Tag: Kwity Paye

Multiple Michigan players break down challenge Alabama presents

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – While all eyes will assuredly be on the College Football Playoff come Dec. 28, when Ohio State-Clemson and LSU-Oklahoma will take place, given the absence of Alabama – a team that’s been in every playoff since its 2014 inception – …

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  While all eyes will assuredly be on the College Football Playoff come Dec. 28, when Ohio State-Clemson and LSU-Oklahoma will take place, given the absence of Alabama — a team that’s been in every playoff since its 2014 inception — when Michigan and the Crimson Tide face off in the VRBO Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, it’ll assuredly draw just as much attention, or at least close to it.

Right now, Michigan looks like it will have its full complement of players in the game, which speaks not just to the bond of the team, but also the quality of opponent that Alabama is.

“It’s obviously not a team that we’re used to playing every year being a non-conference opponent,” senior team captain Ben Bredeson said. “We’re very excited about the challenge of playing them. Growing up and for the last 10 or so years, they’ve been a perennial power. Finally being able to play Alabama, it’s exciting, we’re looking forward to it. I believe it’s a good matchup for us.”

While most Michigan players or observers would have thought that getting a shot at Alabama meant that the Wolverines made it to the playoffs themselves, given some of the Crimson Tide’s injuries — namely to star QB Tua Tagovailoa — things didn’t quite work out that way, as the SEC powerhouse lost to playoff-bound LSU and rival Auburn in a closely contested game to end the season.

On Sunday, after the annual Schemmy Awards at Crisler Center, several Wolverines broke down the challenges that Alabama presents — and they’re numerous.

The SEC West and national power, despite the record and injuries, still has a cadre of likely first-round NFL Draft picks. Despite Tagovailoa being out for the season, the offense is still loaded, whether it be the four wideouts led by DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy, or running back Najee Harris.

But the challenges start up front with a talented offensive line that boasts multiple high-end future NFL Draft first-rounders.

“I’m pretty sure they have a first-round guy at right tackle,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said of Alabama RT Jedrick Wills. “I played against him in the All-American game in high school, so I know he’s a great tackle. The other one as well so. Playing against those guys will be huge.”

Given that Michigan’s defense has struggled against some of the top offenses it’s faced — Wisconsin and Ohio State bloodied the Wolverines, while Penn State made just enough damage to hold on for dear life after a quick start early — considering that Alabama has the nation’s 7th-ranked attack in yards-per-game, there’s a lot to cover.

It’s not just that the OL is solid — Alabama is fourth in the country in sacks allowed — but then there’s the aforementioned Harris, the nation’s 38th-best rusher — and the pass offense, ranked third in the nation, averaging 343.5 yards-per-game, the best Michigan will have seen to date.

“They have a very talented receiving corps, and they have a very talented O-line as well,” fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Glasgow said. “I’ve seen their running back make a lot of plays. I’ve seen the running backs they’ve rotated in make a lot of plays. I’m pretty sure the quarterback they’ve rotated in (Mac Jones) has done very well. They put up a lot of points against Auburn in their loss. They’ve done well after Tua went down. I think we’re gonna be playing a great team. We’re going to be playing one of the best teams we’ve played all year, and we’ve gotta prepare for them.”

While the defense might have the biggest challenge, Alabama is no slouch still on its own defense, with the 17th-rated unit in the country coming in.

Michigan’s offense got rolling against Penn State and only slowed down at the half against the Buckeyes. But the Wolverines feel confident that they can keep the ball moving, especially given that offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was an assistant coach in Tuscaloosa a year ago.

But what are the challenges that the maize and blue will face going up against the Crimson Tide defense? Again, it’s multiple.

“They’re big, fast, strong and athletic, all along the board,” senior quarterback Shea Patterson said. “Incredible secondary. They’re very well-coached on defense and very explosive on offense. We’ll see if we can match that.”

All-in-all, it’ll be a tough game for the Wolverines, but should they be able to pull it out, it would be a huge statement for a program that’s trying to add its tenth win for the fourth time in five seasons.

Michigan and Alabama will kick off in the VRBO Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 at 1PM EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

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Draft-eligible Michigan players looking to use Alabama game as NFL showcase

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – With the Ohio State game significantly stalling several Michigan players’ momentum after a several week stretch of solid outings, it looks like any Wolverines intending on departing the program early for the NFL have something to …

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  With the Ohio State game significantly stalling several Michigan players’ momentum after a several week stretch of solid outings, it looks like any Wolverines intending on departing the program early for the NFL have something to think about.

It’s been a nouveau trend since 2016 for many who are departing their  program who aren’t in the College Football Playoff to opt to abstain from participating in their final intercollegiate contest. Last season, Michigan had several not participate, whether it be due to injuries they were nursing or out of fear of sustaining an injury in the bowl game.

This season, however, it doesn’t look like any Wolverines are intending on taking that course, as the team has had the full complement of healthy players participate in all three practices up until Sunday thus far, with the VRBO Citrus Bowl only a few weeks away now.

“I don’t think we’ve had as a team that conversation,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said. “But just talking in the locker room, a bunch of us, a few of us expect to play in the game. We’ve all been practicing. No one’s been sitting out from practice or stuff like that.”

What’s more, given how things shook out in the final game of the regular season, several guys want to prove that they’re better than they showed against the Buckeyes.

And there’s no better opportunity to prove their value than in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama — arguably the most talented team in the country.

The Crimson Tide continually bring in the nation’s best recruiting class, a product of fielding a team that has never missed the College Football Playoff since its 2014 inception until this year. Only once in that timeframe did Alabama not advance to the final game.

Paye notes that this game can be utilized as a showcase. Instead of waiting for the various senior bowls or the NFL Scouting Combine come spring, players can show off their ability and capability against top-tier talent in just a few short weeks.

“After practice today, (strength and conditioning) Coach Herbert was talking about this is a money game,” Paye said. “There’s a lot of first-round guys on that team. Lavert Hill has the opportunity to play against first-round talent. Our D-line has a chance to play against first-round talent as it’s a heckuva O-line, as you know.

“It’s huge for us that we’ve got an opportunity to play against that talent and show the NFL scouts what we can do.”

Beyond that, Paye says this is a last time for the outgoing players to suit up one last time with their brothers.

“I feel like the bond we have with the guys on this team, they wouldn’t want to sit out,” Paye said. “It’ll be their last game to play with this team. I feel like they’ll wanna play.”

The VRBO Citrus Bowl kicks off on Jan. 1 at 1PM EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

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Kwity Paye leaning towards returning in 2020

While he still isn’t sure about his future, there’s a good chance one of the Wolverines star defensive ends will return next season.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  Looks like ‘salt and pepper’ will have one more year together, if everything remains at status quo.

Both junior Kwity Paye and sophomore Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan’s two starting defensive ends, won the Richard Katcher award, given to the team’s best defensive lineman/outside linebacker by the coaches. While Hutchinson has another surefire year, as he isn’t yet eligible to enter the NFL via the draft, Paye has a decision to make.

And while he certainly could go to the pro ranks, as of right now, he thinks he’ll likely remain in Ann Arbor for one more season.

“I submitted my name to the (NFL) for the grade,” Paye said. “I get it back the next week or so. I’ll make my choice after that.

“I think I’m leaning towards coming back. I think one more year would help this team, help myself. I’d graduate with my degree.”

In the 2019 regular season, Paye led the Wolverines with 12.5 tackles for loss, while adding 49 tackles and 6.5 sacks, the latter being the second-highest on the team behind LB Josh Uche, who is going to the NFL after Michigan’s turn in the VRBO Citrus Bowl.

When making this type of decision, there’s a few people Paye is leaning on in the coaching staff. For him, he feels like the defense can capitalize with the bulk returning.

As he notes, some will be gone — Uche, seniors Lavert Hill, Carlo Kemp and Khaleke Hudson — but for the most part, everyone should be back next year.

“I talked to Coach Brown a lot, Coach Nua,” Paye said. “I feel like this year was alright, but I feel like come back, get my degree. Hope to see a little more. We’ll have a lot of guys coming back on this defense. We’ll lose three or four guys.”

For now, Paye will wait to see what his draft grade comes back as. Regardless, he will play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama, coming up Jan. 1 at 1PM EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

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Unlike in previous years, Michigan eager for postseason ‘opportunity’

If there’s one thing that the Wolverines aren’t this postseason, it’s not disinterested in playing in the bowl game.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  The past three seasons, Michigan has ended its seasons with a whimper.

Like clockwork, the Wolverines have high expectations for the season only to finish with two consecutive losses to finish the season, with a loss to Ohio State followed by a loss in the bowl game. Twice in the past four years, the Wolverines were on the verge of a potential College Football Playoff berth, if they could only beat Ohio State — which they haven’t since 2011.

Those expectations were significantly tampered this year, with an early blowout loss at Wisconsin and a rally that fell short to Penn State in Happy Valley. The maize and blue were out of the final four conversation by the time the Buckeyes came to town, but the result was exactly the same.

So, what’s to keep history repeating itself on that front? With a fourth consecutive season with two losses to finish out the year?

Well, for one, these Wolverines didn’t enter the final game of the regular season thinking they’d get that elusive victory over OSU and get to the playoffs. The Game was more about pride for the maize and blue, and though it still ended in a decisive loss at home to the Buckeyes, with Alabama slipping completely, not just out of the playoff picture, but also all the way down to a non-New Year’s Six game — uncharted territory for a team that has been in the College Football Playoff literally every single year since its 2014 inception — Michigan is relishing its opportunity to play against a top-tier opponent.

As mentioned, that hasn’t always been the case. In 2016, Michigan was inches away from making it into the playoff. In 2018, it was favored to beat OSU and make it then. Thus, the team found itself playing for consolation prizes.

This time around? Not so much.

“Last year, we were No. 4 in the country for the majority of the year and had high hopes,” senior quarterback Shea Patterson said. “And then lost and ended up playing Florida. Guys were disappointed in that game, maybe felt like we shouldn’t be playing in that game. Maybe felt like we should have been in the playoff if we wouldn’t have lost. But this year, I think everyone’s just on board with everything. No matter what the situation is, no matter who we’re playing, we’re gonna come in here and cook.”

But there’s more on the line than just finishing the season on a strong note.

Not only is Alabama arguably the most talented team in the country from top to bottom, but should the Wolverines pull out a victory, it would be the team’s second consecutive 10-win finish, and the fourth in five years under Jim Harbaugh.

It’s just an added bonus if it were able to come at the expense of a Crimson Tide team that’s, honestly, in Michigan’s shoes from the past several years — having higher expectations than the current situation.

“At the beginning of the season, if you would have told us that we were playing Bama in the Citrus Bowl, not a lot of us would have believed you,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said. “Just for us to get this opportunity is huge. We’re all striving for that tenth win for the second year in a row. It’d be huge.”

Given that the Wolverines seem like they’re perennially playing Florida — they’ve faced the Gators twice in the postseason in the past five years, and once to start the season in 2017 — playing against a different top-tier SEC opponent certainly presents a more welcome challenge.

It could have been like the 2017 Outback Bowl, where Michigan played and lost to South Carolina. It was an injury plagued season that finished with a disinterested Wolverines team squandering a 19-point third quarter lead to the Gamecocks.

This game has gravitas, however, given Alabama’s pedigree. Everyone who can play in this game is eager to prove they belong on the big stage against a team that’s won it all more than anyone, which is why there’s an expectation that no one will sit out for the bowl game.

“I think everyone’s very excited to play in the game – I think everyone’s very excited to play Alabama,” senior left guard Ben Bredeson said. “There’s a lot of (positivity) in the building – I don’t know if that’s an overused word by us right now or anything, but it’s a general feeling. Everyone’s excited about it. Right now, it’s that awkward timing, we’re just counting down days until the game.”

So it’s not necessarily optimism that this team is embracing in its positivity as much as it is embracing the challenge of the situation. Which is something that has been sorely missing the past few postseasons.

“I think everybody sees it as the same thing: it’s been used about 20 different times – it’s an opportunity,” Bredeson said. “It’s exactly what it is. It’s the chance for us to show everybody what we can do this year. It’d be a nice way to end the year. Nice way to end the year, especially after losing this last game at home. It would mean a lot to the seniors and everybody to win this one.”

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Michigan not anticipating any players sitting out against Alabama

As far as the leaders of the Wolverines expect as of current, there’s no anticipation that anyone for the maize and blue won’t play vs. Bama

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  On Saturday, junior Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy shocked the world when he announced on Twitter that he would be playing in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Michigan, as it’s been a trend in recent years that the top talent that isn’t in the College Football Playoff forgoes their final game as to avoid injury. This is the first year that the Crimson Tide haven’t been in the playoff since its inception in 2014, so the expectation was that a bevy of their draft eligible players wouldn’t suit up against the Wolverines in Orlando.

Even Michigan had several who didn’t play in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl a year ago, a New Year’s Six game that might not have the gravitas of the playoff, but certainly still has luster.

However this year, it doesn’t look that that will be the case — at least not in the minds of some of the leaders of this 2019 squad.

There’s plenty of speculation not just surrounding those who have exhausted their intercollegiate eligibility, but also around some of the draft eligible juniors. One such player, redshirt junior linebacker Josh Uche, has already declared his intentions to leave the program with a year on the table for the NFL Draft, but stated simultaneously that he’ll be playing in his final go-round against Alabama.

But what about the others? As far as the current players have noticed, there doesn’t seem to be any intentions by anyone to sit this game out. Everyone that can physically practice has done so, many noted on Sunday evening.

“I haven’t heard anything about it,” senior Ben Bredeson said when asked if he had or would address the team about playing in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. “There’s really nothing to address. I think everyone’s on the same page. Any chance you get to play for Michigan, everyone’s gonna do it.”

“I don’t think anyone’s gonna sit out,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said. “We should end the season strong. I feel like a lot of our seniors didn’t end the season strong (against Ohio State). I feel like this is another way to do that.”

As far as those seniors who already are looking at their next steps, with some like quarterback Shea Patterson having already accepted a spot in the East-West Shrine Bowl — a showcase for outgoing college prospects for NFL scouts — they’re leading the way.

The word that kept getting bandied about on Sunday night was ‘opportunity,’ and that’s precisely how these players see going up against a perennial powerhouse in Alabama — even if it is in the VRBO Citrus Bowl, which is outside of both the playoffs and the New Year’s Six games.

And given how the final contest of the regular season went against Ohio State, many see it as a chance to wash the bad taste out of their mouths.

“Hopefully nobody’s sitting out,” Patterson said. “I talked to Josh Metellus, and we’re playing. I don’t think anybody has any room to sit out in this game. I think everybody, for anything, it’s an opportunity for the seniors. If they’re thinking about sitting out, it would only hurt them.”

“I wouldn’t expect anybody that can play to not play,” fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Glasgow said. “We’re playing a very good Alabama team. You perform there, you create a very good situation for yourself going forward. So if anyone wants to sit out, I would say not to. I’d recommend not to because we’re playing a very good team. We have an opportunity to leave the team on a good note.”

Of course, it’s understandable that some might consider not playing, given the history even on this particular team.

In 2016, the Wolverines finished the season playing against Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl, a consolation prize given that the maize and blue were a questionable spot in Columbus away from being in the final four. Tight end Jake Butt, a team captain and projected early-round draft pick, had no considerations to not play in his final game in a winged helmet, and it ended up costing him.

Near the end of the first half, as a pass was launched Butt’s way down the sidelines, he came down awkwardly, and tore his ACL for the second-time in his Michigan career. He slid all the way from being a borderline first-to-second round pick to the first selection of the fifth-round in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Still, with a team like Alabama on the docket, which has either played in or won all but one of the College Football Playoff final games, regardless of the risk, it’s a chance to showcase your abilities more than any other, Patterson notes.

“I think it just depends on your situation,” Patterson said. “But anytime you have an opportunity to go out there and play and compete against the best in the country, it’s another opportunity to prove yourself.”

The VRBO Citrus Bowl is set to take place in Orlando on Jan. 1 at Camping World Stadium, with kickoff set for 1PM EST.

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Schemmy Awards: Richard Katcher Award (Top Defensive Lineman/outside LB)

The Wolverines were so solid up front, the staff couldn’t pick just one, as two standouts won the award.

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The Richard Katcher Award is an annual award given to Michigan football’s best defensive lineman or outside linebacker. And given how the Wolverines were up front, it’s not surprising that the maize and blue named two.

Earlier in the season, sophomore Aidan Hutchinson said that Kwity Paye called the duo bookends ‘salt and pepper.’ And like you can’t have one without the other, Michigan named both the recipients of the award.

Hutchinson had 63 tackles in the regular season in 2019, which also included 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Paye, in his third-year, had 49 tackles, a team-leading 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in the 2019 regular season.

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Michigan feeling different than last year with Ohio State on deck

Why the Wolverines have a different feeling than last year heading into The Game.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  Michigan’s struggles against arch-rival Ohio State dating back to the beginning of the Jim Tressel era are so well-documented that it feels like a foregone conclusion that the Wolverines won’t come up with a W.

It feels like even more of a daunting challenge given how OSU has rolled through its schedule like a bulldozer moving through feathers. With the reveal of the penultimate regular season College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, despite two teams above Michigan losing, the Wolverines stood pat at No. 13 — while the Buckeyes moved up to the No. 1 spot.

But Michigan has been a different team as of late. Not just since halftime in the Penn State game, but in recent memory.

Looking back at how the various teams entered The Game, it hasn’t necessarily been a team peaking heading into that perennial final regular season matchup.

In 2018, Michigan seemed to have peaked after decimating Penn State, 42-7, and was tested by an upstart Indiana Hoosiers squad the week before The Game. The concerns coming out of that game were founded, and an injury to star defensive end Chase Winovich, despite him being able to play against OSU, ended up being costly.

In 2017, starting quarterback Brandon Peters suffered a concussion on an already injury-plagued team. Inexperience and offensive line issues to go along with that meant that the Wolverines were (quite literally) limping into The Game with three losses.

In 2016, Michigan was destroying everyone until a costly night in Iowa severely injured starting quarterback Wilton Speight. Without Speight, Michigan struggled to put away Indiana the week before. He played at OSU, but was physically limited. The Wolverines lost in double-overtime.

In 2015, Ohio State was clearly in another league, despite coming off a loss. Michigan defensive coordinator had already quietly accepted the Maryland head coaching job and seemed checked out as the defense got gashed repeatedly in the second-half. The offense managed little.

That covers the Jim Harbaugh era — all four losses. But something about this team feels different.

The maize and blue started the season slow, struggling to put away the first two teams on the schedule before losing at Wisconsin. It wasn’t until the seventh game of the season — a loss at Penn State — that both the offense and defense seemed to be playing well and in tandem, albeit in the second-half — too little, too late.

After that, however, Michigan demolished a Top Ten — and favored — Notre Dame team. It crushed rival Michigan State, similarly. And instead of the road contest in Bloomington going to overtime — like the previous two road contests at Indiana — the Wolverines made the Hoosiers all but quit, as IU got the ball down 39-14 with 8 minutes remaining and chose to methodically end the game with a slow, 45-yard drive that ended nowhere.

This is seemingly a different team, perhaps Jim Harbaugh’s best, despite having two losses. Because it finally looks complete.

“Yeah, I think we’re all clicking on all cylinders right now,” quarterback Shea Patterson said. “Normally, it’s only on the defensive side of the ball, but I think the offensive production has been a lot more. I think we’re playing up to the defense’s level as far as helping them out as much as they help us out every week.”

Despite some terrible showings by the Michigan defense against many of the top teams it’s faced over the years, there’s one thing it hasn’t had: an offense that could help it out.

Junior defensive end Kwity Paye notes how different it is to have an explosive offense, one that’s outscored its opponents 180-52 since the half in Happy Valley.

Given the offensive emergence and defense seeming to also find its way, Paye feels like Michigan has a great shot to go toe-to-toe with the Buckeyes this time around.

“Last year, it was a great team last year — I feel like we have a great team this year,” Paye said. “I feel like our offense is really clicking this year. I feel like our offense is really getting after it ever since that Penn State game. You just keep seeing the offense keep going up and up and up.”

Star wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones agrees with that sentiment.

“Confidence has been increasing,” Peoples-Jones said. “We feel good out there. We feel good playing with the guys. Everybody’s contributing. So that’s always a good thing.”

In screenwriting, the hero’s journey isn’t about easily going from point A to point B. It’s about the conflict they face along the way.

Everything starts as normal, complacent — but then there’s the call to action. Progress moves forward, despite many obstacles until everything seems hopeless and like the end goal is out of reach.

But then, the hero puts to use those lessons learned along the way until they’re victorious in their chosen endeavor.

Perhaps that’s similar to the path Michigan football has taken. After all, head coach Jim Harbaugh has done everything in his power to change the Wolverines’ circumstances. He’s changed coaches and brought in new ones when needed. The offseason hire of Josh Gattis was a direct reflection of the offense not being seemingly capable of hanging with Ohio State, for instance.

Perhaps some of these losses mounted along the way were part of the tale of Michigan football. As far as Patterson sees it, his team has followed said hero’s journey since he arrived in Ann Arbor as a transfer from Ole Miss. Sure, losing 62-39 was beyond a disappointment, as were the losses to Wisconsin and Penn State this year.

But some learn lessons the hard way and they get stronger. That’s this Michigan team. Whether that amounts to a win on Saturday, ending the bludgeoning at the hands of its rival, that remains to be seen.

If it does, however — isn’t that redemption? Coming full-circle? Patterson thinks so.

“I wouldn’t change a thing up to this point,” Patterson said. “This is a team that’s been through so much the past two years, this season — how we’ve been battling. We’re battle-tested. We’ve lost. Double-overtime. We’ve been through some stuff this year. I can’t sit here and tell you how it’s gonna play out on Saturday, but I can tell you that we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”

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When a Michigan and Ohio State player each learned about the rivalry

Players who will be going up against each other in The Game each share the moment they came to understand the importance of the rivalry.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan and Ohio State are two programs that hate each other, with significantly different cultures and styles.

Yet, are they really all that different?

In some ways, yes — dramatically. That’s reflected to some degree in the recent record, with Ohio State having dominated the rivalry going back to 2004, as Michigan has but one win since then. But the Wolverines also had a 10-2-1 record during the Jon Cooper era, so these things can be cyclical.

But when it comes down to it, there’s a lot of similarities when it comes to motivational tactics.

No, Michigan isn’t in the business of crossing out all the Os on campus, like Ohio State does with the Ms, but it’s certainly passé to wear the colors of the other school on campus.

On Tuesday, a player from each team spoke about when they learned the hard way about wearing the rival’s colors while in their respective city of choice.

Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye

For the junior Michigan defensive end from Rhode Island, he didn’t know much about the rivalry, as the Wolverines weren’t really on his radar until defensive coordinator Don Brown offered late. So his indoctrination came after he enrolled.

He didn’t really get to know or understand the rivalry until The Game actually came, but he learned an important lesson earlier in the season.

“My freshman year, we were doing a walk-through at (Schembechler Hall) and I came in and I was wearing a long red long sleeve,” Paye said. “And we were doing our walkthrough, and they were just looking at me. Everyone was staring at me. And I had to take the long sleeve off and I did the walkthrough shirtless.”

As Paye tells it, first former star Rashan Gary came up to him and told him that wasn’t the right color to be wearing in that building. When Chase Winovich also said the same thing, he knew he had made a huge mistake.

Ohio State offensive guard Wyatt Davis

Photo Credit: Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports

For Davis, the Bellflower, California native, it was during a recruiting trip that he learned that blue wasn’t exactly a welcome color in Columbus.

Davis was considering Michigan, but chose the Buckeyes relatively early in the process. When he was on a recruiting trip visiting Ohio State during the summer, he came dressed in blue.

As we said, he learned the hard way that that’s not a welcome color there on campus.

“Before I got here, I never understood the rivalry but I was wearing like a blue tank top in the facility and one of the hosts was like, you have a jacket or anything you take that off because, you know you’re not allowed to wear blue,” Davis said. “And I’m just kind of sitting there like, well, it’s like 100 degrees down the summer. I got a full jacket on but I did and then after, I guess word got to Coach Meyer, and I had the jacket on. He unzipped it and he was like, do you have that ugly color on? And I was like, ‘Yeah.’ He’s like, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ So I was like, ‘Okay, well, yeah, I definitely won’t do that again.’

“But now that made me realize that, you know, this is this is real. This is — you know — it’s very historic and we take that very serious around here.”

So while the programs might be entirely different in their cultures, their approaches, and their dominance over one another, one thing is for certain — they’re awfully similar in their disdain for one another.

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