirts with 288 rushing yards for an average of 9.0 per rush. Justice Haynes led the game with 149 yards and one touchdown.

Poggi started his media availability by talking about his team's self-inflicted wounds early in the game.

“These kinds of games can produce self-inflicted wounds. I mean, that's a good football team. We're on the road. We have a very young team, believe it or not, and so you're going to get some of that. It is another huge learning experience from this game for our team, which they will take and they will learn from just like they did at Oklahoma.”

Interim Head Coach Biff Poggi on the defensive success

“Wink Martindale was incredible. His game plan was unbelievable. He’s a tactician. He was calling stuff out on the sideline before it was snapped. And our team, they love to go get the quarterback. I thought they did an unbelievable job in the run game. I believe we held them to under 50 rushing which in a Big Ten game, away, that's kind of good, I think.”

Interim Head Coach Biff Poggi on Hail Mary before half

“Sometimes those things happen. What's most important is, how do you respond to them. At halftime, I called them up before we went on the field. I told them, I said, I know it's 17-17, but physically, we're beating the snot out of them, and we're turning this into a heavyweight fight, and that's going to be to our big advantage in the second half and I think it was.”

Center Greg Crippenon how their long runs came together

“I mean, I think we all did a good job. And there was some adjustments that earlier in the game, we weren't doing good enough, but I think we made the adjustments and sprang those long runs. I just did my job on those plays and outside zones were working. We kept going to it, and it's great.”

Center Greg Crippenon Justice Haynes’ performance tonight

“He’s doing an unbelievable job. As an offensive line we are just trying to do our thing and open routes for the running backs. And obviously, Justice is doing his thing and it’s been really impressive.”Center Greg Crippenon if they expected these long runs coming into the game

“We knew they were going to move a lot. Just watching film and going into the game. And it was something Oklahoma did well at and was good for us to get that experience. We knew if we could stop the movement we would get big run lanes for our running backs. 

Running back Justice Haynes on if the team thought they could win in the run game

“Yeah, definitely. We knew that it was gonna start in the trenches. It was gonna start with these boys in front. They did a tremendous job out there. They practiced their tails off. They continue to keep getting better each and every week. I’m just thankful for the way that they played today. They played really well.”

Linebacker Ernest Hausmann on how the defense addressed the Hail Mary at the end of the first half

“You know it’s that whole motto of going to halftime with a score of 0-0, it’s a new ball game. We knew this game was not going to be easy. We know 0-0 is just where we wanted to be at halftime.”

Linebacker Ernest Hausmann on returning to Lincoln for his final time

“You live and pray for moments like these. Just such a blessing. To have this opportunity to come back here and play for these great fans. And I played for a year in front of them. They did so much for me at the University of Nebraska and I am so thankful for what they did for me. They really jump started my career. And just to be able to put up a performance like that in front of them always means a little more.”

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1) will now enter a bye week to recover. They will retake the field on Saturday, Oct. 4, when they host the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff time and network are TBD. 

Michigan will also enter a bye week and will host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 4 at Michigan Stadium. Moore will return to the sideline for that game, but still has to serve a one-game suspension against Western Michigan in 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: What Michigan coach Biff Poggi said after beating Nebraska football