On the plan for running back coach in Mike Hart's absence

So Mike, I think he had issued a statement today that he was back in Ann Arbor and feeling better. Hopes to rejoin the team soon. We'll make Fred Jackson (running back coach)—we've got a waiver to allow Fred Jackson to coach until Mike gets back.

On whether he expects Hart to coach this weekend

I don't know. The doctors will determine that.

On whether Hart indeed had a seizure or whether it was something else

I don't have a comment on that part.

Just always good. Always prepared, they're always ready. Always win a lot of games. Always good on all sides of the ball, always well-coached. Great shape. Tough, physical, sound football team. Exceptional in many areas.

On what he learned from the team coming out of the game

If you are going to reach the promised land, you need games where teams show what its capable of doing. Defining moments in a second half of a ballgame. There was a lot to keep us humble and things we have to improve on. It did also give us a glimpse of what we can do.

On how much the first half struggles were caused by Hart's emergency

That's unknowable. One thing that football teaches you to do is concentrate on things you can't control. I think there was a learning moment for that. We were all, myself included, the most important thing at the time was Mike's health.

On Penn State's rush defense

We have to play really good. Not just run defense, pass defense is really good. They're really good at both. The biggest challenge of the year so far, in our opinion.

It's been really good. Just anything that helps the team, anything that's asked. Including blocking a field goal in the game, was also huge. In a lot of ways, there were some coming out parties. Luke Schoonmaker, the pass rush and some others. As good a pass rush as you could hope for. Mike's a big part of that.

On what it's like in the Michigan Stadium tunnel

It's obviously a lot of things have changed around Ann Arbor. Michigan football, the campus over decades. To me, one of the things that hasn't is that tunnel. It's the one thing that hasn't really changed. It's gritty, it's awesome. Just like the coach, Lloyd Carr, that's it going to be named for. Just great. Gritty. We're really proud of our tunnel and couldn't be happier that it's now going to have Coach Carr's name on it.

On Luke Schoonmaker stepping up as a leader

He's always been that. The catches, the targets, the blocking. Everybody is just seeing what we've always seen and thought of Luke. Has elevated his game to a really high level. It's great to see.

I haven't met yet in person. We have texted back and forth. Just everything you hear from everybody is what a great guy he is. How enthusiastic he is, how engaged he is with everybody, including the students. Just the enjoyment he has on being on a college campus. Has tremendous leadership skills. That's from everybody that I've talked to here, also Rick Minter, who was a head coach at Cincinnati when Santa was there. Same thing, everybody just has amazing things to say about him and his tenure at Cincinnati. Super excited. I think everybody here, I know coaches, professors, students are anticipating his arrival. Excited about it. People that are here know him and know what he's done. They're excited fo his arrival. People who have been where he's been, people have nothing but fantastic things to say. Really looking forward to it. We're going to have him be our honorary captain for the Michigan State game. That'll be exciting. Michael Phelps will be the honorary captain for the Penn State game. That'll be exciting as well.

On having a strong relationship with the administration

I think it's important. Things are progressing to be progressive. I think that's important.

On whether Saturday has a 'big game feel' to it

Oh, yeah. Big, big game. If anybody was watching football yesterday on television, the pro games, like every commercial break there was an advertisement for the Michigan-Penn State game. If anybody wasn't realizing that this wasn't a big game, there were constant reminders of it yesterday.

On the challenges of Penn State's run game

They're good. I've always thought, and always have, they're always good. They always win a lot of games. Running the ball, throwing the ball, defending the run, defending the pass. Really good on special teams, good specialists. A lot of talented players, well-coached. The quarterback is really good, we've gone against him for a lot of games. Ton of respect for what he can do. Always throwing great backs at you. Tight ends, offensive linemen. Always good football. Always expect a real big game when you're playing Penn State.

On the pressure of drawing up a scheme that works for his players

It's something that we do every week. Always get into this battle rhythm of the season. Always demanding, punishing, challenging yourself to put the players in the best position possible every single week. You get used to it, you look forward to it. That's what drives you.

Super cool. Known Fred Jackson—I think my first start ever as a high school varsity player was against Pioneer vs. Flint Southwestern. Go way back with Fred Jackson. He's great. Always has great insights and knows the whole game, too. Knows all facets of the game. Especially quarterback play, offensive football. Offensive coordinator type of mind. It's been great.

I don't know what you're talking about (laughs). I love them. Very much a rule that you really can't do anything in terms of having fun and celebrating on the field, especially on defense. Seems that it's even more so that way. On the sideline, do whatever you want. Let the guys have fun and celebrate that on the sideline. Have a picture, put on sunglasses. Never heard of buffs. You would not be accused of not being with the times, with the lingo.

On whether he expects Roman Wilson to be back

Never like to comment on whether I expect that or not but we'll see.