Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh was not happy about several things following the Purdue game. He ripped the hit on Wilton Speight, while providing an update on his health. He also criticized the Purdue facilities. In other Michigan football news, there's an update on the Michigan-Michigan State game.
Wilton Speight Update
Michigan is on bye this week and that's a good thing for Speight. Harbaugh said if the Wolverines had a game to play this week, Speight would not be able to go.
"If we were playing a game this week he wouldn't be able to play," Harbaugh said. "And we'll assess it as we go. ... He's a very tough guy. Very hopeful he'll be back soon."
Harbaugh, as he frequently does, has not provided many details on the nature of Speight's injury. So far, we only know that Speight has a soft tissue injury. What Harbaugh has said, however, is that he thought the hit on Speight was "egregious."
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Harbaugh Rips Hit On Speight
Before we get to the comments from Harbaugh, here's the video of the hit.
Harbaugh felt the hit on Speight by DT Eddy Wilson deserved a penalty, which was not called.
"Having seen it now (on replay), I thought it was egregious," Harbaugh said. "If I had a stronger word to use I would use it. With all the emphasis on protecting defenseless players, it appeared that the player knew what he was doing. Targeted the head and neck area when (another) player was on the ground and then accelerated into it. I was surprised you had two officials standing back there, both looking at it, plus a review in the press box and that wasn't targeting and that wasn't a personal foul."
Harbaugh has sent the tape of the play to the Big Ten office to get an explanation of why there was no flag on the play.
Harbaugh Also Rips Purdue Facilities
The hit wasn't the only thing Harbaugh was upset about. He also criticized the quality of the Purdue visiting locker room.
"We are going to look at everything we can do for the visiting team here at the University of Michigan as it relates to a standard of care for the visitors," Harbaugh said. "It's become apparent after going around to all the visiting schools the last couple years that a conscious effort of gamesmanship (is happening). It's unsportsmanlike when you have locker rooms that are too small, they're not heated or cooled properly. In this case, no air conditioning.
"Such a tight, cramped environment. We had to open the doors to get ventilation going in a small area and people are walking by (outside) watching you dress. The number of urinals or bathrooms for the players and staff, I think there was two. Not even a private door around it. And, mainly, the health and safety of the players. Very small space for a training room."
Harbaugh said the locker room at Purdue felt "no different than the facility I think I saw when I was there in 1986." Harbaugh also ripped the medical facility and said this is an issue across the Big Ten.
"I'm not putting this (all) on Purdue, this is league-wide," Harbaugh said. "It needs to be addressed by the league, it needs to be addressed by the commissioner and we're going to lead the way. There needs to be a way to X-ray a player at the stadium. There needs to be a minimum standard of care for the players. We put a lot of emphasis on health and safety of the players, but it didn't even seem sanitary.
"I wish I'd have taken a picture of the actual table that was given to the visitors to put the players on when they're injured. It looks like it was from the 20s. It was ripped. Just not good. I think that's a pattern in the Big Ten."
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Night Game Against Michigan State
One final note here; the Wolverines have confirmed their game against Michigan State on Oct. 7th in Ann Arbor will be a night game.
Saturday Night Lights!
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 25, 2017
Michigan’s game next week vs. MSU will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/gIKC5hZSf3
It's the first time the in-state rivals will play at night. It's the fourth home night game at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines previously played Notre Dame at night in 2011 and 2013 at night, plus Penn State in 2014.
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