ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines pass rusher TJ Guy shared his thoughts on his acrobatic interception and the team’s mindset coming off the New Mexico game.
“Plus field position for the guys, you know, for the team, easy for (Dominic) Zvada and letting the offense get a chance to go score a touchdown," said Guy. “So yeah, I was just excited for the team.”
Guy admitted to feeling unsure about how to react after making his first career interception.
“I didn’t know how to act for real, never touch the ball in the game. I didn’t know how to act. I’m not going to lie,” Guy said.
When asked about the team’s bus options, Guy said, “Yeah, we got a good little deal going. We got like four, five, six, all different kinds. They look cool, too.”
Guy acknowledged the challenge of defending against quick plays.
“Man, what? You see me and Derrick (Moore) out there; they’re going to run all this other extras-type stuff. So, yeah, definitely frustrating, but play the game how the game’s being played. So, it ain’t nothing," Guy said.
Guy also reacted to a big hit by Brandyn Hillman.
“I was on the field for that one hit. Like I was on the sideline. I heard it. Like I seen it, but I heard it. Like I was like, ‘Yo.’ Like that was his worst one yet. Like that boy is crazy, bro. He’s wild, bro. That [expletive] was crazy.”
Oklahoma
Guy praised Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer as a “very good athlete” and emphasized the need to keep him contained.
“We’re going to have to, you know, keep him contained and minimize what he can do, keep our eyes on him at all times. But yeah, he’s a playmaker for sure,” Guy said.
Comparing Oklahoma’s offense to New Mexico’s, Guy said, “Drastically, to be honest. Two different programs, different offenses, different personnel. Not really looking at New Mexico for these guys.”
Nate Marshall
Guy expressed pride in teammate Nate Marshall’s performance.
“Definitely made us all proud, going in there and affecting the game. Helping Cole (Sullivan) get an interception. That’s what we care about. We care about the other guy’s success highly. So, good feeling for sure," Guy said.
Guy recalled what stood out about Marshall from day one.
“Just a whole lot of raw athleticism and ability. He didn’t really know too much within the system, as he wouldn’t because he had just got there at that time. But yeah, he had a lot of raw talent for sure,” Guy said.
Jaishawn Barham
On playing without teammate Jaishawn Barham, Guy said, “Playing for him for real. You know how bad he wants to be out there for us, and he knows how bad we want him out there with us. So, we going to play for him for sure,” Guy said.
Regarding a controversial targeting call, Guy defended his teammate.
“They was holding me and [expletive] like, bro, but they didn’t seem to call too much stuff for us. I don’t think he should get punished for the way he plays. Big, strong, fast, aggressive guy. So, I tell him not to take that away from him at all,” Guy said.
Guy praised Barham’s professionalism in handling the situation.
“He’s not beating himself up or making a big deal out of it. He’s going to come back in the second half and [expletive] up for him,” Guy said.
On avoiding targeting penalties, Guy said, “Stay in the strike zone. But the quarterback was so short, and he’s like 6′4, so I can’t really tell him to dive and lunge. You might miss him. But I don’t know. I wouldn’t tell them nothing for real. Keep being him.”
Barham was called for targeting during the Wolverines’ 34-17 victory over the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, when he laid a big hit on quarterback Jack Layne.
The play looked to regain momentum for Michigan, which was en route to a blowout as Layne fumbled the ball, which was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Barham.
But under further review, officials overturned the call, and Layne was down by contact and ejected Barham for the remainder of the game and for the first half of Saturday’s (Sept. 6) first road test of the season for the men in maize.
Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder
Guy applauded linebackers Jimmy Rolder and Sullivan for their strong performances during camp.
“They were doing their thing, bro. I’m really proud of them. All the linebackers had a great camp, but those guys are starting-caliber guys. So, it was good seeing them go out there making plays and just being who they are,” Guy said.
Guy graded the defense’s performance as a “C to C+.
“I feel like we came out with good intent, good energy, but always think to clean up. We can always get better,” Guy said.
Guy was excited about Dominic Nichols, who got his first sack vs. New Mexico. It was also his first strip sack.
“That’s my guy. So, I was very proud to see him get his first sack. The ball came out, too. So, that’s huge,” Guy said.
Oklahoma Sooners
Looking ahead to Week 2, Guy said the team needs to clean up “everything within our framework, our pillars, making sure that we’re clean on those and angles, effort, communication, block construction, all the things we pride ourselves on.”
On the significance of the upcoming top 20 matchup, Guy said, “I think rankings or not, this game would be huge just because of the history of the two programs, true rich traditional programs. So, I think it’ll be big no matter what, but knowing that it’s only going to be a bigger matchup.”
Bryce Underwood
Guy shared enthusiasm for teammate Bryce Underwood’s performance.
“That block, bro. That turned me up. We was all on the sideline watching Bryce. He was doing his thing, bro. We was so proud,” Guy said.
Guy confirmed that what he saw from the offense and how explosive it was during fall camp was unbelievable.
“Yeah, camp. That’s what I saw. So, yeah, it’s working,” Guy said.
Guy said having a dynamic offensive player like Underwood gives the defense a lift.
“Definitely makes us feel good knowing we got a guy who can go out there and do what he can do. So, try to get him the ball as much as we can, keep it in his hands for real,” Guy said.
Sherrone Moore
Guy said head coach Sherrone Moore was not showing extra emotion during the game against his alma mater, despite his ties to the opponent.
“No, not at all. He’d have the same approach that he has now,” Guy said.
Guy admitted he has not seen a film of Moore playing, but plans to check it out.
“I heard he was like a center or guard. So, I’m going to have to go look that up, actually. See if he’s smashing [expletive] out there.”
Confident about getting around Moore to ask him if he was playing smash mouth football as a Sooner, Guy said, “Oh, yeah. I’m confident in that already, but I didn’t see the film.”
Emotional return to Oklahoma
Moore reflected on the emotional aspect of returning to Norman, Oklahoma, where he earned his degree.
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 15 of 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.