Mattison's D-line.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/10/greg_mattisons_defensive_line.html#incart_most-commented_wolverines

Greg Mattison's defensive line is all grown up, and it's destroying people

By Nick Baumgardner | nbaumgardner@mlive.com
October 15, 2015 at 7:01 AM, updated October 15, 2015 at 7:10 AM

ANN ARBOR -- No one can predict three shutouts, that's impossible.

But if there's anyone in Ann Arbor who saw Michigan's shift from "good" to "wow, really, really good" on defense this season, it's Greg Mattison.

Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin's at the controls.

But it's Mattison, Michigan's current defensive line coach and former DC, who built it.

"A lot of these kids are juniors now, eligibility-wise, and they've been here for three years," "They've gotten stronger. They understand football better. They've got a lot invested. Any time you've played three years, you've got a lot invested.

"And now you want to start reaping some benefits ... and it's time."

Apparently.

Michigan's defense became the first FBS group to blank three straight opponents since Kansas State pulled off the feat in 1995, and currently ranks No. 2 nationally against the pass and No. 3 nationally against the run.

Mattison had a hand in recruiting just about every player on Michigan's starting defense this season, but these days, he's focused solely on the defensive front -- who are all guys he helped bring to Michigan.

Nose tackles Ryan Glasgow and Maurice Hurst have controlled the interior at the point of attack each of the past three weeks, and have now combined to make nine tackles for loss and four sacks on the season.

Chris Wormley had seven tackles for loss over the first three games of the season, and hasn't been caught out of position many times all year. Willie Henry's up to four sacks. Taco Charlton's got 2 1/2 sacks.

All of these guys are players Mattison spent most of 2012 and 2013 praising and building up. He insisted their time was near, but due to a lack of depth up front, was forced to play them almost immediately

Now, though, they're all grown up.

And they're dominating.

"These kids have bought into Michigan so much from day one, and now they're three years older and it's time," Mattison says. "That's what you're seeing.

"They're veterans now."

The reality, of course, is that Michigan's defensive line didn't wake up this season and decide it wanted to be good. These guys were tough to move last season, and they weren't exactly pushovers in 2013 either.

Michigan ranked No. 15 against the run a year ago through 12 games (117.7 yards per game allowed) and No. 29 nationally in 2013 (140.2).

And every player in the three-man rotation -- Henry, Charlton, Glasgow, Hurst, Worley and Godin -- all played roles on both those teams. Michigan lost buck linebacker/weakside end Mario Ojemudia to an Achilles injury two weeks ago, but inserted senior Royce Jenkins-Stone last week against Northwestern to positive results.

Per Mattison, he's just another example of a player who has put in too much work to not see progress.

"When he goes in, he's making plays," Mattison says. "That's what you want (at that spot). The next guy always steps up. Royce understood that. He went in and played very, very hard. Did some really good things and played with good technique.

"That didn't surprise me a bit."

Through six weeks, Michigan has racked up 48 tackles for loss -- No. 2 in the Big Ten. Defensive linemen have made 32 of those. Michigan's continued to terrorize offensive lines with its stunt games and relentless depth, as eight players consistently see time up front throughout every game.

Michigan's allowing just 2.2 yards per carry this season, and three times this year, teams have rushed for fewer than two yards per run against this defense. Mattison's line has plenty to say about that, too.

They're savvy, they're seasoned and now they're successful.

Mattison's not surprised.

"This is a group of guys (especially) up front who have played a lot of football, some of them played before they should've," Mattison said. "They've worked very, very hard on their technique. And it's never just one group. ... Our secondary is playing so well, our linebackers are doing good things. All those things, hand in hand, help the front.

"It's a team deal, all the way."