Michigan fighting to stay motivated amid more disappointment

EUGENE — Junior defensive tackle Jonah Lea’ea appeared defeated. Lea’ea — along with freshman quarterback Tommy Carr — was the first Michigan football team player or coach to address the media after receiving a beatdown from Oregon Saturday. His face appeared dejected, and he lowered his head when he wasn’t listening to or answering a question from the media. Lea’ea’s sentiment was shared by his teammates as well. “Definitely not the best place,” Lea’ea said about the team’s mental state. “This is going to sting until we can pick up another win.” Lea’ea’s despair had sound origins. The Wolverines had just suffered their most lopsided loss of the year, a week after they were upset by their in-state rival in another rough showing And to add insult to injury, their coach was heckled by their own fans when leaving his postgame press conference, which came just after Lea’ea’s. Despite Lea’ea’s clear dejection, he insisted motivation wasn’t at the core of Michigan’s problems in the loss.

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