ANN ARBOR — As Donovan Edwards noted on Monday, he’s now lost as many games this season as he’d lost in his three previous seasons at Michigan combined. The Wolverines are 4-3 after Saturday’s loss at Illinois. It’s their first losing streak — they lost at Washington two weeks prior — since 2020.

What is the vibe of the program? Can the Wolverines brush themselves off before Saturday’s rivalry showdown with Michigan State (7:30 p.m. ET, BTN)?

These were among the topics broached at Monday’s press conference at Schembechler Hall. Head coach Sherrone Moore, Edwards (a running back), and defensive tackle Mason Graham met with the media. Below are highlights from their answers.

Moore on the state of the program: “Obviously not happy with the record, not happy with the losses. I really just want our kids to be in a good place mentally and spiritually. We’re 4-3. Our job now is to get better to be 5-3.”

Moore on the program’s regression from last season: “I just think it’s about us taking care of the football, again. I can say it tirelessly. What we’ve done, it’s because of the football. Look at last year in terms of fumbles — not very many. In terms of picks, J.J. (McCarthy) had three in one game and after that he only had one. If we (protect the ball) we’ll be in a better place.”

Moore on the health status of Will Johnson and Myles Hinton: “Will, we’ll see. Myles, it looks like he’s trending in a really good direction.”

Moore on play-calling duties and whether offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell will be on the sideline again: “It will still be Kirk (calling plays). … We’ll see (where he is for the game). I think it was good, especially for the quarterbacks, seeing him face to face. From my own experience as a play caller, being on the field really helped me. But we’ll go through the week and figure out what we think is best for the crew.”

Edwards on the offense as a whole through seven games: “We have a lot of work to do. I have two fumbles this year which is not really like me at all. Just the small things we have to get better at. We have to continue to win the day. I live by a Kobe Bryant quote that says there’s a constant quest to be better today than you were yesterday and to make a better tomorrow than today.”

Graham on what will keep the players motivated: “Just coming in here, playing for the guys next to me. We still have our rivals to play: Michigan State and Ohio State. It’s always looking forward to the next game. Michigan State is always a big game.”

Moore on Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles escaping the pocket: “You’ve got to do a great job with your rush lanes. That’s something we’re going to stress. Once he gets outside the pocket, he can be dynamic and do some things to hurt you. You’ve got to keep him in the pocket and be really disciplined with your lanes whether it’s a four-man rush or a five-man rush. If he gets out (of the pocket), he can make things happen with his feet or arm.”

Edwards on the Michigan State rivalry: “This is a trophy game so it means a lot. This is a well-respected rivalry. It’s a great team we’re going to go against this week. Especially being in this state, I have friends and teammates I’ve known for a long time at Michigan State.”

Moore on freshman defensive backs getting more playing time: “Those guys just getting better. Jo’Ziah Edmond can be as good as anybody; great skill set, great ability, great speed. Mason Curtis, you’re talking about a 6-3 safety that can run and will hit you. … Those guys are definitely taking advantage of their opportunities.”

Moore on what freshman quarterback Jadyn Davis needs to do to improve: “Just continue to learn the system, learn the playbook, which I think he has done a good job of. And continue to improve his strength and things in his toolbox. Just continue to progress. … Just knowledge not only of the system but football in general. He’s taken steps to put himself in a good position.”

Edwards on whether the players have faith in the coaching staff: “Of course we do. I don’t want to say that was a dumb question, but … They say no question is a dumb question but … Of course we do. That’s why Coach Moore brought these guys here. … Why wouldn’t we trust our coaches?”

Graham on what a successful season looks like at this point: “Winning all the games left on our schedule that we can. Beating our rivals. And just being 1-0 each week from here on out.”

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