Michigan assistant: smarter play, better technique will reduce penalties

ANN ARBOR -- Chris Partridge, Michigan's special teams and safeties coach, met with the media on Wednesday and provided some context for the team's penalty problem this season.

In the video clip above, he specifically mentions targeting and late-hit penalties. The Wolverines, he said, need to be smarter about those types of infractions.

"We're always going to be aggressive," Partridge said, but added that players need to know when to back off.

Michigan's defense was hit with four pass interference penalties in Saturday's 45-20 win over SMU.

"In college football you can get your hands on (the receiver) when the ball's not in the air," Partridge said. "But you have to understand the route…