ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -Rich Rodriguez has seen Michigan respond to a loss for the first time. He liked how they looked and sounded in the days following an opening-season setback to Utah.
Even so, Rodriguez is withholding judgment about how well his players will bounce back.
“I’ll tell you more Saturday,” he said.
Michigan (0-1) will host Miami of Ohio (0-1) in Week 2 of the Rodriguez era, which started with a 25-23 loss to Utah.
Rodriguez declined to say who will start at quarterback against the RedHawks and insisted he will continue to use both Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan to direct his spread offense.
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Raudabaugh did enough to keep his job.
“There is no thought of starting Clay Belton this week,” Miami coach Shane Montgomery said. “Daniel is our quarterback.”
Defensively, the RedHawks are led by a trio of standout linebackers: Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic, all of whom are on the Butkus Award watch list.
“Their three linebackers could play for anybody,” Rodriguez said.
Michigan might have up to five running backs carry the ball against Miami.
Rodriguez would be thrilled if at least a couple of them emerge as go-to players after the team was held to 36 yards rushing against Utah.
Brandon Minor led the team with a meager 21 yards – and lost a fumble – and Sam McGuffie had 8 yards on eight carries.
Kevin Grady will join the rotation after being suspended for one game. He was arrested July 2 and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge later that month.
Receiver Greg Mathews is doubtful with an ankle injury, so Junior Hemingway might become a No. 1 receiver – if his banged-up shoulder holds up.
“Junior is one of the few experienced guys we’ve got,” Rodriguez said. “We need him.”
The RedHawks don’t sound caught up in worrying about who’s in or out of Michigan’s lineup.
“It’s all about us,” defensive end Joe Coniglio said. “We’re not thinking about Michigan. We know we have good players on defense and can come out and play against anybody.”
The RedHawks stumbled in their opener, but Michigan know it can’t lean on its 23-0 record against Mid-American Conference teams.
“They were picked to repeat for the championship in the MAC,” Rodriguez said. “With where we are at, we have got to get better ourselves if we want to win any games.”
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