ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi expressed pride in the unit’s performance after Saturday’s 34-17 victory vs. New Mexico.
El-Hadi said they, as a unit, still have things to fix ahead of their first road test of the season when they’ll travel to Norman on Sept. 6 to take on the No. 18-ranked Oklahoma Sooners under the lights.
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“I felt like we played really good. Still things to fix, but overall I was really proud of the boys and we’re just excited, you know, having that first win was really good,” said El-Hadi.
When asked about adjusting protections pre-snap, El-Hadi explained it’s a shared responsibility between him, Greg Crippen, and Bryce Underwood.
“We both do it, but it’s mostly Crippen and then the tackles. If they see anything, and then guards like we work as a unit, and if Bryce sees something we don’t see, then he would fix it,” El-Hadi said.
El-Hadi said the team is preparing for loud environments by practicing silent counts extensively.
“Yeah, that’s going to be important on the O-line and on Bryce,” El-Hadi said. “We’re very in-depth in those. Yeah, we’re good with those.”
El-Hadi offered advice to Underwood, the freshman five-star true-freshman quarterback, on handling road game hostility: “Just chill out. You know, the fans are going to always be loud. We’re used to it being loud, and practices are very loud, sometimes louder than the game. So I think he’s ready. He’s very mature.”
As of Tuesday, Sept. 2, Michigan was a +5.5-point underdog to the Sooners, who ESPN says have a 53.5% chance of winning the game.
When reflecting on the underdog mentality, El-Hadi said, “We’re used to being underdogs. I’d rather be an underdog than be a favorite sometimes. Having that chip, you know, I feel like we’ve always played with that chip since I’ve gotten here. The environment is different, and we’re just ready for the opportunity and the challenge.”
El-Hadi highlighted lessons from last year’s Week 2 home game beatdown at the hands of the Texas Longhorns.
“Being fundamentally sound, being disciplined, and just having that drive within you and as a unit. No matter, you know, they’re great players. I love these types of matchups when you get two monsters going against each other.”
El-Hadi noted the offensive line’s adjustment to a faster tempo.
“It was really good, and I felt like the boys handled it really good,” El-Hadi said. “It was different, but I think we did a really good job handling it. Bryce and the wide receivers did a really good job handling it, too.”
El-Hadi described how practices simulate loud game environments.
“They got every speaker hooked up playing as loud as possible during certain periods. It helps us out a lot,” El-Hadi said.
Marlin Klein
On player development, El-Hadi praised tight end Marlin Klein’s attitude.
“The biggest thing was his attitude to the game and just playing free. He did a great job on Saturday doing that. I’ve been around the block for a while now and just see everybody develop, including Klein and other players, as it’s really amazing to see. Even myself.”
Klein was dominant vs. New Mexico as he led the Wolverines in receiving yards with 93 while catching six receptions and his first touchdown of his and Underwood’s careers.
El-Hadi shared how playing on the left side alongside Evan Link felt more comfortable this season.
“It felt good and I felt like we worked really good together,”El-Hadi said. “It felt fluid. Felt like we had that chemistry just like we did on the right side.”
El-Hadi expressed pride in the offensive line’s role in big plays by running back Justice Haynes and Underwood.
“It felt good that the O-line was doing their job to make it happen for the boys, blocking your guy and seeing him down the field running, it felt pretty good,” El-Hadi said.
Sherrone Moore
El-Hadi also spoke about head coach Sherrone Moore and his influence on Team 146.
“He told us his whole process and why he pursued coaching,” El-Hadi said.
Moore reflected on the emotional aspect of returning to Norman, Oklahoma, where he earned his college degree as an offensive lineman in the late 2000s with a degree in communications.
He said his loyalty is to Michigan’s players, who he described as “my kids,” and noted the challenge of preparing them for a loud, hostile environment.
The Sooners’ matchup will be under the lights in Norman, Oklahoma, as the Wolverines will travel to the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Although it is a big game as both teams are expected to be ranked in the top 18, including Michigan, which fell one spot to No. 15 in the AP Poll, it will be the return of former offensive lineman, alumnus, and current head coach Moore for the first time in his head coaching career.
Moore, an offensive lineman from 2005-2006, helped the Sooners win two Big 12 championships and play in two BCS bowl games.
The matchup will be the first between the two schools since the 1976 Orange Bowl.
Regarding motivation, El-Hadi said the team’s focus is simply on winning as they’re returning to Moore’s alma mater, where he opened holes for future NFL All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray as an offensive lineman.
“No, not really. We just want to win. That’s the most important thing,” El-Hadi said. “It can be New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or the team down south. We want to win. Play our best and do our best and win the game.”
On Underwood’s key block that set up Haynes’ second touchdown of the game, El-Hadi gave it a perfect score.
“10 out of 10. I haven’t seen that one before from a QB. He’s a physical, great kid,” El-Hadi said.
El-Hadi added how such plays galvanize the offense.
“When you see your QB do it, it’s very special, and we just take pride in that. When he does something like that, it hypes us up too,” El-Hadi said.
👀 @BryceUnderwoo16 throwing the block https://t.co/EMH7iLEdoS
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 31, 2025